Nottinghamshire’s Specsavers County Championship match against Middlesex hangs in the balance after two tough days of cricket at Trent Bridge.
The home side reached stumps on 24 without loss in their second innings, a slender lead of 18, with Steven Mullaney unbeaten on 20 and Jake Libby on four.
Earlier, Middlesex edged their way past Notts into the narrowest of advantages after being bowled out for 247, just six runs more than the hosts had scored on the opening day.
Nick Gubbins scored a patient 75 for the visitors but they were continually put under pressure by an inspired performance from the home bowling attack. Jake Ball claimed two of the wickets, adding to his first evening hat-trick, to close with five for 66. Brett Hutton took three for 54 and Imran Tahir mopped up the other two wickets.
The day began with Middlesex on nine for three in their first innings, looking to recover from the shock of Ball’s hat-trick the previous evening.
Gubbins was quickly into his stride and moved effortlessly into the 20s. His partner, Dawid Malan, was denied a boundary when a straight drive clattered into the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
Malan’s ill-fortune was then made complete when he was given out lbw for 13. The batsman was obviously unhappy at the decision, standing his ground with his hands on top of his helmet, clearly unable to comprehend his fate. Bowler Hutton, meanwhile, was already celebrating a success in his opening over of the day.
Nottinghamshire’s bowling and fielding was of the highest order during the entire morning session, with only 56 runs being added in the two-hours of play.
Stevie Eskinazi began to increase the tempo and managed to find the boundary from three consecutive deliveries from Ball; the last one a streaky inside-edge past the stumps.
On 35 he departed, baffled, bamboozled and bowled by Imran Tahir, who celebrated in his usual under-stated manner.
John Simpson made 20 before Hutton fired one through his defences to open the door slightly for Notts.
Gubbins five-hour marathon was brought to an end as he feathered Hutton behind and then Ball returned to take two wickets with the second new ball.
James Franklin marked his return to his old county ground by making 40, an innings of promise that was ended as he lifted the pace ace down to third man.
Toby Roland-Jones gave Ball a return catch and then Tahir bowled Finn just after Middlesex had gone ahead.
Positive batting from Mullaney saw Notts regain the overall advantage with two big days remaining.
Trent Bridge will host an Investec Test Match between England and South Africa, and a Royal London One-Day International visit from the West Indies, in 2017.
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