Foxes toil on day one where Middlesex bat dominates

DAY ONE | Middlesex CCC 280 for three v Leicestershire CCC

SCORECARD | Available HERE

REPORT | Abi Sakande claimed his maiden first-class wicket for Leicestershire County Cricket Club on debut, during a day dominated by the Middlesex bastmen.

The news from the middle at Merchant Taylor’s School was that our hosts won the toss and opted to open the batting, with Will Davis and Abi Sakande opening the bowling for the Running Foxes.

There were two changes to the County squad from the Somerset draw as Sam Evans came back in at the top of the order, as well as Abi Sakande coming in for his Leicestershire debut becoming the 493rd player to represent Leicestershire CCC in first-class cricket.

Middlesex were without skipper Peter Handscomb as well as Josh Simpson and Tom Helm who were on international duty, with Tim Murtagh captaining the county for the first time, and Joe Cracknell making his debut.

An hour into day one and the Running Foxes had not found the early breakthrough that the opening attack would have been looking for, although, Davis, Sakande and Ed Barnes began the game well. Middlesex were 34 without loss as we entered the second hour of play.

The hosts’ fifty came up after 18.4 overs with Sam Robson leading the way on 27*, alongside Josh de Caires on 15*.

Ben Mike came into the attack and made an immediate impact with his final ball of his first over of the day.

Mike claimed the first Middlesex wicket “ with lunch approaching “ as de Caires chopped on for 17, leaving Middlesex on 73 for one.

Six balls later, and de Caires’ opening partner, Robson, brought up his fifty which came in 72 balls and included four fours.

Stephen Eskinazi emerged to replace de Caires alongside Robson, forming a crucial partnership in the landscape of this fixture.

The duo then saw themselves through to the first lunch break of the four days unscathed, with Middlesex lunching on 86 for one, led by Robson (57*) and Eskinazi (3*).

The Middlesex ton was brought up after 10 afternoon session overs, following a good start to the afternoon from the Running Foxes, as Davis and Parkinson built the pressure and conceded just 23 runs from their 13 over spell.

Despite County building the pressure with the ball early in the afternoon, Robson (67*) and Eskinazi (16*) stood resolute in the middle.

The second wicket partnership did soon come to an end, but in concerning circumstances for Eskinazi (23) after having to retire hurt.

The batsman left the field of play following a quick on-field diagnosis after being called through for a single by partner Robson, and was replaced by Max Holden.

The Middlesex third partnership of the day went on to bring up the Middlesex 150 from 54.2 overs with Robson closing in on his century.

After plenty of hard work put in with the ball, the Running Foxes, and Ed Barnes in particular carved out a real chance to claim their second wicket.

Holden was the batsman in question with Barnes finding the edge, but Marcus Harris at first slip couldn’t keep hold of the catch as Holden “ on 24 “ earned a reprieve.

Holden only went on to post four further runs, though, as Barnes kept his head high and finally got his man after the batsman dangled his bat at one and nicked it through to Inglis behind for 28.

Middlesex were 171 for two as Daryl Mitchell made his way out.

Robson went on to bring up his century moments before the players broke for tea, with the ton coming from 172 balls, including eight fours.

Tea then came about, four balls after Robson’s ton with Middlesex on 182 for two, Robson 101* and Mitchell 2*.

The Foxes failed to put the fourth wicket partnership under any pressure in the large majority of the final session of the day as Robson continued to lead the charge, buoyed in confidence following his century.

The partnership looked to be sailing through to the second day with their wicket still intact, however, Sakande had other ideas.

With eight overs of the day left to play, Mitchell looked to drive Sakande away through extra cover, but a superb diving catch from Harry Swindells saw that batsman off for 38 and brought an end to the 95-run fourth wicket partnership.

Middlesex were on 266 for three as Cracknell made his way out the middle for the first time for Middlesex in first-class cricket.

The remaining overs of the day played out without the Running Foxes claiming another Middlesex wicket, despite their efforts of putting pressure on the new batsmen.

Middlesex ended a day dominated by their batsmen on 280 for three, led by Robson (138*) who was accompanied by Cracknell (11*). 

FIGURES (1st inns) | Davis 20-3-49-0, Sakande 17-3-62-1, Barnes 16-2-49-1, Parkinson 23-6-62-0, Mike 17-5-43-1

TEAM | Sam Evans, Lewis Hill, Marcus Harris, Colin Ackermann (C), Josh Inglis (wk), Harry Swindells, Ben Mike, Callum Parkinson, Ed Barnes, Will Davis, Abi Sakande

MIDDLESEX CCC | Sam Robson, Josh de Caires, Stephen Eskinazi, Max Holden, Daryl Mitchell, Joe Cracknell, Robbie White (wk), Nathan Sowter, James Harris, Ethan Bamber, Tim Murtagh (C)

IMAGES | Thanks to John Mallett of Outside Off for providing the images throughout the game.