Roland-Jones record seals Middlesex win

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Northants 283 & 176 lost to Middlesex 543-7 dec by an inns and 84 runs

Toby Roland-Jones claimed four more wickets on the final day to finish with career-best match figures of 12-105 as Middlesex cemented their place at the top of the County Championship with a comfortable win.

They took three of the six wickets they needed inside the first hour, Tim Murtagh beginning the rout when he had Rob Newton caught behind.

Ben Duckett (56) provided the sole resistance after lunch and when he fell to Roland-Jones it completed the seamer’s best-ever bowling performance.

Last man Azharullah was run out to take Middlesex 19 points clear at the top of Division One.

Resuming on 88-4, Northamptonshire knew they would need to bat for most of the day to avoid defeat.

But the heart of their middle order was ripped open in the first 40 minutes, slipping to 103-7.

After Murtagh had removed Newton, Roland-Jones had Andrew Hall caught behind and then bowled David Murphy to pick up the second 10-wicket match haul of his career.

Duckett and Ian Butler survived until lunch and went on to add 65 in a stand that was only delaying the inevitable.

Aptly, it was Roland-Jones was the man to break the partnership as he had Butler caught behind to surpass his previous best match figures of 10-118, recorded against Worcestershire in August 2012.

The 26-year-old from Sunbury, who made his highest first-class score of 60 on Tuesday, continued to set new personal records.

He matched his six-wicket haul from the first innings when he had Duckett caught, and by the time the match ended his return of 6-50 became his new career-best innings figures.

Middlesex wrapped things up in Roland-Jones’ next over as Azharullah was run out, to clinch their fourth win out of six this season.

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