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Derbyshire beat Middlesex on final day

Monday 23rd April 2018
Written by Danny Painter

A second four-wicket haul in the match from Duanne Olivier steered Derbyshire to victory over a defiant Middlesex by 101 runs at The 3aaa County Ground.

It was a match that Derbyshire dominated over the four days. The hosts seized the initiative with the bat on the opening day and pressed home their advantage as Olivier claimed 4-26 to give his side a first innings lead of 108.

Luis Reece then took the game away from Middlesex with an unbeaten 157 on Day Three, before Olivier (4-82) and Matt Critchley (2-51) sealed the win on the final day to give Derbyshire their first home win in the Specsavers County Championship since September 2014.

Starting the final day on 86-3, Middlesex were soon five down as Olivier removed Ollie Rayner (18) and Hardus Viljoen (2-62) had Max Holden (37) caught behind within the space of six balls in the opening overs.

John Simpson was dropped in a sharp caught and bowled chance in the same Viljoen over before he built a stabilising partnership with Paul Stirling which lasted 20 overs as Derbyshire toiled. The stand of 65 was eventually broken by Luis Reece (1-22) who had Stirling (42) caught and bowled just before lunch.

Madsen’s wicket of Simpson, lbw for 24, brought the lunch interval and soon after it Matt Critchley had Toby Roland-Jones caught at mid-wicket by Ben Slater for 46.

This was followed by a potentially game-changing rearguard action from James Harris and Tom Helm. The pair put on 106 for the ninth wicket, but crucially survived for almost 31 overs as Middlesex edged closer to the draw.

Critchley returned for another spell and after a number of good overs, a quicker sliding delivery had Helm caught in front, lbw for 52.

Tim Murtagh was last to the crease and despite Harris (64 not out) doing a good job of keeping the strike, the Irish bowler was last man out, bowled by Olivier to give Derbyshire a well-deserved 101-run victory.

Click HERE to view scorecard.

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