Brown century drives Surrey cause

County Championship D1, Lord's: Middlesex 437 v Surrey 460 (day three, stumps)

Match scorecard

Brown made light of the awkward wicket in his dashing innings

Ali Brown hit a brilliant unbeaten century as Surrey ended day three at Lord's on 460 all out, a lead of 23.

Middlesex's bowlers struggled throughout with the exception of Alan Richardson, who took 6-106.

Richard Clinton fell for his overnight score of 73 and Mark Ramprakash was unable to return after retiring hurt on Thursday with a blow to the thumb.

Aussie Dominic Thornely added a bright 81 on his Surrey debut before being bowled by a Scott Styris grubber.

That wicket was indictaive of a pitch that has not played nearly as well as the scores suggest.

Thornely expects to play two Championship games and the first three Twenty20 games before returning home.

But he made a lasting impression on his first visit to Lord's when he launched Paul Weekes into the pavilion for six and smashed a window in the process.

Play ended early for the second day in succession, with bad light to blame.

And something remarkable will have to happen on the final day for there to be a result now.