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Franks states case

Notts (229-8) bt Middx (150) by 79 runs

Paul Franks may not be in the front rank of the new talent to whom England are expected to look for the Test series against New Zealand but a dominant performance from the Nottinghamshire seamer in an emphatic victory over Middlesex left no room for doubt that he is a coming cricketer.

With England selector and Middlesex coach Mike Gatting looking on, Franks moved the ball both ways off the seam at brisk pace to claim three for seven in eight overs and with two victims in the field and an unbeaten 26, the man of the match award was a formality.

Mike Roseberry fell to a crudely mis-hit pull but Franks produced two beauties to baffle Paul Weekes, almost cutting him in half with a ball which nipped back sharply and then finding the edge with one which seamed away.

Middlesex looked well set at 123 for three after a stand of 95 in 22 overs between Mark Ramprakash and Owais Shah but collapsed wretchedly, their last seven wickets falling for 27 runs.

Shah dabbed fatally at one slanted across him, Franks scored a direct hit to punish Ramprakash for seeking an improbable single off his bowling and any prospect of a Middlesex recovery ended when Keith Dutch became Frank's third victim, wafting outside his off-stump.

Notts were launched with an opening stand of 71 but briefly lost momentum when Tim Robinson clipped to mid-wicket and Jason Gallian paid the penalty for driving without relevant footwork. Paul Johnson completed a half-century off 59 balls and breezy innings from Chris Read, Chris Tolley and Franks ensured a demanding target.