Jamie Smith century helps Surrey take cost at Lord’s

Surrey 312 for five (Smith 120*, Burns 79) vs Middlesex

The 23-year-old produced an achieved knock to complete unbeaten on 120, whereas captain Rory Burns hit 79 as Surrey – looking for their first red-ball victory in north London since 1997 – posted 312 for five after being put in to bat.

Ethan Bamber was the choose of the Middlesex bowlers, someway finishing the day wicketless regardless of a relentlessly constant effort as he despatched down 22 overs that value solely 40. Fellow seamers Tom Helm and Ryan Higgins gained extra tangible reward for his or her labours with the ball, returning figures of three for 86 and a pair of for 70 respectively.

With Middlesex resting captain Toby Roland-Jones, the reins have been handed to former Surrey batter Mark Stoneman – who succeeded in his first job by successful the toss and opting to bowl in overcast circumstances.

Higgins, who opened with an eight-over stint, struck early by pinning Dom Sibley in entrance of his stumps and virtually adopted it up with the wicket of Tom Latham when he had but to get off the mark. The New Zealander’s sharp edge flew in direction of second slip, however the diving Sam Robson was unable to cling on and Latham took benefit as he and Burns settled right down to assemble a gradual partnership of 94.

Bamber beat the bat on a number of events with out success earlier than making method for Helm, who provided up a few full deliveries that Burns gratefully dispatched to the quick leg-side boundary.

The Surrey skipper went to lunch on 45 and duly superior to his first half-century in 10 innings – since an innings of 88 towards Middlesex on the Oval in May – by clipping Higgins off his pads to the fence.

A change of ends for Helm paid dividends as he rocked Latham virtually off his ft, stooping to dig out a venomous yorker after which dismissed him for 38, tempting him right into a top-edged hook that sailed into the palms of lengthy leg.

Having taken a while to get off the mark, Smith regularly discovered his rhythm, clouting Tim Murtagh for successive cowl boundaries as he started to dominate the third-wicket stand of 57.

Burns, having survived a slash by way of the slips off Higgins, superior down the observe in his subsequent over and will solely steer the ball to gully, the place Holden sprang to his proper to snap up the catch.

There was a detailed name simply after tea for Smith, who was one in need of a half-century when Ben Foakes despatched him again trying to steal a single, however he regained his focus to move 50 for the fourth time this summer time. Foakes departed for 20, flicking Helm to sq. leg and Will Jacks quickly turned the seamer’s third sufferer, caught behind after stepping away to leg and aiming an untidy minimize at a brief supply.

Smith might need adopted on 94, edging Murtagh in direction of gully – however this time the prospect eluded Holden and the Surrey man superior to a few figures from 137 balls, bisecting the leg-side subject for a fastidiously positioned two.

Jordan Clark saved Smith firm till stumps, chopping Higgins to the purpose boundary to carry up his aspect’s second batting bonus level as he progressed to 34 not out.