Roland-Jones puts Middlesex on top against Derbys
Toby Roland-Jones took 5-34 for Middlesex as they bowled out Derbyshire for 173
- Published
Vitality County Championship Division Two, Derby (day one)
Derbyshire 173: Came 66, Moore 32; Roland-Jones 5-34, Hollman 2-12
Middlesex 125-1: Stoneman 79*, Holden 44*
Middlesex (3pts) trail Derbyshire (0 pts) by 48 runs with 9 wickets remaining
Middlesex dominated the first day of their County Championship Division Two match with Derbyshire to boost their promotion hopes.
Trying to close a 15-point gap behind second-placed Yorkshire in the promotion race, Middlesex took six wickets for three runs in 43 balls during a profitable afternoon in Derby.
Toby Roland-Jones took 5-34 as Derbyshire, who need a win to retain any realistic chance of avoiding the wooden spoon, sank from 130-2 to 173 all out.
Led by Mark Stoneman’s unbeaten 79, Middlesex then romped through the evening to reach 125-1 in reply.
Ryan Higgins’ outswing undid Luis Reece for 20 before Roland-Jones took centre stage.
The veteran first removed Brooke Guest for seven before running riot after lunch.
Harry Came lost his off stump for 66 and, after Wayne Madsen top-edged a cut at Ethan Bamber to first slip to go for 20, Roland-Jones knocked over Aneurin Donald, Alex Thomson and Zak Chappell for ducks, with David Lloyd returning a catch to Bamber for two.
Teenager Harry Moore, in only his third first-class innings, and spinner Jack Morley added 35 for the ninth wicket.
Morley was bowled by Luke Hollman and Moore miscued a lofted drive off the leg-spinner to deep mid-on for 32.
Sam Robson clipped a half-volley from Zak Chappell, the second ball of the reply, low to mid-on.
However, Stoneman and Max Holden plundered 71 in the next hour.
The pair will resume their 125-run partnership on Wednesday with Middlesex only 48 in arrears.
Report supplied by ECB Reporters' Network.
