County Championship: Middlesex dominate Derbyshire with Stephen Eskinazi century

Stephen Eskinazi made his first century in five years at Lord's for Middlesex

Stephen Eskinazi's stylish century propelled Middlesex into a strong position against a depleted Derbyshire attack on the opening day of the County Championship.

Eskinazi struck an accomplished knock of 118, his eighth Championship hundred and his first at Lord's in five years, as he and teenage opener Josh De Caires shared a second-wicket stand of 186.

De Caires, the 19-year-old son of former England captain Michael Atherton, registered his maiden first-class half-century in an innings of 80 that helped to lay the foundations for the home side to post 307-4.

Max Holden then put on 58 with Robbie White, who was snared when trying to reverse sweep off-spinner Alex Thompson.

Jack Davies came in next and steered the hosts along to a third batting point before stumps.

It was a difficult day for Billy Godleman's team, who opted to put Middlesex in but quickly lost the services of on-loan Warwickshire seamer Ryan Sidebottom, who pulled up with a suspected hamstring problem on just his seventh delivery.

Middlesex batter Stephen Eskinazi:

"Fantastic application from the boys. It couldn't have gone much better, but if we want to start being the ruthless side we've talked about, we've got to stack days on top of days.

"I've had some challenges over the last couple of years so it's nice to put the side in a good position, but I know it's just a start. We made them work hard and I'm sure they're going to do the same to us.

"Joshy De Caires is a really level-headed young fellow. He's not fazed by situations. He looked assured, like he'd maybe played 100 games. The longer he and I went on, the easier it got."

Derbyshire coach Mickey Arthur:

"Alex Thomson and Anuj Dal picked up the slack quite well through the day, but I was really disappointed to lose another of our frontline seamers.

"Ryan Sidebottom won't take further part in the game. It's not that severe so we'll have him back in the next couple of weeks, I'd have thought.

"The wicket played really well. You had to be spot on the money, which we weren't in our first hour. After that I can't fault the endeavour, the discipline and the attitude. But I'd like us to have added a couple more wickets on the back end of that."

Match report supplied by PA Media.