Middlesex resist Mushtaq's title bid

14 April 2012

Owais Shah was today guiding Middlesex towards the victory at Hove that will decide the County Championship.

Opponents Sussex need to win the game after setting a victory target of 284 to keep alive their slender hopes of retaining the title.

But a Middlesex win would see Warwickshire crowned 2004 champions and skipper Shah's patient unbeaten 71 guided them to 169 for three midway through the afternoon session.

Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed took his total of first-class wickets to 77 for the season when he removed Chris Peploe leg before for seven and saw Sven Koenig caught by Paul Cottey for 49.

Shah, though, kept Mushtaq at bay and he added 66 with Ed Joyce (17 not out) to leave the visitors needing another 115 for victory.

Kent wrapped up a sixth win of the summer when relegation-threatened Northamptonshire collapsed at Canterbury.

Teenage seamer Simon Cusden finished with four for 68 as Northants slumped from 281 for three to 344 for nine.

Only a defiant 91 from David Sales held them up, adding 43 for the last wicket with Paul Rofe (15 not out) to delay Kent's 194-run victory.

Frizzell County Championship, Div 1 - Hove: Sussex 277 & 141, Middlesex 135 & 169-3. Canterbury: Kent 414-8dec & 318-5dec, Northants 151 & 387. Div 2 - Trent Bridge: Notts 337 & 288-8, Somerset 654-8dec.

Totesport League, Div 1 - Chelmsford: Essex v Glamorgan (4.10pm).