Sunday 15 June 2014 21:18, UK
Alex Hales narrowly missed out on a century as Nottinghamshire fought back on the second day of their LV= County Championship match against Middlesex at Trent Bridge.
Hales scored 96 and Samit Patel made an unbeaten 75 out of a total of 258-4 as the home side responded in positive fashion to Middlesex's first innings score of 505.
Hales faced only 110 deliveries and hit 16 fours and one six before being adjudged leg before wicket to the bowling of Tim Murtagh.
Earlier Middlesex, resuming from 417 for five, had batted on for a further 85 minutes before losing their last five wickets for only 62. Eoin Morgan's highest championship innings finally ended at 191.
The clash between two teams battling to avoid Championship relegation produced a rollercoaster opening day which swung back Durham's way via an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 126 between Phil Mustard and Paul Coughlin.
Making his championship debut, 21-year-old Coughlin fearlessly rode some early luck to make an unbeaten 71 against Lancashire, with Durham ending the day on 310-8.
Mustard, dropped down to number eight, showed unusual restraint in reaching 64. Prior to his arrival the balance had tipped Lancashire's way through a five-wicket haul for Kyle Hogg.
After the start was delayed for 15 minutes by rain Durham were inserted in overcast conditions and raced to 70-1 after 13 overs. They then took a further 37 overs to double the score while losing five more wickets before Gordon Muchall and Mustard put on 57 for the seventh wicket before the former departed for 35.
An unbeaten century from Rob Newton helped Division One strugglers Northamptonshire reach 297-8 at the close of day one against Warwickshire at the County Ground.
The hosts were earlier 66-3 after they lost two wickets in the 18th over when first James Middlebrook (33) was caught behind off Rikki Clarke, who then bowled Rob Keogh for a duck.
Matthew Spriegel (16) was soon lbw to Chris Wright and then in the next over, Richard Levi's promising knock was ended on 43 when he was caught behind off Chris Woakes for 43 and Northamptonshire were suddenly five down for 119.
However, Newton, supported by 45 from Andrew Hall, helped steady the innings and the 24-year-old stayed unbeaten at the crease for more than three-and-a-half hours to end the day on 108 not out.
