County Championship: Middlesex fight back at Leicestershire

Leicestershire's Callum Parkinson (left) trapped Martin Andersson in front for a golden duck

An unbeaten 73 from John Simpson steadied Middlesex after a shaky spell after lunch against Leicestershire.

The visitors opted to bat and recorded a first 50 partnership of the season for the opening wicket, but none of the top four pressed on after good starts.

Callum Parkinson's two wickets in two balls left Middlesex 132-6 before Simpson and Luke Hollman added 90 runs.

While Foxes seamer Ed Barnes clean bowled Hollman (32), Simpson hung about as Middlesex closed day one on 260-7.

Parkinson led the way for Leicestershire with figures of 3-76, with the Uptonsteel County Ground pitch giving swing, seam and spin.

The two sides have just one County Championship victory between them in Group Two this season, with Middlesex four points ahead of their opponents having played a game more.

Leicestershire seam bowler Will Davis told BBC Radio Leicester:

"They batted well in the last session and after the start we had, we felt we let it slip a bit.

"Hopefully we can pull it back in the morning and it felt a lot harder to bowl on in that final session.

"Tomorrow's probably going to be the best day to bat, so we'll look to try and finish it quickly.

"The first couple of sessions we were relentless and patient so we kept bashing away and getting our rewards."

Middlesex wicketkeeper John Simpson told BBC Radio London:

"It was nice to continue my form from The Oval last week, it was a bit tricky early on and it was nice to get out there and be positive.

"I was just trying to build into the innings as it went on and it was great to get a partnership going towards the end.

"We had to consolidate and put them under pressure in the evening session and I think with how it ended up, we're pretty happy with where we're at."