Skipper Northeast’s praise for ‘fantastic’ Joe Weatherley after Hampshire’s Bob Willis Trophy win at Middlesex

The 23-year-old scored 162 runs across his two innings in the game, facing 404 balls and batting for nine hours and 19 minutes on some of the hottest days of the year.

His 98 in the first innings was his second highest first class score in 35 matches, while his unbeaten 64 in the second was his sixth highest (in 58 innings).

Overall, Weatherley compiled more runs in the game than Felix Organ, Tom Alsop, Northeast, Ian Holland and Harry Came - all recognised batsmen - did between them in 10 visits to the crease.

Those five made just 142 runs between them, with Northeast’s first innings 51 Hampshire’s only other half-century of the game.

‘It was a hard-fought four days and I think we just about deserved it in the end,’ said Northeast after the three-wicket win.

“The team talk was to get through that first half hour and go from there.’

Hampshire failed to do that, with Northeast himself falling to just the second delivery of the final day.

‘It didn’t quite go to plan and at one stage Middlesex were on top and favourites to win,’ he added, ‘but it was a fantastic partnership from Weathers and Barks to get us over the line.

‘Joe Weatherley’s played two fantastic innings and he’s really showing his potential for the future for Hampshire, which is great.

‘Barks, with his little cameo at the end, was just what was needed to release a little bit of pressure.’

‘You sort of forget the first three days when it comes down to tight moments like that.

‘We’ve obviously lost two key members of our side during the game as well and it wasn’t easy, but I’m very pleased to get the win.’

Hampshire were certainly pleased to see the experienced figure of Barker walking to the crease.

The 34-year-old is no mug with the bat, and has six first class centuries - including three scored while batting at No 9 - and 17 half-centuries to his name.

Indeed, he entered the game with a better first class batting average (28.09) than Weatherley (25.00).

When he reached 10 in the second innings, he passed the 4,000 first class run milestone - following on from celebrating his 400th first class wicket in the Willis Trophy opener against Sussex at Hove.

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Middlesex captain Stephen Eskinazi was left to reflect on the key moments that cost his side the chance of a second successive Division 1 scalp.

His side - who were due to play Division 2 Championship cricket this summer - had entered the game having already beaten Surrey at The Oval.

‘We’ll look back on periods, namely when they were about 30-3 in their first innings and we dropped a couple of chances and could have bowled them out for about 150,’ he reflected.

‘Then when we were over 100-2 (Middlesex were 124-2 in the second innings but were dismissed for 201) we had the game by the scruff of the neck and couldn’t quite hammer home the advantage.

‘The bowlers did a great job getting us back into the game, but hats off to Joe Weatherley and Keith Barker for coming out and playing the way they did.

‘Sides bat deep, we know that, but we knew we had the bowling attack – they’ve done it for us on countless occasions and we thought, on that wicket, we had enough runs.

‘The difference in this game is, if one bloke goes on (with the bat), then we’re putting the game to bed.

‘I can’t fault the lads’ effort over the four days. We played some good cricket but we probably didn’t deserve to win this game.’