LV COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Northampton:
CLOSE OF PLAY, FINAL DAY: Northants 307 and 395-4 beat Middlesex 442-8 dec & 258-3 dec by six wickets
Northants 20 pts, Middlesex 6 pts
Match scorecard

Peters' previous highest score was 178 against Yorkshire four years ago

Stephen Peters hit a career-best 183 not out to see Northants home to their second win of the season against Middlesex at Wantage Road.

Resuming on 29-0, needing a further 365 to win, Peters batted all day, facing 252 balls and hitting 17 fours, to steer his side to a six-wicket victory.

His main help came from Alex Wakely (87) in a second-wicket stand of 179.

But Rob White (40) and David Sales (30) also played their part before Andrew Hall came in to ensure victory.

It was Northants' second victory in three County Championship games so far this season, but leaves Middlesex bottom of Division Two after three straight defeats.

Shaun Udal had declared Middlesex's innings at 258-3 late on the the third day, but the Wantage Road wicket continued to play favourably for batsmen, and former Essex pro Peters played the innings of his career on Saturday.

The 31-year-old beat his previous best 178, made against Essex and also at Wantage Road, in 2006. But he was twice put down before lunch off Udal, by Scott Newman and Sam Robson.

Udal ended up without a wicket, while England hopeful Steven Finn did little to boost his Test hopes, finishing with 2-81.

Middlesex started the final day on the front foot when seamer Tim Murtagh found Mal Loye's edge, earning a catch for England captain Andrew Strauss.

But they were not to find another breakthrough until well into the mid-session, by which time Peters was well set.

England hopeful Finn removed Wakely's off-stump 13 shy of his century, but quickfire knocks from Sales and White helped Peters carry Northants to victory.

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