Sabres see off Middlesex

Justin Langer produced a fine unbeaten innings of 78 to put compatriot Phillip Hughes' century in the shade at Lord's

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Australia batsman Phillip Hughes scored a century to help Middlesex Panthers to their highest score in Friends Provident Trophy history, only to be overshadowed by compatriot Justin Langer and finish on the losing side against Group B winners Somerset.

The opener, who plays his final match for the county on Monday against Warwickshire, is returning home on Wednesday - earlier than originally scheduled.

With three centuries Hughes had made a spectacular contribution to the start of the county season, but prior to today’s knock had scored only 58 runs in five trophy ties since his 74 on competition debut against Scotland.

The left-hander’s efforts were not enough at Lord’s to prevent the Sabres maintaining their unbeaten record in the competition as they reached a revised target of 290 from 41 overs with 11 deliveries to spare and dent Middlesex’s hopes of qualifying for the last eight.

Visiting skipper Langer led the victory chase with an unbeaten 78 from 69 balls with nine fours and a six.

The Panthers' total of 341 for seven was the third highest score in the competition this season and only Somerset, with 403 against Scotland, and Nottinghamshire, with 346 against Ireland, had scored more.

The total was built around a second-wicket stand of 151 in 25 overs between Hughes and Owais Shah after Billy Godleman had been run out in the fourth over.

In front of England selectors James Whitaker and Ashley Giles, Shah signalled a return to form with 82 from 84 balls, with three sixes and eight fours.

By the time he looped an attempted drive off Peter Trego to cover, Middlesex were in a commanding position at 166 in the 29th over.

Hughes held his side together thereafter as Eoin Morgan and Dawid Malan both fell with the score on 178, going on to reach 119 in a minute under three hours.

He faced 112 balls and hit 12 fours and two sixes, one a lavish drive over wide mid-on, the other a slog-sweep over midwicket.

Once dismissed, clean-hitting Neil Dexter dominated centre stage with an unbeaten 65 from only 54 balls, including 10 fours, while captain Shaun Udal struck a breezy cameo of 29 from 12 balls.

Showers led to a revised target of 333 to win from 48 overs for Somerset and Marcus Trescothick and Craig Kieswetter got them off to a positive start with a stand of 77.

Middlesex looked marginal favourites when Somerset faltered at 209 for four, but further rain and a second revision ensured the target and the impetus favoured Somerset and veteran Langer - who kept his cool to steer the visitors to a sixth group win.