Wagh double ton keeps Warwickshire in promotion frame

While Australia's Waugh twins scoed a century apiece at The Oval, Warwickshire's Mark Wagh made a double century all on his own at Lord's. The CricInfo Championship second division clash with Middlesex finished day three with Warwickshire 36 ahead on 538 for 6.

Wagh, who made 266 not out, told CricInfo: "It was a nice day to bat. The sun was out. But I was just knackered by the last 20 minutes. I think we plan to bat for a bit tomorrow and then have a blast at them."

Wagh's 380-ball innings was also the highest in the history of Middlesex v. Warwickshire clashes. Scoring more than half the Bears' runs, Wagh helped give Warwickshire six bonus points, to keep a narrow gap between the two sides in the chase for promotion to Division One. Wagh, 24, batted all day after resuming on 81 not out this morning.

Only 13 wickets have fallen at a cost of 1040 runs, such is the nature of the wicket. Wagh batted with periods of circumspection, for instance taking 45 minutes to add a boundary after tea. He had seen overnight partner Ian Bell go, tamely running a Simon Cook delivery to Paul Weekes when he'd made 98. Their third-wicket stand of 209 was a county record against Middlesex.

Dougie Brown (58) then had time to fill his boots, before airily slogging Jamie Dalrymple to Ed Joyce at deep midwicket, giving the 20-year-old replacement for Phil Tufnell his first Championship wicket.

Another 89 runs were added by Keith Piper in the afternoon sun, before Piper ran down the pitch and was bowled by Weekes for 40. David Hemp (36), delayed entry by an eye infection, accompanied the magnificent Wagh to within sight of the close.