Close, day three: Middlesex 123 & 230-1 trail Yorks 178 & 416 by 241 runs
A brilliant unbeaten century from skipper Chris Rogers has given Middlesex a shot at an improbable victory after a thrilling third day at Lord’s.
They looked up against it having been set a seemingly notional victory target of 472, England hopeful Gary Ballance smashing six sixes in a devastating 130.
But Rogers (122 not out) and Sam Robson (77) set about the Yorkshire attack, with an opening stand of 181 inside the first 39 overs.
Robson eventually fell but Dawid Malan (28 not out) remained unmoved at stumps, with Middlesex almost halfway to what would be a remarkable win.
They still have plenty to do on Wednesday, with 242 more runs required, but with nine wickets in hand they will fancy their chances.
Although batting largely came easy, Middlesex struck with the fifth ball of the day when nightwatchman Steven Patterson edged to Malan at second slip, who claimed a messy catch at the third attempt.
Ballance, who was 10 not out overnight, was joined by Adil Rashid and they put on 72 to further inflate the Yorkshire lead.
Rashid played fluently, finding the boundary with some elegant shots, before edging through to wicket-keeper John Simpson off Tim Murtagh’s bowling for 43.
Ballance and Andrew Hodd took Yorkshire well beyond 300 before the wicket-keeper fell to a diving James Harris catch as lunch loomed.
Neil Dexter bowled Liam Plunkett and Ollie Rayner removed Ryan Sidebottom to leave Yorkshire on 350-9, a formidable lead of 405.
Ballance chose this moment to cut loose, hitting 56 off just 23 deliveries, including four fours and five sixes, as he pressed home his claims for a Test place.
He took after Dexter and Rayner but, when he tried to do likewise to Murtagh, he offered up a catch to Steve Finn at third man.
It was Murtagh’s 500th first-class wicket – but Yorkshire’s lead was a similar figure, 471.
Having been bowled out in just two sessions in the first innings, Middlesex were now required to bat for a day and a half to save the game.
After a watchful start, Rogers and Robson (both pictured) took the attack to Yorkshire and both reached 50 after tea.
Rogers got to his 100 from just 110 balls, including 19 fours, but moments later Robson was caught by man of the day Ballance for 77.
Crucially it wasn’t the start of a collapse as Malan dug in – and all three results remain possible going into a fascinating final day.
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This post was last modified on 30/04/2014