PRO40 DIVISION TWO, Uxbridge:
Middlesex 220-8 beat Northants 142 by 78 runs (Middx 2pts)

Gareth Berg has taken 18 one-day wickets for Middlesex this summer

Middlesex returned to the top of Pro40 Division Two by a point to maintain their outside hopes of taking the title with a 78-run win over Northants.

A one-sided clash against a weakened Northants was played out on a tinder-dry, spin-friendly track at Uxbridge.

Yet it was a golden-armed spell of seam-bowling from Gareth Berg that eased Middlesex to their emphatic win.

In reply to Middlesex's seemingly modest 220-8, Berg took 3-18 as Northants were shot out for 142.

Berg's latest effort comes on top of the career-best 5-55 the emerging South African all-rounder took against Gloucestershire at Lord's last month to lift his team off the bottom of Division Two.

Middlesex have now finished their games with 12 points from their eight games.

But, to win the title, they need Lancashire to do them a favour and beat Warwickshire at Old Trafford on Sunday week (27 September, 1245 BST).

Only defeat for the unbeaten Bears at Old Trafford will keep Middlesex on top.

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