Century stand by Simpson, Holden gives Middlesex hope of saving follow-on against Surrey

Middlesex 179 for five (Simpson 55*, Holden 55) path Surrey 433 (Smith 138, Burns 79, Clark 78, Helm 6-110) by 254 runs

The hosts, with solely two batting bonus factors all season had been in dire straits at 53 for 4 in response to the guests’ 433 all out, however former England U19 Holden and redoubtable wicket-keeper Simpson added 116 for the fifth wicket.

Holden fell shortly earlier than the shut, however a defiant Simpson will take guard on day three 55 not out with Middlesex 179 for five, Sean Abbot taking two of the wickets.

Stand-in skipper Mark Stoneman briefly instructed a constructive response to Surrey’s substantial first-innings whole, creaming two early off drives by way of the covers, nevertheless it proved a false daybreak as with solely 11 in opposition to his title he feathered an excellent one from Clark by way of to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.

It might be the ‘Brown Hats’ solely success for some whereas, however a mixture of tight seam bowling and a scarcity of intent from Pieter Malan and Sam Robson – the latter for some cause batting at three – meant the hosts crawled alongside at two runs per over.

Maybe that explains the rash cross-bat swish by South African Malan to an innocuous ball from Jamie Overton which took the under-edge, giving Foakes a second snug catch.

As too usually this season, the departure of 1 Middlesex batter led to 3 falling for the addition of 10 runs in 39 balls.

Robson, a centurion final week at Service provider Taylors’ was undone by one from Sean Abbott which got here again into him up the slope and went off the within edge onto the stumps through the thigh pad.

A torturous interval of the afternoon for the hosts concluded with Jack Davies, within the aspect for the injured Stephen Eskinazi, taking 18 balls to get off the mark solely to then fence at one from Tom Lawes, sending it into the arms of Dom Sibley at slip.

The bell summoning the gamers again after tea seemed like a dying knell for the beleaguered house aspect, however to their credit score Holden and Simpson confirmed some intestinal fortitude.

Holden, displayed a number of the T20 kind which earned a wildcard decide from the Manchester Originals for the upcoming Hundred, driving nicely off back and front foot, whereas Simpson performed one pleasant minimize and purchased an all-run 4 courtesy of an overthrow.

Overton tried some chin music, however Holden’s sixth 4 by way of third man took him to his second Championship half century of the season from 93 balls earlier than Simpson too discovered the fence to boost the century stand.

Simpson’s personal half-century got here within the grand method with a six into the Mound Stand, however simply because it seemed as if Middlesex would attain the sanctity of stumps with out additional loss, Abbott discovered the sting of Holden’s bat and a diving Sibley did the remaining.

Surrey had resumed on 312 for five, and save for a six over sq. leg by Clark off Ryan Higgins, made regular, unspectacular progress earlier than Smith was castled by Helm from one which got here again by way of the gate.

Clark eased his option to a 91-ball 50 although he was later unsettled, to not say annoyed by Ethan Bamber beating him outdoors the off stump with 5 successive deliveries. The younger seamer, who had by some means gone wicketless on day one, lastly acquired reward when Abbott hoisted him into the arms of Malan at deep sq..

Clark’s positive effort ended when Tim Murtagh acquired one to bounce and take the sting which flew to Robson at slip and whereas just a few lusty blows from Overton delayed the lunch interval, Helm cleaned up the tail for his first ever six-for in Championship cricket.