Northants facing huge run chase

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Wantage Road (day three, close):
Middlesex 545-5d & 171-2d v Northants 256 & 84-1

Match scorecard

---

Northants require an unlikely 377 more runs on the final day after closing on 84-1 against Middlesex at Wantage Road.

Resuming on 128-3 they were quickly all out for 256 as veteran spinner Shaun Udal destroyed the lower order with his first five-wicket haul of the season.

Udal opted not to enforce the follow-on and Andrew Strauss added to his first innings 172 with 76 from 75 balls.

Set 461, Northants lost Stephen Peters for two, caught low at slip, but Rob White hit two sixes in an unbeaten 55.

Udal removed Mark Nelson in his first over and superb figures of 5-36 were his best in Middlesex colours.

Steven Crook departed for 22 after bottom-edging the 39-year-old's delivery onto his middle stump, then Northants skipper Nicky Boje followed for 32 after chipping straight to Steve Finn at mid-on.

Monty Panesar gave Owais Shah an easy chance in the covers to end the innings.

Strauss hit nine fours in a fine opening stand with Billy Godleman before falling just after tea, and despite White's counter attack, Northants have much to do to record their first victory since July.