Notts trail by 145 runs as rain forces early lunch at Middlesex

Resuming on their overnight score of 180 for 4, Notts lost Samit Patel in the third over of the day, bowled by Murtagh for 14 at 184 for 5.

With 10 overs of the old ball remaining, Rayner joined the attack and bowled a decent line against half centurion Steven Mullaney and captain Chris Read.

Mullaney, who passed 50 on Monday evening, looked in decent touch before holing out to Murtagh off Rayner, at mid off, at 229 for 6. He struck 12 fours and faced 142 balls in reaching 76.

As he left the field, the rain began to fall and the sides, eventually, took an early lunch with Notts still 145 runs behind with four second wickets in hand.