Strauss out for a duck on another day spoilt by the rain

By

Lord’s (second day of four): Middlesex, with five first innings wickets in hand, lead Durham by 132

Middlesex managed to get just over 39 overs of play into their first innings against Durham at Lord’s on day two.

But it was a second day spoilt by rain after not a single ball was bowled on Thursday.

England captain Andrew Strauss opened the batting with Sam Dobson in Chris Rogers’ first match as interim skipper of the side.

Neil Dexter decided to relinquish the responsibility for an indefinite period in order to return to the form that led Middlesex to promotion last season.

And Dexter managed to grab an unbeaten 65 before stumps after Strauss had fallen for a duck off only the second ball of the day.

Strauss had intended to use three County Championship games to restore some form himself before West Indies arrive for the Test series at the end of May.

But one of his own youngsters, Graham Onions, pierced a delivery straight through the gate and onto the stumps in the first over.

His replacement Joe Denly followed for just a single run in the fifth over as the top order struggled to get to grips with the pitch Surrey criticised in last week’s game.

But after captain Rogers also fell for nine with Middlesex 28-4, Dawid Malan made 35 in a 55 partnership with Dexter to take that score to 83-5.

Dexter’s assuming of control in the innings took the score to 132-5 at stumps, and he will resume on day three with wicketkeeper John Simpson on nine.

Weather permitting, that is.

Advertising on West London Sport

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook