Rogers bats Middlesex towards safety

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Close, day three: Middlesex 310-6 trail Warwicks 362-8 dec by 52 runs

Skipper Chris Rogers passed 1,000 runs for the season as Middlesex batted their way towards a draw against Warwickshire at Lord’s.

Sam Robson fell cheaply on his return from England Test duty as the home side were reduced to 65-3.

But Rogers (85) and Neil Dexter (70) put on 127 for the fourth wicket before both fell to Recordo Gordon.

John Simpson also scored a half century in a stand of 65 with Paul Stirling, who remained unbeaten as Middlesex reached stumps on 310-6, 52 runs adrift going into the final day.

Both teams are in need of the points for different reasons. Middlesex, who haven’t won a Championship match since mid-May, are only just above the relegation zone, while Warwickshire are desperately trying to narrow the gap on Division One leaders Yorkshire.

But after the weather wiped out most of the second day, the two sides are likely to have to settle for a draw unless Middlesex declare overnight and a run chase in contrived.

Bad light prevented Robson and Rogers from getting the innings underway on Monday but the new England cap lasted just over half an hour on Tuesday before he was bowled for 12 not playing a shot.

Nick Gubbins (8) and Dawid Malan (12) came and went but Dexter hung around as he and Rogers repelled the Warwickshire attack.

The skipper passed the 1,000-run landmark in the morning and then reached 50 after lunch, with Dexter following suit later in the afternoon session.

However, Rogers was strangled down the leg side just before tea while Dexter offered up a catch to mid-wicket after the interval.

At that point, Middlesex were 217-5 and any lower order collapse could have opened the door for Warwickshire.

However, Simpson and Stirling kept it shut with a patient partnership ended only when the wicket-keeper was trapped lbw by Keith Barker in the final hour.

There were no further breakthroughs, so unless Rogers wants to tempt Warwickshire into having a go at victory on Wednesday, the spoils are likely to be shared.

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