Langer's third hundred gives Middlesex upper-hand at Trent Bridge

An innings of immense power by Justin Langer gave Middlesex the upper hand on the opening day of their Championship match at Trent Bridge. Surplus to requirements by Australia, the Middlesex captain rushed to his third hundred of the season against Notts, off just 117 deliveries.

His dismissal, soon after lunch, followed that of Mark Ramprakash and Notts hoped for a swift passage to the visitors' tail. That didn't materialise as Ed Joyce and David Nash took Middlesex to tea on 277-4 with an impressive stand.

The pair continued after the resumption and took their partnership for the fifth wicket past 100. Wicket-keeper Nash was then desperately unlucky not to reach his half-century. On 48 he straight drove Paul Franks powerfully into the stumps at the other end. Two balls later, with a delivery that nipped back off the seam, the England one-day player had picked up his second wicket of the innings, getting his man lbw.

Joyce though, did get his reward - in only his third championship game he reached his maiden half century, coming off 112 balls, with 8x4s. His inexperience showed immediately afterwards however, as he went after Franks and dolleyed up the first catch of Matt Whiley's senior career at mid-off.

Simon Cook found himself robbed of a couple of runs when he drove down the ground. The ball would have certainly have reached the boundary but children playing on the perimeter hit a tennis ball onto the ground which collided with the match ball and stopped it dead just short of the rope. John Morris, the relieved, pursuing fielder just grinned as he returned both balls from whence they'd came. Fortune switched next ball as Gallian dropped Cook at slip.

Ben Hutton, playing in front of his father Richard, the former Yorkshire and England player, was the next man out, courtesy of a fine juggling catch by Morris. Hutton's attempted pull off Lucas ballooned over mid-wicket but running towards the ropes Morris took the ball as it came over his shoulder - admittedly with several nervy grasps before clutching it fully under control.

Another damaging partnership developed taking Middlesex to a fourth batting point before Jason Gallian became the first bowler of the day to hit the stumps, mopping up Richard Johnson for 23.

Simon Cook and Angus Fraser saw it through to stumps with Middlesex, having enjoyed the better of the opening day, in a commanding position on 377-8.