Five wickets in afternoon session puts Nottinghamshire CCC in control at Middlesex

Nottinghamshire took control on the second day against Middlesex, reducing their hosts to 158 for seven at tea at Lord’s after taking five wickets in the afternoon session.

On a pitch offering good carry and lateral movement, Jake Ball produced an impressive spell after lunch to pick up two wickets. Sam Robson (35) lost his off stump playing down the wrong line to the third ball of the session before Notts took two wickets in successive overs.

Middlesex’s acting skipper Adam Voges was caught behind off Harry Gurney half-forward for 29 before Ball had Paul Stirling taken at second slip off the shoulder of the bat when Ball generated unexpected lift.

With Dawid Malan seeing a specialist after breaking his finger on the first day, Middlesex’s lower order was exposed but John Simpson and James Harris dug in, adding 40 in 17 overs, before left-arm spinner Samit Patel took two wickets in three balls.

Harris (16) was leg before playing back to a straight one and Tom Helm fell for a second ball duck only half-forward.

Nottinghamshire had been dismissed for 298 earlier in the day, losing last man Gurney (8) to the second ball of the day.