Strauss finds form in narrow win

FP Trophy (South), Lord's: Middlesex 222-9 (47.5 ovs) bt Glos 221 (50 ovs) by 1 wkt

Scorecard

England batsman Andrew Strauss made 70 as Middlesex edged past Gloucestershire by one wicket with 13 balls remaining.

Strauss was at the crease in the second over and hit nine fours in his highest score since 88 on the Ashes tour versus Western Australia last December.

Set 222, Middlesex were 205-5 but Steve Kirby caused some late anxiety with three wickets in seven deliveries.

Earlier, Mark Hardinges and Steve Adshead shared 78 in 14 overs to lead a Glos recovery from a perilous 86-6.

Strauss, widely expected to lead England at his home ground on 17 May if Michael Vaughan is ruled unfit, was called upon early when Middlesex skipper Ed Smith edged his first ball from Ashley Noffke.

Former Middlesex paceman Noffke caused Strauss to play and miss in the early stages of his innings but the assured left-hander soon punched him to the boundary off the backfoot in trademark fashion.

Strauss added two boundaries in an over through extra-cover off Hardinges, reaching 50 from 70 balls, before he became David Brown's first limited overs victim when he was bowled attempting to drive.

Coming on in the 44th over with Middlesex coasting at 205-five Kirby bowled Eoin Morgan, before snaring Jamie Dalrymple and Richard Johnson in his next over.

Final pair Tim Murtagh and Chris Wright were left with 13 to score but Murtagh hit two fours to take his side to the winning post.