Middlesex secured their first Division One win since 2017 in dramatic fashion on the final day at Lord’s after Nottinghamshire’s charitable declaration gave them a late sniff at victory having been outplayed for much of the first three and a half days.

Rain prevented any action for the majority of the final day and at the resumption of play, Notts captain Steven Mullaney declared with his side 158-6 in the second innings, leading by 248 with 40 overs remaining in the game. Middlesex, who had been second best for the majority of the tie were offered a route to victory, needing 6.23 runs per over with the boundary on the Grand Stand side of the ground particularly short and therefore difficult to defend.

Middlesex, who lost both their opening games of the season, attacked from the get go with a rejigged batting order with regular opener Sam Robson demoted to the middle order with captain Stevie Eskinazi taking up his spot up top. Every Middlesex batter – with the exception of Robson who batted at eight – struck at over 85 as Middlesex successfully chased down their target with an over to spare in fading light.

The victory was sealed off the last ball of the penultimate over with Robson scrambling home after a mix up with his partner Ryan Higgins that involved a missed opportunity for a run out by Lyndon James at the non-striker’s end.

You can watch the dramatic final ball of the game below:

Middlesex beat Nottinghamshire by four wickets at Lord’s!

Ryan Higgins and Sam Robson complete an excellent chase to give Middlesex their first #LVCountyChamp win of the season! pic.twitter.com/Ub2sWTHKYy

— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) April 23, 2023