Middlesex dominate against Hampshire

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Close, day one: Middlesex (59-0) trail Hampshire (176 all out) by 117 runs

James Harris (4-48) and Toby Roland-Jones (4-60) took four wickets each as Middlesex took control on day one of their County Championship Division One match against Hampshire at Lords.

Middlesex won the toss and elected to field, taking advantage of grey overcast skies after rain had significantly delayed the start time.

Hampshire lost wickets regularly to make just 176 all from out from 62.3 overs, failing to manage a single fifty partnership in their entire innings.

In reply, Middlesex reached 59-0 from 13 overs as Paul Stirling hit 36, leaving the home side just 117 runs behind.

The tone for the day was set when play eventually began, as Tim Murtagh (2-49) had Jimmy Adams caught at the wicket with just the fourth ball of the match.

The Hampshire batsman failed to progress further, as five of the top six scored between 13 and 25.

Michael Carberry scored a scratchy 15 before being lbw to Roland-Jones, who had already dismissed opener Sean Terry (23) before also having Will Smith lbw for 18,

Adam Wheater was bowled by Murtagh for 17 whilst Harris claimed the crucial wicket of James Vince for 13, though Joe Gatting a defiant 64 from just 86 balls despite lacking support.

The 27 year-old batsman lacked suitable support though, as Roland-Jones had Berg caught by Nick Compton for 10.

Harris then ran through the tail end, dismissing Danny Briggs, Bradley Wheal and Jackson Bird all cheaply to leave the visitors unable to even claim one batting bonus point.

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