Cricket

Middlesex seized control of their Vitality County Championship clash against Northamptonshire on day two at Merchant Taylors' School, thanks to half-centuries from Sam Robson and Leus du Plooy.Robson, who boasts an impressive record at Northwood, ground out a crucial 58, while Du Plooy remained unbeaten on 66 as Middlesex reached 250 for seven, establishing a first-innings lead of 43.However, Northamptonshire's Ben Sanderson kept his side in contention with a five-wicket haul, reclaiming his position as Division Two's leading wicket-taker.Earlier, Northamptonshire were dismissed for 207, with Toby Roland-Jones claiming a season-best five for 49. The visitors' hopes of restricting Middlesex were hampered by Prithvi Shaw's three dropped catches in the slips.Sanderson and Lewis McManus extended their partnership to 83, guiding Northamptonshire past the 200-run mark. But Henry Brookes dismissed Sanderson, and Roland-Jones wrapped up the innings swiftly.In reply, Middlesex's openers survived early scares before lunch. Sanderson broke the partnership, removing Mark Stoneman for 36. Robson and Max Holden then dug in, with Robson reaching his half-century with a cover drive off Yuzvendra Chahal.However, Chahal trapped Holden leg before, and Sanderson struck twice in quick succession after tea, dismissing Robson and Stephen Eskinazi. Du Plooy and John Simpson steadied the ship with a 72-run stand, but Leech broke the partnership.Du Plooy remained resolute, guiding Middlesex into the lead. Sanderson returned with the new ball and claimed two more wickets, but Roland-Jones' late flurry of boundaries earned Middlesex a batting bonus point.

Cameron Bancroft's scintillating 87 propelled Gloucestershire to a crucial 10-run victory over Middlesex in the Vitality Blast, keeping their quarter-final hopes alive.Bancroft, the Australian opener, unleashed a barrage of 10 fours and three sixes in his 54-ball knock, forming a formidable opening partnership of 65 with Miles Hammond (30). Their aggressive approach laid the foundation for Gloucestershire's competitive total of 179 for eight at Chelmsford.Middlesex's chase got off to a promising start as Martin Andersson (49) and captain Leus du Plooy (73*) put on a record-breaking 102-run stand for the first wicket against Gloucestershire in T20 cricket. However, the visitors' bowling attack, led by Matt Taylor (2-17), struck back with a flurry of wickets.Du Plooy remained defiant, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 73 from 52 deliveries. But the loss of six wickets for 39 runs proved costly, as Middlesex fell short on 169 for seven.Gloucestershire's victory lifted them to joint fourth in the South Group table, but their qualification for the quarter-finals hinges on Essex's result against Hampshire on Friday.

Middlesex's Sam Robson and Leus du Plooy dominated the first day of their Vitality County Championship clash against Leicestershire at Lord's, sharing a record-breaking third-wicket partnership to put the home side in a commanding position.Robson, returning from a thumb injury, top-scored with a meticulous 162, while Du Plooy struck 131 from 191 balls, his second century since joining Middlesex from Derbyshire. Their 252-run stand is the highest third-wicket partnership for Middlesex against Leicestershire.The Seaxes posted a formidable 407 for eight, giving them a first-innings lead of 101. Leicestershire's bowlers struggled to make inroads, with Ben Mike, Scott Currie, Ben Green, and Rehan Ahmed each picking up two wickets.However, with the first day washed out entirely and a gloomy weather forecast for Monday, a draw looks the most probable outcome.The visitors had doubled their overnight tally to two wickets in the first over of the day, but Robson and Du Plooy steadied the ship, accumulating runs steadily. Robson survived a scare on 39 when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Ben Cox, and went on to reach his half-century with a leg-glance off Tom Scriven.Du Plooy also reached his half-century, giving Green the charge and hoisting a short delivery into the Mound Stand for six. After lunch, Robson reached his century from 198 balls, while Du Plooy completed his ton despite being dropped on 84.The second new ball proved fruitful for the batters, who soon accelerated beyond Leicestershire's total of 306. Robson pulled Mike for two fours and a six before tea, but the Foxes bowlers finally began to make inroads during the final session.Du Plooy was first to depart, feathering one behind from Currie, and Ryan Higgins was bowled swinging at Green. Robson was also dismissed by Green, caught at backward point. Nathan Fernandes maintained Middlesex's momentum with a pugnacious 25-ball knock of 31, including sixes off Green and Rehan, but holed out to deep midwicket. Toby Roland-Jones also perished in pursuit of quick runs prior to bad light intervening.