Malan makes hay before rain hits Uxbridge
Close, day one: Middlesex 211-4 v Somerset
In-form Dawid Malan hit an unbeaten 90 and rookie Nick Gubbins made another half-century as Middlesex enjoyed the best of a curtailed first day at Uxbridge.
The pair put on 109 for the second wicket with Gubbins, in his second first-class match, contributing 59.
Malan hit 17 fours and helped Middlesex to 203-2 but Somerset struck back by removing Eoin Morgan (12) and Neil Dexter (4) in the final overs before tea.
Rain then wiped out the whole of the evening session as the hosts closed on 211-4.
With just three points separating Somerset in fourth and Middlesex in fifth in the County Championship table, this match is likely to be pivotal for the two sides’ seasons.
Middlesex won the toss and elected to bat but suffered a blow when skipper Chris Rogers was trapped lbw for just seven in the sixth over of the day.
However, Gubbins and Malan ensured that was the only Somerset breakthrough of the morning as they helped Middlesex reach 100-1 at lunch.
The 20-year-old Gubbins, who hit 54 on his Championship debut against Northamptonshire last week, survived a drop in the morning session and passed 50 for the second time in three innings just after the break.
However, he was the first to go when he edged a lifting ball to Alfonso Thomas to wicket-keeper Alex Barrow.
Malan continued the form that had seen him score a County Championship-best 154 not out against Northants and 68 not out in the T20 Blast against Glamorgan on Thursday.
He put on 73 with Morgan but the Irish-born England batsman was very much the junior partner, making just 12 from 52 balls.
Middlesex were looking in a very strong position at 203-2 but Peter Trego pegged them back with two wickets in what turned out to be the last three overs of the day.
Morgan drove straight to cover and 11 balls later Dexter succumbed lbw.
Rain took the players off for an early tea and the outfield just became too wet for them to resume play.
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