CCD1: Steven Finn on form as Middlesex stifle Somerset

Middlesex pace bowler Steven Finn took 4-41 on day two of their game with Somerset to give the selectors a gentle nudge ahead of the second Investec Ashes Test.

Finn retains his place in the 13-man squad for the next clash with Australia, which gets under way at Lord’s on Thursday, and he was in impressive form at Merchant Taylor’s School in Northwood as the visitors were reduced to 185-8 in reply to Middlesex’s 283.

Somerset began solidly enough, opening pair Marcus Trescothick and Thomas Abell putting on 76 before Finn pounced to have Abell (26) caught behind by wicketkeeper John Simpson.

Wickets then continued to fall at a steady rate, Johann Myburgh and James Hildreth departing in quick succession as the away side were reduced to 86-3.

Skipper Trescothick had provided sterling resistance but Roland Toby-Jones trapped him leg before on 52 to provide a major blow to Somerset.

Peter Trego was then leg-before to Ollie Rayner for 15, just before heavy rain arrived to send the players scuttling off for an early tea.

The break in play did nothing to put Finn off his stride, however, as he had Lewis Gregory caught behind, while Michael Bates was dropped on nought by James Franklin at first slip off his bowling.

Jim Allenby, hit under the throat by a short ball from Toby Roland-Jones when on 28, fought hard to score 43 before becoming Finn's fourth victim as he edged low to Rayner at second slip.

There was another break of half an hour from 5.37pm as further rain arrived and only 20 minutes of further play were possible before bad light brought a close to proceedings with Middlesex in control despite the loss of 25.3 overs in the day.

In Sunday’s other Division One encounter, Warwickshire battled back from an indifferent start to reduce Durham to 314 on day one of their game at the Emirates ICG.

Mark Stoneman smashed his second consecutive century in the County Championship as his stand of 153 with Scott Borthwick moved the home side along to 184-1.

Rikki Clarke led the Warwickshire attack well though, taking 5-62 to help restrict Paul Collingwood’s side, but it was England international Chris Woakes who ended the Stoneman-Borthwick partnership on his first appearance of the season having recovered from knee surgery.

The all-rounder got the ball to nick the inside edge of Borthwick’s bat and fly off the pad to Laurie Evans at gully.

Stoneman stepped up his scoring rate after lunch, the second 50 of his century coming up off just 51 deliveries before he finally fell for 112, Tom Milnes sending down a good-length ball that came off the seam to hit Stoneman's off stump.

Michael Richardson then aimed across the line and was lbw to Clarke before another good ball from Milnes (3-96) had Gordon Muchall caught behind as Durham wobbled.

Collingwood was the next to go although he was reluctant to do so, the Ashes winner unhappy with the lbw decision that saw him depart for 31.

John Hastings failed to capitalise on being dropped at mid-off as he lofted off-spinner Jeetan Patel to deep midwicket.

James Harrison and Chris Rushworth came and went before Ryan Pringle was last out for 53 as he picked out Clarke at deep midwicket, having survived a caught behind decision while on 10.

Warwickshire successfully navigated the first four overs of their innings before stumps to close on 10-0, 304 behind their hosts.