Ryan Higgins ends 20-month century drought in Middlesex win over Durham 2026

Ryan Higgins scored 131 as Middlesex piled up 430 against Durham at Lord's in the 2026 County Championship Division Two.

Higgins ends century drought Ryan Higgins ended a 20-month wait for a first-class century, smashing 131 against Durham at Lord's on the second day of their County Championship Division Two clash. The all-rounder's last three-figure score came on August 31, 2024, but he laid to rest that barren run with a determined innings. Higgins shared a crucial seventh-wicket partnership of 125 runs with Zafar Gohar, who also contributed a vital 56. Ben Raine responded with a five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5-58 as Middlesex were dismissed for 430. ## Middlesex build total with late surge Middlesex resumed their second innings at 272-6 and Higgins immediately seized control, using the hook shot effectively against Matthew Potts. Zafar Gohar started slowly, needing 30 deliveries to reach his first three runs, before surviving a dropped chance at second slip off David Bedingham. Freed from pressure, Gohar launched into the attack, striking short balls from Kasey Aldridge and Luke Robinson into the Grandstand. Higgins, troubled by early-season form issues, carefully navigated the nineties before gliding a cover drive through the covers to reach his century. ## Gohar joins century club Zafar Gohar reached his half-century shortly after lunch with a powerful straight drive, but his stay at the crease was brief. Ben Raine accounted for him by rattling the stumps as Gohar swung across the line. Higgins followed soon after, his marathon effort ending when Raine completed a five-wicket haul, assisted by a sharp slip catch from Aldridge. The innings concluded with Luke Robinson claiming his maiden first-class wicket, trapping Toby Roland-Jones lbw for a duck. ## Durham stutter in reply Ryan Higgins quickly made an impact with the ball, trapping Alex Lees lbw as Durham began their chase. That breakthrough brought Emilio Gay to the crease, and the left-hander picked up where he left off from his recent outing against Lancashire. Gay drove and cut confidently from the outset, surviving a crucial reprieve when Sebastian Morgan edged the ball, only for Sam Robson to spill the catch at slip. Once settled, Gay accelerated to fifty in just 46 balls, while Ben McKinney provided steady support in a century stand. ## Gay and McKinney extend Durham push Emilio Gay's fluent strokeplay included a six off Gohar as he continued to pile pressure on Middlesex. His eighth boundary of the innings brought him to the half-century mark, with McKinney offering a reliable presence at the other end. The partnership blossomed as Gay's aggression contrasted with McKinney's measured accumulation. The day ended with Gay lifting Gohar for another maximum amid deteriorating light and rain, leaving 17 overs unbowled as bad light halted proceedings. ## Raine and Aldridge star for Durham Ben Raine delivered a masterclass with the ball, taking five wickets in the Middlesex innings to finish with 5-58, his 18th five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. His nagging accuracy kept the pressure on, and he was rewarded with key breakthroughs at critical moments. Kasey Aldridge also made a telling contribution with a stunning low catch at slip to dismiss Higgins. The bowling display ensured Durham had a mountain to climb after Middlesex's imposing total.