Middlesex began the 3rd day against Surrey at Lord's in a bit of trouble, 161-9, still 177 behind, and Corey Collymore was soon LBW for 1, 166 all out. Graeme Smith, unsurprisingly enforced the follow on, so Sam Robson and Chris Rogers were out to bat as much of the two days as they could to save the game.
This time round, the pitch seemed flat and batting was easier, an early set of four overthrows was happily accepted by Rogers, as runs flowed more freely with 50 being reached in the 17th over. Lunch came and went before Robson reached his 50 from 79 balls. Even Gareth Batty's spin proved ineffective at removing anything, as the 100 came up with Rogers then getting to a 94 ball 50. The only thing that looked likely to break the partnership was some of the interesting running from Rogers, with three different occasions in the afternoon session where a quick single almost ended up in a run out.
Surrey looked a fast bowler light, with Zander De Bruyn bowling more overs than would be ideal as Rogers accelerated to catch up with Robson's score (76 to 71) as the 150 came up with four leg byes to the Media Centre boundary, the first extras conceded by Surrey in the match. Middlesex went into the lead in the match still none down and with enough time to possibly force victory as 3 runs an over was easily achieved without any risks being taken as Robson and Rogers happily left the short ball and Rogers was to reach his 100 from 185 balls with a push through midwicket, and Robson, next over, reached his 100 also from 185 balls with a quick single off Batty. Both batsmen cut loose, as the partnership passed 231, it became the highest first wicket for Middlesex against Surrey, beating a hundred year old record. Rory Burns got his first bowl in professional cricket, as the 250 came up in the 72nd over, before De Brutn got one to bounce on Robson, who went for the pull to edge through to keeper Steve Davies to go for 129 for the first wicket in about 5 hours, 259-1.
Vikram Solanki dropped Denly at slip on nought, but caught him just before close having a nothing poke to Jade Dernbach with the new ball for 12, 279-2. Steve Finn came in as nightwatchman, and saw Middlesex to close 283-2, Finn 4 not out and Rogers 131 not out. Middlesex leading by 111 with one day left, could they force an improbable win?
