Godleman stars for Middlesex

Billy Godleman hit 103 in Middlesex's three-wicket defeat © Getty Images

Teenager Billy Godleman enhanced his fast-growing reputation with a century for Middlesex in their pre-season friendly against Surrey.

The highly-rated England Under-19 opener hit 104 off 103 balls but could not prevent his side slipping to a three-wicket defeat off the penultimate delivery at the Brit Oval.

Godleman shared an opening stand of 133 with Nick Compton, who made 59, while Ed Joyce’s rapid 45 carried Middlesex to 270 for five in match reduced to one day by rain.

Though another Middlesex youngster, 20-year-old seamer Daniel Evans, removed Jon Batty and Mark Ramprakash without scoring en route to figures of 4-60, Scott Newman hit 68 before Surrey’s middle order carried them home.

Usman Afzaal (45), Ali Brown (44), Mark Butcher and Chris Schofield (both 36) made useful contributions before Chris Jordan’s unbeaten 28 eased any nerves in the home dressing room.

Niall O’Brien hit an unbeaten 84 on the opening day of Northamptonshire’s two-day friendly against Hampshire at Wantage Road.

The Ireland wicketkeeper was ably supported by Andrew Crook and Riki Wessels, who made 59 and 42 respectively before the hosts were bowled out in the last over of the day for 369.

Rain prevented any play on the first day of the second Roses friendly between Lancashire and Yorkshire at Old Trafford.

The sides will now play a 50-over contest with the red ball on Wednesday, a game in which Andrew Flintoff is set to feature as he steps up his recovery from ankle surgery.