Six wickets and a ton for Middleton for Gloucestershire 2nd XI in innings win over Essex

Ed Middldton - six wickets and a hundred for Gloucestershire 2nd XI against Essex

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

ED Middleton has had his best game yet for Gloucestershire 2nd XI with six wickets in the match and century to speed the county to an innings win over Essex.

Gloucestershire have been having a good look at Middleton over the past few weeks in their search for a leg-spinner to expand their bowling options.

Middleton was in the side to face Essex at Colchester in a four-day Second Eleven Championship game this week and made an undefeated 111 in Gloucestershire’s whopping total if 606 for seven declared.

Middleton, batting down the order at number nine, shared in an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 294 with Cornwall’s Joe Phillips. He made 250 not out! Phillips and Middleton were on opposing sides when Devon defeated Cornwall by 20 runs at Sidmouth last month in the National Counties Cup.

Middleton took three wickets for 62 run as Essex were bowled out for 237 in their first innings and were obliged to follow-on.

Second time round Middleton took three for 61 as Essex were dismissed for 274, which have Gloucestershire victory by an innings and 95 runs with a day to spare.

Middleton said the game against Essex could not have gone much better for him.

“It was nice to get a ton and show what I can do with the bat and put the team in a strong position,” said Middleton, who is back with Devon tomorrow (Sunday) for the National Counties Cup quarter-final against Dorset at North Perrott.

“We bowled and fielded well as a unit and I was able to get some good spin and bounce to take the wickets.

“And it was pleasing to get a good win inside three days.”

Middleton, who went through youth cricket with Clyst St George and the Devon age-group sides, has been a member of the county’s one and three-day squads since 2018.

After four seasons with Exeter in the Tolchards DCL Premier Division, Middleton switched to WEPL side Taunton Deane this season, hoping to catch the eye of First Class counties.

He already had a five-wicket match for Gloucestershire under his belt in a defeat by Surrey 2nd XI last month.

Somerset have also has a look at Middleton in the T20 format of the game, which suggests First Class counties are taking notice of him.