SECOND team coach Richard Scott will take charge at Middlesex for the rest of the season following the departure of Toby Radford. Radford, who left the club last week after nearly two years as first team coach, felt his role ha

COUNTY CRICEKT BY BEN KOSKY

SECOND team coach Richard Scott will take charge at Middlesex for the rest of the season following the departure of Toby Radford.

Radford, who left the club last week after nearly two years as first team coach, felt his role had been marginalised since the arrival of Angus Fraser as director of cricket.

In a statement, Radford - who coached both the Academy and second team before replacing Richard Pybus in 2007 - said: "I asked to leave because this season's role has been very different from what it was last year.

"I very much enjoyed my five years' coaching at the club, and will miss many of the staff and players with whom I have worked during that time. I wish Middlesex and the players every success."

Scott, the former Hampshire batsman who has coached the second team since the beginning of last year, was placed in temporary charge for last week's County Championship match at Derby while Radford informed Fraser of his decision.

A Middlesex spokesman confirmed that Scott would also be a candidate to replace Radford permanently when the coach's job is advertised at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, Middlesex remain bottom of Division Two despite a decent showing in their rain-affected draw against Derbyshire.

Not a ball was bowled on the first day due to the weather, but Tim Murtagh soon made up for lost time with career-best figures of 7-82 as the home side were bowled out for 247.

Middlesex lost wickets steadily in reply and were indebted to a superb knock of 129 not out from Owais Shah, with Alan Richardson hammering a quick 18 at the end as they declared on 226-9.

Murtagh finished wicketless second time around, but Shaun Udal and Steven Finn claimed three wickets apiece before Derbyshire, with half-centuries from Chris Rogers and Wayne Madsen, rattled up 258-7 declared.

That left Middlesex to chase 280 in just over half a day and they started well, with Nick Compton and Sam Robson putting together an opening stand of 86 before the latter was run out for 29.

Compton (62 not out) and Owais Shah (23no) took the score along to 124-1, but bad light halted play at the end of the 24th over and the sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Middlesex begin their next four-day game, against Northamptonshire, at Lord's tomorrow.