Roland-jones gives selectors a nudge as Middlesex break duck

Toby Roland-jones reminded the England selectors of his prowess as Middlesex routed Yorkshire to claim their first Specsavers County Championship victory of the season.

Roland-jones removed Alex Lees and Gary Ballance, as the visitors slipped to defeat by an innings and 64 runs with a day to spare at Lord’s.

Following on after managing to make just 208 in response to Middlesex’s 446, second-placed Yorkshire were skittled for just 174 in 62.3 overs.

Roland-jones and new-ball partner Tim Murtagh claimed two wickets each, although it was off-spinner Ollie Rayner who did most of the damage by taking four for 35.

There were wickets too for South Africa-born spinner Simon Harmer as Essex put themselves in pole position to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Harmer’s six for 92 on day three at Chelmsford was the major contribution to Warwickshire’s first-innings dismissal for 283, still 258 runs short of Essex’s 541 for nine declared.

He was not finished there either, coming on just six overs into the second innings after the visitors were asked to follow-on and removing Jonathan Trott with the final ball of the day to leave them 27 for two.

In Division Two, Kent batsman Joe Denly effectively ended

Worcestershire’s hopes at New Road with a career-best 227 to leave the home side chasing 399 to win.

Worcestershire will go into the final day still needing 383, having reached 16 without loss from the five overs they faced after the home side posted a total of 474 in their second innings.

Chris Rushworth and Barry Mccarthy put together a lastwicket stand of 68 to briefly raise

Durham’s hopes of a first victory of the season.

The home side, who lost five wickets for six runs on a rain-affected third day at Chesterle-street, established a 107-run first-innings lead over Glamorgan, who toiled to reach 92 for two by the close.