Gloucestershire’s bowlers, led by debutant Archie Bailey, orchestrated a dramatic collapse of Middlesex on day three at Lord’s, leaving the visitors needing 234 runs to secure victory.
Bailey’s 4 for 30 spearheaded the rout, as Middlesex crumbled from a promising 122 for 2 to a dismal 165 all out. Zafar Gohar chipped in with 2 for 22, while wicketkeeper James Bracey claimed an impressive 11 catches and a run out.
Earlier, Gohar had anchored Gloucestershire’s innings with a stylish 86, helping them rally from 154 for 5 overnight to a respectable 309 for 9 declared. Skipper Toby Roland-Jones led the Middlesex bowling attack with 5 for 79, his fifth five-wicket haul in the last nine innings.
Gloucestershire began the day needing 74 to avoid the follow-on and lost Tom Price early to Roland-Jones. However, Zafar and Ollie Price (76) steadied the ship, reducing the deficit. Zafar played with aplomb, mixing defense with aggression, and reached his half-century in 108 balls.
After lunch, Roland-Jones returned to remove Zaman Akhter and complete his five-fer. Gohar fell shortly after, but Gloucestershire declared with a 68-run deficit.
Robson avoided a king pair but survived a contentious caught-behind appeal on 22. Bailey then made an immediate impact, dismissing Mark Stoneman in his first over.
A cloudburst before tea signaled a stormy evening for Middlesex. Robson reached his half-century but was caught behind off Akhter. Max Holden’s quickfire 39 ended with a catch in the deep, triggering a collapse.
Higgins, Davies, De Caires, Hollman, and Roland-Jones all fell in quick succession, with Bracey involved in several dismissals. Bailey claimed the prized wicket of Leus Du Ploy, while Gohar bowled Brookes for a duck to complete the rout.
Gloucestershire will resume day four as favorites to chase down the target and secure a memorable victory.
