...agreed to call it a draw.

Day 3

Middlesex were facing a tough task as Notts set them a target of 406 runs on the final day to snatch an unlikely and astonishing win. With Ed Joyce leading the way the Londoners with a knock of 192 to 345 all out, Notts set about setting a target. Darren Bicknell hit 111 from 145 balls as Notts declared on 212, giving them a lead of 413. Middx reached 8/0 at close.

Day 2:

To be quite Frank we are on the back foot! Paul Franks' century, together with a poor batting display from Middlesex put Nottinghamshire firmly in control at Lords, with Middlesex in danger of facing the follow-on.

Middlesex had started the day well, with Alan Richardson adding two more wickets to the five he claimed on Day 1. David Hussey was first to depart, adding just a single to his overnight score, before being bowled by the paceman. Graeme Swann soon followed, caught behind by Scott, to leave the score at 425-8.

Suddenly, the 'sex seemed back in the hunt, with a chance of claiming the tail and restricting the visitors to under 450. Paul Franks had other ideas though, as he and Ryan Sidebottom added 95 for the ninth wicket, taking Nottinghamshire over 500. Franks was eventually to run out partners, ending unbeaten on 104, with Weekes claiming the final 2 wickets. Richardson finished with 7-113

In Middlesex's response, Ed Joyce was the only batsman to make an impact, finishing unbeaten on 68 and much relies on him if Middlesex are to find the extra 230 runs needed to avoid the follow-on

Day 1:

A sparking start to Alan Richardson’s Middlesex career was the only highlight for the hosts on another flat Lords Wicket. Richardson was the only threat to a Nottinghamshire side hungry for revenge after Sunday's defeat, as they batted through the day to close on a very credible 399-6.

A sparking start to Alan Richardson’s Middlesex career was the only highlight for the hosts on another flat wicket at Lords. The former Warwickshire seamer was the only threat to a Nottinghamshire side hungry for revenge after the Totesport league defeat on Sunday, as they batted through to day to close on a very credible 399-6.

Richardson plugged away for most of the day, bowling with accuracy and thoughtfulness, something that seemed to be lacking in the rest of the Middlesex attack. His first championship wicket for the ‘sex broke a solid opening partnership of 74 between Jason Gallian (46) and Darren Bicknell (56), with Gallian playing away from his body and getting a small edge to wicket keeper Ben Scott. Despite the setback, Bicknell remained solid and a pulled 4 off Chad Keegan in the 29th over saw him reach a deserved half-century as Nottinghamshire cruised to 127-1 at lunch.

Wickets were seemingly going to be vital in what looked like it might be a sunny afternoon session, and the sun certainly shined on Richardson, who removed Anurag Singh with the first ball after the interval. It was a good length delivery that was edged to Shah for a routine catch at first slip. The fifth ball of the over saw the prize scalp of new Nottinghamshire captain Stephen Fleming also fall to Richardson as the former Middlesex man played at width, with Scott diving infront of Shah at 1st slip to claim the catch. A double wicket maiden was the result and in just one over after the break, Middlesex were back in the game. Richardson struck a further blow four overs later, when he eventually removed Bicknell, in a fashion not to dissimilar to the dismissal of Fleming.

With two unsettled batsmen and wickets having already fallen, it was time for the ‘sex to really put a halt to any possible progress that Notts had hoped to make. Indeed, Chris Read was lucky to survive a low edge behind the wicket, which split Scott and Shah and ran away for four (although it is questionable whether or not the ball carried). Five overs later, Read received more luck, although this one by way of a gift from Owais Shah’s fingertips. As slip catches go, there was none more routine than this one, with the ball reaching Shah slowly at waist height. Unfortunately the dropped catch did not help Chad Keegan either. Having just returned to the attack, eager to get a breakthrough he just failed to find the correct areas today and will certainly look to improve when play resumes tomorrow.

The missed chances didn’t end there either. In the 53rd over, Hussey found himself stranded half way down the wicket after attempting a run that Read had declined. Needless to say, Ed Joyce’s throw did not complement the piece of fielding that preceded it.

Opportunities were not being taken and consequently, both visiting batsmen took full advantage as they shared in a partnership of 127 for the 5th wicket, with Read falling in the last over before tea after pushing forward to a Paul Weekes delivery. Ben Hutton’s simple short leg catch was certainly a relief to Middlesex, but it was a needless wicket for Notts to lose just before the interval.

Another session dominated by the bat followed, with Hussey reaching his century of 156 balls. Middlesex’s only joy of the session came from Richardson, who dismissed Mark Ealham for 47 to claim his 5th wicket of the innings.

The day ended with Middlesex knowing that better things needed to come of the second day’s play and Nottinghamshire having an excellent platform to build on.

Please Click here for the scorecard for this match

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