Strauss calls the tune at the Rose Bowl

Opening batsman Andrew Strauss led a spirited Middlesex revival at the Rose Bowl with his third century of the season.

Strauss followed his defiant half-century made in the first innings with an equally obdurate 100 not out to leave the match, vital to both sides, finely balanced at the end of the second day.

Middlesex, 90 behind on first innings, ended at 232 for five which gives them a lead of 142 with two days remaining.

After 17 wickets had fallen on the first day, Hampshire resumed at 99 for seven in reply to the Middlesex first innings of 101 and in Adrian Aymes and Shaun Udal they found two batsmen ready to build a decisive advantage.

Aymes and Udal put on 102 for the eighth wicket, Udal first to his fluent half-century but Aymes just as important in a less ostentatious way.

Udal made 62 with ten fours before he was superbly caught down the leg side sweeping Phil Tufnell by Stephen Fleming running round from first slip.

Aymes was 57 not out when Hampshire were finally prised out for 191, leaving Middlesex the task of batting far better in their second innings than they had done in the first.

Strauss was dropped in the slips by Kenway at 14 but from 58 for two and still in arrears, Fleming joined Strauss in a stand of 127 for the third wicket. Suddenly Hampshire lost their poise and purpose in the field with Strauss reaching his 1,000 for the season one over before Fleming.

Then spinner Shaun Udal came into the attack and again the complexion of the match changed.

In swift succession Udal removed Fleming, lbw on the back foot, Ed Joyce in his next over not offering a shot and then Paul Weekes caught at the wicket off his gloves.

Strauss reached his century in the last over of the day and Middlesex will need him at his best on the third day if they are to leave their promotion rivals a difficult target in the fourth innings.