Middlesex continued their dominant performance on day two of their County Championship match against Leicestershire at the Uptonsteel County Ground, thanks to stellar performances from Ben Geddes and Naavya Sharma.

Geddes' Career-Best Innings

Ben Geddes, 23, showcased his batting prowess with a career-best score of 137. After being dropped on 11 on the first evening, Geddes made the most of his opportunity, hitting two sixes and 11 fours in his innings. His partnership with Sam Robson, who scored 133 on day one, was crucial in helping Middlesex amass a formidable total of 534.

Sharma's Bowling Masterclass

Naavya Sharma, the 19-year-old England Under-19 right-arm quick, made a significant impact with the ball. Playing in only his third first-class match, Sharma took four wickets in just 11 balls, leaving Leicestershire in disarray. His spell included the dismissals of key batsmen, including Peter Handscomb and Ben Cox, as Leicestershire slumped to 88-6.

Leicestershire's Struggle

Despite a half-century from opener Rishi Patel, Leicestershire struggled to build partnerships. Tom Helm also contributed with two wickets, further denting the home side's chances. By the end of the day, Leicestershire were reeling at 103-8, still trailing by a massive margin.

Key Moments

• Ben Geddes completed his century from 167 balls, pulling Sam Wood for his ninth four.
• Naavya Sharma's devastating spell yielded four wickets in 11 balls without conceding a run.
• Tom Helm bowled Rishi Patel and had Logan van Beek caught behind from consecutive deliveries.

Conclusion

Middlesex's commanding performance has put them in a strong position to secure a victory in this County Championship match. With both bat and ball, they have outclassed Leicestershire, who will need a monumental effort to turn things around.

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