LV COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Grace Road:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Leicestershire 464-3 dec, Middlesex 356-5
(Leicestershire 6 pts, Middlesex 5 pts)
Match scorecard

Owais Shah has played six Tests and 71 one-day internationals for England

Owais Shah and Neil Dexter shared a third-wicket stand of 266 to steer Middlesex away from trouble against Leicestershire at Grace Road.

Replying to the hosts' 464-3 declared, Middlesex slumped to 35-3 before Shah and Dexter took control.

Shah's 156 contained 23 fours and a six, while Dexter hit 118 in 186 balls as the visitors closed day three on 356-5, still 108 behind.

But, after a rain-ruined first day, a draw now seems the most likely outcome.

Resuming on 19-0, Middlesex lost three wickets for 16 runs in the first eight overs of the day to slip into a perilous position.

Harry Gurney (3-82) removed openers Sam Robson and Scott Newman to catches to slip and wicketkeeper Tom New respectively before Dawid Malan, who had been dropped at slip, was trapped lbw by Matthew Hoggard.

Shah too should have been caught at slip off Gurney, but Will Jefferson failed to hang on. And, along with Dexter, he ensured Middlesex avoided the follow-on.

Shah's first century of the season came from 190 balls with a top-edged four off Jacques du Toit, while Dexter brought up his hundred shortly after tea from 165 balls.

They were parted when Dexter skied the second new ball to mid-off to provide Gurney with his third wicket before Shah offered a return catch to Andrew McDonald shortly before the close.

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