Middlesex were 64/3 shortly after lunch when rain stopped play once again after the home side had been put in to bat by Glamorgan at a dank and overcast Lord’s in their contest in the Specsavers County Championship.
Afternoon Update
Resuming on 46/2 after lunch, Middlesex reached the 50-mark courtesy of a square-drive for four by Stevie Eskinazi against Michael Hogan as drizzle continued to fall over the ground. But the visiting captain made the perfect riposte as later in the over, Malan edged to Nick Selman at second slip as Glamorgan claimed their first bowling point. Hilton Cartwright replaced the England batsman as the rain intensified and after one ball of the 17th over, the players left the field. The rain eased around 4pm but after an inspection afterwards, with the light having deteriorated, play was called off for the day at 4.55pm
Lunchtime Report
Glamorgan made one change to their side which defeated Gloucestershire earlier this week in their opening Championship game, with Timm van der Gugten replacing Marchant de Lange who is being rested. With a green-tinged wicket and a heavy cloud cover, Glamorgan once again opted for an uncontested toss and chose to bowl first with van der Gugten bowling to Sam Robson and Max Holden.
After a five minute delay because of drizzle, Robson struck the fourth ball to fine-leg for four before clipping the next delivery to mid-wicket for two, but at the end of the over the precipitation returned and the players left the field. The rain eased around 11.45am and play resumed with the floodlights on at 12.15pm with 10 overs lost from the day's allocation.
Holden, having cover driven van der Gugten for four nearly edged the Dutchman to Aneurin Donald at third slip, but next over he departed as Lukas Carey, at the Pavilion End, was rewarded for his probing new ball spell as the opener feathered a catch into Chris Cooke’s gloves. Stevie Eskinazi then square-drove Carey for four before Sam Robson carved van der Gugten over the head of the slip cordon for four.
Eskinazi cover drove Carey before Michael Hogan entered the fray at the Nursery End and with his second delivery, he bowled Robson. 34/2 saw Dawid Malan arrive at the crease and he opened his account by glancing Hogan to fine-leg.