Rain fails to dampen 'sex

By Jeremy Horne
August 8 2002

Owais Shah and Ben Hutton both eventually scored hundreds after no play was possible before 4.00 on day 3. They took their partnership to 198 before Hutton was caught of Tony Penberthy for 116.

Hutton hit 12 fours and 3 sixes in his first century of the year, whilst Shah smashed 20 fours and 2 sixes off just 212 balls to equal his highest score of the year. After the dismissal of Hutton, Ed Joyce continued to support Shah, easing to 30 in an unbroken stand of 71.

Andrew Strauss will now probably bat on for a final batting point before declaring early in the morning. However, with more rain forecast, the chance of enforcing a win may be difficult.

Middlesex 1st innings: Northamptonshire won toss

Strauss c Loye b Panesar 43
Koenig lbw b Blain 8
Hutton c Blain b Penberthy
Shah not out 148
Joyce not out 30

Extras 15

Total (for 3 wickets, 103 overs)

To bat: Weekes, Alleyne, Cook, Laraman, Noffke, Tufnell