STUMPS DAY 1: LANCASHIRE 239; MIDDLESEX 97-2*
Under blue skies and in the shadow of the magnificent Victorian pavilion here at Aigburth, Middlesex will feel they won the day here after a strong performance with the ball after winning the toss.
Two wickets apiece from Podmore, Patel and Godsal and a 3fer from Nathan Sowter helped to put pressure on the home side, never more in evidence than when two of their batters found themselves at the same end as Cameron Steel threw the ball in for a run out. Our winter's training with a baseball pitching coach paying off as Steel threw the ball with such power that I reckon he could throw a lamb chop past a hungry dogs nose without it getting a sniff.
Lancashire eventually folded on 239 and we look well set closing the day on 97-2 with Max Holden 51 not out.
