Fleming returns with third century of the summer

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was back among the runs for Middlesex on the first day of the CricInfo championship second division match with Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge today.

Fleming, who scored his third century of the summer, was 120 not out at stumps with Middlesex 397/3.

Having recovered from the dislocated finger which prevented him playing in Middlesex's last county match, Fleming shared a double century stand with Owais Shah.

Fleming moved from 50 to his century with ease, taking 22 runs off one A J Harris over with five fours and a two, and then completing 37 runs off 12 deliveries. His century took 190 minutes off 145 balls and included 20 fours.

In the process he brought up his 700th run of the summer. Going into the game he had scored 583 runs at an average of 58.3.

Shah was eventually out for 144, the ball after Fleming had posted his century with a single. Their stand was worth 206 runs.

The innings is a timely one for Fleming who next week will be leaving to join up with the New Zealand team for the tri-series in Sri Lanka.