Gubbins and Robson state Middlesex’s title intent

Middlesex 255-1 v Essex Lord’s opened its doors for the first time this summer yesterday and there was little change from last season. Middlesex are still on top and their opening batsmen are still scoring runs.

Centuries for both Sam Robson and Nick Gubbins boded well for their international ambitions and signalled that Middlesex will be strong contenders to retain the championship pennant that was flying proudly above their dressing room here for the first time in more than 20 years.

Essex, as close neighbours, always bring a healthy following and there was a decent crowd for the start of Middlesex’s title defence. The day lacked the fireworks of Toby Roland-Jones’s title-clinching hat-trick that provided such a memorable end to last season, but the performances of Robson and Gubbins, who put on 241 for the first wicket, carried the assured look of champions.

Gubbins scored 1,409 championship runs last summer, including a crucial 125 in the championship decider against Yorkshire, and was close to England selection when Haseeb Hameed left the India tour with injury.

Instead, Keaton Jennings was picked and made a century that should nail down his Test place this summer.

Runs in April this year will be of less value in terms of Test selection than in most summers because of the prevalence of one-day cricket. There are still another two months to go before the selectors pick their next Test squad, which is plenty of time for players to fall in and out of form.

Gubbins is facing the test of a second summer on the circuit, when his technique and weaknesses have been studied thoroughly by opposition bowlers. But yesterday he showed few signs of faltering as Essex failed to make the most of the overhead conditions.

Robson was more expansive than usual, reeling off 19 fours as he reached three figures with Essex rarely threatening a wicket. Gubbins took on the off-spin of Simon Harmer, twice hitting him down the ground for six, and Essex had turned to their seventh bowler before halfway through the day as they became ever-more desperate for a breakthrough.

The streakiest of all Robson’s strokes was the outside edge for four off Ravi Bopara that brought up his hundred, while Gubbins looked in total control until he was caught behind shortly after reaching his century.

Middlesex’s batting is strong this season and Nick Compton, who missed the start of the campaign with a shoulder injury, was not picked for this match despite making a century for the second XI earlier in the week.