Cricket: Middlesex in a rush to the top

A BRISK 10-wicket victory took Middlesex - temporarily - to the top of the Championship table, writes Richard Wetherell. Derbyshire were skittled out for just 89 in their second innings and it took Desmond Haynes and John Carr only 73 balls to get the required 65 runs. In all, 18 wickets fell for 210 runs.

Northamptonshire had much the better day against Worcestershire. Alan Fordham hit the highest score of the Championship so far, 193, then Allan Lamb and David Capel added half-centuries before Lamb declared at 494 for 6. Worcestershire fared little better with the ball. They were then reduced to 20 for 4, 49 for 6 and 68 for 8 before Phil Newport and Chris Tooley steadied the ship at 157 for 8.

Dean Headley compiled a career-best 7 for 79 against Gloucestershire. Mark Benson (103) and Carl Hooper (96) helped to put Kent in a good position, 285 for 5 at the close.

Alan Wells deposited Allan Donald's first ball of the morning for six, and ended up with 130 of Sussex's 414 but Warwickshire closed the gap by 119 without loss.