STUMPS DAY 1: SOMERSET 174; MIDDLESEX 184-3*
We were not at all displeased about losing the toss after Somerset asked us to have a bowl. With Tim Murtagh looking for some match practice and making himself available for this game, we felt that he could take a few on the OMTs square, which we have found in the past has a bit of turn and bounce.
This was, in fact the case, finding a line and length early and testing the batters every delivery, Murtagh showed his class and experience nearly every ball. Allied to a very good performance from Steve Eskinazi who took 5 catches behind the stumps, Murt’s 5 for 23 off 16 was a masterclass.
At the close we finished ten runs ahead of Somerset’s 174 for the loss of just 3 wickets. With Eskinazi and Higgins at the crease a positive result looks on the cards for Middlesex 2s.
