ONLY 33.3 overs were possible as rain and bad light ended play shortly after lunch, but that was long enough for Scott Newman to shred a Middlesex attack that already looks one-dimensional again. After his match-saving unbeaten 86 against Sussex at the Oval on Monday, the left-handed Newman followed with another equally fluent but more belligerent 86 off 78 balls. It is too early to call the 24-year-old a potential England opening batsman, but so certain did he look and so cleanly did he hit that only the question of what is between his ears will prevent him being a success.

Newman smote his own Boy’s Own story on his first game at headquarters. He had never even seen a game at Lord’s. “I took loads of photos in the morning and it was great to get a flyer,” he said.

Owais Shah made Surrey bat, hoping to exploit the early moisture and overcast conditions. Jonathan Batty, the Surrey captain, said he would have done the same but was probably glad he did not have the chance.

The Middlesex new-ball attack are no mugs — Chad Keegan, 24, was one of the most promising young bowlers last season and Nantie Hayward, the former South Africa pace bowler, is one of the quickest around — but they were mugged. Newman hit the first three of his 15 boundaries off the second, third and fourth balls of the innings from Keegan.

Middlesex did not bowl well in helpful conditions but Newman never allowed them to settle. Simon Cook tightened things up but so quickly did Newman score that it is as if only half a day, rather than two thirds, was lost to rain. Hayward, also making his Lord’s debut, struggled from the Pavilion End and when he returned from the Nursery End, Newman drove his first ball over point for six. He will still be kicking himself that he was first out to Hayward when he nicked a back-foot drive to first slip.

Apparently, Keith Medlycott, the former Surrey coach, and others felt that Newman had an attitude problem. That is why, after making 99 on debut and 183 in his third match at the end of the 2002 season, he had to wait until the last game of last season for his next championship chance. Even given Surrey’s embarrassment of riches, it seemed harsh. Ian Ward’s departure to Sussex in the winter and Steve Rixon ’s arrival as coach have given him a gilt-edged chance.

“There had been criticism of Scott from certain quarters, but I’ve seen nothing but a guy keen to work hard and improve his game,” Rixon said. The former New South Wales coach added that Newman reminded him of a left-handed version of Michael Clarke “in the way he throws the kitchen sink at the wide one” — and his ability to play shots others cannot or will not.