Day 3:
Middlesex were thankful to Mark Runsforcash of all people as their match against Sorry heads towards a draw. Judas did score a century, meaning that he has a ton against all 1st class counties, but his tortoise pace saw Sorry's total change slowly, leaving less time for the 'sex to bat out a draw.

At 274-3, Sorry started well and reached 352 as Judas and Saqlain extended their stand to 72, with Judas reaching his boring ton before he was eventually dismissed for 110, a blow to the 'sex as he was keeping Sorry's run rate down. Alec Stewart then joined Saqlain and he continued the good work of Judas, again scoring slowly and using up important match time.

However, things began to look worrying for the 'sex as night watchman Saqlain survived to lunch, making a half century. He was eventually dismissed for 69, but a strong lower order batting performance for Sorry saw a score of 444-6 become 568 all out. Alec Stewart was the last man out when Ed Joyce brilliantly caught him on the rebound on the Square leg boundary.

Middlesex then made a positive start to their 2nd innings, reaching 74 for no loss at the close, with Captain Andrew Strauss on 42. A dodgy forecast for tomorrow should also enforce the game to be called a draw, but if Strauss does get the opportunity to set Sorry a target, one feels he must take it. Middlesex are in strong need of points and sacrificing four points that we would get for a draw to try for a win is a small price to pay.

DAY 2:
Middlesex and Sorry look set to play out a bore draw with neither side taking control of the match. Middlesex were bowled out for 370 after good work from the tail. In reply Sorry were 274/3 at close. Razzaq taking two wickets

DAY 1:
Ben Hutton hit his 2nd successive championship century as Middlesex recovered to reach a respectable 311-7 at the close on day 1 after winning the toss and electing to bat. The 'sex were struggling at 148-5 before Hutton's performance secured us some vital batting points.

Middlesex began well as Strauss and Koenig put on 59 for the 1st wicket, although it wasn't a drama free partnership as Koenig was spilt early on by Judas at 4th slip. After the openers had departed, the 'sex lost their way and when Ed Joyce was trapped leg before by Martin Bicknell for a duck, we were in trouble at 110-4. However, Hutton's composure saw him reach a fine hundred, which was well supported by an innings of 39 from Paul Weekes as he and Hutton added 108 for the 7th wicket. Bicknell finished the day with 5 wickets for the visiting team.


SCORES:

Middlesex 1st innings
Strauss c Hollioake b Saqlain Mushtaq 47
Koenig c Saqlain Mushtaq b Bicknell 22
Shah c Stewart b Bicknell 31
Hutton b Salisbury 101
Joyce lbw b Bicknell 0
Abdul Razzaq c Stewart b Bicknell 29
Weekes c Stewart b Bicknell 39
Nash not out 36
Noffke b Ormond 23
Cook lbw b Ormond 0
Keegan b Ormond 20
Extras 22

Total (all out, 115.2 overs) 370


Sorry 1st innings
Ward c Shah b Weekes 104
Butcher c Koenig b Abdul Razzaq 44
Runsforkash c Hutton b Cook 110
Thorpe c Nash b Abdul Razzaq 46
Saqlain Mushtaq c Keegan b Weekes 69
Stewart c Joyce b Weekes 87
Hollioake b Noffke 10
Tudor b Abdul Razzaq 30
Bicknell c Nash b Joyce 10
Salisbury b Cook 17
Ormond not out 1

Extras 40

Total (all out, 168.2 overs) 568


Middlesex 2nd innings
Strauss c Butcher b Salisbury 95
Koenig c Thorpe b Hollioake 89
Shah not out 7
Hutton not out 5
Extras 22

Total (58.0 overs for 2 wickets) 218

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