Sam Robson hit a majestic, unbeaten 144 as Middlesex took control of their LV= County Championship Division One match against Nottinghamshire.
Australia-born Robson racked up 19 fours in his 278-ball innings as he spent nearly six hours at the Lord's crease on day two at Edgbaston.
England paceman Steven continued his fine start to the season by removing Andy Carter in the fourth over of the day and end with figures of 5-91.
@Middlesex_CCC My view from Grand Stand today on a day-off with my wife. Come on the Middle! :-) pic.twitter.com/VgoJzmboni
— Tony Gibbs (@Tony_bobfan) April 14, 2014
Eoin Morgan posted 86 in a 203-run stand with Robson Middlesex made the visitors toil on a lovely day in the capital.
The hosts closed on 296 for four, trailing by 30, in response to Nottinghamshire's 326.
After struggling in the championship opener against Sussex, Robson quickly returned to form, with Morgan posting his first meaningful score of the season to boot.
Middlesex slumped to defeat by an innings and 127 runs at Sussex to start their season in poor fashion.
Now Robson and Morgan have handed Angus Fraser's side the platform to bounce back at the first opportunity.
Notts resumed on 315 for eight but Carter was soon edged to Dawid Malan in the slips to complete Finn’s five-wicket haul and Tim Murtagh wrapped up the innings when Luke Fletcher holed out to Chris Rogers at long-off.
TEA - 196-2. Robson 103, Morgan 74. A wicketless session - outstanding partnership. #middlesex150
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) April 14, 2014
Rogers, who suggested at the weekend that he may retire after next summer’s Ashes series, was the first to fall in reply for as Samit Patel claimed a catch at third slip off the bowling of Fletcher.
And when Fletcher had his second wicket four balls later, Malan edging behind without troubling the scorers, Middlesex found themselves at 19 for two.
But that brought Robson and Morgan together and they set about building their magnificent partnership that lasted throughout the afternoon session.
Their stand was eventually ended when Harry Gurney got the latter to bring a diving catch from Chris Read behind the stumps.
Adam Rossington added eight before he was trapped leg before by Carter, with Middlesex at 237 for four.
Fletcher and Patel then managed to pin down new batsman John Simpson and Robson with a miserly spell, only for the duo to see out the day with an unbeaten partnership of 59.
AUDIO: @Eoin16 sums up a terrific day for Middlesex v Notts as he and Sam Robson put the hosts in a dominant position http://t.co/VTOz1ZLyWQ
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) April 14, 2014