LONDON, May 26: A superb unbeaten 170 from Sven Koenig gave Middlesex the upper hand in the battle of the title contenders with Lancashire on Tuesday.
Like England hero and his county captain Andrew Strauss, Koenig is South African-born and the highest score of his career and 13th century formed the backbone of Middlesex's total of 323 for five on the first day of their English County Championship clash.
A former Middlesex hero Mark Ramprakash was also among the runs as he scored an unbeaten 123 for former county champions Surrey. Jonathan Batty (120) gave him excellent support as he too carved out an unbeaten century which was most welcome after they had slumped to 1-2.
Another former England failure Graeme Hick did what he has always done best in beating up average county championship bowling attacks as the Zimbabwean-born batsman struck 158 for Worcestershire against Warwickshire.
Hick carried on his rich vein of form - his last two innings were double centuries - as he hit his 125th century of his career and was only rmeoved through a run out.
Champions Sussex got off to a good start in eking out the Northamptonshire top order before letting them off the hook and captain David Sales took full advantage to hit an unbeaten 153 to finish on a respectable 315 for five.
Close of play scores on Tuesday:
(First day of four):
Division One:
At Old Trafford:
MIDDLESEX 323-5 (S. Koenig 170 not out) v LANCASHIRE.
At The Oval:
SURREY 306-3 (M.R. Ramprakash 123 not out, J.N. Batty 120 not out) v KENT.
At Hove:
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 315-5 (D.J.G. Sales 153 not out, U. Afzaal 69) v SUSSEX.
At Edgbaston:
WORCESTERSHIRE 373-8 (G.A. Hick 158, B.F. Smith 67) v WARWICKSHIRE.
