Superb Middlesex blow Hampshire away

Tim Murtagh and Toby Roland-Jones took four wickets apiece to spearhead a superb Middlesex bowling performance and put them on course for an innings victory at Merchant Taylors’ School in Northwood.

Tumbled out for just 131 in reply to Middlesex’s 467-3 declared, Hampshire then slid to 62-3 when forced to follow on with Murtagh immediately picking up another wicket and James Fuller taking 2-24.

Earlier, Adam Voges had reached 160 not out and John Simpson made his first Championship century in almost two years on a perfect day for the hosts.

They are now in sight of wrapping up a first four-day win of the season after six draws from their first six games.

Skipper Voges and wicket-keeper Simpson put on 125 in just 80 minutes before the Australian declared – and then the wickets tumbled.

Murtagh took 3-17 in 12 overs either side of lunch and both Fuller and Ollie Rayner chipped in with wickets before Murtagh returned to wrap up the innings in tandem with a hostile Roland-Jones.

Fuller’s first Championship wicket for Middlesex came when Sam Robson made a brilliant catch at gully to dismiss Liam Dawson.

Sean Ervine, batting four, top scored with 31 while only two other batsman got into the 20s.

At one point, Roland-Jones was on a hat-trick after removing Tino Best and Mason Crane in successive balls, only for James Tomlinson to deny him.

When Hampshire were asked to return, for the final 20 overs of the day, the decline continued.

Murtagh removed Will Smith with the second ball of the innings, caught at the wicket, and Fuller then had Michael Carberry well held at second slip for 21 before clean bowling Ervine for 1.