Derbyshire bundle out Middlesex to secure win

Derbyshire tasted victory for the first time since May 13th when they beat Middlesex by 42 runs at Derby.

Batting was never easy on a slow pitch and Middlesex were bowled out for 154 with 28 balls to spare in reply to the home side's 196-7.

A typically well paced half-century from Rob Bailey and some powerful strokes from the lower order gave Derbyshire a challenging total and they defended it skilfully.

The bowling was tight and the fielding keen and Middlesex, handicapped by an injury to Stephen Fleming, faded away aftger a middle-order collapse.

Alex Edwards, signed because of injuries to four pace bowlers, did well against the county he spent last season with and ended with figures of 1-25 from nine overs on his Derbyshire debut.

But it was the spinners who did the damage with left armer Lain Wharton bowling particularly well to take 2-23 from his nine overs.

By the time Fleming, who dislocated a finger fielding, came in, his side were 94-6 and although the New Zealand skipper played some defiant strokes, Derbyshire were always in control.

Fleming fell to a fine running catch at long off by Chris Bassano and when Angus Fraser holed out in the deep, it brought to an end a run of ten games without a win for Derbyshire.