Leus du Plooy haunted Gloucestershire as soon as once more with an unbeaten 98 as Middlesex reached 279-5 on a truncated first day of the County Championship season at a dark Lord’s.
The South African-born left-hander, who made a career-best 263 not out towards the identical opponents within the closing match of final season on the Residence of Cricket, picked up the place he had left off, producing one other stylish innings, together with 10 fours.
Du Plooy shared an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 85 with Joe Cracknell (58 not out) having earlier placed on 84 with Max Holden.
Will Williams bowled nicely for 2-46 as did Tasmanian Gabe Bell (1-44), each on debut, however the guests have been left to rue three dropped catches which might have given the day a special complexion.
Given the morning rain, murky skies and that the lights have been on from the off, it was no shock Gloucestershire selected to bowl first and they need to have had an early breakthrough, Sam Robson tucking a ball off his hip that carried to backward sq. the place Williams shelled the catch.
The morning’s play was attritional, Robson and opening companion Josh de Caires accumulating slowly, a lot so it was 93 balls earlier than the previous creamed the primary boundary by way of cowl.
Gloucestershire’s bowlers have been a little bit brief in size and bowled too many down leg-side. One such supply, although, introduced the breakthrough as De Caires was strangled out, James Bracey taking a positive low catch off the bowling of Matt Taylor.
Rain introduced an early lunch and shortly after the resumption, Robson performed round a fuller supply to be trapped in entrance by Williams, his first wicket in Gloucestershire colors.
