Seamer Prashanth Srinivas stepped up to Highgate’s senior side in sensational fashion with a seven-wicket haul against MTSSC to keep them on course for a record points tally.

The second XI bowler was drafted in for the first time this season – and responded with figures of 7-15 as the newly-crowned Division Three champions brushed their hosts aside by nine wickets.

“With a couple of guys away, I was hopeful of getting a chance to show what I could do and I felt confident after a decent season in the second XI,” said Srinivas.

“The wicket was ideal for my type of bowling and I was thrilled to get a big haul and contribute to another good win for the team.”

Srinivas was backed up by Hashen Ramanayake, who finished with 3-31 in 14 overs, as the Tamils – who were put in to bat – collapsed to 50-7.

They recovered to reach three figures before a superb one-handed catch by Scott Thaxton at deep backward square removed home captain Abdul Hamza and Highgate quickly wrapped up the innings at 104 in the 44th over.

Chris Arul and Jake Sharland made short work of their task, sharing a century partnership to take Highgate within reach of the target.

Arul completed his sixth half-century of the season before he was caught for 51, while Sharland finished on 43 not out as his side clinched victory in the 30th over.

The result kept alive Highgate’s hopes of becoming the first Middlesex County League side to reach 150 points in a season – although they will need to beat runners-up Barnes this weekend to achieve that feat.