Warwickshire Suffers Lowest County Championship Score in 41 Years as Middlesex Fights Back
Warwickshire’s hopes were dashed on the opening day of their County Championship match against Middlesex as they were bowled out for just 60, marking their lowest score in 41 years. Middlesex won the toss and took full advantage of the favorable conditions at Edgbaston, claiming quick wickets in an impressive display of bowling.
The early collapse began with Toby Roland-Jones, who picked up two wickets in his first over, dismissing Alex Davies and skipper Will Rhodes. Ethan Bamber then joined the party, catching Sam Hain at second slip, leaving Warwickshire reeling at 11-3. Warwickshire’s misery continued as Roland-Jones and Bamber continued to trouble the batsmen, taking crucial wickets at regular intervals.
Rob Yates fell victim to Roland-Jones, edging to second slip, while Bamber clean bowled both Dan Mousley and Jacob Bethell in successive overs. It seemed as though Warwickshire’s hopes rested on Ed Barnard and Michael Burgess, who managed to stitch together a partnership of 16 runs. However, Bamber struck again, dismantling the stumps twice in as many overs, dismissing Burgess and Barnard.
Ryan Higgins then capitalized on the tail-end collapse, picking up the final two wickets of Henry Brookes and Mir Hamza. Warwickshire’s dismal innings came to an end with a total of 60 runs, their lowest score since 1982 when they were bowled out for 43 against the same opponents at Edgbaston.
Middlesex had their turn at the crease but struggled just as much, losing three early wickets with only 11 runs on the board. Oliver Hannon-Dalby was the tormentor-in-chief, inducing edges from Sam Robson and Stephen Eskinazi, while Hamza trapped Mark Stoneman lbw and bowled Max Holden.
However, a partnership between Jack Davies and John Simpson gave Middlesex some respite, as they added a crucial 28 runs to bring their team close to Warwickshire’s score. The momentum shifted once again when Henry Brookes had Davies caught at slip, followed by Hamza dismissing Simpson caught behind off a contentious inside edge.
With the conditions easing, Ryan Higgins and Josh De Caires mounted a remarkable seventh-wicket partnership, adding 71 runs. The lower-order batsmen also chipped in as Middlesex posted a total of 199 runs. Ed Barnard, Hannon-Dalby, and Hamza claimed three wickets each for Warwickshire.
The final wicket of Middlesex’s innings came in a dramatic fashion when Toby Roland-Jones struck a six but was subsequently given out hit-wicket by umpire Rob Bailey, retracting the initial signaling of a boundary. Although controversial, the decision stood, bringing an end to Middlesex’s innings.
Warwickshire had 16 overs to face before the close of play, but their batting struggles continued as Alex Davies fell for a second-ball duck, delivering a sixth wicket for Bamber.
With Warwickshire now trailing by 86 runs with eight wickets in hand, the match remains finely balanced as we head into the next day.
