Wicketkeeper John Simpson hit a maiden first-class half-century on his debut to rescue Middlesex from the brink of a first-day collapse against Northamptonshire at a rain-soaked Wantage Road.

The 21-year-old hit an unbeaten 60 from 73 balls to help Middlesex recover from 97 for four to reach 205 for six before persistent rain and bad light saw proceedings halted after 52 overs.

Simpson shared fifty partnerships with Neil Dexter and Gareth Berg, who hit 30 and 18 respectively, as Johannes van der Wath lead the Northamptonshire attack.

The 31-year-old claimed figures of two for 58 from 15 overs while David Lucas, Lee Daggett and Andy Hall all chipped in with one wicket each as Middlesex toiled.

After a rain-delayed start, Middlesex took first use of a pitch that was green-tinged, despite having being used for Northamptonshire's thrilling Pro40 encounter with Warwickshire on Monday.

The sparse crowd were barely into their seats, when Nick Compton was retracing his steps back to the pavilion after edging Van der Wath to wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien for four.

Incoming batsmen Dan Housego's first County Championship knock of the season for Middlesex was also a brief affair after he was sent packing by Van der Wath for just nine.

With the score at 21 for two, the heavens opened for the second time forcing umpires to call an early lunch.

Dawid Malan and Adam London battled hard after the restart and the left-handed duo added 76 in the 22 overs after lunch before a double change in the attack from Northamptonshire skipper Nicky Boje saw London fall to Hall for 31.

Malan continued in an innings that contained seven well-timed boundaries but was dismissed for 39 after edging Lucas' swinging effort to Riki Wessels.

Left-hander Simpson - picked in favour of Ben Scott and soon-to-retire David Nash - made a composed start adding a rapid 51 for the fifth wicket with Dexter.

Dexter hit seven fours in a three-over spell either side of a rain-induced early tea before driving Daggett to Nicky Boje at extra-cover.

Simpson continued though, in between further rain delays, to bring up his maiden 50 from 60 balls.

But the former England Under-19 international blotted his copybook when he called Berg for a short single and the all-rounder was run out thanks to smart work from Daggett off his own bowling.

A fifth stoppage soon followed with the score at 205 for six before bad light finally brought proceedings to a halt with Simpson unbeaten on 60 and Shaun Udal not out without scoring.