Middlesex 188 & 180-6
Worcester 191

This Second Division match remains finely poised after a day where the bowlers dominated just a little less than the first day. 288 runs were scored for the loss of 15 wickets on day one. Day two saw 271 scored for the loss of 11.

By close of play, Middlesex led by 177 with four wickets left, leaving watching spectators still no clue as to the likely destination of the points.

With Worcester resuming at 100-5, two early wickets helped the home side remain narrowly in the ascendancy but Ed Barnard proved a thorn in their flesh. Already topping Worcester’s batting averages for the season, he passed 50 and stayed calm as others around left for the small pavilion.

He remained unbeaten on 69 but ran out of partners with his side just three runs ahead. Toby Roland-Jones had not really been the pick of the bowlers but cleaned up the tail to finish with 4-60 off 14.5 overs.

The visitors’ minuscule lead was eradicated when Mark Stoneman edged a four in the first over of Middlesex’s second innings.

Stoneman and Sam Robson put on 52 for the opening wicket, a feat out of kilter with the rest of the game. Then two fell quickly; Stoneman for 27 and Davies for a second ball duck, both to Dillon Pennington.

With one session to go, Middlesex stood at 110-4, a lead of 107. Rob White was on 28 and seemed to be the home side’s best chance of building a lead that was defendable.

White and wicketkeeper Simpson then went in the same Pennington over and suddenly Middlesex were 139-6 and slightly behind in a game that had been topsy-turvy since the first hour.

Then Hollman, who top scored in the first innings with 62, starred again with the bat. His 37* guided Middlesex to 180-6 before the rain stopped play early.

Middlesex Cricket

Annie Chave – Cricket Columnist

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