Middlesex v Somerset: Piyush Chawla dominates day

Piyush Chawla hit a century and was then among the wickets as Middlesex's title hopes faded at Lord's.

The Somerset all-rounder turned his overnight 58 into 112 as his side added 117 on the second morning before they were finally all out for 449.

They then skittled the hosts for 106 in just 37.5 overs, with Chawla taking 3-8 and Craig Meschede 3-25.

Meschede struck again as Middlesex followed on, reaching 52-2 at the close to trail by 291.

In their first innings, the home side lost seven wickets for 44 runs inside 15 overs, with Australia Test opener Chris Rogers the first to go for just eight.

Only three players reached double figures as Ollie Rayner top scored with 34 not out.

Rogers was then out for the second time in the day, lbw for two, and Middlesex will go into day three facing an uphill battle to save the match.

Earlier, Chawla reached his first century of the season in just his third innings for Somerset by hoisting Ravi Patel into the Mound Stand for his fourth six.

He added 98 for the ninth wicket with Alfonso Thomas - a record for Somerset against Middlesex - and helped his side, who are battling against relegation, pick up a crucial fourth batting point before finally being caught off Patel, who took 4-89.

VIEW FROM THE COMMENTARY BOX

BBC London 94.9's Kevin Hand:

"Middlesex suffered their worst day of the season as Somerset assumed full control of the match on what had appeared a placid pitch.

"The visitors' ninth wicket pair batted through the entire morning session as the hosts toiled with a ball that was only 16 overs old at the start of the second day.

"Chawla's century was magnificent but was made to look all the better by Middlesex's first-innings collapse.

"The hosts will surely reflect that they were too loose outside the off stump but credit must go to the visitors' seamers who found a great deal more pace and movement.

"A better batting display must be in store on day three, but Middlesex are already facing the prospect of having to bat for five sessions to save the match."

VIEW FROM THE COMMENTARY BOX

BBC London 94.9's Kevin Hand:

"Middlesex suffered their worst day of the season as Somerset assumed full control of the match on what had appeared a placid pitch.

"The visitors ninth wicket pair batted through the entire morning session as the hosts toiled with a ball that was only 16 overs old at the start of the second day.

"Chawla's century was magnificent but was made to look all the better by Middlesex's first innings collapse.

"The hosts will surely reflect that they were too loose outside the off stump but credit must go to the visitors' seamers who found a great deal more pace and movement.

"A better batting display must be in store on day three, but Middlesex are already facing the prospect of having to bat for five sessions to save the match."

Match scorecard