Roland-Jones Leads Middlesex to Victory

Middlesex secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over Northamptonshire at Merchant Taylors' School, propelled by a stellar performance from Toby Roland-Jones, who claimed 11 wickets in the match. This win propelled Middlesex back to second place in the County Championship Division Two table.

The 36-year-old captain of Middlesex added to his first-innings haul of 5 for 49 with a second-innings return of 6 for 58, bringing his season total to 37 wickets. Northamptonshire, who were dismissed shortly after tea on the final day for 167, had Luke Proctor as their top scorer with 33.

Middlesex needed 111 runs to win in a minimum of 25 overs, and Sam Robson’s second half-century of the match scored off just 33 balls with 10 boundaries, ensured a comfortable chase.

Earlier in the day, Middlesex was bowled out for 264 in their first innings, losing their last three wickets for just 14 runs. Leus du Plooy contributed 71 runs, while Ben Sanderson took 6 for 64 for Northamptonshire.

After the third day was washed out due to rain, Middlesex resumed play with a lead of 43 runs, aiming to score quickly. However, their plans unravelled swiftly. Only 13 balls into the day, du Plooy was controversially caught behind off Justin Broad, with replays suggesting he hadn’t made contact with the ball. Roland-Jones was then trapped lbw by Sanderson as the tail was quickly cleaned up.

With just a 57-run lead, Middlesex needed early wickets, and Roland-Jones delivered, dismissing a struggling Ricardo Vasconcelos lbw for 2. Emilio Gay, who had shown confidence on the first day, was less assured this time and was pinned in front by Tom Helm, leaving Northamptonshire still trailing by 20 runs.

Proctor survived a loud lbw appeal from Roland-Jones and played well around lunch, driving the ball confidently. However, just as it seemed he and George Bartlett were steadying the innings, Bartlett misjudged a wide delivery from Henry Brookes, hitting it straight to point. Shortly after, Roland-Jones trapped Proctor in front and bowled Prithvi Shaw, who was battling a finger injury, at No. 6.

When Roland-Jones finally ended his spell from the Lake End, Helm replaced him and struck immediately, catching Rob Keogh at slip, reducing Northamptonshire to 104 for 6.

Lewis McManus, who had shown resilience in the first innings, tried to anchor the innings again with support from Broad. The pair added 38 runs in 81 balls, providing a brief resistance. However, Roland-Jones returned from the opposite end and dismissed McManus with a ball that kicked off the surface, taking the shoulder of the bat and flying to the gully just before tea.

Roland-Jones completed his 10-wicket haul for the match after the break by trapping Dominic Leech lbw and finished with six wickets by having Broad caught behind for 30.

Despite the small target, Sanderson continued to challenge Middlesex, trapping Mark Stoneman lbw and bowling Max Holden. However, Robson, who unleashed a series of powerful drives, dominated the chase, particularly against Yuzvendra Chahal. Du Plooy was dropped in the deep off Chahal when on 14, but that didn’t stop Middlesex from coasting to victory, with Robson finishing unbeaten on 64.