Off spinner Jeetan Patel took five-wickets as Warwickshire returned to form to dent Middlesex’s challenge for runners-up spot in Division One. Only Neil Dexter, with a half-century (53) from 123 balls, and Paul Stirling, with 41, resisted long. After Keith Barker removed Stirling, Patel took advantage of the pitch to advance to 45 championship wickets this year.
Middlesex were pursuing a runners-up berth that would confer their highest finish for 20 seasons, but they started poorly in this game, falling foul of Jeetan Patel after washout earlier. The off spinner’s five for 59 was his best in 14 months, yet a total of 207 is deceptive: this is the pitch upon which 116.4 overs were bowled on T20 Finals Day and life is far from easy.
Although Paul Stirling made 41 from 51 balls, he was the second of six to fall in under two hours for 62 either side of lunch, Patel striking with his second ball to have Nick Compton for 18. He then deceived James Franklin with his arm-ball on resumption.
In a period during which 25 runs were scored from 17 overs, Keith Barker’s beautiful inswinger removed John Simpson and Middlesex were 114 for six. With Neil Dexter dropped on 26 off Patel, a limited recovery mustered 51 until, 15 minutes from tea, Ollie Rayner steered Chris Wright to the sole slip for 24 before Patel had Dexter held at leg slip for 53.
Patel left Warwickshire to face 10 overs after rain and Rayner, on as early as the fifth, claimed Ian Westwood.
