Gloucestershire’s Marchant de Lange, a 33-year-old South African fast bowler, made a remarkable comeback on the opening day of the Vitality County Championship Second Division match against Middlesex at Bristol. De Lange claimed six wickets for 49 runs, reaching his 350th first-class wicket milestone in the process.
After Middlesex won the toss and elected to bat, Mark Stoneman and Nathan Fernandes gave them a solid start with a 55-run opening partnership. However, de Lange’s introduction turned the tide as he dismissed Stoneman, Max Holden, and Fernandes in quick succession.
Leus du Plooy and Ryan Higgins attempted to stabilize the Middlesex innings, but Dom Goodman’s delivery induced du Plooy into a false shot, resulting in a catch for wicketkeeper James Bracey. Stephen Eskinazi and Higgins followed suit, leaving Middlesex reeling at 127 for 5.
De Lange continued his dominance, removing Jack Davies and Higgins in quick succession. Tom Helm and Josh de Caires briefly halted the slide with a 58-run partnership, but de Lange returned to dismiss both batsmen, leaving Middlesex all out for 203.
Gloucestershire’s reply began poorly as Chris Dent was dismissed for three. Cameron Bancroft and Ollie Price added 38 runs for the second wicket, but Bancroft fell to Ryan Higgins. Price was caught behind off Tom Helm, leaving Gloucestershire on 82 for 3 at the close of play.
De Lange’s performance was a testament to his recovery from a thigh injury that ended his season last summer. His 16 rapid overs from the Ashley Down Road End proved too much for the Middlesex batting lineup, which struggled to cope with his pace and accuracy.
