COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Northampton:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Middlesex 205-6 (Middlesex 1pt, Northants 2pts)
2-5 September 2009

John Simpson struck eight fours in his unbeaten 73-ball 60

Wicketkeeper John Simpson hit his maiden first-class half-century to help rescue Middlesex on a shortened first day against Northants at Wantage Road.

After Middlesex won the toss, Johannes van der Wath (2-58) struck twice to help reduce them to 97-4.

But Simpson (60no) shared stands of 51 with Neil Dexter (30) and 54 with Gareth Berg (18) to guide them to 205-6 when bad light forced an early close.

The 21-year-old struck eight fours on a day when just 52 overs were possible.

After a rain-delayed start, van der Wath had Nick Compton caught behind by Niall O'Brien in the first over of the day and Dan Housego caught by Riki Wessels for nine.

Dawid Malan (39) and Adam London (31) dodged the showers to add 76 for the third wicket, but both were to fall with the score on 97, to David Lucas and Andrew Hall respectively.

But left-hander Simpson, first with Dexter and then with Berg, led the fight back to bring up his half-century in 60 deliveries.

The only blow on his copybook came when he called Berg through for a short single, only for the all-rounder to be run out by smart work by Lee Daggett off his own bowling.

This was to be the last significant action of the day as a fifth break for rain was followed by bad light to bring play to bring a premature close.

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