Middlesex’s bowlers, led by Ryan Higgins’ 4-31, made a remarkable comeback on a rain-affected day at Lord’s, dismissing Yorkshire for 159 after the visitors had amassed 1306 runs in their previous four matches. The return of the Dukes ball, known for its greater seam movement, proved to be a game-changer, as Middlesex’s attack doubled their season’s wicket tally in a single day.
The bad weather that plagued the first two rounds of the County Championship had raised questions about the impact of the Kookaburra ball, which had produced high-scoring matches. However, the Dukes ball’s ability to generate more movement on the Lord’s pitch exposed Yorkshire’s vulnerability.
Yorkshire’s openers, Adam Lyth and Finlay Bean, were dismissed by Toby Roland-Jones, but Shan Masood and Joe Root looked comfortable at the crease. However, Root’s uncharacteristic lapse in concentration led to his dismissal, followed by Harry Brook and Masood.
Higgins then struck twice in quick succession, trapping Jonny Tattersall and Jordan Thompson leg before wicket. A 33-run stand between George Hill and Ben Coad provided some respite, but Dan Moriarty’s late hitting took Yorkshire beyond 150.
Middlesex’s reply began cautiously, with Mark Stoneman and Leus du Plooy guiding their team to 84 for 2 at the close. Stoneman’s footwork and driving ability were impressive, while du Plooy showed resilience in the face of some hostile bowling.
Despite the rain interruptions, Middlesex remain in a commanding position, but the Dukes ball’s unpredictable nature means that Yorkshire could still fight back. The contrasting fortunes of the two teams highlight the ongoing debate over the use of different balls in county cricket and its implications for the England Test team.
