The first day of Middlesex vs Yorkshire at Lord's began with Middlesex winning the toss and fielding, and got quick reward with Alex Lees caught behind off Murtagh in the 3rd over. Adam Lyth and Kane Williamson then added 50 for the 2nd wicket, before Lyth edged to Simpson off Finn for 34. Joe Root's first game of the season lasted all of 5 balls as he departed for a duck, trapped LBW by Finn. Before lunch there was still time for another wicket, Williamson edging Harris to Murtagh at 2nd slip, 75-4.
The post lunch struggle for the Yorkshire middle order led to their demise with Rashid (6) and Hodd (5) falling in quick succession, and a couple of overs later Ballance was well caught by Robson off Harris for 20, 113-7 and Middlesex were well on top. Liam Plunkett had other ideas, and showed off his all-round power by flaying the ball with a fair amount of ease as the boundaries flowed to bring up the 150, Sidebottom gave Robson his 3rd catch and Finn his 3rd wicket falling for a handy 12. Plunkett completed his 50 from 52 balls as the end came quickly with Patterson cleaned up by Finn (4-50) and Brooks playing on for 1 as Yorkshire finished 178 all out, Plunkett with 56 of those.
Middlesex's reply began badly, with Rogers edging Brooks to Lyth at slip for 1 and then Robson edging behind for 6, each time Brooks broke into an explosive celebration. 20-2 and Morgan and Malan had some rebuilding to do, with the ball still swinging around under cloudy skies, Malan thumping 3 fours off Patterson and Morgan following up with two more off Brooks next over. Malan couldn't last the day, bowled by Sidebottom for 31 as Middlesex finished 64-3, Morgan unbeaten on 24. An even day in the end with some sensible batting needed from Middlesex.
