Middlesex’s Ryan Higgins became the second batter this season to reach 1,000 runs in the Vitality County Championship, leading his team to a near-certain draw against Yorkshire at Headingley. Higgins’ unbeaten 117 off 210 balls anchored Middlesex’s 441 for five, trailing Yorkshire’s first-innings 601 for six declared by 160 runs.
Higgins, who joined Glamorgan’s Colin Ingram in reaching the milestone, posted his fifth century of the Division Two campaign. He was joined by opener Sam Robson, who scored 108 off 219 balls, in posting a century.
Yorkshire’s Dom Bess claimed four for 168 in 64 overs of off-spin, but Higgins’ aggressive approach and Robson’s watchful innings kept Middlesex in the game. Robson, who scored his only Test century for England at Headingley 10 years ago, shared a 121-run partnership with Max Holden (51) before being dismissed lbw by Bess.
Higgins and Leus du Plooy added 57 for the fourth wicket, while Higgins and wicketkeeper-batter Jack Davies shared 128 for the fifth wicket. Davies contributed 61 before edging to slip off Bess, but Higgins remained unbeaten, reaching 1,000 Championship runs for the season and bringing up his century with a six over long-on.
Middlesex’s focus on avoiding defeat prevented them from accumulating significant batting bonus points, with Bess and Dan Moriarty bowling 116 overs between them. However, the draw would leave second-placed Middlesex one point clear of Yorkshire in third with three matches remaining in the promotion race.
