NEVER under-estimate the power of a grievance when it comes to cricketing motivation.

Few things are more effective in honing the edge of a player's performance and James Ormond, a surprise omission from the England 'A' squad to tour Zimbabwe and South Africa this winter, expressed his displeasure with a career-best four for 12, including the wicket of selector Mike Gatting, as Leicestershire won by 160 runs to add to a growing list of feeble Middlesex capitulations this summer.

With a place in the First Division of next season's new National League within reach, there was no lack of incentive for Middlesex, but a look of resignation was evident well before a hat-trick from seamer Jon Dakin hurried them out for 62, by 15 runs the lowest score in the competition this season.

Dakin's hat-trick was the county's first in the 40-over competition since Graham McKenzie performed the feat against Essex in 1972 and gave Leicestershire victory with 17.2 overs to spare to make their place in the top flight secure.

Middlesex's confidence can be nothing but brittle after a season of under-achievement and it was in shreds when Keith Brown perished to the first ball of their innings, run out by a direct hit at the bowler's end from Vince Wells in pursuit of a scampered single.

Ormond found a spot of extra bounce to remove Andy Strauss, Owais Shah swatted to cover, Mark Ramprakash picked up carelessly to long-leg and Middlesex were in head-long flight when Ormond summoned full pace to beat Gatting's forward defence.

Keith Dutch sliced Dominic Williamson over point for six but otherwise resistance was no more than token. Dakin then had Jamie Hewitt held at second slip and produced straight balls of full length to account for Angus Fraser and Phil Tufnell.

Leicestershire, put in on a pitch which did nothing extreme, were best served by Vince Wells' 77 off 99 balls, including a six and three fours.