We had earlier resumed our 1st innings on 484-6, still needing another 101 to avoid the follow on. Ben Hutton, who was 91 not out overnight, soon reached his century as we passed to 500 mark. He then departed soon after, as did Nash, to leave us 508-8. Jamie Dalrymple and Chad Keegan then tried their best to get the 77 needed, but they could only manage a stand of 35 before both fell to Gary Keedy who finished with 5-188.

In our 2nd innings, Hutton was promoted to open in Koenig's absence and he fell to Gary Keedy for 10 on the stroke of lunch. Owais Shah also fell cheaply after the break, before a half century from Strauss and 41 from Joyce took us to a position of relative safety at 157-3. However, Carl Hooper took four wickets as we were reduced to 198-7, with plenty of time left for Lancashire to force a victory. It was not to be though, as Weekes and Koenig held on to bat us to safety and a very valuable four points.


DAY 3:
The Old Trafford wicket continued to be a batsmen's paradise as Middlesex batted towards safety against Lancashire. After a delayed start, the 'sex scored over 300 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Andrew Strauss and Owais Shah both notched centuries and Ben Hutton remained unbeaten on 91 at stumps

DAY 2:
Lancashire reached a staggering 734/5 dec today - the highest score ever scored against Middlesex. After 162 overs of tourture, Middx got their chance to bat and Strauss was 99 not out at the close. Shah also unbeaten on 34. Middx 156/1.

DAY 1:
Good start Suttcliffe out for 4. He was comfortably caught by Hutton having hit the ball off middle of bat. Then Loye and Chilton put on 259 for 2nd wicket both achieving career bests for Lanky. Razza manages 2 quick wickets, but the little matter of Law and Hooper to follow put on 59 to close.


SCORES:


LANCASHIRE 1ST INNINGS:


Chilton b Abdul Razzaq 125
Sutcliffe c Hutton b Dawes 4
Loye c Nash b Abdul Razzaq 137
Law run out 144
Hooper c Joyce b Keegan 201
Schofield not out 58
Chapple not out 21

Extras 44

Total (5 wickets declared, 162 overs) 734

DNB: Hegg, Martin, Wood and Keedy.


MIDDLESEX 1ST INNINGS:

Strauss c Keedy b Martin 155
Koenig c Sutcliffe b Schofield 13
Shah b Keedy 147
Hutton c Sub b Keedy 107
Joyce b Hooper 3
Abdur Razzaq c Martin b Keedy 22
Weekes c Hegg b Martin 24
Nash c Hooper b Chapple 15
Dalrymple b Keedy 17
Keegan b Keedy 18
Dawes not out 0

Extras 23

Total (all out, 164 overs) 544


MIDDLESEX 2ND INNINGS: (FOLLOWING ON)

Strauss c Schofield b Hooper 63
Hutton c Chilton b Keedy 10
Shah lbw b Martin 15
Joyce c Sub b Hooper
Nash c and b Hooper 23
Abdul Razzaq c Hegg b Hooper 25
Weekes not out 26
Dalrymple c Sub b Keedy 0
Koenig not out 16

Extras 18

Total (for 7 wickets, 78 overs) 237

Did not bat: Keegan and Dawes


RESULT: MATCH DRAWN

POINTS: MIDDLESEX 10, LANCASHIRE 10

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