COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Uxbridge:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY THREE: Middlesex 356 and 89-3, Kent 652-7dec (Kent 8pts, Middlesex 5pts)
9-12 September 2009

Dexter's previous best first-class score was 131 not out

Neil Dexter hit his highest first-class score but could not prevent Middlesex from having to follow on against his former club Kent at Uxbridge.

Dexter (146) shared a sixth-wicket stand of 119 with Gareth Berg (67) as the hosts were bowled out for 356 to trail by 296 on first innings.

Middlesex were asked to bat again and were immediately in trouble at 33-3.

But Dexter (39no) dug in again, taking Middlesex to 89-3 at stumps, needing another 207 to avoid an innings defeat.

On 27 at the start of the day, Dexter soon lost John Simpson, who pulled Azhar Mahmood (3-60) to long leg, before Berg arrived to aid the resistance.

Their partnership lasted 27 overs but was ended just after lunch when Berg, who struck 10 fours, was trapped lbw by Rob Furley.

Dexter continued regardless and, supported by Tim Murtagh (22), took Middlesex to a fourth batting point with two sixes and 14 fours before driving Amjad Kahn to short extra cover after just under five hours at the crease.

His was the last wicket to fall, although it was not long before he was out again in the middle.

Mahmood trapped Adam London lbw for a duck and Simon Cook accounted for Nick Compton and Dan Housego before Dexter and Dawid Malan (16 no) shared an unbroken stand of 56.

Kent will expect to wrap up their eighth Championship win of the season on the final day to extend their lead at the top of Division Two, while Middlesex move closer to taking the wooden spoon for the first time in their history.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version