Murtagh ties up Notts

David Hussey was the only batsman to look comfortable on day one © Getty Images

Middlesex seamer Tim Murtagh left LV County Championship Division Two leaders Nottinghamshire in trouble at 152 for four when rain brought an early end to proceedings.

The 25-year-old picked up 3-23 from 18 testing overs as the hosts were made to struggle after winning the toss and batting.

But opener Bilal Shafayat managed to survive the day as he ground his way to an unbeaten 55 from 176 balls, including five fours.

Nottinghamshire skipper David Hussey looked in more confident mood as he stroked eight boundaries before falling to Murtagh for 48, who made the most of the seaming conditions while the rest of the Middlesex bowling attack generally disappointed.

Alan Richardson and Richard Johnson were the worst culprits, too often pitching wide outside off stump rather than forcing the batsmen to play.

Both served up four balls with their opening deliveries, although Richardson should have picked up a wicket in the eighth over when Jason Gallian cut straight to Murali Kartik at gully, only for the Indian to drop a sitter.

When Johnson straightened his line he immediately got his reward, with Gallian edging a defensive push to wicket-keeper David Nash for 17.

Kartik’s bad day at the office continued when he missed a run-out chance at cover off Shafayat when the 22-year-old had made 24.

But Murtagh switched ends for a second spell and immediately removed Mark Wagh with a ball that seamed back and found the outside edge, despite the batsman’s late attempt to leave.

Shafayat and Hussey survived until lunch and the Australian was quickly into his stride after the break with a couple of boundaries, while his younger partner showed a diligent defence and also ran some sharp singles.

Murtagh eventually broke up the partnership with a sharp, rising delivery that Hussey fended to Andrew Strauss at second slip, and Samit Patel followed two balls later, caught behind off another defensive push.

That put the initiative back in Middlesex’s hands but Chris Read then hit three boundaries off one Jamie Dalrymple over before the rain arrived at 3.40pm, with 59 overs completed.