Middlesex got a few too many on that pitch, admits Glos skipper

HALF-CENTURIES for Kane Williamson (52) and skipper Leus du Plooy (54) helped Middlesex to a 23-run win over Gloucestershire at Merchant Taylors’ School on Friday.

- By JONBATHAM

Williamson's 50 came in 28 balls with two sixes and six fours, while du Plooy produced two maximums of his own, with the pair sharing a stand of 92 as the hosts totalled 189-5.

Australian left-hander D'Arcy Short hit 64 in 46 in reply, supported by Jack Taylor 41, but two wickets for debutant Sebastian Morgan (2-34) and Noah Cornwell’s 1-20 meant they finished on 166-7.

Two bowlers on the night, Marchant De Lange (2-30) and Luke Hollman (2-30), found themselves on hat-tricks but neither managed to complete the feat.

Gloucestershire skipper Jack Taylor said: “Disappointed with the result. We did some good stuff in there but across the 40 overs just not enough.

“One hundred and ninety on a used one here was probably a few too many. I thought we got into a decent position to go, but the ball got soft and it got harder to hit andI thought they bowled nicely at the end.