Robson sets up Middlesex victory chance

Middlesex will begin the final day at Edgbaston needing seven wickets to take a huge stride towards lifting their first County Championship title for 23 years.

While nearest challengers Yorkshire were held up by the weather at Hampshire, Middlesex closed in on a victory that would strengthen their grip on Division One.

Warwickshire closed on 74-3 in pursuit of the target of 338, triggered by the visitors’ declaration at tea.

Half-centuries from Sam Robson (74) and Stevie Eskinazi (53) underpinned Middlesex batting which was largely unhurried despite the possibility of rain on the final day.

Resuming on 61-0, they lost two quick wickets as Nick Gubbins (46) fell lbw to Jeetan Patel and Nick Compton’s middle-stump was plucked out by Keith Barker.

Dawid Malan later edged Patel to the wicketkeeper but Robson and Eskinazi batted in measured fashion to add 97 in 33.4 overs before a belated attempt to increase the tempo brought a flurry of wickets for the spinners.

Robson swept Patel to deep square-leg and Eskinazi was bowled by Josh Poysden who also castled Toby Roland-Jones (21 off 17 balls) and had John Simpson caught at deep gully.

Chasing 338 in a day and a session, Warwickshire soon lost Varun Chopra who edged Roland-Jones to Robson at slip.

On a used pitch which has assisted spinners throughout, the slower bowlers  quickly struck. Ravi Patel’s 19th ball trapped Jonathan Trott lbw and Ollie Rayner had Westwood lbw.

Bell and nightwatchman Chris Wright saw through to the close but Middlesex left the field knowing they have done most of the hard work.