Robin Weston and Stephen Fleming put Middlesex in charge of their top-of-the-table Second Division clash with a decisive second-wicket stand at Edgbaston.

They added 181 in 57 overs which denied Warwickshire the important early breakthrough they needed and allowed Angus Fraser the luxury of declaring and leaving Warwickshire needing 382 for victory.

Weston completed his second century in three innings, a stylish 230-ball effort which included ten fours and a swept six off Ashley Giles, which left Middlesex with a selection headache now that Owais Shah has returned from England duty.

Fleming, the New Zealand captain, again enjoyed himself on a good pitch as he reached his second fifty of the match and he appeared to be coasting towards his third century of the summer. But he fell eight short when he attempted to pull Giles for his second six and fell to a stunning catch on the square leg boundary by Mark Wagh.

Weston fell the ball after he reached his century, when he pushed a return catch to Dougie Brown, but there was no respite for Warwickshire's flagging attack.

Paul Weekes picked up the tempo and set up the declaration with a brisk half-century, which included six fours and a pulled six off Vasbert Drakes, and when he drove Brown to Giles at extra cover, Angus Fraser called in his troops.

Warwickshire were left with an awkward 40 minutes batting and their captain Michael Powell bravely decided to open the innings even though he had kept wicket all day in the absence of Keith Piper, who had a viral infection.

Powell survived to the close but Warwickshire's victory hopes suffered a further setback when Ian Bell was pinned LBW by Fraser's final ball of the day, a late inswinger.

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