Middlebrook ton sets up Northants' day

James Middlebrook's 5th first-class hundred gave Northamptonshire a 54-run first-innings lead © PA Photos Enlarge

For the second time in the match Rory Hamilton-Brown had to try and haul his side out of danger after James Middlebrook's fifth first-class hundred and three quick wickets either side of tea left Surrey wobbling. But four overs from the close Chaminda Vaas removed Hamilton-Brown to leave an interesting final day in prospect at The Oval.

Coming into the day the Surrey captain would have been dreaming of the chance to play a matchwinning hand but Northamptonshire's lower-order resistance before lunch and four wickets left Surrey still searching for safety with a day remaining.

Northamptonshire's bullish approach first up propelled them into the lead as Tim Linley and Stuart Meaker were unable to generate much from a slow Oval surface. Middlebrook flayed his arms at any width on offer and Andrew Hall was similarly attacking as the pair added 79 to their overnight stand in less than 18 overs.

It took Gareth Batty's introduction to remove Hall lbw for 73. The loss of his captain, though, did not disturb Middlebrook's flow and shortly after David Lucas departed he clipped a full-toss through midwicket to bring up his first first-class century in four years. He celebrated accordingly with a punch of the air but was out two balls later to leave his team with a 54-run lead.

In the first innings Michael Brown's Surrey comeback was curtailed after one Vaas delivery but second time round he offered a glimpse of what Surrey had missed last year as he and Gary Wilson solidly worked off the deficit. Having shunned anything expansive early on he found his range with a couple of sweetly-struck drives through the covers before, four short of a half-century, he flashed a thin edge behind to give Lee Daggett his 100th first-class victim.

Soon after tea, Wilson was undone by the delivery of the day - a Rob White googly - to fall for 42. White bowled just a single first-class over last season and his last first-class wicket came four years ago but today he landed his legbreaks consistently before ducking a wrong 'un past Wilson's attempted leg-side flick.

Steve Davies, run out by his captain on day one, had no one else to blame for his dismissal on day three. Having looked fluent, he charitably flicked across the line to get a gentle leading-edge off Daggett that looped to Steven Peters at point. Once again Surrey's top-order had fallen victim to their own carelessness and with the lead just 61 were in need of some fight.

Hamilton-Brown responded with the his trademark gusto. Chest puffed out, shirt impeccably starched, he busily went about righting the wrongs. Middlebrook's offspin was first punched through the covers and then clipped through straight mid-on to get him on his way and boundaries continued to flow. At the other end Zander de Bruyn held firm and allowed his youthful senior to boss proceedings.

If Hamilton-Brown was not out overnight Surrey might have entertained thoughts of pushing on swiftly enough to put pressure on the final day but the 23-year-old was undone by the wily 37-year-old. Vaas had not bowled since the end of the 11th over and was reintroduced in the 63rd , with 15 minutes remaining in the day.

His slower-ball found a fatal inside edge that ricocheted onto the stumps to send Hamilton-Brown back for 41. It set up a nervous finish to the day for de Bruyn and nightwatchman Linley but barring a collapse from either side a draw looks most likely on Monday.