Middlesex wobble after Rayner’s heroics

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Close, day three: Middlesex 249 & 25-2 trail Derbyshire 385 & 160 by 272 runs

Ollie Rayner hit a half century and took five wickets but Middlesex’s bid for victory suffered a setback late on an enthralling third day.

Chasing 297 to win after a superb bowling performance, Middlesex lost Joe Denly and nightwatchman Steven Finn in the nine overs before the close.

Rayner’s superb all-round display saw him finish unbeaten on 52 as Middlesex just avoided the follow-on in the morning.

The spinner then removed top scorer Richard Johnson and ran through the tail to take 5-67, Derbyshire all out for 160.

On a day which yielded 16 wickets, Middlesex had begun on 197-6 but added just 13 to their overnight score before John Simpson was run out for 36.

After Toby Roland-Jones fell, Rayner and Tim Murtagh guided their side past the follow-on target and the tail wagged briefly as the visitors were bowled out for 249, 136 behind.

Murtagh then gave Middlesex a huge boost by removing Ben Slater and Wayne Madsen, the key figures in Derbyshire’s first knock, inside the first three overs of the second innings.

Finn, back in the side after being omitted by England, then trapped Chesney Hughes lbw to leave Derbyshire on 16-3.

A fifty partnership between Johnson and Shivnarine Chanderpaul steadied the ship and when brief showers forced the players to take an early tea, Derbyshire were 86-4.

Rayner then took centre stage when play resumed. He removed Johnson for 59 and later took the final two wickets in as many balls to record his fourth five-wicket haul in First Class cricket.

Having been set 297, Middlesex would have hoped to have seen out the nine overs left in the day unscathed to give them a platform for Friday.

But Denly was trapped lbw for two and Finn went the same way without scoring – recording a pair having travelled up to Derby from London to play in this match.

Sam Robson (12 not out) and Adam Voges (11 not out) ensured no further scares and they will lead the assault on victory on the final day.

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