Centurions Shah and Hutton set new record

A record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership, in which both Owais Shah and Ben Hutton scored centuries, saw Middlesex gain a commanding position by the end of the first day of their CricInfo Championship match against Derbyshire at Southgate.

Winning the toss and batting first in ideal conditions - an easy-paced pitch and a lightning-fast outfield - Middlesex did not get the best of starts, although the first wicket did put on 55 before Andy Strauss went for 33. But Mike Roseberry and Stephen Fleming soon followed, with all three wickets falling to Tom Lungley in a spell of 3-3 in 18 balls.

At 62 for 3, Middlesex were hardly in a position of strength but Derbyshire had to wait another 82 overs before their next success, while the fourth-wicket pair prospered against a less than taxing attack. Tim Munton, captaining Derbyshire in the absence on test duty of Dominic Cork, tried seven bowlers but not another wicket fell until Munton himself took the new ball and had Hutton caught at first slip for a career-best 139.

It was the young left-hander's first Championship hundred and he reached it by pulling Richard Illingworth for six. It was one of three he hit in his innings, which also included 17 fours.

Shah, scoring his second century in three matches, struck 23 fours and was 141 not out at the close with Middlesex on 358 for four and no doubt hoping to add many more runs on the second day.