Middlesex toil in field as Ambrose thrives
Close, day two: Middlesex 167 & 0-0 trail Warwickshire 462 by 295 runs
Tim Ambrose’s 167 put Warwickshire in total command as Middlesex were given a thorough working over at Edgbaston.
Former England wicket-keeper Ambrose batted virtually, hit 20 fours and shared huge stands with fellow centurion Jeetan Patel (105) and tailender Chris Wright (52)
Patel reached his century with a big six off Ollie Rayner while Wright made 50 late in the day before being stumped off Dawid Malan.
Steve Finn’s early wickets had given Middlesex hope of limiting Warwickshire’s lead but they now face an uphill task to save the game with the hosts almost 300 runs ahead at the close.
Having been bowled out for 167 on Sunday, and taken just four Warwickshire wickets in reply, Middlesex knew they needed to make early inroads on day two.
And they did just that as Finn struck twice in the first eight overs of the day to leave the hosts on 140-6.
But any chance of keeping the game tight disappeared as Ambrose and Patel set about the Middlesex bowling.
They largely kept pace with each other, reaching their fifties either side of lunch, although Patel was the first to reach his ton.
It arrived with a maximum but he perished the very next ball he faced as Joe Denly took the wicket that ended a partnership of 175.
After Ambrose had brought up his century, Warwickshire put on 113 for the ninth wicket during a punishing evening session to take the game away from a frustrated Middlesex.
Wright provided more than able support for Ambrose, hitting a rare half-century, while the former Sussex stumper passed 150.
It appeared they both may bat out the day but Wright was stumped and Ambrose offered a return catch to part-time spinner Malan to put Middlesex out of their misery.
The innings ended just early enough to guarantee one final over of the day, which nightwatchman Harris saw out, but Middlesex have it all to do on the final two days.
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