Middlesex stay top as George Bailey denies Surrey, and Lancs scrap for draw

George Bailey hit a brilliant century to save Middlesex from defeat to neighbours Surrey and keep them in the hunt for the Division One title.

Set a nominal 389 to win, the hosts were wobbling on 82-5 at Lord's, but Aussie Bailey combined with New Zealander James Franklin (70) to put on 174 and save the game and keep Middlesex 13 points clear of Somerset at the top of the table.

Surrey began the final day on 234-6 and added 32 more before skipper Gareth Barry declared.

Tom Curran pinned Stevie Eskinazi in front for 13 and then took the catch off his brother Sam Curran to dismiss Nick Gubbins (5).

Zafar Ansari then took three quick wickets, first having Nick Compton (22) stumped.

Dawid Malan was then dismissed in bizarre fashion - the luckless batsman smacked the ball against a close fielder and the ball bounced off him and into the gloves of a diving Ben Foakes.

Zafari then trapped John Simpson lbw, but Bailey and Franklin hit back, defending stoutly and putting the loose balls away - 80 of Bailey's 110no came in boundaries.

Zafari finally bowled Franklin, but it was too late to force the victory and the skipper shook hands on the draw.  

It was a draw too at Southampton but not before Hampshire gave Lancashire a scare.

The visitors began the day on 310-4 in reply to the hosts' 548-6, needing another 88 to avoid the follow on, on what was still a belting batting strip.

But leg-spinner Mason Crane (3-87) and off-spinner Liam Dawson (3-63) ripped through the order, dismissing them for 387 - 11 short of the follow-on target.

Hampshire sent Lancashire back in, and skipper Dawson took three more wickets but opener Haseeb Hameed added to his growing reputation with a battling 53no off 147 balls, the draw agreed with the visitors 98-3.

Haseeb, just 19, has scored two centuries and four 50s in his last nine innings.