Ollie could have Notts in another Finn mess!

An all too familiar top order collapse has suddenly swung the game towards Middlesex, after the visitors declared immediately on reaching 300 with one wicket in hand. Notts without Taylor and Patel on Lions duty have a potentially brittle batting line up for Steve Finn to exploit tomorrow as they lead by 145 runs with seven wickets remaining.

Notts got an early breakthrough this morning when Denly edged Adams to first slip to depart for 35, but unfortunately this proved a false dawn. A strong cross wind was clearly hindering bowling and with the pitch lacking pace, even ace destroyer Adams seemed relatively innocuous as the ball got older. Nightwatchman Ollie Rayner with a first class career average of 25 could hardly be described as a rabbit and with Malan, 119 runs were added for the fifth wicket in 41 overs. Notts bowling was disciplined, although Rayner rode his luck somewhat he could easily played on half a dozen times during the day and was dropped three times twice by Edwards and once a very difficult chance to Hales at first slip.

Gurney who bowled well and kept up his pace all day had Malan leg before for 46. Dexter scored 17 before hitting Swann to Adams at mid on, 225 for six.  Keeper John Simpson did not last long and fell to second new ball bowled by Gurney. Middlesex were still 38 runs short of saving the follow-on but with Rayner batting sensibly this was easily achieved. "Italian" Gareth Berg was bowled by Broad, shouldering arms for 16 

and then Murtagh was bowled by Swann for 14 a cue for Rogers to immediately call in his troops with Middlesex 300 for nine wickets declared with 10 overs to bowl on day 3. Rayner had previous first-class century on his CV, he was the first Sussex player since 1920 to score a century on debut when he scored 101 against the touring Sri Lankans in 2006. His 143 not out came off 255 balls with 19 fours and one six, a quite splendid effort. No real criticism could be placed on the Notts bowling today which was steady and workmanlike on a generally flat deck. Young Gurney had earlier though bowled a few balls that had kept low.

Rayner’s day was not finished though, Hales having hit three fours was playing in a gung ho fashion and was bowled playing a dreadful shot to Rayner coming on first change bowling his off spin in order for Finn to switch from the Pavilion to the Radcliffe Road End. Edwards versus Finn always appeared a hopeless one way contest, the Cornishman having another dreadful game with bat and hands edged the England paceman to Strauss at first slip for four. With Voges coming in to line up at Hove along with Taylor (who hit 118 for the Lions today) and Patel, Edwards seems the most likely candidate for the chop as his woeful Notts career appears to be now hanging by the thinnest of threads. Swann meanwhile seemed an eccentric choice as nightwatchman and he fell to catch at silly point off man of the moment Rayner who was having the match of his life. Swann out for a duck. Wessels and Lumb batted out the remaining 27 balls of the evening as Notts closed on 22 for three. Notts must ensure they bat out the morning session tomorrow to then set up an intriguing afternoon contest.

Remember Wood and  Jefferson?