A Dubliner named Joyce will give readers plenty of new material after an educated maiden century on the first day of the CricInfo Championship Division Two promotion clash between Middlesex and Warwickshire at Lord's.

Ed Joyce, who has four siblings who have represented Ireland at cricket, but who is not believed to be related to the author, James Joyce, began his innings with the total reading 33-3.

However, with fellow left-hander Stephen Fleming making a century, Middlesex didn't lose another wicket until after tea, reaching 338-5 at the close.

Joyce and Fleming quickly subdued the weakened Warwickshire attack, which was missing Mel Betts (rib injury), Neil Carter (back), Ashley Giles (achilles) and Neil Smith (dropped).

Birmingham League slow left-armer Jamie Spires was drafted in, returning figures of 0-82 in 23 overs.

Although Charlie Dagnall (2-60), making his season's debut in the competition, removed the in-form Andrew Strauss, and Young Cricketer of the Year, Owais Shah, in his opening spell, Joyce and Fleming composed chanceless innings in the afternoon sunshine.

Fleming was first to his century, off 174 balls with 15 fours, in just less than four hours.

This was his first century for Middlesex at Lord's, although he scored one at H.Q for New Zealand against the county in 1994.

While it was the 16th first-class century of Fleming's career (that began in 1991-92), Joyce brought up his first ton in just his 14th first-class innings.

A controlled hook through midwicket off a Dougie Brown no-ball took him to his century, and set a new Middlesex v Warwickshire record for a fourth wicket stand. The previous record, 214, was set by Cyril Gray and Patsy Hendren, another of Irish blood, back in 1927.

Fleming waved a bat at one outside his off stump in Brown's next over to be caught behind for 102, ending the partnership of 219.

Joyce, too, failed to go on, being run out by Ian Bell for 104 after a mix-up with new batsman, Paul Weekes.

However, Weekes (47*) and David Nash (28*) saw Middlesex through to a third batting point in their quest for promotion from Division Two.

© CricInfo