COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Northampton:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Middlesex 251-9 and 17-3 Northants 239 (Middlesex 5pts, Northants 4pts)
2-5 September 2009

Udal was struck when trying to avoid a Johan van der Wath delivery

Skipper Shaun Udal was knocked unconscious as Middlesex edged a dramatic second day at Wantage Road.

Middlesex resumed on 206-6, but Udal was struck on the head by a Johan van der Wath delivery in the fifth over and retired hurt after a 30-minute delay.

The visitors eventually posted 251-9, John Simpson making 87 on debut, before Gareth Berg's five-wicket haul helped restrict the hosts to 239 in reply.

Northants' bowlers struck back as Middlesex closed on 17-3, a lead of 29.

But even though 17 wickets tumbled, it was the injury to Udal that overshadowed the day.

The former England international was hit on the back of the head as he attempted to duck a Van der Wath bouncer and lay on the wicket for half an hour after being knocked out.

His retirement brought Murali Kartik to the wicket, but he soon departed when he hit Van der Wath straight to David Lucas at cover.

Tim Murtagh was then caught at second slip by Riki Wessels off Lee Daggett, who then ended Simpson's maiden Championship innings 13 short of a debut century.

Northants' reply got off to a terrible start as they lost Stephen Peters and Niall O'Brien in the opening four overs.

Wessels and Alex Wakely soon followed to leave the home side 40-4.

Rob White (47) and Andrew Hall (38) led the recovery before Berg got to work removing White, Van der Wath, Nicky Boje, Monty Panesar and Daggett.

But Northants regained the momentum in the final 11 overs of the day with Lucas removing Nick Compton and Daniel Housego, while Van der Wath accounted for nightwatchman Steven Finn.

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