DAY FOUR - CLOSE OF PLAY
Middlesex 423 all out & 199/7 dec
Derbyshire 295 all out & 210 all out
Middlesex 24 points
Derbyshire 5 points
Tim Murtagh finished with 4-55 as Middlesex ran through the Derbyshire batting to secure a 117-run victory in their final home County Championship match of the season.
Murtagh – who passed 750 first-class career wickets in the process – finished the visitors off in the seventh over after tea, despite an unbeaten century from Derbyshire skipper Billy Godleman.
Although Godleman carried his bat for 105 from 147 balls at Lord’s, it was not enough to deny his former county a victory that enabled them to leapfrog Derbyshire into fourth place in the Division Two table.
Middlesex declared on their overnight total of 199-7, setting the visitors a fourth-day target of 328, and they might easily have made deep inroads during the early overs.
Godleman played and missed, as well as surviving three appeals, but he gradually settled down and looked particularly strong on the off-side as he advanced towards his half-century.
It was Murtagh who made the breakthrough for Middlesex, tempting Luis Reece (12) into the hook shot and Ethan Bamber held a tricky catch at deep square leg.
The home side continued to take wickets at regular intervals, with James Harris trapping Wayne Madsen leg before and Martin Andersson finding the outside edge of Alex Hughes before lunch.
Although a brief downpour delayed the resumption, Murtagh struck again with his first ball of the afternoon, having Harvey Hosein caught behind as Derbyshire’s scoring rate slowed dramatically.
At the other end, Bamber bowled a tight, consistent spell, and deservedly collected the wicket of first-innings centurion Matt Critchley, pinned in front of his stumps for eight as the visitors slid to 123-5.
Gary Wilson (22) proved slightly harder to dislodge, sharing a sixth-wicket partnership of exactly 50 with Godleman before Harris (2-48) sent his off stump flying with the next delivery.
With Derbyshire 189-6 at tea, every result remained possible heading into the final session – but Middlesex soon cemented their advantage by capturing the remaining four wickets inside half an hour.
Murtagh’s first delivery of the session proved lethal once again, with Anuj Dal leg before for 14, and Bamber (3-35) then removed Hardus Viljoen and Tony Palladino in rapid succession.
Godleman did manage to complete the 12th century of his Derbyshire career in style, advancing down the wicket to drive Murtagh for a six over long-off.
But Derbyshire’s cause was well and truly lost by then and Murtagh sealed the result by bowling last man Lockie Ferguson (2).
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DAY FOUR - TEA
Derbyshire 189/6
Tim Murtagh took his tally of first-class wickets to 750 as Middlesex edged towards victory over Derbyshire on a gripping final day at Lord’s.
Murtagh reached his milestone – which was also his 50th County Championship scalp of the season – by finding the outside edge of Harvey Hosein’s bat with his first ball after lunch.
Middlesex still need four more wickets in the final session, with Derbyshire on 189-6 in pursuit of their 328 target – although skipper Billy Godleman remained defiant on 94 not out.
Teenage seamer Ethan Bamber, who bowled a consistent line throughout his seven-over spell, was rewarded with the wicket of first-innings centurion Matt Critchley (8).
And Gary Wilson (22) shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 50 with Godleman before James Harris sent the right-hander’s off stump spinning.
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DAY FOUR - LUNCH
Middlesex 199/7 dec
Derbyshire 100/3
Derbyshire captain Billy Godleman led from the front with an undefeated half-century as his side chased a victory target of 328 against Middlesex at Lord’s.
Godleman rode his luck early on, surviving two caught behind appeals and one for lbw in the first three overs, but then settled into his groove to reach 58 not out at lunch.
Middlesex declared on their overnight total of 199-7 to set up an intriguing final-day chase and they made the initial breakthrough when Luis Reece (12) hooked Tim Murtagh into the hands of Ethan Bamber at deep square leg.
The other two batsmen to depart in the morning session were Wayne Madsen (11), leg before to James Harris, and Alex Hughes (11), who perished to an outswinger from Martin Andersson as the visitors moved on to 108-3, requiring another 220 to win.
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DAY THREE - CLOSE OF PLAY
Middlesex 199/7
Matt Critchley became Derbyshire’s youngest ever centurion at Lord’s – but his side will face an arduous challenge to overcome Middlesex on the final day of their County Championship clash.
The 22-year-old all-rounder top-scored for the visitors with 105 before picking up four wickets as Middlesex ended day three with a healthy advantage of 327 runs.
Critchley’s ton made him the youngest Derbyshire player to achieve three figures at Lord’s – Stan Worthington was eight months his senior when he scored 101 on the ground 90 years earlier.
Despite Critchley’s efforts with both bat and ball, Middlesex hold the upper hand after Sam Robson’s knock of 73 enabled them to reach 199-7 in their second innings.
After a morning downpour had delayed the start by an hour and a half, Critchley immediately set about knocking off the 52 runs still required for Derbyshire to avoid the follow-on.
Resuming on 87, he drove James Fuller for successive leg-side boundaries and then cut another four past gully to bring up his century.
But James Harris (4-83) regained the initiative for Middlesex, persuading Critchley to attempt a hook shot that somehow sailed into the hands of second slip, and then removing Anuj Dal (23) and Tony Palladino (0) in quick succession.
However, Hardus Viljoen – with an unbeaten 31 from 25 deliveries – and Lockie Ferguson threw the bat as they put together a crucial last-wicket partnership of 43.
Ferguson (16) smote Tim Murtagh back over his head for six to save the follow-on before the Middlesex bowler took revenge, uprooting his off stump as Derbyshire were dismissed for 295.
Boosted by his first innings century, Sam Robson looked in good nick again as Middlesex began the task of extending their lead of 128 as swiftly as possible.
Robson went for his shots on both sides of the wicket, displaying sound timing and dominating an opening stand of 58 with Nick Gubbins (19) – ended in bizarre fashion when the left-hander dislodged his bails while attempting to leg-glance Ferguson.
Critchley then regained centre stage with his leg-spin, bamboozling Stevie Eskinazi (14) for a leg-side stumping and having Dawid Malan (13) caught after his sweep struck close-range fielder Gary Wilson and ballooned up to backward square.
And Critchley also accounted for Robson on the stroke of the tea interval, running the opener out from mid-off after he had been sent back by Max Holden to end his hopes of completing a second ton in the match.
Holden (22) was one of two further victims to fall to the leg-spinner in a truncated final session, but Martin Andersson accumulated an undefeated 23 from as many balls, increasing Middlesex’s lead beyond 300 before bad light brought play to a premature close.
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DAY THREE - TEA
Middlesex 127/4
Sam Robson missed the chance to make his second century of the game despite steering Middlesex into a commanding lead in their County Championship clash against Derbyshire.
Robson had offered no chances in his knock of 73 – but was run out by Matt Critchley at mid-off after Max Holden sent him back on the stroke of the tea interval.
Critchley, who had top-scored with 105 in Derbyshire’s first innings total of 295, also picked up the wickets of Stevie Eskinazi (14) and Dawid Malan (13) to peg the home side back to 127-4 during the afternoon session.
The other Middlesex wicket to fall came about in bizarre fashion, with Nick Gubbins (19) dislodging his bails as he attempted to leg-glance Lockie Ferguson.
However, with an overall lead of 255, Middlesex are in a strong position to set the visitors a testing target on the final day
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DAY THREE - LUNCH
Derbyshire 295 all out
Matt Critchley completed his first century of the season as Derbyshire avoided the follow-on against Middlesex at Lord’s.
Rain delayed the start of play for an hour and a half, but Critchley – 87 not out overnight – made up for lost time as he carved James Fuller for four through gully to reach his ton off 130 balls.
The Derbyshire all-rounder eventually departed for 105, miscuing an attempted hook off James Harris (4-83) to second slip – and the visitors were still in danger of following on when Anuj Dal (23) and Tony Palladino (0) fell to the same bowler.
However, some powerful hitting by Hardus Viljoen (31no) and Lockie Ferguson (16) took Derbyshire past the danger mark with a last-wicket stand of 43.
Tim Murtagh (2-53) finally bowled Ferguson to end the Derbyshire innings for 295, leaving Middlesex with a 128-run advantage when they bat again after lunch.
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DAY TWO - CLOSE OF PLAY
Derbyshire 222/6
Ethan Bamber struck twice in three balls to help Middlesex reduce opponents Derbyshire to 140-5 on the second afternoon of their County Championship clash at Lord’s.
The teenage seamer, who only made his debut for the Seaxes last month, struck with the third ball of his second spell, plucking out Alex Hughes’ off-stump.
Bamber beat Harvey Hosein’s outside edge with his next delivery before bringing one back the other way to pin the wicketkeeper in front.
This followed James Harris dismissal of Wayne Madsen shortly after the Derbyshire batsman had reached 11000 first-class runs.
Billy Godleman and Matthew Critchley (48 not out) led a fightback with a stand of 65 before Martin Anderson forced the former to nick one through to wicketkeeper Stevie Eskinazi.
The pre-lunch session saw Max Holden complete a maiden first-class century for Middlesex while sharing a 66-run stand with Tim Murtagh, breaking the county’s record for the 10th wicket against Derbyshire stretching back to 1933.
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DAY TWO - TEA
Derbyshire 140/5
Ethan Bamber struck twice in three balls to help Middlesex reduce opponents Derbyshire to 140-5 on the second afternoon of their County Championship clash at Lord’s.
The teenage seamer, who only made his debut for the Seaxes last month, struck with the third ball of his second spell, plucking out Alex Hughes’ off-stump.
Bamber beat Harvey Hosein’s outside edge with his next delivery before bringing one back the other way to pin the wicketkeeper in front.
This followed James Harris dismissal of Wayne Madsen shortly after the Derbyshire batsman had reached 11000 first-class runs.
Billy Godleman and Matthew Critchley (48 not out) led a fightback with a stand of 65 before Martin Anderson forced the former to nick one through to wicketkeeper Stevie Eskinazi.
The pre-lunch session saw Max Holden complete a maiden first-class century for Middlesex while sharing a 66-run stand with Tim Murtagh, breaking the county’s record for the 10th wicket against Derbyshire stretching back to 1933.
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DAY TWO - LUNCH
Middlesex 423 all out
Derbyshire 31/1
Max Holden’s maiden first-class century for Middlesex saw the hosts to maximum batting points for the first time in 16 months on day two against Derbyshire at Lord’s.
Holden, 96 not out, overnight was left with nerves jangling when Ethan Bamber departed early, leaving him still two runs short of three figures.
A rain delay of 20 minutes added to the left-hander’s butterflies before his moment of destiny came courtesy of a classic cover-drive off Tony Palladino.
Freed of the responsibility of seeing Holden to his landmark, last man Tim Murtagh clubbed four boundaries off one Ferguson over – part of a last-wicket partnership of 66.
Ferguson gained compensation with a catch at long-off from the bowling of Matthew Critchley to end the fun at 423 with Holden 119 not out.
Inspired by his batting cameo Murtagh then left Derbyshire 31-1 at lunch after getting Luis Reece LBW, though replays suggested the ball pitched outside leg-stump.
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DAY ONE - CLOSE OF PLAY
Middlesex 350/8
Sam Robson’s first century of the season saw Middlesex get the better of the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship match with Derbyshire at Lord’s.
The former England opener ended a run drought with 134 – becoming Middlesex’s first century maker since May 6.
Tony Palladino (4-66) bowled the visitors back into contention with a spell of 4-3 in 15 balls.
But Max Holden (96 not out) was closing in on a first century in Middlesex colours as the hosts finished an enthralling day at 350-8, only the second time this season they have realised a fourth batting point.
Given Middlesex’s struggles with the bat this season it was no surprise to see them stuck in under cloudy skies for the sixth time in seven red-ball games at HQ this season.
Understandably then it was a nervy start - 20 balls and the odd play and miss passed before the first run clicked up on the board.
Robson broke the shackles with two fours in an over off Palladino - the second boundary appearing to lift a season-load of weight from his shoulders as thereafter he settled down to play with increasing assurance.
At the other end, left-hander Nick Gubbins found life more of a struggle, a spate of cameos having left him short of confidence.
Nevertheless, the pair compiled only their third half-century opening stand of the season, reaching 64 before Hardus Viljoen (2-74) made the breakthrough trapping Gubbins LBW.
It would be the visitors’ only wicket of the morning session as Robson moved smoothly to 50 off 83 balls with nine boundaries, ably supported by Stevie Eskinazi who had the honour of receiving his county cap at the start of the lunch interval.
There would be no 50 to accompany the honour, the South African-born wicketkeeper/batsman falling for 35, LBW to spinner Matthew Critchley.
Skipper Dawid Malan was next to go, a skittish innings of 16 ending when he aimed an ill-advised hook at Viljoen, the ball arrowing its way to the safe hands of Luis Reece at long-leg.
His dismissal more often than not this season would have heralded a collapse, but youngster Holden came in and looked composed from his first ball and as a result he and Robson regained the initiative.
Robson’s hundred arrived courtesy of a single to mid-on in the last over before tea, the applause from the Middlesex faithful seeing him raise his bat in delight and relief in equal measure.
The pair played with increasing authority at the start of the final session, raising the 250 – a figure reached only once previously in the first innings by the Lord’s tenants this season.
The century stand came at almost a run a minute and Holden’s 50 arrived shortly afterwards complete with six boundaries.
The dizzy heights of 300 were in sight when Palladino new ball in hand changed the complexion of the day.
A devastating spell began when he found the edge of Robson’s bat ending an otherwise chanceless innings and a stand of 132
Tail up Palladino struck again with his next ball, new man Robbie White get a thinner edge to Gary Wilson at first slip.
James Harris survived the hat-trick ball only to depart in Palladino’s next over, trapped on the back foot.
The hosts had subsided from 298-3 to 304-6 but Palladino wasn’t finished yet, getting another LBW shout upheld to remove Martin Andersson.
With the ball now doing plenty Holden was given a life when Wilson shelled a chance at first slip off Lockie Ferguson.
That scare survived, Middlesex briefly steadied the ship until James Fuller, having just hit Ferguson for six top-edged the next ball down to Critchley at third man.
Ethan Bamber though helped raise the 350 and kept alive hopes of a Holden century in the morning.
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DAY ONE - TEA
Middlesex 219/3
Sam Robson scored his first County Championship century of the season as Middlesex took charge on day one against Derbyshire at Lord’s.
The opener has endured a torrid campaign, but struck 14 fours in reaching 100 on the stroke of tea to leave the hosts 219-3.
The former England opener became the first Middlesex batsman to reach the milestone since teammates Dawid Malan and Nick Gubbins did so against Sussex at Hove back on May 6.
Stevie Eskinazi (35), who was awarded his county cap at lunchtime, lent support in a second-wicket stand of 75 before falling LBW to Matthew Critchley and Malan’s skittish innings ended on 16 when he hooked Hardus Viljoen into the hands of Luis Reece at long leg.
At 166-3 the game was in the balance, but Max Holden (28) kept Robson company through to the interval, the pair raising the third half-century stand of the innings.
Earlier Viljoen (2-45) claimed the only wicket of the morning session dismissing Nick Gubbins LBW for 20.
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DAY ONE - LUNCH
Middlesex 102/1
Sam Robson passed 50 for only the second time this season as hosts Middlesex held sway on the first morning of their Specsavers County Championship clash with Derbyshire at Lord’s.
The former England right-hander took toll of some wayward bowling from the visitors, striking nine boundaries in reaching his landmark from 83 balls as Middlesex went to lunch on 102-1.
Nick Gubbins (20) provided support in an opening stand of 64 – only the fourth time this season the hosts had added 50 for the first wicket.
Gubbins (20) was trapped LBW by Hardus Viljoen, but Robson remained unbeaten on 58 in company with wicketkeeper Stevie Eskinazi, who was awarded his county cap as the players left the field for lunch.
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Middlesex
Derbyshire
