Maddy makes his mark

Darren Maddy took control for Warwickshire with four wickets © Getty Images

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Warwickshire captain Darren Maddy led impressively from the front against Middlesex at Edgbaston as problems mounted for his team.

With his seam-bowling department badly affected by injury, Maddy took responsibility himself and seized a four-wicket haul to peg the visitors back.

Middlesex squandered the strong foundation of 110 for one to close on 285 for nine on day one of the LV County Championship Division Two clash having chosen to bat.

Maddy had watched in dismay as overseas paceman Monde Zondeki pulled up with a groin injury after delivering only 13 balls.

The centrally-contacted South African limped off the field and, immediately booked in for a hospital scan, could well have bowled his last ball for Warwickshire.

Warwickshire were still digesting that blow when news arrived their other overseas signing for this summer, Sanath Jayasuriya, had withdrawn from his contract for the Twenty20.

Captain Ed Smith during his 85 for Middlesex against Warks

The Sri Lankan has done a U-turn on his decision to retire from international cricket so will represent his country in the Asia Cup in Pakistan during the English Twenty20 season.

Bottom-of-the-table Middlesex sensed a chance to kick-start their season when, after Billy Godleman edged Naqaash Tahir to wicketkeeper Tony Frost, second-wicket pair Ed Smith and Owais Shah added 94 in 36 overs.

They adopted a patient approach, only to both throw away their good work.

Maddy's first ball was a long hop that Shah, after scoring 36 from 101 balls, pulled straight to Ian Westwood at mid-wicket.

If Shah returned to the pavilion cursing himself, Smith did so even more loudly. The captain reached 85 but then slapped another short ball from Maddy to Ant Botha at point.

Maddy removed Eoin Morgan lbw and when Vernon Philander clipped a half-volley to Jimmy Anyon at mid-wicket, Middlesex had lost four wickets for 54 runs and were 164 for five.

Maddy's spell of 12 overs had yielded four wickets for only 20 runs.

Ed Joyce, whose last championship appearance at Edgbaston brought him a career-best 211 two years ago, set down roots again.

He took 22 balls to score a run but reached a half-century from 95 balls with six fours.
However, he then became part of another clatter of wickets. Ben Scott ran himself out, beaten by yards by Westwood's throw.

With the new ball, Anyon plucked out Tim Murtagh's middle stump then, two balls later, ousted Joyce for 60, caught by Jon Trott at second slip.

Some meaty blows from Shaun Udal (40) stiffened the tail but Trott induced a fateful edge from Dirk Nannes.