County Championship: Compton shines as Morgan fails

Nick Compton is in his second spell with Middlesex

Eoin Morgan's hopes of staking a claim for an Ashes place suffered with a second ball duck, but Nick Compton's 87 put Middlesex on top against Hampshire.

England one-day captain Morgan chased a wideish ball from teenager Brad Wheal and was caught low down at first slip.

It was Wheal's second wicket in three balls as the hosts struggled to 113-5.

But a sixth-wicket stand of 111 between Compton and wicketkeeper John Simpson (64) put Middlesex ahead and they closed on 298-8 - a lead of 122.

Middlesex resumed on 59-0 but openers Paul Stirling and Sam Robson fell early on.

Compton steadied things but at the other end, Wheal bowled Joe Burns for 13 before quickly sending Morgan back to the pavilion.

Compton and Simpson turned the day in the hosts' favour but after the dismissal of Compton, hoping for his first century at Lord's since rejoining Middlesex, the home side failed to score for 28 deliveries.

Simpson's 143-ball half-century was greeted by ironic cheers from the crowd but he and Ollie Rayner ensured the lead passed 100 before the close.