Simpson final-over six seals dramatic Middlesex win
Somerset 236 & 446-9 dec: Trego 138; Podmore 3-89, Fuller 3-125
Middlesex 381 & 302-8: Simpson 79*, Gubbins 76; Groenewald 5-90
Somerset (3 pts) lost to Middlesex (23 pts) by two wickets
John Simpson smashed a six over fine leg in the final over to clinch a dramatic two-wicket victory for Middlesex which keeps them top of the County Championship.
The wicket-keeper, on his 28th birthday, kept his composure as wickets fell around him to hit an unbeaten 79 off 80 balls and anchor a remarkable run chase, set up by former Middlesex skipper Chris Rogers’ brave declaration.
An enthralling game seemed to be heading for a draw at best when Tim Groenewald took four wickets to reduce the visitors to 185-5, chasing 302 to win.
But Simpson put on 86 in less than eight overs with James Fuller, who himself bludgeoned 36 off 18 balls. One Craig Overton over late on went for 23 and, although Fuller and Ollie Rayner fell, Simpson did the rest.
Middlesex had made a promising start to their chase and were 108-1 in the 17th over when Craig Overton took a stunning catch at third man to dismiss Dawid Malan (32).
Nick Gubbins scored 76 from 70 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, but miscued a back-foot forcing shot off Groenewald to Jim Allenby at deep extra-cover.
When George Bailey was bowled by a perfect Groenewald inswinger for four, Middlesex had to think twice about chasing a target of around seven an over.
Allenby cemented Groenewald’s good work with an economic spell and pinned James Franklin lbw for 28.
That seemed to signal the end of Middlesex victory hopes, but Simpson and Fuller – who was promoted above Stevie Eskinazi to hit out – changed all that with an astonishing assault.
Earlier, Somerset had extended their overnight score of 348-6 to to 446-9, Peter Trego making 138, three short of his best score.
Groenewald and Leach shared an unbroken 10th-wicket stand of 42, using up valuable time, but it still seemed a generous declaration by Rogers in excellent batting conditions – and it was to prove costly.
It is the second time in a week that they have turned a draw into victory in the closing overs, after beating champions Yorkshire last Wednesday – a quality that may yet bring the title to Lord’s.
