Half-century for ex-England man as Notts match heads for draw

As the contest laboured towards its inevitable drawn conclusion on a fourth day earlier delayed by rain, Robson survived one or two scares to reach his 50 off 101 balls, with nine fours.

He and nightwatchman James Harris put on 83 for the first wicket before the latter was trapped lbw by Harry Gurney for 44.

Robson and another former England opener, Nick Compton, continued the good work, with the latter surviving one confident shout for lbw off the bowling of Gurney.

Twice the umpires checked the natural light as the rain clouds gathered over the ground. With Samit Patel and Brendan Taylor bowling, there was no danger to either batsman. However, when the light deteriorated once again, the players left the field to take an early tea with Middlesex 139 for 1 after 37.4 overs of their second innings.