Century stand by Simpson, Holden offers Middlesex hope of saving follow-on in opposition to 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 recommended a constructive response to Surrey’s substantial first-innings whole, creaming two early off drives by the covers, but it surely proved a false daybreak as with solely 11 in opposition to his identify he feathered a superb one from Clark by to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.

It could be the ‘Brown Hats’ solely success for some whereas, however a mix 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.

Perhaps 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 comfy catch.

As too typically 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 Merchant 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 by way of the thigh pad.

A torturous interval of the afternoon for the hosts concluded with Jack Davies, within the facet 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 palms of Dom Sibley at slip.

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

Holden, displayed a number of the T20 kind which earned a wildcard choose from the Manchester Originals for the upcoming Hundred, driving effectively 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 third man took him to his second Championship half century of the season from 93 balls earlier than Simpson too discovered the fence to lift 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 appeared 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 the gate.

Clark eased his option to a 91-ball 50 although he was later unsettled, to not say pissed off 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 received reward when Abbott hoisted him into the palms of Malan at deep sq..

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