Brilliant Rogers and Morgan punish Notts
Close, day one: Middlesex 417-5 v Nottinghamshire
A big century from Chris Rogers and a Championship-best score from Eoin Morgan put Middlesex into a commanding position on day one at Trent Bridge.
The pair put on 272 for the third wicket with Rogers smashing 180 from 220 balls before offering up a catch at deep point.
By stumps he was almost matched by team-mate Morgan (pictured), who hit 27 fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 174, as he reminded England selectors of his qualities in the longer form of the game.
Joe Denly and John Simpson both fell in the final hour to give Notts a boost but the visitors closed on 417-5 and will be eyeing a huge first innings total.
What makes their efforts all the more remarkable is that, under skies that threatened rain, Nottinghamshire put Middlesex into bat after winning the toss.
With Sam Robson on England duty, Dawid Malan opened with Rogers and together they shared a first-wicket stand of 60.
But Notts struck twice in three overs, with Malan being bowled by Andre Adams and Neil Dexter facing eight balls without scoring before edging Harry Gurney to slip.
A very brief interruption for rain couldn’t disrupt Rogers’ rhythm and shortly after the resumption he moved past 50, guiding Middlesex to 97-2 at lunch.
Rogers and Morgan really pushed on in the afternoon, adding 191 in 41 thrilling overs to take the game away from the hosts.
The Australian reached his century from 131 balls and had passed 150 by the time Morgan also celebrated a ton.
By tea, they had clocked up their 200 partnership and extended that beyond 250 early in a prolonged evening session.
Their fun and games ended when James Taylor caught Rogers for 180, with the score on 333-3.
That wasn’t the cue for further inroads however, as Denly added a further 48 with Morgan before he edged Peter Siddle to slip for 18.
The Australian paceman also accounted for Simpson but Paul Stirling supported fellow Irishman Morgan as Middlesex shut up shop before the close, scoring just 17 runs in the final 11 overs.
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