Watch: Umesh Yadav nicks off three batters in probing, match-winning spell on Essex County Championship debut

Watch: Umesh Yadav bowled a probing spell of eight overs, getting three batters to nick off behind the wicket during Essex‘s win against Middlesex in Division One of the 2023 County Championship.

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Umesh had a successful first outing for Essex after being signed up to play three County Championship games for them this season. Against his former team Middlesex, he picked up three wickets in the second innings to take Essex to a massive 297-run victory.

Batting first after winning the toss, Essex scored 304 after openers Nick Browne and Alastair Cook scored fifties as Joshua de Caires registered career-best figures of 8-106. In response, Middlesex were bundled out for 179 thanks to a six-for by Jamie Porter. Umesh bowled nine overs for 27 runs in the first innings but didn’t get a wicket.

Cook then scored another half-century and Matt Critchley made a run-a-ball 65. Essex declared at 319-7, giving Middlesex a target of 445.

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The chase never got going for Middlesex as they lost two wickets inside 11 overs. Umesh came on to bowl in the 12th over and was extremely tight with his line and length. He got Jack Davies caught at first slip in his second over, and Mark Stoneman caught at third slip in his fourth.

After four overs, Umesh’s figures read 4-1-3-2. He went on to bowl four more overs in his first spell and accounted for Max Holden as well, getting him to edge behind to the wicketkeeper for his third wicket of the innings.

Middlesex eventually folded for 147 with just under ten minutes left for Stumps on the last day. Simon Harmer took five wickets, while Umesh finished with 3-32 off his 12 overs.