Middlesex title dreams in balance at Lord’s

Middlesex’s hopes of a first County Championship title since 1993 seem reliant on a contrived result after Yorkshire dominated the third day at Lord’s.

Former England all-rounder Tim Bresnan ended unbeaten on 142 as the visitors survived a tense period to get past the 350 they required to keep their own hopes alive.

A fruitful last-wicket stand of 56 gave Yorkshire a first-innings lead of 120, and they then reduced the home side to 2-2.

Nick Gubbins (39 not out) and Dawid Malan (37 not out) steadied the ship, but they may have to set Yorkshire a chaseable target if they are to engineer a win themselves. A draw would see Somerset – who thrashed Nottinghamshire – win their first Championship crown.

With Yorkshire resuming on 235-6, just 35 behind, Middlesex needed quick wickets to be in a position to win the game and therefore the title, but put down two crucial chances in the first half an hour.

Nick Compton shelled a chance at short third man to dismiss Bresnan on 81, and Ollie Rayner spilled one in front of first slip that would have removed Azeem Rafiq.

Rafiq made 65 before he was bowled by Tim Murtagh, ending a stand of 114, and after Steven Patterson and Jack Brooks fell, Yorkshire were still 16 short of the extra bonus point they required to keep in touch with Somerset.

They survived several nervy overs, eking their way to 349-9 – before rain forced the players off to heighten the tension.

After an early tea, Ryan Sidebottom, who made 23, found a boundary through backward square leg to give the visitors hope of winning a third successive title.

And Yorkshire were further boosted by two early wickets – Sam Robson bagged a pair when he edged Sidebottom to slip, while Nick Compton was bowled playing down the wrong line to a beauty from Brooks.

Gubbins and Malan batted out the day amid some testing bowling, but it may yet not be enough to earn silverware.