Middlesex v Lancashire, Rothesay County Championship, Day 1

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Luke Hollman rained on Jimmy Anderson’s parade as Middlesex reached 139-3 on a murky, rain-reduced opening day of the Rothesay County Championship Division Two clash between Middlesex and Lancashire at Merchant Taylors’ School.

Anderson returned from a two month absence with a calf problem to lead a Red Rose County attempting to avoid one of the worst County Championship finishes in its history.

Displaying all the craft of his 44 years, Anderson took two early wickets on route to 2-30 on a day where only 39.5 overs were bowled due to rain and bad light.

However, Hollman, pressed into service as an opener for the second match in succession, passed 50 for the 10th time in his first-class career, finishing on 54 not out to lead Middlesex to calmer waters before the weather closed in.

Lancashire bowling coach Kabir Ali said:
"The wicket has got a little bit in it, so as long as you get your areas right there is always a bit of action. Hopefully tomorrow morning some early wickets will set us up nicely.

"I think we would have batted (had we won the toss) to try and put a bit of pressure on them and then see how the wicket played over the last two days.

"It's always a pleasure to have Jimmy. He is an absolute genius with the ball and the first two wickets were very good balls. Hopefully we get them out tomorrow morning or tomorrow afternoon and then put a decent total up.