Geddes’ Hundred and Sharma’s Burst Puts Middlesex in Command as Leaders Leicestershire Collapse
Middlesex turned the tables on Division Two leaders Leicestershire at the Uptonsteel County Ground, posting a mammoth 534 before reducing the hosts to a shocking 108 for 8 at stumps on day two. Ben Geddes’ career-best 137 laid the foundation, while teenage sensation Naavya Sharma’s devastating spell of 4 for 24 left the promotion favorites in deep trouble.
The 23-year-old Geddes, who switched from Surrey to Middlesex over the winter, made Leicestershire pay dearly for dropping him on just 11. His patient knock, featuring nine boundaries, came from 167 deliveries and marked his first century for his new county. The left-hander’s innings proved crucial as Middlesex posted their highest total of the summer.
Young Sharma Shows the Way
What followed was pure theatre. The 19-year-old Sharma, playing only his third first-class match, produced a spell that veteran bowlers would envy. In just 11 deliveries, he claimed four wickets without conceding a run, turning what seemed like a routine chase into a nightmare for Leicestershire.
The England Under-19 quick found movement with the much-criticized Kookaburra ball that had eluded others all day. His victims included Australian Test batter Peter Handscomb, who edged behind, and Ben Cox, trapped leg before wicket. Tom Helm supported brilliantly from the other end, claiming two wickets in consecutive deliveries.
Leicestershire’s Uncharacteristic Collapse
The home side’s troubles began early when Sol Budinger fell leg before to Noah Cornwell for 10. Things worsened when Liam Trevaskis, promoted to number three due to Rehan Ahmed’s injury, edged to slip for just 3. Opener Rishi Patel battled hard for his half-century but watched helplessly as wickets tumbled around him.
From a relatively stable 39 for 1, Leicestershire crumbled to 99 for 8 in a stunning collapse. The promotion favorites, unbeaten this season until now, suddenly face an uphill battle to avoid their first defeat. With their attack already depleted by injuries to key bowlers, including Tom Scriven and Ben Mike, this batting failure couldn’t have come at a worse time.
For Middlesex, sitting second from bottom in the table, this performance offers hope of a crucial victory. Sam Robson’s first-innings 133 had set the tone on day one, and with Leicestershire still trailing by 426 runs, the visitors are firmly in control heading into day three.
