Date-stamped : 01 Jul97 - 10:16 Ramprakash sends out Test reminder By Stephen Thorpe at Headingley Second day of four: Middlesex 150-3 v Yorkshire MIDDLESEX have not lost here in 12 years, and nothing that transpired yesterday suggested things are about to change after Mark Ram- prakash led from the front with a splendid undefeated 76. But whether Middlesex can extend their lead in the champi- onship and Ramprakash his claim for a return to the England fold are still matters for conjecture. Only 55 overs were available when Middlesex were sent in by Yorkshire and two stoppages for bad light lopped off a further 14 overs. Perversely, no rain fell during the day, but a blustery cross- wind made for unpleasant conditions and a sodden area on the Kirk- stall Lane end run-up was deemed unsafe, preventing play until 2.45. David Graveney, chairman of the Test selectors, arrived from Old Trafford for a fleeting discussion with Mike Gatting, but missed the eventual start after Yorkshire had omitted Richard Stemp for 20-year-old seamer Alex Morris. The pitch is hard and green, with occasional disconcerting bounce, amply demonstrated when Jacques Kallis retired hurt with a damaged hand having faced only two balls. Paul Weekes continued his bad trot, nicking a good one from Chris Silverwood which left him off the pitch. Then Darren Gough reminded Gat- ting which name should be second on the England team sheet this weekend, rearing a ball off the former captain`s left buttock. But Craig White claimed him shortly afterwards, slipping the yorker, possibly held back, under a defensive prod. At last, the sparse gathering had something to relish - con- flict between two of England`s finest, Gough and Ramprakash. Middlesex`s new captain has been in charge for a month, and the responsibility may nourish his belated maturity and ambition alike. He has a phenomenal record against Yorkshire in recent times, of course, making 194 for once out at Lord`s last year with two other centuries, including a double, since 1993. Seeing him tame Yorkshire`s attack, in far from agreeable circum- stances, it was hard to imagine how temperament has un- dermined a richly promising Test career. Flowing cover drives and expert work off the hip added lustre to his knock, marred only by a slashing edge off Gough which David Byas palmed over at second slip. Jason Pooley, off a short back-lift, played sensibly enough, too, for an hour before edging Morris`s first ball to slip. But for Ramprakash, both here and elsewhere, weight of runs must now speak loud- est. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)