Middlesex left in a spin by Patel at Edgbaston

Middlesex’s decision to bat first at Edgbaston was exposed by the spin of Jeetan Patel as the visitors crumbled to 207 all out on day two.

Having seen the first day’s play wiped out by rain, Middlesex slipped from 52-0 to 114-6 before a stand of 51 between Neil Dexter and Ollie Rayner brought a modicum of respectability.

Aside from Dexter, who ground out a half-century, the only other batsman to make a reasonable score was opener Paul Stirling.

The Irishman scored 41, his best Championship innings since last August, in the opening partnership of 52 with Sam Robson.

Warwickshire’s pace attack reduced Middlesex to 80-3 before Patel took charge, trapping Nick Compton lbw for 14 and bowling James Franklin for eight.

By the time Keith Barker had John Simpson lbw, Middlesex had lost six wickets for 62 runs.

Dexter faced 123 balls for his 53 before he became Patel’s third victim, while Rayner made 24. Toby Roland-Jones (17 not out) and Tim Murtagh (12) put up some resistance, but Patel eventually finished things off.

Rain delayed the start of Warwickshire’s reply but in the 10 overs that were possible, Rayner – brought on as first change – found a breakthrough to leave the hosts 21-1 at the close.

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