Bailey takes four wickets to offer sunny outlook

TOM Bailey took four wickets to ensure Lancashire reduced Middlesex's already slim promotion hopes still further on a rain-affected second day of the Rothesay County Championship match at Emirates Old Trafford.

- ECB Reporters' Network supported by Rothesay

After the first day of the game had been wiped out by rain, only 44 overs’ play was possible between the heavy showers on the second but the visitors ended a long and mostly sunlit evening session on 189 for eight after Ben Geddes had been dismissed for 52 four overs before the close and Seb Morgan had fallen lbw to Bailey's last ball of the day.

Having been asked to bat first in bowler-friendly conditions, the visitors were also indebted to opener Josh de Caires, who made 52 runs.