Middlesex beaten despite Gubbins knock

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Middlesex 296-5 (50 ov) lost to Essex 297-4 (47.1 ov) by six wickets
(Essex 2 pts, Middlesex 0 pts)

Another brilliant innings from Nick Gubbins was not enough for Middlesex as they were beaten by Essex in their latest Royal London One-Day Cup match.

Gubbins, who smashed a career-best 131 in Middlesex’s incredible victory over Sussex on Monday, this time hit 96 in 102 balls at Colchester.

He shared in stands of 83 and 81 with Andy Balbirnie (41) and James Franklin (63) after Sam Robson (46) had got the visitors off to a solid start.

Franklin’s three sixes late in the innings helped Middlesex to 296-5 but Essex were ahead of the game from the seventh over onwards.

Tom Westley’s 56 gave them a solid platform but it was the hitting of Ravi Bopara, Jesse Ryder and Ryan ten Doeschate that took the game away from Middlesex.

Ryder hit 38 from 28 balls to leave Essex requiring 96 from the final 15 overs – and thanks to Bopara (82 not out) and ten Doeschate (45 not out) they got there with ease.

The pair hit 18 off one Dawid Malan over to all but confirm their victory, which was secured with 17 balls remaining.

Defeat leaves Middlesex knowing they may have to win both of their final group games, against Nottinghamshire on Thursday and Glamorgan on 17 August, to progress.

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