Dalrymple downs Leics

Jamie Dalrymple

Jamie Dalrymple excelled with bat and ball to steer Middlesex to a 38-run win over Leicestershire in LV County Championship Division Two.

Dalrymple scored his first half-century of the season in Middlesex’s second innings, then snapped up two early morning wickets to steer his side to a 38-run victory at Southgate.

The former England all-rounder removed both Claude Henderson and David Masters in quick succession after both Leicestershire batsmen had shared a stand of 62 which had given the visitors an unlikely chance of victory.

Unfortunately for Middlesex, their dismal first innings batting performance in which they only scored 176 without gaining any batting points has come back to haunt them.

Having gained 17 points for the win they will be denied promotion if Nottinghamshire get a single point next week at Somerset.

Resuming on 178 for six overnight, Henderson and Masters were quickly into their stride.

The Leicestershire pair scored 24 runs off five overs of pace bowling from Tim Murtagh and Steven Finn.

Then the spin of Murali Kartik and Dalrymple was finally introduced and they had an immediate effect with both bowlers restricting the flow of runs.

But it was not until the 13th over of the final morning that the partnership was broken.

Henderson had moved on to 34 from 74 balls, including five fours and a six, when he attempted to hit the ball over the top.

Murali Kartik supported Dalrymple's off-spin

However, the Leicestershire player completely mistimed the shot to give Murtagh a simple catch just inside the ropes.

Even though Jerome Taylor scored rapidly he soon lost his partner Masters in the 79th over for 39, when the Essex-bound player again fell to Dalrymple - who finished with figures of 2-61.

The right-hander looked to drive a ball that turned and found the edge to give Kartik a regulation catch at first slip.

Taylor, who was quite severe on anything short and over-pitched, moved onto 20 from 32 balls before he became the ninth wicket to fall.

Left arm-spinner Kartik - who will be Middlesex’s overseas player next season - finished with figures of 3-83 from his 39 overs.

With Leicestershire still needing 55 to win, Taylor tried to pull a ball which was too full and the West Indian international was clean bowled leaving the visitors on 263 for nine.

The innings was finally brought to a close in the 91st over after a further 16 runs had been added, when Ryan Cummins was dismissed for just 11.

Cummins, looked to steer Murtagh through the slip cordon, edged to Ben Scott behind the stumps giving Murtagh his third wicket.