Middlesex collapse against relegated Worcestershire

Middlesex were bowled out for just 98 on the first day of their final Championship match of the season, damaging their hopes of finishing second.

Needing 12 points from the match to guarantee a runners-up spot, they spectacularly failed to earn any batting bonus points against already-relegated Worcestershire, with six players falling without scoring.

Meanwhile, rivals Nottinghamshire piled on the runs against Hampshire, scoring 340 and eating away at the gap.

The first morning at Worcester was washed out, with play beginning at 1.40pm and 32 overs lost.

An hour later and Middlesex were 41-4, with Paul Stirling falling for four, Dawid Malan and Neil Dexter both out for a duck and Sam Robson (17) the only man to make it into double figures.

Skipper James Franklin followed soon after, also for nought, and when Nick Compton (19) was caught behind Middlesex were 51-6.

John Simpson remained unbeaten on 27 but he was given only limited support from the tail as West Indian paceman Shannon Gabriel completed a five-wicket haul.

The damage could have been worse, had Worcestershire not conceded 20 extras.

Toby Roland-Jones did strike in the fourth over of the home side’s first innings, having skipper Daryl Mitchell caught behind for a duck, but Brett D’Oliveira (38 not out) and Hillingdon-born Tom Fell (37 not out) looked in control.

They set about eliminating the deficit and came within 19 runs of a first-innings lead when stumps were drawn.

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