Joyce in good order

Ed Joyce © Getty Images

Ed Joyce celebrated his return to action after a month out with an ankle ligament injury by taking a polished 158 not out off Warwickshire's toiling attack on the opening day of the Liverpool Victoria County Championship Division One match at Edgbaston.

Joyce missed England's recent one-day series against Sri Lanka after he twisted an ankle fielding in the Twenty20 international at Southampton last month.

But he was quickly back in the groove, scoring his third century in six Championship matches this season in three-and-a-quarter hours.

The left-hander from Dublin made his maiden Championship century against Warwickshire at Lord's five years ago and has continued to enjoy facing their bowling since then.

The pitch was green-tinged but played better than it looked and Joyce helped justify Scott Styris' decision to bat first by batting 50 for the sixth time in 18 Championship innings against Warwickshire and guiding Middlesex to 344 for five.

Joyce square and cover drove impressively and was not tempted when Warwickshire tried to probe his perceived weakness against short-pitched bowling.

There were 12 fours in a 158-ball century, the 17th of Joyce's career and his third against Warwickshire.

His one blemish was a bottom-edged cut off slow left-armer Paul Harris which gave a difficult half-chance to wicket-keeper Tim Ambrose.

Harris, recruited from South African province Titans as a Kolpak player last week, marked his Championship debut by snaring England one-day international all-rounder Jamie Dalrymple at short leg.

Dalrymple played positively for his 43, which included a six over long-on off Alex Loudon, and he shared a fourth-wicket stand of 92 with Joyce.

But Dalrymple departed to a quicker ball from Harris which was snaffled by Dougie Brown.

Harris also picked up the wicket of Styris, who battled 24 balls without scoring and was then bowled middle stump sweeping.

Brown's accurate opening spell of eight runs from as many overs meant Middlesex were forced to proceed with caution.

Brown pinned Ed Smith lbw pushing forward and Owais Shah fell carelessly, pulling Neil Carter to long leg.

Nick Compton batted sensibly after a sticky start and reached a gritty half-century from 114 balls before he was caught behind pulling Carter.

Harris's wicket briefly lifted Warwickshire, but Joyce continued to find the gaps and wicket-keeper David Nash, playing only his third Championship game in two years, provided effective resistance in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 97 in 30 overs.

Joyce reached 150, from 242 balls in five-and-a-quarter hours, just before the close.