More Royal London One-Day Cup disappointment for Franklin’s men

Middlesex suffered more Royal London One-Day Cup disappointment after a 46-run defeat against Kent at Canterbury.

With only one win from their first four South Group matches, Middlesex dismissed the hosts for just 200 thanks to a solid display from their attack.

But they lost wickets at regular intervals in reply and Joe Denly proved the unlikely hero for Kent, claiming three wickets with his part-time leg-spin to help seal victory.

Middlesex captain James Franklin put the home side into bat after winning the toss and saw Toby Roland-Jones strike with the second ball of the match to dismiss Daniel Bell-Drummond.

The second wicket stand reached 52 when Denly pulled a short ball to Adam Voges, who put down Sam Northeast at slip and saw the Kent batsman go on to make 55 before sweeping Ravi Patel to John Simpson.

Franklin (2-26) and Patel (2-42) had further success to leave Kent 129-6, before a dogged stand for the seventh wicket.

Dawid Malan ended the resistance as his first ball, a full toss, was hit by Wayne Parnell to Tom Helm in the deep and Helm (2-26) bagged a late brace thanks to a stunning diving catch from Voges and a regular take by Simpson.

Roland-Jones (3-35) returned to wrap up the innings four overs early, but Middlesex lost Malan in the third over, nicking to slip, and Nick Gubbins soon after, trapped lbw by South African left-armer Parnell.

Voges and Nick Compton put on 47, before Darren Stevens took a superb return catch to dismiss the Australian and make it 49-3.

Simpson was then run out by a direct hit from substitute fielder Will Gidman and Compton fell for 37, off 85 balls, to leave Middlesex 101-5.

Denly (3-20) then dismissed Ryan Higgins and Roland-Jones in successive overs and took a leaping one-handed catch to send Franklin packinng for 33.

And after James Fuller skied one to Northeast, Parnell (3-33) took a reflex caught and bowled to get rid of Patel and close the match out.

Middlesex return to action on Wednesday when they host Glamorgan at Radlett.