Tim Murtagh feels Middlesex must wrap up Nottinghamshire’s first innings swiftly on Monday morning to maintain parity in their County Championship clash at Lord’s.
Nottinghamshire, who headed the Division One table going into the current game, closed the first day on 345-7 after winning the toss on a batting-friendly wicket.
Seamer Murtagh, who sent down five consecutive maidens in a superb opening spell, admitted: “The wicket didn’t have a lot in it, much pace or zip.
“We got a bit of reverse swing but that was about it, so it was a tough day for us and we’ll freshen up and come back in the morning. I think it’s pretty even.
“If we can knock them over for 350 or 360, something like that, I think that’s a good day’s work but if Notts hang around a bit and get towards 400, it’s advantage to them.”
Murtagh (1-75) struck in the first over to remove Steven Mullaney (4) lbw and Toby Roland-Jones (3-57) got rid of Greg Smith (29) before Alex Hales (73) and Michael Lumb (78) put together a century stand.
Roland-Jones made the breakthrough by bowling Hales and then pinned Riki Wessels leg before without scoring, while Lumb fell to Ollie Rayner (1-64) as Notts slumped to 208-5 just before tea.
But Samit Patel, who will resume 14 short of his hundred, shared sizeable partnerships with skipper Chris Read (38) and Brett Hutton (23 not out) to ensure that the visitors finished the day strongly.
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