Andrew Strauss and Owais Shah began the day looking for quick runs in order to give the 'sex as much bowling time as possible against the Zimbabwe batsmen. Strauss was the only casualty in a delayed morning session, which saw the 'sex score 127 runs in 22 overs. Shah, who was 93 not out at lunch, reached his century in the 1st over of the afternoon and the declaration followed, leaving Zimbabwe with a target of 338.

The tourists began their 2nd innings in much the same way as the 1st, with Dion Ebrahim and Mark Vermeulen putting on 87 for the first wicket. Thos Hunt then dismissed Vermeulen for 42 and also removed Barney Rogers for 6. Paul Weekes also got into the action, removing Sean Ervine and Vusi Sibanda in the same over. When Chris Peploe had Ebrahim caught by Weekes, Zimbabwe were 140-5 and in danger of defeat. However, Taibu and Flower ensured that their team gained a draw ahead of Thursday's 2nd test.


DAY 3:
Middlesex's match with Zimbabwe looks set to end in a draw. Zimbabwe declared on 401 and Middlsex were 86/1 at close in a rain disrupted day.

DAY 2:
Zimbabwe's batsmen staged a comeback by reaching 176-2 at the close in response to Middlesex's daunting 516-6 declared. However, the day belonged to Paul Weekes and Michael Brown who put on a 6th wicket stand of 183, with Weekes making a century. Brown fell 2 short of his maiden 1st class hundred.

The day started with Middlesex on 330-5 and Weekes and Brown soon found their feet as they took the score to 447-5 at lunch. Their form continued after the break as the score moved along to 500, with Brown on 98. That was to be the end of the stand-in wicket keeper's innings as Sean Ervine caught him off the bowling of Grant Flower. Soon after, Weekes recorded his century and Strauss promptly declared.

Zimbabwe got off to a quick start and by tea they had 50 on the board. Mark Vermeulen and Dion Ebrahim continued their good form after the break, taking their stand to 96 before both were dismissed in quick succession. Weekes had Ebrahim Caught by Chris Peploe and Thos Hunt bowled Vermeulen, who had posted a 50.

Stuart Carlisle and Grant Flower then put on an unbroken stand of 75 as Zimbabwe closed on 176-2, still 191 short of avoiding the follow-on.

DAY 1:
A marvelous century from Robin Weston helped Middlesex reach 330/5 at the close of play in glorious conditions at Shenley. After Strauss went on the second ball, Shah (68) and Weston (129) set the 'Sex on their way. Ed Joyce was run out on 80.


SCORES:

MIDDLESEX 1ST INNINGS:

Strauss c Taibu b Ervine 0
Weston c Sibanda b Friend 129
Shah c Ebrahim b Friend 68
Hutton c Vermeulen b Price 2
Joyce run out 80
Weekes not out 102
Brown c Ervine b Flower 98
Cook not out 9

Extras 28

Total (for 6 declared, 138.5 overs) 516

Did not bat: Peploe, Hunt, Bloomfield


ZIMBABWE 1ST INNINGS:

Ebrahim c Peploe b Weekes 30
Vermeulen b Hunt 59
Carlisle c Hutton b Bloomfield 137
Flower c Brown b Peploe 65
Taibu not out 49
Ervine not out 32

Extras 29

Total (for 4 declared, 108 overs) 401

Did not bat: Rogers, Sibanda, Friend, Nkala, Price.


MIDDLESEX 2ND INNINGS:

Strauss c Flower b Price 49
Weston lbw b Friend 41
Shah not out 101
Hutton not out 19

Extras 12

Total (for 2 declared, 38 overs) 222

Did not bat: Joyce, Weekes, Brown, Cook, Peploe, Hunt, Bloomfield.


ZIMBABWE 2ND INNINGS: (TARGET: 338)

Ebrahim c Weekes b Peploe 64
Vermeulen c Brown b Hunt 42
Rogers c Bloomfield b Hunt 6
Ervine b Weekes 21
Sibanda b Weekes 0
Taibu not out 37
Flower not out 43

Extras 8

Total (for 5 wickets, 65 overs) 221

Did not bat: Carlisle, Friend, Nkala, Price.

RESULT: MATCH DRAWN

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon