Day 3: Shah shines for Middlesex

By Geoffrey Dean at Old Trafford

UNLESS the weather is kinder tomorrow, Lancashire members could have to wait until June 11 to see their side bat in the championship. That, surprisingly, is the date of their next home match.

Proceedings at last got under way yesterday after the first two days were abandoned due to a soggy outfield.

Middlesex, put in on a slow seamer, did not find batting particularly easy, reaching 205 for four at two-and-a-half an over before a heavy shower just after tea made further play impossible. Contrivance could, however, still bring about any result.

Australian Justin Langer and Owais Shah, who impressed on the England 'A' tour to Australia two winters ago, played two convincing innings while the rest made no impact. Richard Kettleborough went early, caught behind off a good one from all-rounder Ian Austin, who would not have been fit had the match started on time.

Mark Ramprakash edged an outswinger to be very well taken low at second slip by Andrew Flintoff; and David Nash was bowled neck and crop by a fine off-cutter from Richard Green. Glenn Chapple was unlucky to go unrewarded, beating the bat on countless occasions in his 20 accurate overs.

Langer saw off the new ball capably and went on to reach his first fifty for Middlesex in 88 balls. But not long after the introduction of Mike Watkinson's off-spin, he was beaten in the flight and gave a low return catch. Having missed the Sussex match through injury, this was Watkinson's first appearance since remodelling his action in the winter.

Shah employed decisive footwork, scoring freely off both front and back feet. He finished with an unbeaten 64 in 128 balls with nine fours, confirming his strength on the onside.

While an unwell Mike Gatting had returned to London, Lancashire were without three senior players. Wasim Akram did not fly in from South Africa until yesterday morning, and Mike Atherton and Neil Fairbrother were ruled out by injury.

Both spent the afternoon at Maine Road, watching Manchester City draw 2-2 with Queens Park Rangers in Division One of the Nationwide League despite being Manchester United fans.

Atherton is hopeful of playing in the Sunday League today. His notoriously suspect back went into spasm on Tuesday, and now he will have a maximum of four championship innings before the first Test against South Africa.

David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, said on Thursday, however, that runs by the former England captain in one-day games would also influence selectorial thinking.

One young batsman in whom the selectors are known to have a keen interest is Flintoff. Unable to bowl on the England 'A' tour of Sri Lanka owing to a bad back, he has managed some overs both at Hove and here, although not at full pace.