Another decent start goes to waste

Northamptonshire failed to make the most of a strong opening on the first day against Middlesex in their latest LV= County Championship outing.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th May 2014, 21:10 BST

Matt Spriegel (left) was one of the top order who failed to capitalise on a good start against Middlesex

Having won the toss and moved onto 114-1 shortly after lunch, the home side contrived to finish the day on an underwhelming 251-8 from 97 overs.

All of the top six batted for at least an hour but none could better Stephen Peters’ 67 and they look set to yet again post an under-par first innings total.

Toby Roland-Jones was the pick of the Middlesex attack with 5-49 from 20 overs and he more than made up for the absence of Steven Finn who has been rested.

It was left for debutant Ian Butler (27no), included in the place of the dropped Steven Crook, to help the County claim a second batting point and he will resume on the second morning alongside Maurice Chambers.

Northamptonshire Middlesex