NCL2: Middx hammer Scots

Scotland singularly failed to impress at the Old Deer Park in Richmond as first Phil Weekes and then Chad Keegan fired the hosts to a commanding victory.

Weekes, with 80 off 77 balls including 13 fours and a six, set the tone for the Middlesex innings, and he was supported first by Keegan who hit 22 off just 15 balls at number three, and then by Ulsterman Ed Joyce, whose 65-ball 59* included only three fours, as the lower order were content with swiping. Majid Haq (3/39) was again the pick of the Scottish bowlers, but Middlesex racked up an impressive 255/9.

The Scottish reply began pitifully. Wickets clattered at alarmingly regular intervals and by the time Simon Cook picked up his second wicket, Colin Smith being caught by Weekes for 17, Scotland were an embarrassing 54/6. Chad Keegan had earlier bowled Ryan Watson and Greig Williamson, Ashley Noffke trapped the key wicket of Rahul Dravid leg before, and Jon Kent was run out. The middle order resisted briefly, and Paul Hoffman's 33-ball 14, including five fours and a six, was the highlight as Joe Dawes bore the brunt of the assault. Keegan meanwhile had completed his five-wicket haul and then Weekes wrapped it up, bowling Hoffman with his only ball of the match, as Scotland subsided to 143 all out, 112 runs behind Middlesex's total.

Middlesex 255/9 (PN Weekes 80, EC Joyce 59*, RM Haq 3/39)

Scotland 143 (PJC Hoffman 33, CB Keegan 5/48)

Middlesex won by 112 runs

Points: Middlesex 4, Scotland 0

CricketWeb Players of the Match - Phil Weekes and Chad Keegan (Middlesex)

Posted by Neil