Middlesex Seal Innings Victory Despite Gritty Resistance from Keogh and Zaib

Middlesex reignited their promotion hopes in emphatic style, wrapping up an innings and 107-run victory over Northamptonshire late on day four of their LV= Insurance County Championship Division One clash at Merchant Taylors' School.

Despite heroic rearguard efforts from Rob Keogh and Saif Zaib, the visitors were eventually bowled out for 257 in their second innings, as Ryan Higgins starred with figures of 3 for 54, finishing with seven wickets in the match. Ben Geddes also claimed his maiden first-class wicket to help seal the result.

Keogh, Zaib Show Fight Against the Odds

Keogh stood tall amid the wreckage, crafting a courageous unbeaten 61 off nearly five hours at the crease, even after aggravating a finger injury sustained earlier in the match. Zaib, who had top-scored with 82 in the first innings, contributed a resilient 44, himself battling through a painful blow to the elbow.

Their defiance included a valuable 50-run stand and a frustrating last-wicket partnership of 47 between Keogh and Yuzvendra Chahal, which briefly delayed the inevitable. Chahal, on a king pair, struck an elegant off-drive en route to 20, but it was Noah Cornwell who had the final say, castling him to bring the curtain down with 25 overs left in the match.

Middlesex Attack Held Their Nerve

Earlier in the day, Toby Roland-Jones struck a key early blow, dismissing Lewis McManus with a ball that clipped the under edge and sent the off-stump flying. Tom Helm followed up quickly, removing George Bartlett with a short ball caught at mid-on.

Zaib and Keogh then took centre stage, enduring painful blows but standing firm. Zaib drove fluently when able, while Keogh batted with remarkable discipline despite obvious discomfort. Yet, the breakthrough came after lunch when Helm’s extra bounce induced a feathered edge from Zaib to the keeper.

Wickets fell sporadically thereafter, but Ben Sanderson held out stubbornly for over an hour for his 12 before becoming Geddes’ first scalp, caught at slip off his third delivery.

Higgins returned with the new ball to dismiss Aadi Guthrie, before Cornwell ended the match by dismantling Chahal’s stumps.

First-Innings Platform Sets Up Win

The foundation for Middlesex’s win was laid with a mammoth first-innings total of 625 for 8 declared, featuring centuries from Max Holden (151), Kane Williamson (114) and Leus du Plooy (104). Northamptonshire, in reply, were dismissed for 261 in the first innings, with Higgins again the chief destroyer, claiming 4 for 51.

Middlesex Back in Promotion Frame

The victory – secured with time to spare – breathes new life into Middlesex’s promotion campaign, while Northamptonshire are left to reflect on a valiant but ultimately unsuccessful resistance.

Match Summary
Middlesex 625/8 dec (Holden 151, Williamson 114, du Plooy 104)
Northamptonshire 261 (Zaib 82, Higgins 4-51) & 257 (Keogh 61*, Higgins 3-54)
Middlesex won by an innings and 107 runs