County Championship round-up: Tremlett toils while Strauss hits 50 in Middlesex flop

Chris Tremlett receives some words of advise from his Surrey captain Gareth Batty (Getty Images)

Andrew Strauss would normally be happy scoring a half-century on his return to county colours, but seen as his Middlesex side were skittled for just 98, the England captain's joy was probably less than unconfined.

Strauss, in his only first-class match before next Thursday's first Test against South Africa at the Oval, made exactly 50 before becoming one of six victims for Nottinghamshire's swing king Andre Adams. Gareth Berg (32) was the only other batsman to reach double figures at Uxbridge.

At Guildford, England paceman Chris Tremlett made his first four-day appearance in months after recovering from a back injury, but only picked up one wicket as champions Lancashire made an excellent start, powering to 245 for 3. Paul Horton continued his fine form with another century.

At Worcester, another recent injury victim, Alan Richardson, took four wickets as Durham were dismissed for 243, while down in the Second Division, struggling Essex had another tough day in the field as Gloucestershire reached 147 for 2 at Cheltenham.