COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Lord's:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Middlesex 356 and 47-3, Essex 345 (Middlesex 5pts, Essex 3pts)
11-14 August 2009

Former Kent batsman Walker hit 19 fours in his 340-ball 150

Matt Walker hit 150 to help Essex fight back against fellow strugglers Middlesex on day three at Lord's.

After Essex began the day on 107-4, Walker and James Foster (72) extended their fourth-wicket stand to 163.

Walker also added 77 for the eighth wicket with David Masters (35 not out) as the visitors were bowled out for 345, with Tim Murtagh picking up 6-84.

Danish Kaneria then struck three times to reduce Middlesex to 47-3 at the close, a lead of 58.

Essex began the day 249 adrift, but any fears about following-on were allayed by Walker and Foster, who batted throughout the morning session.

After Foster was run out, the hosts were frustrated further by ten Doeschate, before Murtagh removed the Dutch international and Graham Napier in quick succession.

Masters then combined with Walker, but when the left-hander was caught by Nick Compton off the bowling of Murali Kartik, the Indian left-armer removed Tony Palladino and Kaneria to wrap up the Essex innings.

Compton and Sam Robson then took the Middlesex score to 22, but when Kaneria was introduced in the 12th over, the hosts lost three wickets for 21 runs.

First-innings century-maker Robson was caught by Alastair Cook, while Compton and Eoin Morgan were trapped lbw, to leave home side under pressure.

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