COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Lord's:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Northants 288 and 225-7, Middlesex 360 (Middlesex 7pts, Northants 5pts)
31 July - 3 August 2009

Murtagh picked up 3-37 from his 15 overs

Tim Murtagh took three wickets to move Middlesex closer to victory against Northants on day three at Lord's.

Murtagh was well supported by Shaun Udal (2-48) as the visitors were reduced to 225-7 in their second innings at the close.

Riki Wessels (57) shared a sixth-wicket stand of 82 with Andrew Hall (48) as Northants opened up a lead of 153.

Earlier, Middlesex moved on from their overnight 310-6 to 360 all out, a first-innings lead of 72.

After Johannes van der Wath (4-107) and Hall (2-44) each took two wickets to wrap up the Middlesex first innings, the visitors were soon in trouble at 79-5.

Murtagh removed Ben Howgego and Rob White, Steven Finn trapped Stephen Peters lbw and Udal snared Alex Wakley and Nicky Boje.

But Wessels, who was dropped at slip by Owais Shah off the bowling of Murali Kartik when on 17, and Hall combined to lead the Northants recovery.

When Wessels was caught by Dawid Malan to become Murtagh's third victim, Hall again combined with van der Wath (40 not out) to add 50 for the seventh wicket.

But Hall fell to Alan Richardson before the close, as Middlesex closed in on their first County Championship win of the season.

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