Andersson resistance frustrates Hampshire

A CAREER-BEST knock from Martin Andersson helped Middlesex recover from a sloppy start to their innings and post a middling 252 all out against Hampshire at Radlett.

- Andy Baber

Looking to follow up their impressive Bob Willis Trophy season-opening win against Surrey, Middlesex found the going tough after losing the toss and being put into bat.

Keith Barker (2-44) gave the visitors the perfect start at Radlett when he bowled Sam Robson for a duck in just the third over, bringing last week’s centurion Nick Gubbins to the crease.

Gubbins did not fare much better, hitting a short ball down the throat of Felix Organ at square leg to give James Fuller a wicket against his former county, leaving Middlesex on 15-2.

Captain Stevie Eskinazi also went cheaply, trapped lbw by Ryan Stevenson, but Max Holden and Andersson steadied the innings either side of lunch before the former was dismissed for 36.

Andersson continued to provide resistance, however, striking 14 fours in his innings of 92 - surpassing his previous first-class best of 83 - before Fuller (254) got him lbw.

Tom Helm, John Simpson and Nathan Sowter chipped in with useful contributions before Stevenson (4-71) and Liam Dawson (2-39) wrapped up the Middlesex innings.

In reply, Hampshire reached 27-2 at the close of play after James Harris (2-8) took the wickets of Organ and nightwatchman Barker to leave the match evenly poised.

KENT v SUSSEX