Joyce powers Middlesex to victory

Ed Joyce maintained his good form with the bat to guide Middlesex to a six-wicket victory over Worcestershire in the Second Division of County Championship at New Road yesterday. The Dublin-born left-hander followed up his first-innings century with an unbeaten 46 as he and Paul Weekes steered their side home with just over 10 overs to spare.

Set 190 to win in a minimum of 56 overs after dismissing Worcestershire for 401, Middlesex overcame the loss of Andrew Strauss, Sven Koenig and Ben Hutton in quick succession to register a first win in six outings and go 24.25 points clear at the top of the table.

Worcestershire's five points lifts them into the top three, half a point behind second-placed Essex.

Glamorgan's Second Division game with Nottinghamshire at Colwyn Bay ended in a draw as the visitors batted through the final day.

Usman Afzaal enjoyed the batting practice by hitting his highest first-class score of the season to end with an unbeaten 104. Nicky Boje as also in the runs in his final appearance for the county, hitting three sixes on his way to 70 as Nottinghamshire, 29 behind after the first innings, finished the final day on 274 for 5.

India's Under-19 XI produced an exhilarating run chase for the second day running at Taunton to beat England by one wicket and ensure a 3-0 whitewash in their one-day series. After winning with a six off the last ball on Thursday, the tourists scrambled home yesterday with six balls to spare after a day of brutal shotmaking from both sides.