Oxford Univ (1st innings forfeited & 100-6) drew with Middlesex (1st innings forfeited & 255-1 dec)

THE chances of Mike Gatting reaching a hundred hundreds are receding quicker than his hairline. The acting Middlesex captain opened, after two washed-out days, aiming for his 93rd century, writes Ralph Dellor.

For 61 balls in The Parks yesterday he batted with all his old gusto. The 62nd ball was just short of a full length and Gatting drove powerfully into the covers, where Joe Parker dived full length to take a remarkable catch.

After Middlesex declared, Chris Batt took a wicket with his first first-class ball for the county before the student collapse was halted by James Fulton's plucky innings.