Resilient Middlesex Draw With Northants

A century for opening batsman, Chris Rogers, secured a draw for Middlesex, on Sunday, against title favourites, Northamptonshire. Middlesex declared on 313 runs, to claim their first league tie since the end of June 2011, when the side drew with Gloucestershire at Uxbridge.

Sunday's result was something of a 'double-edged sword' for Middlesex, given that it prevented Northants from pulling away at the top of the league, but offered only a marginal improvement on Middlesex's chances of claiming the County Championship, later this season. Those who bet on cricket matches will be wondering if they have what it takes to secure the title.

Middlesex, who are in second place in Division Two, took nine points from the match, leaving them with 167.0, going into the third week of August. Northants claimed 11, meaning that the top of the league table remains largely unchanged.

The only notable difference on the second tier leader board, this week, is the appearance of Derbyshire in third place. The Midlanders defeated Gloucestershire in Derby on August 10, after a century from Martin Guptill and a personal record-breaking performance from Wes Durstan.

Middlesex were put into bat first by Northants, after losing the toss. The former club scored 317 runs in 94 overs, but the on-form Chaminda Vaas quickly dispatched the Middlesex batsmen, claiming five wickets in the first innings. Scott Newman was the home team's top scoring player in the first half, with 75 runs from 115 balls.

Northants were unimpressed with Middlesex's tally, and scored 399 runs of their own in their first innings, including 87 from Mal Loye, to give the visitors the edge. The Michael Vaughan tips indicate a close end to the season.

However, Middlesex's strong first innings had galvanised the club's attack, and Chris Rogers and John Simpson hit for 145 and 72, respectively, to secure a draw for the home side in the second innings. Neil Dexter, captain of Middlesex, lauded Rogers and Simpson's individual performances as "exceptional". "We do have a belief now, that we can get ourselves out of tough situations", the South African continued.