Malan makes instant impression

A maiden first-class century from Dawid Malan on his LV County Championship debut rescued Middlesex on the first day of the Division Two match with Northamptonshire at Uxbridge.

The 20-year-old completed his hundred from 174 balls with 17 fours and finished the day unbeaten on 121 out of a total of 317 for seven.

It represented a remarkable recovery after they had been reduced to 36 for four thanks to a spell of 3-6 in 22 balls from bowler Johan van der Wath.

Eoin Morgan contributed 66 as the pair shared a fifth-wicket stand of 121 before he was deceived by the low bounce from David Lucas and was trapped leg before on the back foot.

Having won the toss, Middlesex were soon in trouble, losing their first wicket in the third over of the day, when Andrew Strauss was caught behind for two chasing a wide delivery from van der Wath.

That was soon followed by the dismissal of Owais Shah in the South African’s next over. Shah pushed half forward and was trapped in front of the stumps for one to leave Middlesex eight for two.

Seven runs later, opener Billy Godleman became van der Wath’s third victim as he edged an outswinger to Stephen Peters at first slip and Ed Joyce succumbed shortly after for 21 as Middlesex’s innings threatened to derail.

Dawid Malan's ton helped the hosts recover from 36 for four

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The skipper was beaten by the late movement from former Middlesex seamer Johann Louw, giving a simple catch to wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien.

This brought Malan to the crease, and the left-hander was quickly into his stride, continuing the excellent form he showed in the Twenty20 Cup group stages.

Both he and Morgan were particularly severe on anything that was short or overpitched, with Malan especially strong through the covers.

Not even the introduction of England spinner Monty Panesar could stop the Middlesex pair and he was quickly taken out of the attack after conceding 19 runs in three overs.

Morgan went to his fifty, from 75 balls, just after lunch and was soon joined by Malan in the 47th over with another glorious cover drive.

After Morgan went in the next over, Ben Scott shared a partnership of 115 with Malan before Scott was dismissed by van der Wath in the first over with the new ball.

After reaching a deserved fifty from 113 balls, which contained seven fours, Scott chopped the next ball on to his stumps to give the bowler his fourth wicket.

Tim Murtagh was the seventh man out, driving loosely at Louw in the penultimate over of the day for 18.

Middlesex skipper Smith could be out for a further six weeks after a scan revealed a small fracture and ligament damage to his left ankle following the injury sustained in the Twenty20 Cup match against Essex on June 12.