ESSEX saw Middlesex make good progress on day one of their LV County Championship, Division Two clash at the County Ground.
The hosts had won the toss at Chelmsford and asked the visitors to open the batting.
England batsman Andrew Strauss enjoyed a good day with the willow scoring 88 off 177 ball, including ten four's before being caught by James Foster off the bowling of James Middlebrook.
Fellow Opener Billy Godleman (29) had also made steady progress, but had departed earlier via the same Essex combination that took care of Strauss.
The only other innings of any note before the close of play came courtesy of Ed Joyce (66) and overseas player Vernon Philander (23*), as Middlesex finished on 263-7 off 96 overs.
Middlebrook led the home attack brilliantly to finish with fine figures of 5-59 off his 32 over spell.
Ryan ten Doeshate (2-61) was the only other Essex bowler to take wickets on the day.
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