Middlesex top after Warwickshire draw

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Middlesex 428-5 dec drew with Warwickshire 374-8
(Middlesex 10 pts, Warwickshire 8 pts)

Tim Murtagh claimed his second five-wicket haul of the season as a draw sent Middlesex back to the top of County Championship division one.

The paceman took three Warwickshire wickets in the space of two overs as Middlesex picked up a couple of bowling points to open up a four-point gap at the summit.

Rain once again disrupted play at Edgbaston with most of the morning session wiped out.

But by the time an early lunch had been taken, Warwickshire had avoided the follow-on and added 17 runs to their overnight score of 267-5.

It made the rest of the day’s play all about the bonus points and Murtagh’s dismissal of Tom Milnes – ending a brisk partnership of 65 – saw Middlesex claim their second bowling point of the innings.

In his very next over, Murtagh bowled Jeetan Patel and had debutant Tom Allin caught at slip first ball to leave Warwickshire on 338-8.

With opener Laurie Evans still nursing the broken hand which forced his retirement yesterday, last man Boyd Rankin supported the stubborn Rikki Clarke, who remained unbeaten until the end on 66.

Another heavy afternoon downpour saw the match abandoned with Warwickshire on 374-8.

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