Middlesex maintain title push by thrashing Durham

Middlesex extended their lead at the top of the County Championship with an emphatic innings and 80-run victory inside three days at Lord’s.

In charge from start to finish, James Franklin’s side remain on course for the county’s first title since 1993 after wrapping up their fourth win this season.

Second-day centuries from Nick Gubbins and Nick Compton, coupled with excellent match figures of 9-102 from off-spinner Ollie Rayner, ensured Middlesex were full value for their 22-point win.

The home side added 128 runs in the first 19 overs of Monday, extending their overnight 408-6 to 536-9 before declaring.

Franklin (56 not out) and Toby Roland-Jones (66 in 47 balls) put Durham’s weary attack to the sword, the latter smashing four sixes, including one into the lower Pavilion balcony and two into the Grand Stand.

Batting again before lunch and 322 runs behind, Durham received early let-offs when Mark Stoneman was dropped twice, but he eventually fell for 25 when Rayner took a fine return catch diving to the left of the stumps.

The spinner struck again three overs later to trap Keaton Jennings lbw for 45, and Scott Borthwick went in the next over, lbw to James Franklin.

Michael Richardson scored two runs in 43 minutes before Rayner prized him out, and Tim Murtagh bowled Jack Burnham (30) after tea.

Harry Podmore made two vital breakthroughs in the space of six deliveries, removing veteran Durham skipper Paul Collingwood and then having Adam Hickey caught behind without scoring.

Rayner turned one out of the rough to have Paul Coughlin caught at short leg, and Dawid Malan got in the act to have England bowler Mark Wood caught at slip.

Rayner delivered the final blow, having Graham Onions caught at mid-on, for the ninth five-wicket haul of his career.