Stirling effort puts Panthers top

With their wretched T20 season now over, Middlesex provided some welcome cheer for their fans in the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition by moving top of their group with a six-wicket win against Yorkshire.

Exactly two months since their last CB40 match, Middlesex impressed at Headingley in a game reduced to 31 overs because of showers.

Restricting Yorkshire to 196 for 7 after a strong fielding display, the Panthers reached their target with an over to spare, thanks to half-centuries by Paul Stirling and Chris Rogers.

Middlesex are two points clear of Sussex, who have two games in hand. The three group winners and one runner-up with the highest points score will contest the semi-finals, with the final to be played at Lord’s on September 18.