Roland-Jones boost for Middlesex after Helm is sidelined

Middlesex have agreed a new deal for bowler Toby Roland-Jones – but have lost highly-rated paceman Tom Helm for the rest of the season through injury.

Helm, 22, slipped while fielding on the boundary during the Royal London Cup match against Sussex at Hove on Sunday.

Scans revealed he had torn ligaments in his right ankle, an injury that requires surgery and a recovery period of four months.

Before the season, Middlesex and England bowler Steven Finn described county colleague Helm as “the most talented young bowler I’ve ever seen”.

In better news, Roland-Jones, 28, has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain at Lord’s until at least the end of the 2019 season.

He is the club’s leading wicket-taker across all forms of the game this season, with 32 wickets to his name.

Since making his debut for the club in April 2010, Ashford-born Roland-Jones has taken 268 wickets in 73 appearances, at an average of just 25.