Nick Gubbins and Steve Eskinazi might be rivals in the Middlesex County League Premier Division, but when they are not scoring runs for Teddington and Stanmore the two best friends are piling them up for their county.

Gubbins, 22, and Eskinazi shared in a 208-run partnership as Middlesex reached 419 for five in their first innings, chasing Lancashire's 513 at Lord's in County Championship Division One on Tuesday.

The former scored a maiden double century to go with the maiden first class ton he scored for the club earlier in the season, while Eskinazi (106) also reached three figures for the first time in his county career.

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At the double: Richmond-born Nick Gubbins (201*) scored an unbeaten double century on day three of Middlesex's County Championship Division One clash with Lancashire at Lord's on Tuesday

“It’s been an unforgettable day all round," said Richmond-born ex-Kings House School student Gubbins.

"Stevie and I are very good friends and so it has been a special day and, for me, it was incredible to be at the other end when he got his hundred. And to get it with a six.

"He's worked so hard on his game and it's been great to see him take his opportunity in this match.

"Actually, batting out there together and putting on 200 is the most time I’ve spent with him since he got a girlfriend.”

The last time the two played against each other in June 2014, Eskinazi outscored his friend by 73 to 10, although Gubbins had the last laugh as Teddington - Premier Division champions that year - secured a winning draw in the match at Bushy Park.

But the 22-year-old South African-born batsman, who qualifies to play for England in three years time, was happy to play second fiddle this time around in only his second first class match.

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Back in the day: Stanmore's Steve Eskinazi is trapped lbw by Teddington's David Keightley at Bushy Park in June 2014

“Congratulations to Nick too on his double-hundred. He has played a wonderful innings and, as a batsman, he’s going from strength to strength, For me to get my maiden hundred at Lord’s, while batting with one of my best mates, is an incredible feeling. It’s a day I won’t forget.

“I don’t remember too much about the six to get to a hundred. I’d been joking with my brother at lunchtime and saying should I get it by slog-sweeping the leg spinner for six but it certainly wasn’t a pre-meditated shot. One moment I was on 95 and the next I had a century.”

Middlesex host Glamorgan at Richmond's Old Deer Park ground on July 8, when both Gubbins and Eskinazi could feature for the hosts.