DAY ONE - CLOSE OF PLAY REPORT
Dawid Malan underlined his liking for Hampshire’s bowlers as a high-class 147 put Middlesex in early command of the Specsavers County Championship Division One match at Northwood.
Malan was joined by his captain Adam Voges in a 279-run third wicket stand which propelled Middlesex to 342 for 3 after they had initially slumped to 14 for 2.
Australian Test batsman Voges also played superbly for his unbeaten 128, from 259 balls and with 13 fours, and he and John Simpson, who is unbeaten on 28, saw off the second new ball to complete a fine day for Middlesex.
Malan was first to three figures, driving former West Indies fast bowler Tino Best through extra cover for his 13th four in the second over after tea, and his 16th first-class century followed scores of 121 and 24 not out against Hampshire in the championship game at the Ageas Bowl earlier this month and a sparkling 93 on Friday in the NatWest T20 Blast encounter between the two sides at Uxbridge.
An entertaining day began with Hampshire on top and forcing Malan and Voges to battle hard for supremacy on a pitch on which facing the new ball was a testing proposition in early overcast and chilly conditions.
The predominantly sunny afternoon session brought 130 runs as the third wicket pair grew in authority in warmer temperatures and then, after tea, came some thrilling cricket as Malan hit Mason Crane’s leg spin straight for six before upper-cutting Best in extraordinary fashion for another six to wide third man.
The fiery Best responded with a ferocious bouncer that Malan, by now on 122 and looking in complete command, could only glove down from in front of his face for a streaky single and with both feet off the ground.
Voges soon after completed his hundred, the 36-year-old’s 32nd career ton, when he took three successive fours off Crane to sprint from 91 to 103. In truth they were three poor balls, two long hops either side of a low full toss which disappeared to the ropes at mid-wicket, long on and cover point respectively.
Malan was finally dismissed when he drove at Liam Dawson’s left-arm spin and edged to slip, where Sean Ervine took a sharp and instinctive catch chest-high. He had batted for almost five hours, facing 226 balls and hitting two sixes and 17 fours.
After opting to bat first at the attractive Merchant Taylors’ School ground when he won a toss, Voges saw openers Nick Gubbins and Sam Robson both quickly fall to catches in the slip cordon.
Left-hander Gubbins edged James Tomlinson low to third slip on 4 in the fourth over and then Robson, pushing half-forward, was held at second slip off a delighted Best, who pumped his fists Curtly Ambrose-style in a celebration which lit up the morning gloom.
The prolific Robson’s dismissal, for a 27-ball 2, would have had nerves jangling in the Middlesex dressing room but Malan and Voges fought hard to rally their side and, immediately after lunch, bravely negotiated a hostile spell by Best to complete excellent fifties before pushing on as the ball grew softer.
Middlesex have given a championship debut in this game to James Fuller, the seamer they signed from Gloucestershire last winter, in place of a rested James Harris, while Hampshire have brought in 19-year-old Joe Weatherley for his championship debut in place of Tom Alsop.
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DAY ONE - TEA REPORT
Middlesex captain Adam Voges joined Dawid Malan in an unbroken 202-run third wicket stand to rally his team in great style on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship match against Hampshire at Northwood.
Voges was unbeaten on 85 and Malan 97 not out as Middlesex surged to 216 for 2 by tea after earlier slipping to 14 for 2 against the new ball.
After opting to bat first at Merchant Taylors’ School when he won a toss, Voges saw openers Nick Gubbins and Sam Robson both quickly fall to catches in the slip cordon.
Left-hander Gubbins edged James Tomlinson low to third slip on 4 in the fourth over and then Robson, pushing half-forward, was held at second slip off a delighted Tino Best. Former West Indies fast bowler Best pumped his fists Curtly Ambrose-style in a celebration which lit up a chilly, overcast morning.
Robson’s dismissal, for a 27-ball 2, would have had nerves jangling in the Middlesex dressing room but Malan and Voges battled hard to get on top of some challenging bowling on a pitch which initially seemed to offer some inconsistent bounce.
At lunch Middlesex were 86 for 2 and, as sunshine broke through the clouds after a chilly and gloomy morning, Malan and Voges negotiated a hostile post-lunch spell by Best to complete excellent fifties before pushing on as the ball grew softer.
As temperatures at the attractive venue rose, to the delight of spectators as much as to the players, Hampshire paired spinners Mason Crane and Liam Dawson for a while in their attack in an attempt to break the stand, but to no avail. After two hard-fought sessions, it was Middlesex who firmly held the upper hand.
Voges had faced 187 balls, hitting ten fours, while Malan had included twelve fours in his fine 167-ball effort.
Middlesex have given a championship debut in this game to James Fuller, the seamer they signed from Gloucestershire last winter, in place of a rested James Harris, while Hampshire have brought in 19-year-old Joe Weatherley for his championship debut in place of Tom Alsop.
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DAY ONE - LUNCH REPORT
Middlesex captain Adam Voges led a recovery to 86 for 2 by lunch on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship match against Hampshire at Northwood following the loss of two early wickets to the new ball.
Voges, on 35 not out at the interval, had opted to take first use of the pitch at Merchant Taylors’ School when he won a toss, but then saw openers Nick Gubbins and Sam Robson both fall to catches in the slip cordon.
Left-hander Gubbins edged James Tomlinson low to third slip on 4 in the fourth over and then Robson, pushing half-forward, was held at second slip off a delighted Tino Best.
Former West Indies fast bowler Best pumped his fists Curtly Ambrose-style in a celebration which lit up a chilly, overcast morning.
Robson’s dismissal, for a 27-ball 2, left Middlesex wobbling at 14 for 2, but Voges joined Dawid Malan to calm home dressing room nerves in a third wicket partnership so far worth 72.
Malan reached lunch on 36 not out and, with the ball getting older and temperatures rising as the sun tried to break through the clouds, what looked a testing first-hour pitch had also seemed to flatten out somewhat to justify Voges’s decision at the toss.
Middlesex have given a championship debut in this game to James Fuller, the seamer they signed from Gloucestershire last winter, in place of a rested James Harris, while Hampshire have brought in 19-year-old Joe Weatherley for his championship debut in place of Tom Alsop.
