Lancashire hit back at Lord’s

County Championship Division One, Lord’s

Close, day two: Middlesex 446, Lancashire 236-3

A half-century against his former club by Australian seamer Steven Crook and extras from youngster Ravi Patel saw Middlesex reach a first innings total of 446 on the second day at Lord’s.

But Lancashire’s response of 236-3 on a fine day for batting set up a fascinating final County Championship match of the season.

Their openers Luke Proctor and Tom Smith made a superb opening partnership of 95 before Crook took the former as the first of his two wickets.

Patel dismissed Smith – his 18th first-class wicket in just seven matches in only his fourth game in a Middlesex white – before Crook ended Paul Horton’s half-century at 64 while Ashwell Prince pushed on.

Patel, a left-arm spinner who grew up in north-west London, made his debut for Middlesex in 2010 but he looks an exciting prospect for the future after a successful spell at Loughborough University and impressive performances for the Middlesex seconds this summer.

He made his first appearance of the season against Warwickshire last month and took four wickets before adding a brace against Worcestershire last week.

And this time his 20 runs with the bat helped Crook take Middlesex over the 400-run mark before lunch.

Lancashire took a swift 18 runs without loss before the break and openers Proctor and Smith enjoyed the afternoon sunshine before Proctor was caught at second slip after edging Crook to Sam Robson.

The visitors were 116-2 at tea, with Smith (55) the second casualty when he was stumped by John Simpson from a wicked turning delivery by Patel, before Horton and Prince made that 225-2 from 68 overs with a 109-run partnership.

Horton was disposed of by Crook six overs before close for 64, but Prince moved to a half-century just before stumps.

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