Last men standing defy Middlesex

Anthony Ireland saw off 91 balls for his 16 not out to salvage an epic draw

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Gloucestershire’s 10th-wicket pair of Anthony Ireland and Ian Saxelby defied Middlesex for 22 overs to earn an unlikely LV County Championship draw at Bristol.

It looked all over for the home side when they slumped to 147-9 chasing 324 to win. But Ireland survived 91 balls and 19-year-old trialist Saxelby 67 of his own in a nail-biting finish.

Gloucestershire were 174 for nine when stumps were drawn at 6.10pm and took six points. Middlesex claimed 10, but ultimately paid for batting too slowly on the third evening.

They made only 86 for two off 36 overs in that session when building on a lead of 111. Quicker progress would have meant an earlier declaration on the final day.

The visitors eventually closed their second innings at 12.25pm on 212 for four with Ed Joyce 86 not out and Owais Shah contributing 65. The pair added 90 in 14 overs before Shah was caught behind trying to run a ball from Jon Lewis down to third man.

Shah faced 92 balls and hit a six and seven fours. First innings centurion Eoin Morgan fell for a duck, but Joyce profited from being dropped on 77 and was unbeaten at the declaration, having also hit seven fours in his 141-ball innings.

Gloucestershire were left 324 to win in a minimum of 72 overs. The Middlesex seamers ensured that was never likely with Tim Murtagh returning three for 33, Alan Richardson 3-34 and Steve Finn 2-27.

Gloucestershire’s hopes of avoiding defeat suffered a blow before lunch when Will Porterfield was pinned lbw by Richardson for five. It was 20 for one at the interval and the afternoon session brought the wickets of Hamish Marshall, Kadeer Ali, Marcus North and Chris Taylor for the addition of 89 runs.

Murtagh claimed three of those wickets and when Alex Gidman fell lbw to Finn, playing across the line with the total 115 for six.

Lewis was caught behind fending at Richardson and first innings hero Steve Snell edged a leg side catch to wicketkeeper Ben Scott. Both were acrobatic efforts from the gloveman, diving first to his right and then to his left.

The biggest threat to the visitors appeared to come from the failing light as the final hour approached. Umpires Vanburn Holder and Mike Harris consulted at 147 for eight and Middlesex captain Joyce was forced to turn to his slow bowlers.

Murali Kartik quickly had Steve Kirby caught by Scott. But Saxelby and Ireland proved much more stubborn, holding out against pace and spin as the skies brightened in a courageous and determined effort.