Middlesex vs Durham Match Report

Durham go top of the Rothesay County Championship Division Two after a frustrating draw to Middlesex at the home of cricket. 

The opening batter Sam Robson was given a lifeline by Durham as Kemar Roach found the edge of his bat in the second over with Robson on six, but he was dropped by wicket-keeper Ollie Robinson, Robson then went on to make 87. 

Roach only bowled nine overs in the game as he went down with injury and was replaced by Luke Robinson, who made his first-class debut. 

This was Durham’s first injury sub of the season, a rule that has caused great controversy since its induction at the start of the season. Middlesex made 430 runs in 141 overs with runs coming from Ryan Higgins 131, Max Holden 65. 

Ben Raine was the pick of the Durham bowlers as he took 5-58 from 32 overs with an exceptional economy rate of 1.81. 

Durham replied with 567 from 141.5 overs to give them a lead of 130 despite facing just five more balls than Middlesex.

Emilio Gay continued his excellent form scoring 129 and positions himself in the conversation for England’s next opener ahead of the test summer.

David Bedingham scored 147 whilst Kasey Aldridge came just one run short of his maiden Durham 100 as he scored 99 runs to give Durham the edge going into Middlesex’s second innings. Higgins was the hosts best bowler as he took 4-147 from 35 overs. 

However, due to both sides batting for a day and half, Durham knew they needed 10 wickets on the final day whilst Middlesex knew they just needed to bat the day to secure the draw.

Durham at one point looked as though they could pull off the unlikely victory, reducing Middlesex to 53-3. However, a determined Holden scored 77 off 162 balls to see Middlesex through to a draw. 

Durham leave the capital with 14 points and go above Lancashire to top of the division with 71 points. Durham travel to Worcestershire this week on Friday, with England captain Ben Stokes likely to feature as he recovers from his cheekbone injury.