Strauss watches on as Middlesex dig in at Scarborough
Yorkshire 406: Ballance 132; Franklin 3-62, Roland-Jones 3-88
Middlesex 130-2: Gubbins 43, Robson 40; Rhodes 1-0
Close, day two: Middlesex trail Yorkshire by 276 runs
Andrew Strauss, England’s director of cricket, watched on as his former side Middlesex were locked in an unresolved battle to gain the upper hand on the second day at Scarborough.
With 13.4 overs left unbowled due to the weather, the visitors closed on 130-2 in reply to Yorkshire’s 406.
Their position would have been considerably stronger had Sam Robson and Nick Gubbins not fallen in quick succession after being largely untroubled in an opening stand of 87.
If Strauss was hoping for a long innings from Robson, he was to be disappointed as he went for 40, top-edging an intended pull at Jack Brooks to Will Rhodes at mid-wicket.
Inspired captaincy from Andrew Gale was responsible for the demise of Gubbins for 43. He immediately removed Brooks from the attack and replaced him with Rhodes, who in his first over had Gubbins lbw.
Rookie Stevie Eskinazi was joined at the crease by Australia’s George Bailey, in his first Championship appearance for Middlesex, and their time at the crease was twice interrupted by the weather. They ended the day both unbeaten on 19.
Earlier, Gary Ballance added 26 to his overnight 106 when he was the first of two wickets to fall in the same James Franklin over.
He chipped a gentle return catch to the bowler before Azeem Rafiq edged to Robson at slip.
Middlesex were frustrated by the tail as 72 was squeezed out from the last two wickets, with wicket-keeper Andrew Hodd (37) anchoring the effort.
Steven Finn and Toby Roland-Jones finally ended the resistance but Middlesex still have work to do with the bat.
