Middlesex seal innings win

Finn: 4-51

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LV County Championship - Division Two
Bristol - day three
Middlesex 440 (B J M Scott 112, E T Smith 111, E J G Morgan 76, C G Greenidge 4-99, S P Kirby 4-99) v Gloucestershire 152 (T J Murtagh 4-36) & 199 (G P Hodnett 55, M Kartik 4-57, S T Finn 4-51)
Middlesex (22pts) beat Gloucestershire (3pts) by an innings and 89 runs

Gloucestershire were bowled out for 199 in their second innings to slump to defeat by an innings and 89 runs against Middlesex.

Middlesex seamer Steve Finn, making his Championship debut, claimed figures of 4-51 to hasten Gloucestershire's demise on the third day.

The hosts - who had been asked to follow-on on day two - resumed at 94-3 in their second innings, but were no match for the bowling of Finn and Indian left-arm spinner Murali Karthik (4-57).

The 22 points earned by Middlesex ensures they retain a mathematical chance of catching Nottinghamshire for the second promotion spot in Division Two.

Day two

Tim Murtagh and Danny Evans were in the wickets as Middlesex made Gloucestershire follow-on during the two sides' Division Two match in Bristol.

After the visitors had ended their first innings on 440 - with Ben Scott completing his second county championship century - it was the turn of Murtagh and Evans to carve through Gloucestershire's batsmen.

To the extent that the home side could only muster a first innings response of 152, with a 35 from Grant Hodnett being their top score.

Murtagh claimed four for 36, with Evans taking three for 31 as Gloucestershire's batsmen capitulated in a manner best described as feeble.

Their performance improved slightly second time around, however, with Hodnett unbeaten on 43 as his side ended the day on 94 for three - still 194 runs behind.

Day One

Ed Smith's century put Middlesex in the driving seat after the first day of their Division Two match against Gloucestershire at Bristol.

Smith's 111 helped Middlesex recover from a dodgy position at 81-3, as he shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 174 with Eoin Morgan.

Morgan chipped in with a Championship best of 76, while Ben Scott came in later to hit an unbeaten 76 as Middlesex closed on 394-7 and within six runs of full batting points.

Carl Greenidge's 3-79 was the best figures Gloucestershire's bowlers could manage as they struggled to get through on a hot day in the Westcountry.

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