LONDON — Max Holden delivered a masterclass in batting as he struck an unbeaten century to guide Middlesex to a dominant 319-1 on the opening day of their County Championship clash against Northamptonshire at Lord’s. The left-hander’s composed 128* anchored the innings, ensuring Middlesex seized control early in the Division Two fixture.
Holden’s innings, spanning 211 balls and featuring 16 boundaries, was a blend of patience and precision. He shared a mammoth 246-run partnership with opener Mark Stoneman, who fell agonizingly short of his own century, dismissed for 96. "It’s always special to score a hundred at Lord’s," Holden said after stumps. "The pitch was good for batting, and we wanted to make the most of it."
A Day of Dominance for Middlesex
From the outset, Middlesex’s openers capitalized on a placid surface, with Holden and Stoneman negating Northamptonshire’s attack with ease. The visitors, missing key seamer Ben Sanderson due to injury, struggled for breakthroughs as the pair piled on the runs. Holden’s ability to rotate strike and punish loose deliveries kept the scoreboard ticking over relentlessly.
Stoneman, playing his first Championship game of the season, looked in sublime touch before edging behind off seamer Liam Patterson-White. His dismissal at 246-1 brought little respite for Northants, as Holden and new batsman Stevie Eskinazi (45*) continued the onslaught.
Key Moments of the Day
- Holden reached his 50 off 89 balls, accelerating thereafter.
- Stoneman’s 96 included 14 fours, his highest score of the season.
- Northamptonshire’s bowlers conceded just 2.8 runs per over but lacked penetration.
- Eskinazi’s aggressive 45* off 58 balls ensured Middlesex ended the day firmly on top.
Holden’s Redemption Arc
For Holden, this innings marked a significant milestone in his career. After a lean patch in 2023, where he averaged just 28.50 in the Championship, the 26-year-old has worked tirelessly on his technique. "I’ve put in a lot of work over the winter, and it’s nice to see it pay off," he said. His ability to leave the ball outside off-stump and capitalize on scoring opportunities was particularly impressive.
Northamptonshire’s skipper, Luke Procter, admitted his side had been outplayed. "Credit to Max and Stoneman—they batted superbly. We didn’t bowl badly, but we just couldn’t create enough chances." The visitors’ lone bright spot was Patterson-White’s late wicket, but with the pitch expected to remain flat, their bowlers face an uphill battle.
What Lies Ahead
With Middlesex well-placed at 319-1, the focus now shifts to how big a first-innings total they can post. A declaration around 500 could give their bowlers enough time to exploit any wear on the pitch. For Northamptonshire, early wickets on Day 2 are crucial to prevent the hosts from running away with the game.
Holden, meanwhile, will aim to convert his century into a career-best score. His previous highest first-class score is 153, and with Eskinazi looking settled, Middlesex could be eyeing a mammoth total. "We’ll reassess in the morning, but the plan is to bat as long as possible," Holden added.
Conclusion
Max Holden’s unbeaten century has put Middlesex in a commanding position against Northamptonshire. His partnership with Stoneman laid the foundation, and with Eskinazi also among the runs, the hosts are well on their way to a formidable total. Northamptonshire’s bowlers will need a monumental effort on Day 2 to wrestle back control.
As the sun set on a near-perfect day for Middlesex, Holden’s name echoed around Lord’s—a fitting reward for a batsman who has rediscovered his best form at just the right time.