MICHAEL Richardson put his lean run behind him as he and Gordon Muchall grafted through the afternoon session.

They added 90 in 35 overs to take the score to 181 for four at tea with Richardson on 63 and Muchall 38.

It was the wicketkeeper's fourth half-century of the season but his highest score is 66 not out.

Both batsmen found it hard going against the left-arm spin of Liam Dawson, whose ten overs either side of lunch cost only 14.

The first 25 overs of the session produced only 48 runs before Muchall straight drove teenage leg-spinner Mason Crane for a straight four to spark a slight acceleration.

But he was fortunate when he went down the pitch to Michael Carberry's occasional off spin and missed. Wicketkeeper Lewis McManus, playing his second first-class match, also missed the ball and it went for four byes.

Richardson was also a little lucky to reach his 121-ball 50 with an edged four off Crane between the keeper and slip.