MIDDLESEX SOON SEE AN UPSIDE

MIDDLESEX made a blistering start to life in Division Two with a three-day victory over Northamptonshire.

Pacemen James Harris (above), with match figures of 9-48, and Tim Murtagh proved too hot to handle at Lord’s as the relegated side won by 160 runs.

In Division One, England hopeful Haseeb Hameed again flopped in Lancashire’s evenly-fought game against Nottinghamshire.

The Red Rose will begin day four on 58-2 – six runs behind – after Harry Gurney’s double strike at Old Trafford.

Hameed’s 19 followed an earlier score of three, but Liam Livingstone and Keaton Jennings were still in place.

Livingstone earlier claimed three wickets as Notts were dismissed for 222.

The match at Headingley between champions Essex and Yorkshire was totally washed out for the third day in a row.