Declaration revives contest after Carlisle century

Close Middlesex 516 for 6 dec (Weston 129) and 86 for 1 (Strauss 36*, Shah 0*) lead Zimbabwe 401 for 4 (Carlisle 137, Taibu 49*) by 201 runs

A sprinkling of rain brought Zimbabwe's tour match at Shenley back to life, as Tatenda Taibu declared at tea on 401 for 4, still 115 runs adrift of Middlesex's first-innings 516 for 6. By the close of a curtailed day, Middlesex had added 86 runs to their lead, for the loss of their first-innings centurion, Robin Weston.

Zimbabwe's man of the moment was Stuart Carlisle, who scored 137, his sixth first-class century. Carlisle played with care throughout his innings, although he scored more freely than appeared to be the case. He reached his fifty off 81 balls and celebrated with two handsome straight-driven fours, and after going to lunch on 93, he reached three figures five minutes into the afternoon session.

His partner for most of the morning was Grant Flower, who had reverted to his early limpet days as an opening batsman. He scored just eight runs in the first hour and took 85 minutes and 60 balls for his first boundary, a cut past gully, although he followed up with two successive boundaries off Chris Peploe to reach his fifty off 125 balls.

The Middlesex bowlers were more accurate than their Zimbabwean counterparts, but were unable to cause either batsman concern on a placid pitch. Finally, almost on the stroke of lunch, Flower swung at Peploe and was caught at the wicket for 65, from 154 balls. He rarely looked convincing and is still struggling for fluency.

Carlisle's century took him 177 balls - his third in two months after seven barren seasons. Gradually he began to play his strokes with more time to spare, more ease and grace, and with Taibu settling in at the other end, batting was at last beginning to look a simple business.

Finally, though, Carlisle gave it away for 137, tipping Tim Bloomfield straight to the fielder on the square third-man boundary (351 for 4). Ervine took his time to settle in but then began to display his range of crisp, powerful strokes, including a pull off Bloomfield that landed far over the midwicket boundary.

A light rain brought tea three minutes early, at which point Taibu declared, depriving himself of a fifty but resuscitating the match in the process. Unfortunately only 17 balls could be bowled before the rain returned, rather heavier this time. Play did not restart for 85 minutes and the extra hour was put into operation.

Middlesex made a flying start, aided by the usual supply of loose deliveries from the Zimbabwean seamers. Travis Friend's opening spell of three overs yielded 26 runs, and some uncharacteristic misfields did not help matters. The 50 came up in the eighth over, and Weston helped himself to 10 fours in his 41 off 43 balls. But Friend had the last laugh, producing a straight, good-length delivery to trap him lbw (74 for 1).

Play finished 17 minutes early due to bad light, with Middlesex 201 ahead, Strauss on 36 and Owais Shah yet to score. The stage was set for a very interesting final day.