Anti-climax for Middlesex as Worcestershire force draw

Middlesex, who held a permanent place in the top three in the Second Division until the end of August, finished their season in a fifth match without a victory.

Their promotion hopes were extinguished on the last morning by Warwickshire's triumph at Derby and even a consolation win was put of reach when Worcestershire settled for a draw at New Road.

Middlesex did their best to manufacture a positive finish. Ed Joyce made an unbeaten 108 from only 112 balls as they stacked 216 on top of their overnight total of 152 for 2.

Dublin-born Joyce, who scored a maiden century against Warwickshire last month, hit three sixes and 17 fours and shared in an unbroken stand of 137 with fellow left-hander Paul Weekes before the declaration at 368 for 4.

Middlesex lost only two wickets during their high-tempo accumulation for 145 minutes. Andrew Strauss was bowled by Alamgir Sheriyar for 83 - the paceman's 71st wicket of the summer - and Stephen Fleming (55) lost his off stump to Matt Rawnsley.

Worcestershire were set to score 284 in a minimum of 48 overs and the rate proved to be too high as wickets began to fall.

Anurag Singh edged Chad Keegan to wicketkeeper David Nash - a repeat of his first innings dismissal - and Andy Bichel's promotion to Number three brought four boundaries before he was bowled by Phil Tufnell.

Phillip Weston (35) was another caught-behind victim for Keegan and the last dart at an unlikely win ended when Tufnell bowled Vikram Solanki for 24.

Graeme Hick then played out time with an unbeaten 59 against some occasional bowling and Worcestershire closed on 179 for 4 at 5pm.