COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Lord's:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Northants 288-9 (Middlesex 3pts, Northants 2pts)
31 July - 3 August 2009

Nicky Boje hit five fours and a six in his 105-ball 55

Alex Wakely, Nicky Boje and Rob White all hit half centuries but honours ended even on day one between Middlesex and Northants at Lord's.

White (51) shared a second-wicket stand of 87 with Ben Howegego (47) before Wakely (61) and Boje (55) combined to help the visitors to 254-4.

But the home side took five wickets in the final hour of the day to leave Northants 288-9 at the close.

Steve Finn and Alan Richardson each picked up three wickets for the hosts.

After Northants won the toss, opener Stephen Peters was trapped lbw by Finn for 16, before White and Howgego, who was dropped on two, took the score to 106.

Both men fell in quick succession to Finn, and when Riki Wessels was caught by Murali Kartik off the bowling of Richardson, the away side were wobbling on 157-4.

But Wakely and Boje shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 97 in 32 overs to give Northants the advantage at 254-4.

However, when Wakely was trapped lbw by Shaul Udal, it sparked a collapse which saw Middlesex pick up five wickets for 28 runs to end the day on level terms.

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