Koenig's power puts Middlesex in command

Middlesex 376-6 v Esse

Sven Koenig struck his fourth first-class century of the season to give Middlesex the upper hand on the opening day of their County Championship clash with Essex here yesterday.

The South Africa-born left-hander made a composed 113 as the hosts rallied after the early loss of their captain Andrew Strauss to reach 376 for 6 at the close.

Ben Hutton's 65, a typically brisk 60 from Owais Shah and Paul Weekes' belligerent 67 not out emphasised the dominance of bat over ball – although slow left-armer Tim Phillips was rewarded for his perseverance with 3 for 85.

A day of toil in the field took its toll on Ashley Cowan who was given an official warning by umpire John Holder for excessive short-pitched bowling, most of which was aimed at Abdul Razzaq. Cowan and his colleagues could have been forgiven for expecting a much easier ride after the departure of Strauss in the second over.

Jon Dakin served up a straight, full-length delivery which found Strauss' pads as the left-hander played across the line and was out lbw.

But Koenig and Hutton made light of his loss, compiling a 161-run stand occupying 51 overs. Although they looked in little trouble in the morning session on a pitch unquestionably favouring the batsmen, neither managed to dominate the bowling.

Koenig, adroitly steering the ball into the gaps behind square on both sides of the wicket, progressed to an untroubled half-century off 89 balls. He found the fence eight times, the pick of his shots a sweetly-struck cover drive off Dakin which took him to 50.

Hutton also made use of the middle of his bat, punishing James Middlebrook for dropping short with two mighty sixes over midwicket. Phillips received similar treatment, while Justin Bishop saw a full-length delivery disappear over the long-on boundary.

Koenig deposited Phillips into the midwicket stand as he began to open his shoulders, although he spent 17 overs in the 90s and needed Aftab Habib to spill a sharp chance off Cowan to gift him the single which carried him to three figures. Koenig profited to the tune of only 13 runs before Phillips induced an edge which Cowan pouched in the slips on the stroke of tea.

Hutton had fallen in similar fashion courtesy of a faint nick off Bishop and Phillips wasted little time after tea before picking up the wicket of Ed Joyce bowled attempting an ill-advised sweep.

Razzaq managed two boundaries before being adjudged lbw playing back to the same bowler and Weekes' promising partnership with Shah came to an end when the latter was trapped in front by Bishop.