County Championship: Middlesex beat Leicestershire to boost promotion chances

Toby Roland-Jones finished with eight wickets in the match for Middlesex

Middlesex finally ended Leicestershire's stubborn resistance on the final afternoon to claim an 80-run victory that sees them close the gap on County Championship Division Two leaders Nottinghamshire.

Having reduced Leicestershire to 13-4 at Thursday's close, chasing 275, Middlesex looked set to wrap up victory relatively as the hosts slumped to 70-7.

But Colin Ackermann, who batted almost four hours for his 80, and the Leicestershire tail refused to fold and they had progressed to 194 before Middlesex wrapped it up, as Toby Roland-Jones finished with 4-50 and eight wickets in the match.

Tailenders Chris Wright and Michael Finan had some late fun, thrashing 61 runs in just over 11 overs for the final wicket before San Robson (2-28) had the latter caught at deep mid-wicket to end proceedings and earn Middlesex a valuable victory in what is now only a three-horse race for promotion.

Nottinghamshire had looked to have the Division Two title in the bag after seven wins, but following their humbling three-day defeat by Worcestershire at New Road, Middlesex's win makes a substantial hole in their cushion at the top.

It means the leaders will begin the last round of fixtures on Monday with their advantage cut to just nine points, with second-placed Middlesex themselves looking over their shoulders at Glamorgan, whose win against Derbyshire in Cardiff puts them only nine points further back in third.

Nottinghamshire's final opponents are Durham at Trent Bridge, while Middlesex themselves travel to Worcester and Glamorgan take on Sussex at Hove.

Leicestershire might have been in further disarray on the third evening had bad light not allowed them to return to the haven of the dressing room.

They lasted just over half an hour on the final morning before losing their fifth wicket, Harry Swindells walking even before the umpire's finger was raised after a swinging delivery from Roland-Jones hit him squarely in front.

Former England Under-19s all-rounder Tom Scriven played nicely alongside Ackermann as the pair added 34 for the sixth wicket, but the introduction of Luke Hollman's leg spin brought another immediate dividend.

Scriven was his victim this time, popping up a bat-pad catch to short leg as he sought to flick one away. When Ed Barnes fell without scoring, beaten for pace when lbw to Ethan Bamber, Leicestershire were 70-7.

Yet with the obdurate Callum Parkinson now at the other end, Middlesex were frustrated for more than an hour and a half before they could claim the eighth wicket, Leicestershire adding 65 runs in the process, with Ackermann surviving a chance to wicketkeeper John Simpson on 51.

The breakthrough came via an unexpected route. Robson succeeded where Hollman had been unable to make further inroads, the off-spinner employing a leg break to have Ackermann leg before on the sweep.

One wicket brought another as Parkinson fell in the next over, Tim Murtagh pushing one through to hit the front pad in line.

Yet Middlesex were made to wait for a little longer before their celebrations could begin, Wright and Finan taking the opportunity to swing the bat under no pressure, the former finishing 36 not out after Finan holed out off Robson to end the contest.

Leicestershire, deeply rooted at the bottom of the table, have one more chance - away to Derbyshire - to avoid another full season without a Championship win, a fate that has befallen them three times in the last decade.

Leicestershire head coach Paul Nixon:

"That session at the end of day three was horrible for us in gloomy conditions under the lights. It probably sealed our fate. It was a perfect time to be bowling but it is at those moments that you've got to toughen up, be brave and do a job for the team.

"To be four down at that time rips your heart out. You are always going to be playing catch up after that. Colin Ackermann got close. He played beautifully like he can.

"But fair play to Murtagh and Roland-Jones. They are fantastic competitors, they have bowled a lot of overs this year, bowling line and length, challenging the stumps and they did a great job.

"Middlesex have done the basics well for longer than us, they have got their rewards and we've again had sessions where we have lost four or five wickets, which has been the story of our red ball cricket this year."

Middlesex captain Tim Murtagh:

"We've had to work very hard to win. It worked out nicely that we were able to take those four wickets last night when the new ball was nipping about. That was a real bonus going into the final day.

"Getting Ackermann was the key wicket. We brought Sam Robson on at that point to see if he could do something different at a time when there was nothing really happening for the seamers. He's been a partnership-breaker for us. He's always useful to have up your sleeve.

"Overall, it was probably our most complete team performance of the year. It was a game where both teams had the initiative at times but we always had someone step up when we needed it. From 1 to 11, everyone made a contribution.

"Looking at next week, we had a feeling it would all come down to the last game. It will be a pressure game but if we can go up to Worcester and play as well as we have this week, things will take care of themselves."

Report supplied by ECB Reporters' Network.