Somerset complete win over Middlesex

Middlesex 106 & 164 lost to Somerset 449 by an innings & 179 runs
(Middlesex 2 pts, Somerset 23 pts)

Middlesex slumped to their first innings defeat in five years after another dismal batting display at Lord’s.

The home side, who were bowled out for 106 in their first innings, lost their final eight wickets for just 95 runs as Somerset wrapped up only their second Championship win of the season.

Neil Dexter top scored with 35 and remained unbeaten to the end but ran out of partners.

Lewis Gregory took 5-38 while Marcus Trescothick held five catches to record Somerset’s first victory at the Home of Cricket since 1983 and boost their Division One survival hopes.

Middlesex resumed on 52-2, needing another 291 runs just to make the visitors bat again, but the miracle was never likely to occur.

Sam Robson and Dawid Malan took their unbroken stand to 50 before Gregory had the Australian-born opener edging to Trescothick for 29.

Malan, who made 33, was the next to be pouched by Trescothick and then the unlucky John Simpson was run out backing up.

That proved to be the beginning of the end as Gareth Berg and Ollie Rayner both fell cheaply to leave Middlesex teetering on the brink at 116-7.

Dexter and James Harris provided some resistance with a partnership of 40 but once that partnership was broken, Somerset were virtually home and dry.

It was Gregory who wrapped up the win, first by claiming a catch off his own bowling to dismiss Harris and then quickly removing Tim Murtagh and Ravi Patel as Middlesex were all out for 164.

Back to back defeats have left Middlesex’s title challenge in tatters, with Durham emerging as Yorkshire’s chief rival.

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