Duke's Record-Breaking Day Leads Yorkshire to Dominant Win Over Middlesex

Yorkshire wicketkeeper Harry Duke set a new List A record for the county with six catches as Yorkshire cruised to a commanding seven-wicket win over Middlesex in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at Radlett.

Duke’s sharp glovework was instrumental in dismantling the Middlesex batting lineup, three of his six dismissals coming off the bowling of Matt Milnes, who starred with figures of 4 for 29. Ben Coad laid the early groundwork, ripping through the top order with a relentless spell of 3 for 26.

Put into bat after winning the toss, Middlesex never recovered from a dramatic collapse that saw them slump to 5 for 3. Jack White struck in the opening over, removing Josh de Caires with a delivery that reared off the pitch and cannoned back onto the stumps. Coad followed up with key wickets of Joe Cracknell and Ben Geddes, both caught, as the hosts struggled to adapt to a surface offering variable bounce.

Sam Robson (28) attempted to stabilise the innings, forming a brief 38-run partnership with Jack Davies before both fell in quick succession, triggering another collapse. Despite late resistance from Noah Cornwell, who top-scored with a career-best unbeaten 28, Middlesex were bowled out for just 129 in 31 overs – the lowest ever List A total recorded at Radlett.

Yorkshire chased down the target with ease, reaching 130 for 3 in just 27 overs. Imam-ul-Haq continued his superb form with a composed 53* off 66 balls, marking his fourth consecutive half-century in the competition. He anchored the innings after Yorkshire were briefly unsettled by a burst of three wickets from Henry Brookes (3 for 17).

Adam Lyth got the chase off to a fluent start, striking 39 before falling to a sharp catch at gully. But Imam, partnered by Duke, steadied the innings. Duke followed up his record-breaking performance behind the stumps with a confident 28*, guiding Yorkshire home with an unbroken 63-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

With this win, Yorkshire further cemented their position at the top of Group B, while Middlesex were left to rue a missed opportunity in a crucial clash between two sides level on points at the start of the day.

Match Summary:

Middlesex 129 all out in 31 overs (Cornwell 28*, Robson 28; Milnes 4-29, Coad 3-26)
Yorkshire 130 for 3 in 27 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 53*, Duke 28*; Brookes 3-17)

Yorkshire won by 7 wickets