Five-star Harris Lord's it over Northants
Middlesex skittled out Northants for 71 on the second day of their 2nd Division County Championship.
LONDON (AFP) - James Harris took a remarkable five wickets for nine runs as Middlesex skittled out Northamptonshire for just 71 on the second day of their Second Division County Championship match at Lord s on Saturday.
The Wales-born paceman was well-supported by Ireland internaional Tim Murtagh, who took his 700th first-class wicket on the way to a return of four for 27 in a Northamptonshire innings that lasted a mere 21.2 overs.
Earlier, Harris made 46 in Middlesex s first-innings 214. But in conditions favouring the paceman, the hosts were dismissed for 159 second time around on a day when 26 wickets fell in total.
That left Northamptonshire with two days to make 303 for victory and they were nine without loss at stumps.
Northamptonshire s batting collapse was not the worst on the second day of the new County Championship season, with Kent dismissed for 64 by visitors Gloucestershire in their Second Division clash at Canterbury.
A wet outfield, which meant no play was possible on Friday s opening day, kept the players in the pavilion before lunch as well.
But when the game did start, left-arm paceman Matt Taylor revelled in the conditions to take four for 20, with Kent dismissed inside 19 overs.
The 20-year-old Zak Crawley top-scored with 15 before Gloucestershire were indebted to Gareth Roderick s fifty as they struggled to 110 for eight.
