At Merchant Taylors’ School, Middlesex defeated Northampton shire by eight wickets to reclaim second place in the league. Toby Roland-Jones took 11 wickets in the match.
The 36-year-old Middlesex captain increased his first-inning total of 5 for 49 to 6 for 58, taking his season total to 37. Shortly after lunch on the last day, Northamptonshire was bowled for 167, with Luke Proctor top-scoring with 33.
With just 25 overs remaining, Middlesex needed to win to reach 111. Sam Robson’s second half-century of the game, which came off 33 balls and 10 fours, made sure they reached that point with some ease.
Leus Du Plooy made 71 and Ben Sanderson took 6 for 64 as Middlesex was bowled out for 264 in their first innings earlier in the day. Middlesex lost their final three wickets for 14 runs.
Following the rain-shortened third day, Middlesex restarted 43 ahead with the intention of making rapid runs, which subsequently backfired. Du Plooy was declared caught behind by Justin Broad after just 13 balls had been bowled and eight runs had been scored. Replays indicate that the hitter, who was visibly upset, dragged himself off after missing the ball. Roland-Jones was rushed out of the game by Sanderson’s following delivery, which left him leg before wicket.
Proctor survived a vociferous lbw shout from Roland-Jones to play really well either side of lunch, driving the ball crisply. However, just when it seemed he and George Bartlett had drawn the sting from the Middlesex attack, the latter slapped a wide one from Henry Brookes straight to point. Roland Jones trapped Proctor on the crease soon afterwards and followed that by castling Prithvi Shaw who, hampered by a finger injury sustained when fielding, was batting at No. 6.
Proctor played exceptionally well either side of lunch, driving the ball crisply, despite Roland-Jones’ loud lbw call. But just as it appeared that he and George Bartlett had felt the full force of the Middlesex assault, the latter smacked a wide one from Henry Brookes, right on target. Soon after, Roland Jones caught Proctor on the crease and then dismissed Prithvi Shaw, who was batting at No. 6 but was hindered by a finger injury he had incurred while fielding.
At last, the captain left the Lake End, and Helm took his place. He did not waste any time in getting Rob Keogh caught at slip, which allowed Northamptonshire to fall to 104 for 6.
Lewis McManus seemed vital to the survival of Northamptonshire. With Broad proving to be a useful ally, the little wicketkeeper, who had shown stoic fortitude in the first innings, repeated same display here. Together, the two devoured 81 balls and scored 38 crucial runs.
Sanderson was still a pain in Middlesex’s side despite the short goal; he trapped Mark Stoneman leg before wicket and then rearranged Max Holden’s furniture to re-join Roland-Jones at the top of the Division Two wicket-takers’ list.
However, runs came easily from the opposite end thanks to Robson, who unleashed a string of long drives and showed particularly aggressive behaviour against Yuzvendra Chahal as he quickly reached 50. Before Middlesex coasted home with Robson completing 64 not out, Du Plooy was spectacularly dropped in the deep off the Indian spinner on 14.
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