COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Chelmsford
6-9 June (Play starts 1100 BST)
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Middlesex 274 and 297-7 dec Essex 157, and 79-2 (Essex 3pts, Middlesex 5pts)

Strauss hit 14 fours on his way to a 166-ball 97

England Test captain Andrew Strauss hit 97 as Middlesex closed in on victory against Essex at Chelmsford.

Strauss and Nick Compton (44) put on 146 for the first wicket before Compton was trapped lbw by David Masters and Strauss fell to Maurice Chambers.

The visitors declared their second innings on 297 for 7, a lead of 414, to leave the home side under pressure.

Steven Finn, who took five first- innings wickets, then picked up 2-36 to leave Essex on 79-2 at the close.

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