The final match report of the year for the final CB40 group match of the year as Middlesex take on Sussex at Lord's on the August Bank Holiday. The battle of the top two in the group with only the group winner to qualify for the final, which would be Sussex unless Middlesex utterly destroyed them.
Sussex won the toss and batted and Ed Joyce and Chris Nash then proceeded to hammer along against an attack with some key players rested. Anthony Ireland went for 23 in his first two overs as Sussex reached 47 after 6 overs with Toby Roland-Jones and the lesser spotted Robbie Williams stemming the tide only slightly although the bowling powerplay only went for 21, Nash swinging Williams for 6 in the process and reaching 50 off 38 balls whilst Joyce played more carefully as they had added 90 in 14 overs when Nash went for one shot too many off Jamie Dalrymple and was bowled for 57. Lou Vincent came in and he and Joyce scored steadily as the total pushed along. Joyce passed 50 off 64 before swinging one from Dawid Malan to Sam Robson at long on for 54, 149-2 after 25.
Middlesex needed more wickets to stop Sussex posting 270+ and Murray Goodwin started quickly, only to top edge a ball that rolled onto his stumps from the economical Tom Smith (8-0-22-1) for 18, 178-3. Next over Vincent holed out off Dalrymple to Williams for 42 when he looked ready to up the run rate, 184-4. Captain Mike yardy and Joe Gatting then added 38 in the batting powerplay and 14 off the last two overs even though Gatting was caught by Scott Newman at midwicket off Roland-Jones for 26 o ff the penultimate ball. Sussex finished 239-5 leaving Middlesex a chase that they would feel they had a chance with. Dalrymple was the best bowler, with 2-41.
Malan and Robson opened the batting and they made steady progress, going along at five an over against Amjad Khan and Chris Liddle, reaching 43 after 8 overs. Crunching fours were mixed with smart play as both batsmen showed off a bit, Robson late cutting one over the slips for 4 and Malan smacking a big six off Monty Panesar. Sussex's day was summed up when Khan on the boundary let one through his legs for 4. The 100 partnership came up after 16 overs. Malan reached 50 off 48 balls and Robson off 53 balls. Middlesex weren't blasting it, but were edging nearer the target without losing wickets. Malan also passed 500 runs for the tournament. 153-0 after 25 overs and a crack at the first wicket record looked on as Malan, looking for his 2nd hundred of the year, edged Wayne Parnell to Ben Brown to fall for 84 (off 84!). Next over, Robson's maiden List A 50 ended when he was bowled by Yardy for 65, 157-2.
Paul Stirling and Chris Rogers then endured a tough few overs, Rogers almost being bowled before they cut loose and flayed the bowling around, Stirling hitting Panesar for another huge six into the Mound Stand in the 29th over. Yardy then bought back Parnell for the 33rd over, which promptly disappeared for 19, Stirling effortlessly flicking the ball into the Mound Stand again before Rogers walloped one to the vacant midwicket area. 213-2 and Middlesex were almost there with Nash and Gatting on to bowl, Sussex weren't expecting to win now. Nash did have Rogers LBW for 37, a partnership of 72 off 57, 229-3. Bit this didn't stop Stirling, who hit Gatting into the Mound Stand again, before driving a single off Nash to finish 46* off 29 and to win the match by 7 wickets with 17 balls left. The win, whilst impressive meant Sussex still qualified top with their superior net run rate but Middlesex could be happy to end this part of their season on a high before getting back to the important business of winning championship promotion.
Friday 14 October 2011
Sunday 9 October 2011
Losing The Plot
The final day of Kent vs Middlesex at Canterbury where Kent resumed 231 ahead on 292-6. Azhar Mahmood and James Tredwell were looking to add quick runs, only for Tredwell to edge Steve Finn to John Simpson for 10 from the 4th ball of the day, 293-7. Simpson then took a sharp diving catch in front of first slip from Finn's 7th ball to remove Adam Ball for nought and give Finn his fifth wicket. 295-8 and Middlesex might have avoided a 250+ chase, but for Matt Coles joining Mahmood in smiting Finn and Tim Murtagh for 25 for the ninth wicket when Coles nicked to Simpson, his fourth catch, off Murtagh for 15 , 320-9. Mahmood was nearing his first 100 of the year and he thumped Murtagh for his 2nd six to move into the 90s only for Riaz to be LBW to Murtagh for 2, 332 all out leaving Middlesex 272 to win off about 78 overs. Finn finished with 5-113, Murtagh 3-61 and Corey Collymore 2-31.
50 Minutes to go before lunch and Middlesex were hopeful of batting out the time without any incidents occuring, this was not to be the case. Scott Newman failed and had his off stump splattered by Coles for a duck, 4-1 in the 4th over. Chris Rogers joined Sam Robson and they looked to have batted out the session at 30-2 after 12, only for Darren Stevens to provide a miracle over again for Kent this season when he had Robson caught by Martin Van Jaarsveld at 2nd slip for 12 off the 2nd ball of the over. That signalled lunch but that wasn't the end of Stevens.
Dawid Malan joined Rogers after lunch and he swish at his first ball and was caught by keeper Geraint Jones for nought, meaning Stevens was the 3rd Kent bowler to be on a hat trick. Neil Dexter came in on a king pair and, as it later transpired, was batting with a broken finger. He blocked the hat trick only to edge the 5th ball of the over low to Van Jaarsveld at 2nd slip. Jamie Dalrymple then blocked the final ball of the over, a triple-wicket maiden, which left Middlesex 30-4 and looking very sunk unless a miracle occured. St Lawrence (for it is his ground we are at), the most likely to provide that miracle, didn't fancy it today as Rogers fell over a Stevens yorker for 26 five overs later to leave Middlesex 51-5 with 60 overs still remaining.
Finally some runs began to flow as Simpson and Dalrymple started to flay into the softening ball, Simpson pulling Coles for six towards our seats at square leg. Dalrymple then swiped Tredwell into the Nackington Road as the partnership reached 49 in 9 overs and just as it looked like they'd kick on when Simpson puched a Riaz outswinger to Jones to fall for 19, 100-6. Tom Smith then aided Dalrymple by blocking one end as JD proved there was nothing wrong with the pitch and that the bowlers weren't that brilliant as he reached 50 off 69 balls and the pair saw Middlesex through to tea despite Smith looking a bit clueless against Riaz. 144-6 and there was an outside chance that Middlesex could survive if Dalrymple really went for it and Smith & co didn't try anything clever.
Adam Ball was given the ball after tea by Rob Key and after 3 more overs of blocking, Smith then edged to Stevens at gully to fall for 7 off 73 balls leaving Middlesex 148-7. Murtagh can bat, just not today as Ball swung one late onto his off stump first ball, 148-8 the 5th golden duck of the match and Ball the 4th Kent bowler on a hat trick. Finn blocked out the over and carried on blocking as Dalrymple happily hammered the ball all round the wicket as the defensive field by Key gave him the chance to move in sight of his hundred. He hit Tredwell straight into the Frank Woolley stand and pulled and cut the short stuff from Stevens and Riaz. Finally he pulled one from Riaz through midwicket just wide of the man running round from deep square leg for 4 to bring up a fantastic hundred from 150 balls, his 2nd of the year, when all around him were failing.
The end was nigh, though, and Finn was unluckily bowled off after the ball rolled back onto his stumps from Tredwell for 4 off 40, 190-9 and only Collymore left with the last hour still to come. Dalrymple then hit Tredwell for his third and biggest six, swinging the ball high over the Frank Woolley stand at long-on to bring up the 200 as he went down all guns blazing. Tredwell then found some turn to clip Collymore's off stump for one as Middlesex were all out for 202 to lose by 69 runs, Dalrymple finishing 108 not out off 168 ball with 10 fours and 3 sixes.Kent took 20 points and Middlesex 6 though it wasn't such a blow for Middlesex as they remain 2nd after other results went in their favour.
50 Minutes to go before lunch and Middlesex were hopeful of batting out the time without any incidents occuring, this was not to be the case. Scott Newman failed and had his off stump splattered by Coles for a duck, 4-1 in the 4th over. Chris Rogers joined Sam Robson and they looked to have batted out the session at 30-2 after 12, only for Darren Stevens to provide a miracle over again for Kent this season when he had Robson caught by Martin Van Jaarsveld at 2nd slip for 12 off the 2nd ball of the over. That signalled lunch but that wasn't the end of Stevens.
Dawid Malan joined Rogers after lunch and he swish at his first ball and was caught by keeper Geraint Jones for nought, meaning Stevens was the 3rd Kent bowler to be on a hat trick. Neil Dexter came in on a king pair and, as it later transpired, was batting with a broken finger. He blocked the hat trick only to edge the 5th ball of the over low to Van Jaarsveld at 2nd slip. Jamie Dalrymple then blocked the final ball of the over, a triple-wicket maiden, which left Middlesex 30-4 and looking very sunk unless a miracle occured. St Lawrence (for it is his ground we are at), the most likely to provide that miracle, didn't fancy it today as Rogers fell over a Stevens yorker for 26 five overs later to leave Middlesex 51-5 with 60 overs still remaining.
Finally some runs began to flow as Simpson and Dalrymple started to flay into the softening ball, Simpson pulling Coles for six towards our seats at square leg. Dalrymple then swiped Tredwell into the Nackington Road as the partnership reached 49 in 9 overs and just as it looked like they'd kick on when Simpson puched a Riaz outswinger to Jones to fall for 19, 100-6. Tom Smith then aided Dalrymple by blocking one end as JD proved there was nothing wrong with the pitch and that the bowlers weren't that brilliant as he reached 50 off 69 balls and the pair saw Middlesex through to tea despite Smith looking a bit clueless against Riaz. 144-6 and there was an outside chance that Middlesex could survive if Dalrymple really went for it and Smith & co didn't try anything clever.
Adam Ball was given the ball after tea by Rob Key and after 3 more overs of blocking, Smith then edged to Stevens at gully to fall for 7 off 73 balls leaving Middlesex 148-7. Murtagh can bat, just not today as Ball swung one late onto his off stump first ball, 148-8 the 5th golden duck of the match and Ball the 4th Kent bowler on a hat trick. Finn blocked out the over and carried on blocking as Dalrymple happily hammered the ball all round the wicket as the defensive field by Key gave him the chance to move in sight of his hundred. He hit Tredwell straight into the Frank Woolley stand and pulled and cut the short stuff from Stevens and Riaz. Finally he pulled one from Riaz through midwicket just wide of the man running round from deep square leg for 4 to bring up a fantastic hundred from 150 balls, his 2nd of the year, when all around him were failing.
The end was nigh, though, and Finn was unluckily bowled off after the ball rolled back onto his stumps from Tredwell for 4 off 40, 190-9 and only Collymore left with the last hour still to come. Dalrymple then hit Tredwell for his third and biggest six, swinging the ball high over the Frank Woolley stand at long-on to bring up the 200 as he went down all guns blazing. Tredwell then found some turn to clip Collymore's off stump for one as Middlesex were all out for 202 to lose by 69 runs, Dalrymple finishing 108 not out off 168 ball with 10 fours and 3 sixes.Kent took 20 points and Middlesex 6 though it wasn't such a blow for Middlesex as they remain 2nd after other results went in their favour.
Wednesday 5 October 2011
On The Slide
3rd Day of Kent vs Middlesex at Canterbury and Middlesex resuming on 258-7 in their first innings, 16 ahead of Kent. Dawid Malan and Tim Murtagh carried from yesterday by repelling the Kent attack successfully for another 28 runs, bringing up the 50 partnership in the process before Murtagh top edged Darrren Stevens to keeper Geraint Jones for 20. Malan then fell four balls later edging Wahab Riaz to James Tredwell for 68. Steve Finn (6) then brought up the 300 then top edged to Rob Key to give Riaz a third wicket. 303 all out was a lead of 61 but the last 8 wickets had fallen for 99, not quite as bad as on Tuesday night though.
Kent saw their chance so got off to a quick start as Finn didn't make the instant impact Middlesex would have liked with the run rate at 5 an over for the first 6 overs. Corey Collymore, who bowled economically, then snared Key with an edge to John Simpson to depart for 16, 33-1. Northeast then hit a single off the next ball to keep the strike, and then sliced the first ball of Finn's next over to Sam Robson. Martin Van Jaarsveld and Joe Denly then saw off any further mishaps, being 50-2 off 12 at lunch, still 11 behind.
The pair then carried on after lunch with Van Jaarsveld hitting well off the back foot as they went past 50 for the 3rd wicket when Denly edged Finn to captain Neil Dexter at gully for 47, 88-3.
Van Jaarsveld looked at ease, dumping Tom Smith back over his head for six, as Middlesex's bowlers struggled to cause a collapse. Stevens eventually fell LBW to Collymore's inswinger for 16, 145-4. Van Jaarsveld then went to 50 off 93 balls as he and Jones went through to tea, 168-4 off 48, 107 ahead.
Murtagh bowled the first over after tea and sent Van Jaarsveld's off stump walking for 66 2nd ball. Jones and Azhar Mahmood then made Kent's total more imposing as they cruised along at nearly 4 an over as before Finn splattered Jones's off stump 5 short of 50. 261-6 and the lead at 200, more than Middlesex would have liked them to have got. Mahmood then went to 50 off 91 balls by thumping Tom Smith for 6 back over his head, just like Van Jaarsveld had done.
He (62*) and Tredwell (10*) batted through the last 15 minutes to close 292-6, 231 ahead and the game looking like it was going to be a good finish.
Kent saw their chance so got off to a quick start as Finn didn't make the instant impact Middlesex would have liked with the run rate at 5 an over for the first 6 overs. Corey Collymore, who bowled economically, then snared Key with an edge to John Simpson to depart for 16, 33-1. Northeast then hit a single off the next ball to keep the strike, and then sliced the first ball of Finn's next over to Sam Robson. Martin Van Jaarsveld and Joe Denly then saw off any further mishaps, being 50-2 off 12 at lunch, still 11 behind.
The pair then carried on after lunch with Van Jaarsveld hitting well off the back foot as they went past 50 for the 3rd wicket when Denly edged Finn to captain Neil Dexter at gully for 47, 88-3.
Van Jaarsveld looked at ease, dumping Tom Smith back over his head for six, as Middlesex's bowlers struggled to cause a collapse. Stevens eventually fell LBW to Collymore's inswinger for 16, 145-4. Van Jaarsveld then went to 50 off 93 balls as he and Jones went through to tea, 168-4 off 48, 107 ahead.
Murtagh bowled the first over after tea and sent Van Jaarsveld's off stump walking for 66 2nd ball. Jones and Azhar Mahmood then made Kent's total more imposing as they cruised along at nearly 4 an over as before Finn splattered Jones's off stump 5 short of 50. 261-6 and the lead at 200, more than Middlesex would have liked them to have got. Mahmood then went to 50 off 91 balls by thumping Tom Smith for 6 back over his head, just like Van Jaarsveld had done.
He (62*) and Tredwell (10*) batted through the last 15 minutes to close 292-6, 231 ahead and the game looking like it was going to be a good finish.
Friday 30 September 2011
Major Collapse Reporting for Duty
Middlesex started the 2nd day against Kent at Canterbury in a comfortable position and Sam Robson moved to 50 off 71 balls as he and Scott Newman rocked along at nearly 4 an over before Newman edged Wahab Riaz to James Tredwell at slip for 34, 99-1. Chris Rogers came in and played well in tricky conditions for 28 when he edged to Azhar Mahmood off Darren Stevens, 147-2. Steve Finn arrived from England duty after not being selected and replaced Steve Crook in the team. Middlesex were 157-2 at lunch as Dawid Malan and Robson then carried on and made it look like Middlesex would get a big lead as they went passed 200. Matt Coles then found enough swing to have Robson caught behind five short of a hundred, 204-3. This then triggered feelings of suicide as Neil Dexter was LBW next ball but failed to get a hat trick. Five overs later though Jamie Dalrymple was caught at leg slip by Rob Key off James Tredwell and John Simpson was LBW first ball to make Tredwell the 2nd player to be on a hat trick, which Tom Smith survived leaving Middlesex 209-6. This meant Middlesex had lost 4-5 in 31 balls and that big lead looked unlikely!
Smith stuck around with Malan as Malan carried on batting well against some hostile bowling. Smith was eventually yorked by Coles for 13, 238-7. The light was getting worse and Tim Murtagh (7*) aided Malan in reaching 50 off 108 balls. Then the light closed in and after a long wait play was abandoned with Middlesex 258-7 (Malan 55*), just 16 ahead.
Smith stuck around with Malan as Malan carried on batting well against some hostile bowling. Smith was eventually yorked by Coles for 13, 238-7. The light was getting worse and Tim Murtagh (7*) aided Malan in reaching 50 off 108 balls. Then the light closed in and after a long wait play was abandoned with Middlesex 258-7 (Malan 55*), just 16 ahead.
Wednesday 28 September 2011
More and More Collymore
First day of Kent vs Middlesex at Canterbury began an hour late due to the late finishing day-night game the day before.
Kent won the toss and batted, this looked like a good idea as Middlesex, pushing for promotion, failed to tae a wicket in the first hour as Joe Denly and Rob Key overcame the new ball and began to score more easily, then Key edged Corey Collymore to Dawid Malan at slip to go for 17, 63-1. Sam Northeast didn't get settled and fell for 3 to Steve Crook, 71-2 and Van Jaarsveld also gave John Simpson a catch for 2 to Crook after lunch ad 83-3 looked a bit onimous. Denly, who had reached 50 off 84 balls just before lunch, fell 3 balls later to Tim Murtagh, lbw for 55, 87-4. Darren Stevens and Geraint Jones then went about hitting Kent out of trouble with 45 in 9 overs when Jones (26) was lbw to give Collymore his 2nd wicket. Next ball Azhar Mahmood hit Collymore towards midwicket and ambled out of his creasew looking for a single, only for Collymore to run and rip in the throw which detonated the leg stump finding Mahmood just short of his ground to become the first golden duck of an interesting game, 132-6.
Darren Stevens dragged on off Dexter to go for 27 before Adam Ball gave Collymore a third wicket prodding to Jamie Dalrymple at 2nd slip for 8, 155-8 and conus points looked thin on the ground. Enter Tredwell and Mat Coles who smashed the bowlers for 57 in 10 overs, Coles even swiping Collymore for 6. But Collymore would have his revenge as Tredwell chopped on for 31, 212-9. Coles and Wahab Riaz (17 not out in his last game before going pack to Pakistan) added 30 more in seven overs when Coles hit Murtagh high towards the midwicket fence where Dalrymple took a good catch just inside the ropes to fall for 41 off 47. This took Murtagh to a career high 65 first class wickets for the season. 242 all out looked below par even though the pitch did seem to be slow and would require application if Middlesex were to get a large total.
Starting after tea, Scott Newman (16*) and Sam Robson (37*) safely saw out 13 overs scoring 55 runs when bad light ended play with Middlesex in control 187 behind.
Kent won the toss and batted, this looked like a good idea as Middlesex, pushing for promotion, failed to tae a wicket in the first hour as Joe Denly and Rob Key overcame the new ball and began to score more easily, then Key edged Corey Collymore to Dawid Malan at slip to go for 17, 63-1. Sam Northeast didn't get settled and fell for 3 to Steve Crook, 71-2 and Van Jaarsveld also gave John Simpson a catch for 2 to Crook after lunch ad 83-3 looked a bit onimous. Denly, who had reached 50 off 84 balls just before lunch, fell 3 balls later to Tim Murtagh, lbw for 55, 87-4. Darren Stevens and Geraint Jones then went about hitting Kent out of trouble with 45 in 9 overs when Jones (26) was lbw to give Collymore his 2nd wicket. Next ball Azhar Mahmood hit Collymore towards midwicket and ambled out of his creasew looking for a single, only for Collymore to run and rip in the throw which detonated the leg stump finding Mahmood just short of his ground to become the first golden duck of an interesting game, 132-6.
Darren Stevens dragged on off Dexter to go for 27 before Adam Ball gave Collymore a third wicket prodding to Jamie Dalrymple at 2nd slip for 8, 155-8 and conus points looked thin on the ground. Enter Tredwell and Mat Coles who smashed the bowlers for 57 in 10 overs, Coles even swiping Collymore for 6. But Collymore would have his revenge as Tredwell chopped on for 31, 212-9. Coles and Wahab Riaz (17 not out in his last game before going pack to Pakistan) added 30 more in seven overs when Coles hit Murtagh high towards the midwicket fence where Dalrymple took a good catch just inside the ropes to fall for 41 off 47. This took Murtagh to a career high 65 first class wickets for the season. 242 all out looked below par even though the pitch did seem to be slow and would require application if Middlesex were to get a large total.
Starting after tea, Scott Newman (16*) and Sam Robson (37*) safely saw out 13 overs scoring 55 runs when bad light ended play with Middlesex in control 187 behind.
Tuesday 23 August 2011
We All Fall Down...
16th August, Canterbury, under the floodlights for Kent vs Middlesex in the CB40 in front of the Sky cameras as Middlesex needed to win to have any chance of making the semi finals. Neil Dexter won the toss and Middlesex decided to bat first with Martin Van Jaarsveld captaining Kent with Rob Key rested.
Scott Newman and Dawid Malan opened the batting and scored slowly off the first seven overs before Newman was caught behind off Azhar Mahmood for 11, 23-1. Malan and Paul Stirling then set about scoring at a healthy pace and brought up their 50 partnership in the 14th over. The pair batted well without scoring many boundaries and Malan reached his 50 off 58 balls with Middlesex cruising past 100 and Van Jaarsveld trying eight different bowlers and shortly after the 100 partnership the eighth one (Simon Cook) had Stirling just stumped in the 22nd over for 45 leaving Middlesex 130-2.
Dexter now joined Malan and they carried on the good work and with 10 overs to go Middlesex were 193-2 and looking well placed to make 280+ and the batting powerplay was taken at the start of the 32nd over which Wahab Riaz obliged in bowling 3 consecutive no-balls in as Malan reached his first List-A hundred off 106 balls though not without some trouble from Riaz's yorkers which he fell over twice. The 36th over was to prove the beginning of the Kent fightback as Riaz had Malan LBW falling over another yorker for an excellent 107, 239-3.
Malan's teammates then conspired to throw away the chance of a big total as the last eight wickets fell for 24 in 26 balls. Chris Rogers edged Mahmood to Geraint Jones for 3, John Simpson was LBW to Riaz for 5, Dexter, after reaching his 50 off 46 chipped one to substitute Matt Coles at mid on for 58. Steve Crook was caught by Tredwell off Mahmood for 0, Tom Smith also fell for 1 in the same over caught at third man. Jamie Dalrymple then had his off stump cartwheeled by Riaz for 2 and Toby Roland-Jones went almost identically next ball to leave Riaz with 5-46 and Mahmood 4-52 and Middlesex 263 all out with 3 balls left unfaced.
Tim Murtagh opened the bowling and the spin of Smith opened from the Nackington Road End and Smith bowled what turned out to be the only maiden over in the match. Only 15 came from the first 4 overs but soon it became clear that this was a good pitch and that scoring runs on it was really quite easy and the 50 came up before Daniel Bell-Drummond sliced Crook to Rogers on the boundary for 17, 51-1. Next over, Roland-Jones had Joe Denly LBW for 28, 55-2. Van Jaarsveld then gave Malan a catch to fall for 0 and Kent were 56-3 and Middlesex were back in the game again.
Mahmood and Darren Stevens then set about steadying the ship and kicked on as the pair added 90 in 12.1 overs before Mahmood was LBW to Malan for 46, 146-3. Sam Northeast helped Stevens past 50 (42 balls). 74 runs were needed off the final 10 overs just when it looked like the game was gone, Stevens fell for 65 giving Dexter an easy wicket. 195-5 became 213-6 as Jones hoisted one from Roland-Jones to Crook at long-on who took an easy catch. Adam Ball joined Northeast and they added the partnership which took Kent almost to the win with 29 in 3.4 overs before Ball edged Roland Jones to Simpson for 19. 22 needed off 16 had been reduced to 15 off 12 when Northeast launched one off Murtagh high towards Smith at deep midwicket who ran round and dropped the catch over the ropes for 6 to bring up Northeast's 50 (43 balls) and to almost win the game for Kent, 3 balls later another heave produced a drop from Crook at long-on. Northeast's next heave off the last ball of the over did produce his downfall (ct Dexter b Murtagh 57) as only 4 were needed off the final over which were easily achieved by Riaz(12*) and Tredwell(1*) for Kent to finish 264-8 and win by 2 wickets with 3 balls left. Roland Jones finished with 3-51 and Crook 2-38 as Middlesex now had a very limited chance of qualifying for the semi-finals of the CB40. Mahmood was given man of the match for his all-round performance and everyone shot off home as the championship game between these sides begins at noon.
Scott Newman and Dawid Malan opened the batting and scored slowly off the first seven overs before Newman was caught behind off Azhar Mahmood for 11, 23-1. Malan and Paul Stirling then set about scoring at a healthy pace and brought up their 50 partnership in the 14th over. The pair batted well without scoring many boundaries and Malan reached his 50 off 58 balls with Middlesex cruising past 100 and Van Jaarsveld trying eight different bowlers and shortly after the 100 partnership the eighth one (Simon Cook) had Stirling just stumped in the 22nd over for 45 leaving Middlesex 130-2.
Dexter now joined Malan and they carried on the good work and with 10 overs to go Middlesex were 193-2 and looking well placed to make 280+ and the batting powerplay was taken at the start of the 32nd over which Wahab Riaz obliged in bowling 3 consecutive no-balls in as Malan reached his first List-A hundred off 106 balls though not without some trouble from Riaz's yorkers which he fell over twice. The 36th over was to prove the beginning of the Kent fightback as Riaz had Malan LBW falling over another yorker for an excellent 107, 239-3.
Malan's teammates then conspired to throw away the chance of a big total as the last eight wickets fell for 24 in 26 balls. Chris Rogers edged Mahmood to Geraint Jones for 3, John Simpson was LBW to Riaz for 5, Dexter, after reaching his 50 off 46 chipped one to substitute Matt Coles at mid on for 58. Steve Crook was caught by Tredwell off Mahmood for 0, Tom Smith also fell for 1 in the same over caught at third man. Jamie Dalrymple then had his off stump cartwheeled by Riaz for 2 and Toby Roland-Jones went almost identically next ball to leave Riaz with 5-46 and Mahmood 4-52 and Middlesex 263 all out with 3 balls left unfaced.
Tim Murtagh opened the bowling and the spin of Smith opened from the Nackington Road End and Smith bowled what turned out to be the only maiden over in the match. Only 15 came from the first 4 overs but soon it became clear that this was a good pitch and that scoring runs on it was really quite easy and the 50 came up before Daniel Bell-Drummond sliced Crook to Rogers on the boundary for 17, 51-1. Next over, Roland-Jones had Joe Denly LBW for 28, 55-2. Van Jaarsveld then gave Malan a catch to fall for 0 and Kent were 56-3 and Middlesex were back in the game again.
Mahmood and Darren Stevens then set about steadying the ship and kicked on as the pair added 90 in 12.1 overs before Mahmood was LBW to Malan for 46, 146-3. Sam Northeast helped Stevens past 50 (42 balls). 74 runs were needed off the final 10 overs just when it looked like the game was gone, Stevens fell for 65 giving Dexter an easy wicket. 195-5 became 213-6 as Jones hoisted one from Roland-Jones to Crook at long-on who took an easy catch. Adam Ball joined Northeast and they added the partnership which took Kent almost to the win with 29 in 3.4 overs before Ball edged Roland Jones to Simpson for 19. 22 needed off 16 had been reduced to 15 off 12 when Northeast launched one off Murtagh high towards Smith at deep midwicket who ran round and dropped the catch over the ropes for 6 to bring up Northeast's 50 (43 balls) and to almost win the game for Kent, 3 balls later another heave produced a drop from Crook at long-on. Northeast's next heave off the last ball of the over did produce his downfall (ct Dexter b Murtagh 57) as only 4 were needed off the final over which were easily achieved by Riaz(12*) and Tredwell(1*) for Kent to finish 264-8 and win by 2 wickets with 3 balls left. Roland Jones finished with 3-51 and Crook 2-38 as Middlesex now had a very limited chance of qualifying for the semi-finals of the CB40. Mahmood was given man of the match for his all-round performance and everyone shot off home as the championship game between these sides begins at noon.
Monday 22 August 2011
A Tough Day
The 2nd day of the top of the table match between Middlesex and Northamptonshire at Lord's started with Middlesex 198-6 after a reduced first day. John Simpson and Toby Roland-Jones were batting and they quickly brought up the 200 with Simpson playing well and Roland-Jones hanging in to bring up the 50 partnership before Roland-Jones was bowled by James Middlebrook for 24. 236-7 and Steve Crook in to hit a quick 12 before edging Middlebrook to Steven Peters. Tim Murtagh then stuck around Simpson until lunch with Middlesex on 296-8, only 4 runs short of the next batting point.
The 300 came up as Simpson reached 50 off 131 balls before Murtagh was LBW to Chaminda Vaas for 27. Simpson finally fell in identical fashion for 61 to give Vaas 5-76 with Corey Collymore 5 not out and Middlesex 317, a good recovery but probably not enough runs.
The Northants innings got off to a quick start with Peters and Mal Loye looking at ease against the Middlesex bowlers who couldn't assert any pressure as the 50 partnership was raised and at tea the score was 78-0.
The problems continued after tea as none of Middlesex's 7 bowlers were effective as first Peters (99 balls) then Loye (101 balls) reached 50 and passed 100 without loss.
The 150 partnership came before Crook finally bowled a couple of troubling balls to Peters who eventually got a leading edge that Crook clung on to with a smart diving catch to go for 75, 158-1. Crook was to have two wickets in 7 balls as Rob White (4) fell over a pull shot and guided an edge to Dawid Malan at slip, 164-2. Loye (80*) and Alex Wakely (12*) saw out the rest of the day to leave Northants 188-2 only 128 runs behind Middlesex.
The 300 came up as Simpson reached 50 off 131 balls before Murtagh was LBW to Chaminda Vaas for 27. Simpson finally fell in identical fashion for 61 to give Vaas 5-76 with Corey Collymore 5 not out and Middlesex 317, a good recovery but probably not enough runs.
The Northants innings got off to a quick start with Peters and Mal Loye looking at ease against the Middlesex bowlers who couldn't assert any pressure as the 50 partnership was raised and at tea the score was 78-0.
The problems continued after tea as none of Middlesex's 7 bowlers were effective as first Peters (99 balls) then Loye (101 balls) reached 50 and passed 100 without loss.
The 150 partnership came before Crook finally bowled a couple of troubling balls to Peters who eventually got a leading edge that Crook clung on to with a smart diving catch to go for 75, 158-1. Crook was to have two wickets in 7 balls as Rob White (4) fell over a pull shot and guided an edge to Dawid Malan at slip, 164-2. Loye (80*) and Alex Wakely (12*) saw out the rest of the day to leave Northants 188-2 only 128 runs behind Middlesex.
Saturday 30 July 2011
Finnking of First Degree Murtagh
Lord's for the first day of Middlesex vs Derbyshire, which started an hour late because of the floodlight CB40 the night before. Steve Finn was released by England and was on his way down so Steve Crook was to be substitute until he arrived, although he couldn't bowl or bat because the game had started after the Test at Trent Bridge (useless ECB and their regulations...). Derbyshire won the toss and batted and Martin Guptill got an unplayable delivery first ball from Tim Murtagh which he poked to Jamie Dalrymple at slip, 0-1. Murtagh then struck in his next over, having Wayne Madsen caught by Malan for a duck and followed it up with his third wicket in 16 balls for 5 runs by having Chesney Hughes waft a wide ball to point were Sam Robson took the catch. Derby 14-3 and in deep trouble which Wes Durston and Greg Smith hit them out of. Because Crook couldn't bowl, there were only two front-line seamers so Dexter and Dalrymple were bowling after the first hour and both Smith and Durston reached quick fifties (off 48 and 75 balls) with the newish ball not spinning Durston hitting Tom Smith for a flat six to the Grand Stand boundary.
127-3 and a murmur went up amongst the crowd followed by a cheer as Steve Finn ran onto the field at 1:45 and was bowling the next over from the pavilion end where Durston was beaten by pace third ball to fall lbw for 61 and to swing the momentum back to Middlesex at lunch with 131-4.
Smith went straight after lunch for 57 to give Murtagh his 4th wicket and Luke Sutton was bowled by Finn to leave Derby 165-6, still in danger of not reaching 200. Ross Whiteley has been in good form of late in his first full season in the team and he saved his side with a fifty which included sixes off Murtagh and a huge hit off Dalrymple which lodged in the roofing to the right of the pavilion.
A missed stumping by Simpson of Jon Clare off Dalrymple wasn't to costly as Tom Smith then had Clare caught at slip by Dexter (22) and next over Gronewald was caught behind by Simpson and the over after Palladino caught by Newman at short leg for 1. 220-6 to 224-9 and 250 looked beyond them but Mark Turner hit 20 not out and aided Whiteley reaching 50 (off 97) before Whiteley smacked Finn to Murtagh to leave them 252 all out, a total that was probably below par.
This left Middlesex with 28 overs to bat and Newman and Robson did so easily. They rocked along at four an over and although they were lucky with a couple of edges both played well against an attack that struggled to assert itself. Newman reached 50 off 73 balls to be 51 not out at close and Robson was 48 not out with Middlesex closing 105-0 only 147 behind Derbyshire.
127-3 and a murmur went up amongst the crowd followed by a cheer as Steve Finn ran onto the field at 1:45 and was bowling the next over from the pavilion end where Durston was beaten by pace third ball to fall lbw for 61 and to swing the momentum back to Middlesex at lunch with 131-4.
Smith went straight after lunch for 57 to give Murtagh his 4th wicket and Luke Sutton was bowled by Finn to leave Derby 165-6, still in danger of not reaching 200. Ross Whiteley has been in good form of late in his first full season in the team and he saved his side with a fifty which included sixes off Murtagh and a huge hit off Dalrymple which lodged in the roofing to the right of the pavilion.
A missed stumping by Simpson of Jon Clare off Dalrymple wasn't to costly as Tom Smith then had Clare caught at slip by Dexter (22) and next over Gronewald was caught behind by Simpson and the over after Palladino caught by Newman at short leg for 1. 220-6 to 224-9 and 250 looked beyond them but Mark Turner hit 20 not out and aided Whiteley reaching 50 (off 97) before Whiteley smacked Finn to Murtagh to leave them 252 all out, a total that was probably below par.
This left Middlesex with 28 overs to bat and Newman and Robson did so easily. They rocked along at four an over and although they were lucky with a couple of edges both played well against an attack that struggled to assert itself. Newman reached 50 off 73 balls to be 51 not out at close and Robson was 48 not out with Middlesex closing 105-0 only 147 behind Derbyshire.
Sunday 24 July 2011
Of Broad and The Wall
3rd day of the first Test between England and India at Lords. England had declared on 474-8 and India progressed along slowly from the England fast bowlers before Gautam Gambhir was bowled by Stuart Broad for 15. Abinhav Mukund then looked to force a ball from Broad to reach 50, only to chop it onto hit stumps for 49, leaving England 77-2. This left Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar batting together and they looked like they would tame the England attack and were 102-2 at lunch.
The pair brought up the 150 before Broad had Tendulkar well caught low down by Graeme Swann at slip. VVS Laxman came in and was dropped by Andrew Strauss at slip off Broad, then Dravid was dropped in the same over by Swann. These were the only real drops by England as Dravid then went to 50 before Laxman top edged to Trott at deep square leg. Suresh Raina then fell LBW to Swann for nought, 183-5. MS Dhoni then joined Dravid and took India to tea, 193-5.
After batting comfortably Dhoni then edged Chris Tremlett for Swann to take a diving catch to go for 28. Harbhajan Singh then edged to Matt Prior 2nd ball for nought, 240-7. Praveen Kumar started swinging merrily and reached 17 before he top edged Broad for Strauss to take a catch running back. Dravid then flicked to two, reached his hundred and let out a roar. Injured Zaheer Khan went for a duck to Anderson, then Ishant Sharma edged behind for the same score and India were 286 all out, Dravid finishing 103 not out. England saw off the final 5 overs without trouble.
The pair brought up the 150 before Broad had Tendulkar well caught low down by Graeme Swann at slip. VVS Laxman came in and was dropped by Andrew Strauss at slip off Broad, then Dravid was dropped in the same over by Swann. These were the only real drops by England as Dravid then went to 50 before Laxman top edged to Trott at deep square leg. Suresh Raina then fell LBW to Swann for nought, 183-5. MS Dhoni then joined Dravid and took India to tea, 193-5.
After batting comfortably Dhoni then edged Chris Tremlett for Swann to take a diving catch to go for 28. Harbhajan Singh then edged to Matt Prior 2nd ball for nought, 240-7. Praveen Kumar started swinging merrily and reached 17 before he top edged Broad for Strauss to take a catch running back. Dravid then flicked to two, reached his hundred and let out a roar. Injured Zaheer Khan went for a duck to Anderson, then Ishant Sharma edged behind for the same score and India were 286 all out, Dravid finishing 103 not out. England saw off the final 5 overs without trouble.
Friday 22 July 2011
Derbyshire defy Newton's law
Having progressed to 364 all out in their first innings, Derbyshire set about asserting their authority against Northamptonshire at Northampton. Northants slumped to 12-2 with Rob White and Ben Howgego failed before a comeback was launched by Stephen Peters and Rob Newton. Newton was brutal with his drives as he went to 50 off 69 balls and then kicked on whilst Peters blocked at the other end before wicket finally fell at 151 when Peters edged Greg Smith's spin to Wayne Madsen for 46. Newton fell three overs later for 94 off 114 with 18 fours when he drove Mark Turner only for the ball to slide off the face to Martin Guptill at gully.
Light rain then forced the players off for tea and then it took an age for them to return, which eventually happened at 4:45. Andrew Hall and Mal Loye batted on but struggled to get the better of tight bowling from Turner, Smith and Tim Groenewald and Turner snared Loye for 6 after an hour (190-5). Hall and Niall O'Brien brought up the 200 before Groenewald had Hall lbw for 27. Chaminda Vaas (11) and O'Brien (14) then saw out the last 10 overs and avoided the follow-on to leave Northamptonshire 220-6 at the close, still 144 runs behind.
Light rain then forced the players off for tea and then it took an age for them to return, which eventually happened at 4:45. Andrew Hall and Mal Loye batted on but struggled to get the better of tight bowling from Turner, Smith and Tim Groenewald and Turner snared Loye for 6 after an hour (190-5). Hall and Niall O'Brien brought up the 200 before Groenewald had Hall lbw for 27. Chaminda Vaas (11) and O'Brien (14) then saw out the last 10 overs and avoided the follow-on to leave Northamptonshire 220-6 at the close, still 144 runs behind.
Wednesday 6 July 2011
Blackwell Blackout
The dry run for the Women's Quadrangular final at Lord's between England and Australia wasn't the spectacle it could have been as England folded and we were all done before the rain arrived at 4:30.
England won the toss, batted and were soon 18-1 as captain Charlotte Edwards was caught off Sarah Coyte for 2. Next over Laura Marsh also departed, caught at cover by Alex Blackwell after a juggle for 3. The 11th over brought the third wicketas Danielle Wyatt chipped to mid on off Clea Smith and Claire Taylor was bowled by Coyte for 0 to leave England 26-4.
Sarah Taylor and Lydia Greenway tried to steady the innings but Taylor fell LBW to Jess Cameron, the back-up keeper, for 11 to give her her first ODI wicket in her first spell. 54-5 after 18 made 200 look tough but Greenway and Arran Brindle batted well for 10 overs before Cameron made a diving catch at deep midwicket to get Brindle off Shelley Nitschke for 22. Nitschke then caught Greenway for the eventual top score of 34 to give Lisa Sthalekar an easy wicket. The third spinner, Erin Osborne then had Heather Knight caught behind for 13 leaving England 127-8 with 13 overs still to bat. Holly Colvin and Danielle Hazell added 34 for the ninth wicket before Sthalekar cleaned up with two wickets in two overs as Hazell(19) was caught by another diving catch from Cameron then Colvin was stumped by captain Jodie Fields for 29 to end the England innings for 168 with two overs left unbowled. The end would have been sooner had Meg Lanning not dropped a simple catch at cover, but other than that Australia fielded well and England's spinners would have to bowl as well if they were to have a chance.
England's demise was so quick that Australia had to bat for 30 minutes before lunch and after a couple of tight overs from Catherine Brunt and Brindle, all hell began to break loose. Nitschke and young prospect Meg Lanning surged to 42-0 after 10 overs with Lanning scoring 31.
Colvin bowled the first over after lunch from the Nursery end and had removed Lanning to a wild swing to the midwicket boundary where Brindle completed the catch. Lanning made 43 off 33 with 9 fours. This slowed the scoring and when Wyatt had Leah Poulton caught behind for a duck left Australia 59-2 and a possible collapse was on. The problem was that Nitschke and Blackwell are two of the most experienced players in the side and they took the game from England with a steady partnership that gradually sped up as England rotated seven bowlers with no effect. The 100 came up in the 23rd over and the 50 partnership 3 overs later.
Nitschke hit the only six of the match off Colvin into the Grand Stand in the 30th over soon followed by her 50 then Blackwell also passed the milestone. Nitschke couldn't quite last until the end as she was run out after a mix-up with Blackwell and Greenway, after a mis-field, managed to get the return to Sarah Taylor. 153-3 was a bit late and Cameron(10 not out) and Blackwell(54 not out) saw Australia home to win by 7 wickets with 15 overs remaining, just before the 4:30pm rain arrived.
Blackwell was given the match award in this one-sided hammering as the presentation took place in front of the pavilion with the crowd allowed on the outfield. Both these sides will meet again for the Quadrangular final on Thursday and England have to improve if it is to be a better contest.
England won the toss, batted and were soon 18-1 as captain Charlotte Edwards was caught off Sarah Coyte for 2. Next over Laura Marsh also departed, caught at cover by Alex Blackwell after a juggle for 3. The 11th over brought the third wicketas Danielle Wyatt chipped to mid on off Clea Smith and Claire Taylor was bowled by Coyte for 0 to leave England 26-4.
Sarah Taylor and Lydia Greenway tried to steady the innings but Taylor fell LBW to Jess Cameron, the back-up keeper, for 11 to give her her first ODI wicket in her first spell. 54-5 after 18 made 200 look tough but Greenway and Arran Brindle batted well for 10 overs before Cameron made a diving catch at deep midwicket to get Brindle off Shelley Nitschke for 22. Nitschke then caught Greenway for the eventual top score of 34 to give Lisa Sthalekar an easy wicket. The third spinner, Erin Osborne then had Heather Knight caught behind for 13 leaving England 127-8 with 13 overs still to bat. Holly Colvin and Danielle Hazell added 34 for the ninth wicket before Sthalekar cleaned up with two wickets in two overs as Hazell(19) was caught by another diving catch from Cameron then Colvin was stumped by captain Jodie Fields for 29 to end the England innings for 168 with two overs left unbowled. The end would have been sooner had Meg Lanning not dropped a simple catch at cover, but other than that Australia fielded well and England's spinners would have to bowl as well if they were to have a chance.
England's demise was so quick that Australia had to bat for 30 minutes before lunch and after a couple of tight overs from Catherine Brunt and Brindle, all hell began to break loose. Nitschke and young prospect Meg Lanning surged to 42-0 after 10 overs with Lanning scoring 31.
Colvin bowled the first over after lunch from the Nursery end and had removed Lanning to a wild swing to the midwicket boundary where Brindle completed the catch. Lanning made 43 off 33 with 9 fours. This slowed the scoring and when Wyatt had Leah Poulton caught behind for a duck left Australia 59-2 and a possible collapse was on. The problem was that Nitschke and Blackwell are two of the most experienced players in the side and they took the game from England with a steady partnership that gradually sped up as England rotated seven bowlers with no effect. The 100 came up in the 23rd over and the 50 partnership 3 overs later.
Nitschke hit the only six of the match off Colvin into the Grand Stand in the 30th over soon followed by her 50 then Blackwell also passed the milestone. Nitschke couldn't quite last until the end as she was run out after a mix-up with Blackwell and Greenway, after a mis-field, managed to get the return to Sarah Taylor. 153-3 was a bit late and Cameron(10 not out) and Blackwell(54 not out) saw Australia home to win by 7 wickets with 15 overs remaining, just before the 4:30pm rain arrived.
Blackwell was given the match award in this one-sided hammering as the presentation took place in front of the pavilion with the crowd allowed on the outfield. Both these sides will meet again for the Quadrangular final on Thursday and England have to improve if it is to be a better contest.
Sunday 3 July 2011
A Scrap in Chelmsford
Chelmsford, the venue for Essex vs Middlesex in the 2nd Twenty20 meeting between these two sides. Essex won the first game (see earlier match report) but Middlesex won the toss and fielded. Mark Pettini and Adam Wheater opened the batting as they took 10 off the first over bowled by Steve Crook. Steve Finn opened from the River End and removed Pettini for 13, an easy catch for Sam Robson. Tim Southee came in at 3, but there were no fireworks from him as he was well caught in the next over by Adam Rossington off Crook for 3. This left Essex 21-2 and it was to be 30-3 as Owais Shah dabbed to fine leg and ran, only for Crook to hit the stumps at the bowler's end with Shah well short. Crook then bowled a maiden and only 6 came off the sixth over so Essex were 36-3 after the powerplay.
Neil Dexter and Ryan McLaren kept the pressure on and Wheater was bowled for 21 by McLaren in the eighth before Dexter removed Matt Walker (6) in the 11th. tom Smith then had a struggling Ravi Bopara caught behind by John Simpson next over for 14 off 28 balls. Smith bowled James Foster in his next over and after 15 Essex were only 76/7. Graham Napier then decided that perhaps scoring runs would be a good idea, smiting 21 off Smith's final over with three huge sixes, two of them towards the river. This was followed by Ryan Ten Doeschate helping Tim Phillips take 14 off McLaren's next over after Napier was lbw for 23 off 14 and going in to the final over Essex were 127/8. Crook bowled the over and although Ten Doeschate was caught (28 off 20) 12 came off it with Phillips finishing 21 not out off 12. Crook finishing 2-27, McLaren 2-32 and Smith 2-35 were the pick of the bowlers.
140 has seemed beyond Middlesex for most of the tournament, since they've only won two games, and so it proved today but they at least turned in a better batting performance. Paul Stirling did his usual hitting, including a lucky inside edge for four off Napier before Southee bowled Rossington in the 3rd over for 1. Crook was moved up the order but 21-2 only became 24-2 as he was bowled by Napier for 1, though not after annoying Southee so much that the umpires had to officially warn him for his "verbals". Stirling holed out next over to give Southee his 2nd wicket for 19 and Scott Newman and Dexter then stopped the slide but weren't scoring fast enough. 33-3 off the first six wasn't going anywhere as tight bowling from Bopara and Phillips as Middlesex were 49-4 after nine.
The pressure got to Dexter as he was stumped by Foster off Phillips miles down the track for 10. McLaren was now in and only three came off Ten Doeschate's first over before Owais Shah got a wicket as Newman charged down the track, only to bottom edge what would have been a short ball onto his stumps. 58-5 and no real power batting left to emulate what Essex managed as John Simpson fell lbw to Ten Doeschate in the 13th. Tom Scollay came in and then played the shot of the innings, thumping Phillips over the hospitality tent at mid-wicket for six, before smacking two fours off ten Doeschate next over. The problem was that Scollay then edged the final ball to Foster and Middlesex were now 83-7 after 15. Napier returned to remove Sam Robson for 4. McLaren and Smith brought up the 100 in the 17th over. McLaren then hit a high ball to long off from Ten Doeschate where Bopara could only parry the catch into the crowd and 13 came off the 18th when runs were needed. Napier was about to bowl the 19th when the 1 hour 15 minute timer expired and Essex were penalised six runs for not bowling the overs fast enough. Not that it mattered as only four came off the 19th with David Masters dropping two catches at fine leg. 123-8 and 17 needed became 12 off three as another catch went down at cover but McLaren could only swing and miss at two balls from Southee and even a wide didn't really help before two came off the final ball as Middlesex finished 131-8 to lose by 8 runs. Napier got man of the match for his 2-21 to add to his batting, Ten Doeschate got 2-31 and Southee 2-24. McLaren finished 35 not out and Smith 13 not out.
Neil Dexter and Ryan McLaren kept the pressure on and Wheater was bowled for 21 by McLaren in the eighth before Dexter removed Matt Walker (6) in the 11th. tom Smith then had a struggling Ravi Bopara caught behind by John Simpson next over for 14 off 28 balls. Smith bowled James Foster in his next over and after 15 Essex were only 76/7. Graham Napier then decided that perhaps scoring runs would be a good idea, smiting 21 off Smith's final over with three huge sixes, two of them towards the river. This was followed by Ryan Ten Doeschate helping Tim Phillips take 14 off McLaren's next over after Napier was lbw for 23 off 14 and going in to the final over Essex were 127/8. Crook bowled the over and although Ten Doeschate was caught (28 off 20) 12 came off it with Phillips finishing 21 not out off 12. Crook finishing 2-27, McLaren 2-32 and Smith 2-35 were the pick of the bowlers.
140 has seemed beyond Middlesex for most of the tournament, since they've only won two games, and so it proved today but they at least turned in a better batting performance. Paul Stirling did his usual hitting, including a lucky inside edge for four off Napier before Southee bowled Rossington in the 3rd over for 1. Crook was moved up the order but 21-2 only became 24-2 as he was bowled by Napier for 1, though not after annoying Southee so much that the umpires had to officially warn him for his "verbals". Stirling holed out next over to give Southee his 2nd wicket for 19 and Scott Newman and Dexter then stopped the slide but weren't scoring fast enough. 33-3 off the first six wasn't going anywhere as tight bowling from Bopara and Phillips as Middlesex were 49-4 after nine.
The pressure got to Dexter as he was stumped by Foster off Phillips miles down the track for 10. McLaren was now in and only three came off Ten Doeschate's first over before Owais Shah got a wicket as Newman charged down the track, only to bottom edge what would have been a short ball onto his stumps. 58-5 and no real power batting left to emulate what Essex managed as John Simpson fell lbw to Ten Doeschate in the 13th. Tom Scollay came in and then played the shot of the innings, thumping Phillips over the hospitality tent at mid-wicket for six, before smacking two fours off ten Doeschate next over. The problem was that Scollay then edged the final ball to Foster and Middlesex were now 83-7 after 15. Napier returned to remove Sam Robson for 4. McLaren and Smith brought up the 100 in the 17th over. McLaren then hit a high ball to long off from Ten Doeschate where Bopara could only parry the catch into the crowd and 13 came off the 18th when runs were needed. Napier was about to bowl the 19th when the 1 hour 15 minute timer expired and Essex were penalised six runs for not bowling the overs fast enough. Not that it mattered as only four came off the 19th with David Masters dropping two catches at fine leg. 123-8 and 17 needed became 12 off three as another catch went down at cover but McLaren could only swing and miss at two balls from Southee and even a wide didn't really help before two came off the final ball as Middlesex finished 131-8 to lose by 8 runs. Napier got man of the match for his 2-21 to add to his batting, Ten Doeschate got 2-31 and Southee 2-24. McLaren finished 35 not out and Smith 13 not out.
Friday 24 June 2011
Phillips Turn Screws Hampshire
Still at Chelmsford for the 2nd game of the double header, Essex vs Hampshire.
Dominic Cork won the toss and let Essex bat first. Surprise at the top as Mark Pettini opened with Tim Southee in a pinch hitting role. Danny Briggs and Dimitri Mascarenhas opened the bowling and Southee was dropped off Mascarenhas, which proved to be a cruicial drop but Pettini was lbw next ball for 4.
Cork brought himself on in the 3rd over and Southee promptly smashed 13 off the over and then two sixes off Mascarenhas came before Owais Shah flicked to fine leg for 2. 40-2 was a good start and Southee hit more off Briggs then Ryan Ten Doeschate chipped to Ervine at mid-off for 3. Essex captain James Foster then provided the solid partner that Southee needed as the run-rate slowed after the powerplay due to good bowling from Imran Tahir and Shahid Afridi on his Hampshire debut, but Southee went to fifty off 19 balls before swinging his fifth six off Tahir. The 10th over finally brought the end as Southee went for one hit too many and was stumped by Nic Pothas off Tahir for 74 off only 34 balls with 6 fours and 5 sixes with Essex 94/4.
Matt Walker fell to Cork in the 13th over and Adam Wheater fell in the 15th to give Afridi his first wicket as it looked like Essex would struggle to reach 150. Tim Phillips came in at 8 and took 12 off Briggs' final over before thumping 25 off Cork and Afridi before falling lbw to Cork, but the damage had been done with 33 off 19. Essex scrambled to 162-7, a good total in the conditions with Cork taking 2-35 and Tahir 1-22.
David Masters and Southee opened the bowling and Southee struck third ball to remove Jimmy Adams then James Vince joined Benny Howell in a useful partnership that emulated to a certain degree of success the Essex run fest before the unlikely Chris Wright broke the partnership in his first over having Howell caught by Phillips to leave Hampshire 41-2. Neil McKenzie and Vince pushed along steadily and at the halfway point Hampshire were 72-2.
Then Phillips struck in his 2nd over with McKenzie swinging a full toss to Southee at long-off. Runs then dried up as 13 came off the next four overs and Sean Ervine fell to Wright and then the key 15th over came. Phillips bowled Afridi first ball then there were two singles before Pothas swung the fourth ball to Southee at long-off before Vince smashed the fifth ball over the Tom Pierce Stand to bring up a 43-ball 50 then inside-edging the final ball onto his off stump to depart for 52, Hampshire now 101-7 and almost gone. Cork wasn't about to surrender as he smacked Ten Doeschate for two huge sixes into Hayes Close before Mascarehas hit Southee for another six and a four off the first two balls of the next over. He then sliced to third man where Tim Westley held a good catch. Wright's last over brought about a mix-up between Briggs and Cork leaving Briggs run out by Foster's quick pick up and throw to leave Hampshire 129-9. Cork then holed out off Southee to none other than Phillips to leave Hampshire 136 all out to wrap up an Essex win by 26 runs. Phillips was given the match award for his 4-29, Southee took 3-38 and Wright 2-22.
Dominic Cork won the toss and let Essex bat first. Surprise at the top as Mark Pettini opened with Tim Southee in a pinch hitting role. Danny Briggs and Dimitri Mascarenhas opened the bowling and Southee was dropped off Mascarenhas, which proved to be a cruicial drop but Pettini was lbw next ball for 4.
Cork brought himself on in the 3rd over and Southee promptly smashed 13 off the over and then two sixes off Mascarenhas came before Owais Shah flicked to fine leg for 2. 40-2 was a good start and Southee hit more off Briggs then Ryan Ten Doeschate chipped to Ervine at mid-off for 3. Essex captain James Foster then provided the solid partner that Southee needed as the run-rate slowed after the powerplay due to good bowling from Imran Tahir and Shahid Afridi on his Hampshire debut, but Southee went to fifty off 19 balls before swinging his fifth six off Tahir. The 10th over finally brought the end as Southee went for one hit too many and was stumped by Nic Pothas off Tahir for 74 off only 34 balls with 6 fours and 5 sixes with Essex 94/4.
Matt Walker fell to Cork in the 13th over and Adam Wheater fell in the 15th to give Afridi his first wicket as it looked like Essex would struggle to reach 150. Tim Phillips came in at 8 and took 12 off Briggs' final over before thumping 25 off Cork and Afridi before falling lbw to Cork, but the damage had been done with 33 off 19. Essex scrambled to 162-7, a good total in the conditions with Cork taking 2-35 and Tahir 1-22.
David Masters and Southee opened the bowling and Southee struck third ball to remove Jimmy Adams then James Vince joined Benny Howell in a useful partnership that emulated to a certain degree of success the Essex run fest before the unlikely Chris Wright broke the partnership in his first over having Howell caught by Phillips to leave Hampshire 41-2. Neil McKenzie and Vince pushed along steadily and at the halfway point Hampshire were 72-2.
Then Phillips struck in his 2nd over with McKenzie swinging a full toss to Southee at long-off. Runs then dried up as 13 came off the next four overs and Sean Ervine fell to Wright and then the key 15th over came. Phillips bowled Afridi first ball then there were two singles before Pothas swung the fourth ball to Southee at long-off before Vince smashed the fifth ball over the Tom Pierce Stand to bring up a 43-ball 50 then inside-edging the final ball onto his off stump to depart for 52, Hampshire now 101-7 and almost gone. Cork wasn't about to surrender as he smacked Ten Doeschate for two huge sixes into Hayes Close before Mascarehas hit Southee for another six and a four off the first two balls of the next over. He then sliced to third man where Tim Westley held a good catch. Wright's last over brought about a mix-up between Briggs and Cork leaving Briggs run out by Foster's quick pick up and throw to leave Hampshire 129-9. Cork then holed out off Southee to none other than Phillips to leave Hampshire 136 all out to wrap up an Essex win by 26 runs. Phillips was given the match award for his 4-29, Southee took 3-38 and Wright 2-22.
Total Annihilation, Girl Style
To Chelmsford for the first of the T20 double header, the first game being England Women vs New Zealand Women for both teams first match in the Quadrangular series.
England won the toss and Charlotte Edwards decided to bowl first, with Arran Brindle making her comeback and the move looked good as New Zealand captain Amy Watkins was bowled for nought by Katherine Brunt in the first over, 1-1. Brindle bowled a tight over and after three NZ were only 8-1. Laura Marsh dropped a return catch from Amy Satterthwaite in the next over as she and Suzie Bates looked to be building a solid total. All that was about to end with Holly Colvin in the 8th over as Satterthwaite hit one to Danielle Wyatt for 14 and in her next over Bates was well caught at square leg by Claire Taylor for the top score of 23 to leave NZ 44-3 at the halfway point.
The innings then waned a bit and although Liz Perry was dropped at long-off, next ball Sara McGlashan chipped a catch back to Colvin and next over a mix-up allowed Colvin to throw from pont to keeper Sarah Taylor to run out Perry. Then 10 runs off the 15th over bowled by Jenny Gunn meant New Zealand might reach a good total but then Lucy Doolan was stumped by Sarah Taylor off Brindle for six and then Nicola Browne was lbw to Danielle Hazell for 13 three balls later to make it 67-7. Rachel Priest tried a bit hit and was brilliantly caught by a diving catch at deep midwicket by Lydia Greenway off Brindle. Hazell bagged her 2nd wicket and the innings ended when Sian Ruck was yorked by Brindle in the last over to leave New Zealand 83 all out, Colvin finishing with 3-17 and Brindle 3-11.
The difference between the sides was obvious as Browne, bowling the first over, went for 13 as Edwards and Marsh looked to get there quickly. Marsh was especially punishing was fours over midwicket and then a glorious smash over cover off Kate Broadmore. 42 came off 5 overs before Marsh gave the hard working Ruck her first wicket in an eventual wicket-maiden over. Edwards and Claire Taylor then took over the scoring and found the gaps off Ruck, Watkins and Bates as England were 67-1 after 10.
Taylor was unluckily run out backing up by some athletic fielding off her own bowling by Watkins, but it only delayed the inevitable as Edwards became the first woman to score 1000 international T20 runs and along with Greenway, they finished the came with a four off Bates in the 14th over to win by eight wickets. The pick of the bowlers was Ruck with 1-17 off her four overs.
Colvin was awarded with the match award for her bowling and fielding and for them it is off to Bristol for the 2nd matches in the Quadrangular series. For us it was Essex vs Hampshire up next.
England won the toss and Charlotte Edwards decided to bowl first, with Arran Brindle making her comeback and the move looked good as New Zealand captain Amy Watkins was bowled for nought by Katherine Brunt in the first over, 1-1. Brindle bowled a tight over and after three NZ were only 8-1. Laura Marsh dropped a return catch from Amy Satterthwaite in the next over as she and Suzie Bates looked to be building a solid total. All that was about to end with Holly Colvin in the 8th over as Satterthwaite hit one to Danielle Wyatt for 14 and in her next over Bates was well caught at square leg by Claire Taylor for the top score of 23 to leave NZ 44-3 at the halfway point.
The innings then waned a bit and although Liz Perry was dropped at long-off, next ball Sara McGlashan chipped a catch back to Colvin and next over a mix-up allowed Colvin to throw from pont to keeper Sarah Taylor to run out Perry. Then 10 runs off the 15th over bowled by Jenny Gunn meant New Zealand might reach a good total but then Lucy Doolan was stumped by Sarah Taylor off Brindle for six and then Nicola Browne was lbw to Danielle Hazell for 13 three balls later to make it 67-7. Rachel Priest tried a bit hit and was brilliantly caught by a diving catch at deep midwicket by Lydia Greenway off Brindle. Hazell bagged her 2nd wicket and the innings ended when Sian Ruck was yorked by Brindle in the last over to leave New Zealand 83 all out, Colvin finishing with 3-17 and Brindle 3-11.
The difference between the sides was obvious as Browne, bowling the first over, went for 13 as Edwards and Marsh looked to get there quickly. Marsh was especially punishing was fours over midwicket and then a glorious smash over cover off Kate Broadmore. 42 came off 5 overs before Marsh gave the hard working Ruck her first wicket in an eventual wicket-maiden over. Edwards and Claire Taylor then took over the scoring and found the gaps off Ruck, Watkins and Bates as England were 67-1 after 10.
Taylor was unluckily run out backing up by some athletic fielding off her own bowling by Watkins, but it only delayed the inevitable as Edwards became the first woman to score 1000 international T20 runs and along with Greenway, they finished the came with a four off Bates in the 14th over to win by eight wickets. The pick of the bowlers was Ruck with 1-17 off her four overs.
Colvin was awarded with the match award for her bowling and fielding and for them it is off to Bristol for the 2nd matches in the Quadrangular series. For us it was Essex vs Hampshire up next.
Friday 10 June 2011
An Evening of Ace Entertainment
So, to the first Twenty20 match of the year at Lord's, Middlesex vs Essex. Middlesex won the toss and decided to bat. Paul Stirling and Chris Rogers opened and String was caught off Tim Southee in the first over for 0. Scott Newman was next in and he thumped a six into the tavern off Scott Styris then pointed out to the umpire it was a no-ball as there were too many players outside the fielding circle as Middlesex raced to 44 off the first 5 overs. Southee's 2nd over brought the wicket of Newman for 22 bringing in Neil Dexter who thumped a six into the Mound Stand. Rogers then joined in the fun, heaving another six square before Ravi Bopara had him caught by Foster for 25 to leave the Panthers 67-3. John Simpson helped Dexter steady the total before Dexter was LBW to Tim Phillips for 30. Simpson, however then fell in the 17th over and Josh Davey then started hitting Southee but then in the 19th failed to get bat on ball for each of the first four balls of the over, he finished with 3-21. 12 off the final over by Graham Napier as Ryan McLaren finished 15 off 9 in 148-5. This was later boosted to 150 as a Dexter hit for four was deemed a six.
The first over of the Essex reply brought a flying catch at gully by McLaren off Steve Crook to remove Ravi Bopara for a duck. Steve Finn found Mark Pettini's outside edge first ball for Simpson to take an easy catch and went on to bowl a wicket maiden so that Essex were, incredibly, 1-2. Matt Walker and Owais Shah, playing against his former employer, upped the rate and Shah smacked McLaren into the Grand Stand for his first six. Walker then fell in the sixth over top edging Finn (2-26) to Dexter for 11. Dutchman Ryan Ten Doeschate again played to get Shah on strike who was out to prove a point as he murdered anything short as the total began to climb and at the halfway point Essex were one behind Middlesex at the same stage. Tom Smith's left-arm spin had a good day as Ten Doeschate was LBW for 17 and in his next over Smith had Styris stumped for 7. As James Foster came in Essex were 88-5 and the match was still in the balance.
Then the big turning point occured, with Foster on 7 he heaved Smith towards the Grand Stand, but hit it flat and straight to Anthony Ireland, who grabbed it, only to see it bounce out, off his knee, and down. This appeared to break the Middlesex spirit as Shah reached his 50 off 38 balls. Ireland then had his bowling demolished by both players as 50 came in 19 balls and the end arrived in the 19th over with Crook bowling a no-ball that Shah swung into the grand-stand for his 5th six to take him to 78 off 50, a thumping innings with Foster 30 off 18. So Essex in the end cruised to victory by five wickets to consign Middlesex to their third defeat in three games.
The first over of the Essex reply brought a flying catch at gully by McLaren off Steve Crook to remove Ravi Bopara for a duck. Steve Finn found Mark Pettini's outside edge first ball for Simpson to take an easy catch and went on to bowl a wicket maiden so that Essex were, incredibly, 1-2. Matt Walker and Owais Shah, playing against his former employer, upped the rate and Shah smacked McLaren into the Grand Stand for his first six. Walker then fell in the sixth over top edging Finn (2-26) to Dexter for 11. Dutchman Ryan Ten Doeschate again played to get Shah on strike who was out to prove a point as he murdered anything short as the total began to climb and at the halfway point Essex were one behind Middlesex at the same stage. Tom Smith's left-arm spin had a good day as Ten Doeschate was LBW for 17 and in his next over Smith had Styris stumped for 7. As James Foster came in Essex were 88-5 and the match was still in the balance.
Then the big turning point occured, with Foster on 7 he heaved Smith towards the Grand Stand, but hit it flat and straight to Anthony Ireland, who grabbed it, only to see it bounce out, off his knee, and down. This appeared to break the Middlesex spirit as Shah reached his 50 off 38 balls. Ireland then had his bowling demolished by both players as 50 came in 19 balls and the end arrived in the 19th over with Crook bowling a no-ball that Shah swung into the grand-stand for his 5th six to take him to 78 off 50, a thumping innings with Foster 30 off 18. So Essex in the end cruised to victory by five wickets to consign Middlesex to their third defeat in three games.
Wednesday 8 June 2011
The "Pane" of a Draw
Lord's- England vs Sri Lanka- fifth day- a possibly exciting if England could get a move on and score quickly to see if they could enduce another Cardiff-esqe collapse.
England resumed 149-2 with Alistair Cook and Kevin Pietersen batting. They started brightly enough mainly thanks to the continuous no-balling from Suranga Lakmal and Chanaka Welegedara. 48 runs came from the first eight overs and a big total and declaration looked likely. KP was scratchy but was scoring runs but these dried up with the introduction of Rangana Herath at the Nursery End who bowled a tight line.
The partnership passed 100 and then Herath stuck with an unplayable ball which gripped and spun from leg past Pietersen's forward jab and onto the off stump to bowl him for 72. This brought Ian Bell in who promptly smashed 15 off the last over before lunch bowled by Dilhara Fernando to leave England 260-3. Cook, mysteriously, had only scored 22 in the whole session which was odd given the position of the match.
After lunch, both batsmen started to go for more shots as the score raced past 300, helped out by poor fielding as Bell was dropped at long off. Cook then reached his 18th test 100 with a four before being stumped for the first time in first-class cricket for 106 off Herath. A collapse then ensued as quick runs were the order of the day as Eoin Morgan smacked one four before being caught at mid off. Matt Prior then came in and after a mix up with Bell was run out from a direct hit from Prasanna Jayawardene. Bell then reached his fifty off 40 balls before reverse paddling a four of Herath before Fernando got rid of Broad caught behind at which point the declaration came at 335-7, leaving Sri Lanka needing 343 off 59 overs, or just not to collapse to defeat.
With Dilshan injured, Sangakkara opened the batting with Tharanga Paranavitana. Sanga hit two fours off Chris Tremlett before carving one to point where Morgan took the catch, a collapse may ensue perhaps? Mahela Jayawardene saw things through to tea.
England came out on full attack but they failed to dislodge the pair, until Broad induced a poor shot from Jayawardene who was well caught by Pietersen to his left at fourth slip. This kept things interesting and England could have had another wicket but Thilan Samaraweera reviewed an lbw shout by Graeme Swann that wasn't ever going to hit the stumps.
Jonathon Trott proved an unlikely success when he came on to bowl and in his 2nd over, Paranavitana was stuck in line and after a long, pleading, appeal was given out, he reviewed it, but was sent packing for 44, a grittyeffort when the team needed it.
After that the game ground towards a draw and apart from a five wides ball from Steve Finn and a one-minute over from KP the draw was confirmed just after 6pm with Sri Lanka 127-3.
The unlikely moment of the day came after Prior was run out, he stormed into the dressing room and a few seconds later there was a crash of glass as a dressing room window was broken. Prior had to apologise to the members before England went out to field and an ECB statement first said it was his glove that broke the window before eventually admitting it was his bat.
England resumed 149-2 with Alistair Cook and Kevin Pietersen batting. They started brightly enough mainly thanks to the continuous no-balling from Suranga Lakmal and Chanaka Welegedara. 48 runs came from the first eight overs and a big total and declaration looked likely. KP was scratchy but was scoring runs but these dried up with the introduction of Rangana Herath at the Nursery End who bowled a tight line.
The partnership passed 100 and then Herath stuck with an unplayable ball which gripped and spun from leg past Pietersen's forward jab and onto the off stump to bowl him for 72. This brought Ian Bell in who promptly smashed 15 off the last over before lunch bowled by Dilhara Fernando to leave England 260-3. Cook, mysteriously, had only scored 22 in the whole session which was odd given the position of the match.
After lunch, both batsmen started to go for more shots as the score raced past 300, helped out by poor fielding as Bell was dropped at long off. Cook then reached his 18th test 100 with a four before being stumped for the first time in first-class cricket for 106 off Herath. A collapse then ensued as quick runs were the order of the day as Eoin Morgan smacked one four before being caught at mid off. Matt Prior then came in and after a mix up with Bell was run out from a direct hit from Prasanna Jayawardene. Bell then reached his fifty off 40 balls before reverse paddling a four of Herath before Fernando got rid of Broad caught behind at which point the declaration came at 335-7, leaving Sri Lanka needing 343 off 59 overs, or just not to collapse to defeat.
With Dilshan injured, Sangakkara opened the batting with Tharanga Paranavitana. Sanga hit two fours off Chris Tremlett before carving one to point where Morgan took the catch, a collapse may ensue perhaps? Mahela Jayawardene saw things through to tea.
England came out on full attack but they failed to dislodge the pair, until Broad induced a poor shot from Jayawardene who was well caught by Pietersen to his left at fourth slip. This kept things interesting and England could have had another wicket but Thilan Samaraweera reviewed an lbw shout by Graeme Swann that wasn't ever going to hit the stumps.
Jonathon Trott proved an unlikely success when he came on to bowl and in his 2nd over, Paranavitana was stuck in line and after a long, pleading, appeal was given out, he reviewed it, but was sent packing for 44, a grittyeffort when the team needed it.
After that the game ground towards a draw and apart from a five wides ball from Steve Finn and a one-minute over from KP the draw was confirmed just after 6pm with Sri Lanka 127-3.
The unlikely moment of the day came after Prior was run out, he stormed into the dressing room and a few seconds later there was a crash of glass as a dressing room window was broken. Prior had to apologise to the members before England went out to field and an ECB statement first said it was his glove that broke the window before eventually admitting it was his bat.
Sunday 5 June 2011
Oh Lord, What a Day
So, to Lord's for the 2nd day of England vs Sri Lanka. There was almost a full house to greet Stuart Broad and Matt Prior as they resumed with England on 342/6. Almost immediately the pair set about frustrating the bowlers by launching two fours in the first over as runs arrived easily, showing that some of the England wickets were due to bad batting rather than good bowling. Broad reached 50 off 47 balls before Prior went to his hundred off 107 balls to a standing ovation, albeit slightly lucky, having been dropped by Mahela Jayawardene on 94 and again on 99. Finally a wicket came as Chanaka Welegedara trapped Broad LBW for 54. In the eight overs 68 had come off 49 balls. Graeme Swann fell in the same over, however, for four to leave England 414-8.
Chris Tremlett joined Prior and they hit their way along merrily and the 450 arrived then Prior attempted to mow Rangana Herath into the Tavern Stand, and was bowled for 126. The last wicket still eluded them as Steve Finn joined Tremlett and they hit England to 486 and on the stroke of lunch Finn went the same way as Prior for 19, leaving Tremleet unbeaten on 24, Welegedara finishing with 4-122.
After lunch it was Sri Lanka's turn and Paranavitana and captain Dilshan, led a responce with the help of a mis-firing England attack. Paranavitana blocked and Dilshan playing loosely, didn't quite find the edge, although a top edge just evaded the sub fielder and went for six. Nothing went England's way and this was summed up when Finn finally found an edge of Paranavitana, only for Cook to spill a simple catch at third slip. Dilshan went to 50 off 58 balls and the hundred was up at tea with Sri Lanka 101-0.
After tea, Dilshan then proceeded to smack Swann for his 2nd six into the pavilion, felling a spectator. More of the same as none of Broad, Tremlett, Finn, Swann or even Kevin Pietersen, couldn't find a way through the openers. The aerial bombing approach of three tall bowlers wasn't working at all due to a poor line and a lifeless pitch as Paranavitana reached his 50 off 141 balls. Then Dilshan smacked one through the covers off Finn as he went to his first hundred as captain off only 129 balls.
With England running out of ideas, Dilshan inside edged the ball past the stumps for four off Finn, but his luck would finally change. In the next over from the Nursery end Pranavitana, on 64, edged again, and this time it flew to Andrew Strauss who clung on for his 99th test catch to break the partnership at 207, a record for Sri Lanka against England.
Sangakkara and Dilshan saw out the last nine overs so that Sri Lanka closed on 231-1, still 255 behind, but with lots of batting still to come, the match could have an interesting finish.
Chris Tremlett joined Prior and they hit their way along merrily and the 450 arrived then Prior attempted to mow Rangana Herath into the Tavern Stand, and was bowled for 126. The last wicket still eluded them as Steve Finn joined Tremlett and they hit England to 486 and on the stroke of lunch Finn went the same way as Prior for 19, leaving Tremleet unbeaten on 24, Welegedara finishing with 4-122.
After lunch it was Sri Lanka's turn and Paranavitana and captain Dilshan, led a responce with the help of a mis-firing England attack. Paranavitana blocked and Dilshan playing loosely, didn't quite find the edge, although a top edge just evaded the sub fielder and went for six. Nothing went England's way and this was summed up when Finn finally found an edge of Paranavitana, only for Cook to spill a simple catch at third slip. Dilshan went to 50 off 58 balls and the hundred was up at tea with Sri Lanka 101-0.
After tea, Dilshan then proceeded to smack Swann for his 2nd six into the pavilion, felling a spectator. More of the same as none of Broad, Tremlett, Finn, Swann or even Kevin Pietersen, couldn't find a way through the openers. The aerial bombing approach of three tall bowlers wasn't working at all due to a poor line and a lifeless pitch as Paranavitana reached his 50 off 141 balls. Then Dilshan smacked one through the covers off Finn as he went to his first hundred as captain off only 129 balls.
With England running out of ideas, Dilshan inside edged the ball past the stumps for four off Finn, but his luck would finally change. In the next over from the Nursery end Pranavitana, on 64, edged again, and this time it flew to Andrew Strauss who clung on for his 99th test catch to break the partnership at 207, a record for Sri Lanka against England.
Sangakkara and Dilshan saw out the last nine overs so that Sri Lanka closed on 231-1, still 255 behind, but with lots of batting still to come, the match could have an interesting finish.
Tuesday 24 May 2011
Robbing 'em (Almost) Blind
Arrived at Chelmsford for the first day of Essex vs Middlesex during lunch to see that Graham Napier had blasted through the Middlesex top order to leave them 91-4.
Sam Robson, though, was still there in his first game of the season and he went on to 50 off 111 balls and with Jamie Dalrymple they put a halt to the slide. Dalrymple was particularly ruthless against 17 year old Reece Topley, taking him for three consecutive fours in an over that cost 17. Then in the next over he carted Tim Phillips back over long-off for six. He went to fifty with another four off Phillips which brought up the 100 partnership.
The return of Napier brought about Dalrymple's knock, edging him to Matt Walker at gully, 193-5. The new man John Simpson helped Robson bat to tea with Robson reaching a gritty 100 with a single off the last over before tea, although nearly running Simpson out. This left Middlesex 216-5 and after tea the pair ticked along merrily ad the Essex fielding began to slide a bit. First Simpson was dropped by Pettini off Phillips, then a couple of overs later the same man was dropped at deep square leg by Adam Wheater off Matt Walker, the change of bowler almost working.
These lives cost Essex slightly as Simpson took nine off Phillips next over before reaching his fifty at 284-5. The 100 partnership came next, then the 300 before Robson smoked another four to move into the 130s. Napier then found the breakthough for a well deserved fifth wicket, literally destroying Simpson's middle stump.
Nightwatchman Anthony Ireland and Robson batted out until close with Middlesex closing on 316-6 with Robson batting the whole day for 136 not out. Napier finished with impressive figures of 5-41 and it remains to be seen who will seize control tomorrow on a pitch that was good with some occasional uneven bounce.
Sam Robson, though, was still there in his first game of the season and he went on to 50 off 111 balls and with Jamie Dalrymple they put a halt to the slide. Dalrymple was particularly ruthless against 17 year old Reece Topley, taking him for three consecutive fours in an over that cost 17. Then in the next over he carted Tim Phillips back over long-off for six. He went to fifty with another four off Phillips which brought up the 100 partnership.
The return of Napier brought about Dalrymple's knock, edging him to Matt Walker at gully, 193-5. The new man John Simpson helped Robson bat to tea with Robson reaching a gritty 100 with a single off the last over before tea, although nearly running Simpson out. This left Middlesex 216-5 and after tea the pair ticked along merrily ad the Essex fielding began to slide a bit. First Simpson was dropped by Pettini off Phillips, then a couple of overs later the same man was dropped at deep square leg by Adam Wheater off Matt Walker, the change of bowler almost working.
These lives cost Essex slightly as Simpson took nine off Phillips next over before reaching his fifty at 284-5. The 100 partnership came next, then the 300 before Robson smoked another four to move into the 130s. Napier then found the breakthough for a well deserved fifth wicket, literally destroying Simpson's middle stump.
Nightwatchman Anthony Ireland and Robson batted out until close with Middlesex closing on 316-6 with Robson batting the whole day for 136 not out. Napier finished with impressive figures of 5-41 and it remains to be seen who will seize control tomorrow on a pitch that was good with some occasional uneven bounce.
Saturday 21 May 2011
Nothing Going Wright
This is a bonus report because I happened to be passing through London so decided to drop in on the 2nd day of Middlesex vs Glamorgan at Lord's. On day one MIddlesex had been skittled for 150, then Glamorgan were 151-1 at close.
Arrived at the ground just after 2pm to see "Glammy" were now 260-4, so at least some wickets have fallen, but this was going to be a tough game.
Mark Wallace and Ben Wright were in the process of demolishing the Middlesex attack as Wright went to a 46 ball fifty and the new ball didn't seem to help things as the runs piled on with no bowler being able to apply any sort of pressure to the Glamorgan batsmen. Wallace went LBW to Tim Murtagh for 46, breaking the partnership at 119.
Tea came and went and James Harris aided Wright in getting past 400 (again in the 110th over). Harris was bowled by Dalrymple then Wright brought up his hundred but fell next ball as it looked liked Middlesex might be facing under 300 run deficit when Graham Wagg and Robert Croft combined to take the match further away from them. The 101 run stand was only broken when Wagg chipped to mid-off for 63, but it was small consolation for a side that has been comprehensively outplayed so far in this game needing to take two wickets then score 367 as Glamorgan closed 517-8.
Arrived at the ground just after 2pm to see "Glammy" were now 260-4, so at least some wickets have fallen, but this was going to be a tough game.
Mark Wallace and Ben Wright were in the process of demolishing the Middlesex attack as Wright went to a 46 ball fifty and the new ball didn't seem to help things as the runs piled on with no bowler being able to apply any sort of pressure to the Glamorgan batsmen. Wallace went LBW to Tim Murtagh for 46, breaking the partnership at 119.
Tea came and went and James Harris aided Wright in getting past 400 (again in the 110th over). Harris was bowled by Dalrymple then Wright brought up his hundred but fell next ball as it looked liked Middlesex might be facing under 300 run deficit when Graham Wagg and Robert Croft combined to take the match further away from them. The 101 run stand was only broken when Wagg chipped to mid-off for 63, but it was small consolation for a side that has been comprehensively outplayed so far in this game needing to take two wickets then score 367 as Glamorgan closed 517-8.
Friday 20 May 2011
A Giddy Day in Leicester
A different day, a different ground. Leicester, for the 2nd day of Leicestershire's Championship game against Gloucestershire, why can't they make it easy to get to from Northampton?
Arrived at the ground just before the start where Gloucester started the 2nd day 177-3. Kane Williamson moved on from his overnight 102 to 149 before he was brilliantly caught low down by the giant Will Jefferson off Hoggard. At the other end Alex Gidman, the captain anchored the innings and was unbeaten at lunch after bringing up his fifty with a six off Henderson as the Leicester bowlers were looking pretty weak, even Kadeer Ali bowled an over, on a flat pitch with Gloucester 286-4.
After lunch, Gidman moved on past his hundred for the first time since 2009. His brother Will was the only wicket to fall lbw to Jigar Naik as Gloucester carried on to 419-5 at tea with Alex cracking his 150 and Gloucester scrambled their final batting point off the penultimate ball of the 110th over. Throughout the session, Hoggard kept the fielders awake with his witty banter.
Tea seemed to bring with it an improvement in the bowlers as the Gloucester quick run search turned into wickets with Gidman finally falling to Henderson for an excellent 168. Ed Young and Jon Batty then fell to Naik as Leicester fought their way back, Ian Saxelby hit Henderson for a massive six into the pavilion before Naik had him lbw as well. Jon Lewis hit Henderson for another six, then with a missed stumping bringing two byes, the declaration came with Gloucester 504-9.
This left Leicester 8 overs to bat and they did this to finish 15-0, Boyce (14*) taking 12 off one over from Saxelby.
Overall the day wasn't that great for Leicester although their good over rate (+8 at one point) meant play finished at exactly 6pm. Naik was the pick of the bowlers with 4-91 although Hoggard(3-80) looked menacing when the new ball had been taken.
Arrived at the ground just before the start where Gloucester started the 2nd day 177-3. Kane Williamson moved on from his overnight 102 to 149 before he was brilliantly caught low down by the giant Will Jefferson off Hoggard. At the other end Alex Gidman, the captain anchored the innings and was unbeaten at lunch after bringing up his fifty with a six off Henderson as the Leicester bowlers were looking pretty weak, even Kadeer Ali bowled an over, on a flat pitch with Gloucester 286-4.
After lunch, Gidman moved on past his hundred for the first time since 2009. His brother Will was the only wicket to fall lbw to Jigar Naik as Gloucester carried on to 419-5 at tea with Alex cracking his 150 and Gloucester scrambled their final batting point off the penultimate ball of the 110th over. Throughout the session, Hoggard kept the fielders awake with his witty banter.
Tea seemed to bring with it an improvement in the bowlers as the Gloucester quick run search turned into wickets with Gidman finally falling to Henderson for an excellent 168. Ed Young and Jon Batty then fell to Naik as Leicester fought their way back, Ian Saxelby hit Henderson for a massive six into the pavilion before Naik had him lbw as well. Jon Lewis hit Henderson for another six, then with a missed stumping bringing two byes, the declaration came with Gloucester 504-9.
This left Leicester 8 overs to bat and they did this to finish 15-0, Boyce (14*) taking 12 off one over from Saxelby.
Overall the day wasn't that great for Leicester although their good over rate (+8 at one point) meant play finished at exactly 6pm. Naik was the pick of the bowlers with 4-91 although Hoggard(3-80) looked menacing when the new ball had been taken.
Sunday 15 May 2011
A Straussgo Saturday
The first day of the Sri Lankan tour was an interesting day in wilds of Uxbridge. Middlesex won the toss and batted but arrived late at the ground to see that Robson had already gone caught behind. There was a Tamil protest outside the ground that kept up vocal criticism well into the afternoon session.
A good chunk of the home team was 2nd XI players so the game may not be that competitive, but nevertheless Strauss and Housego decided to make Dilshan's first day as captain a major headache. The two batted on and on, Strauss feeding off loose balls from Welegedera and Lakmal. Five of Sri Lanka's squad are still playing in the IPL meaning that Farveez Maharoof, who was the most consistent of the quicks, has been called up as cover. The mystery bowler Mendis had his variations ruthlessly thrashed by both players. They batted on until tea with Middlesex on 237-1 with Strauss reaching his hundred. Strauss finally fell for 151, with Middlesex 272-2. Housego then reached his hundred then fell to Herath.
This post-tea fightback by the Sri Lankans also acquired them the wickets of Rossington and Dalrymple. captain Malan and Simpson were left unbeaten with Middlesex on 321-5 from 93 overs.
This sets up an interesting next couple of days with Middlesex having to declare at 100 overs.
A good chunk of the home team was 2nd XI players so the game may not be that competitive, but nevertheless Strauss and Housego decided to make Dilshan's first day as captain a major headache. The two batted on and on, Strauss feeding off loose balls from Welegedera and Lakmal. Five of Sri Lanka's squad are still playing in the IPL meaning that Farveez Maharoof, who was the most consistent of the quicks, has been called up as cover. The mystery bowler Mendis had his variations ruthlessly thrashed by both players. They batted on until tea with Middlesex on 237-1 with Strauss reaching his hundred. Strauss finally fell for 151, with Middlesex 272-2. Housego then reached his hundred then fell to Herath.
This post-tea fightback by the Sri Lankans also acquired them the wickets of Rossington and Dalrymple. captain Malan and Simpson were left unbeaten with Middlesex on 321-5 from 93 overs.
This sets up an interesting next couple of days with Middlesex having to declare at 100 overs.
Monday 9 May 2011
Unicorns Are Real, and They Play Cricket
Bury St Edmunds, an unusual venue for Unicorns vs Essex, on a sunny day (not what the forecast said) Unicorns won the toss and batted.
This was not to be their day as Napier bowled Lett, then Thornely was lbw to Masters for 25, which proved to be the 2nd highest score. Campbell and Knappett then launched a recovery before the collapse began. Ravi Bopara bagged Campbell and Parsons in his first over Knappett was unluckily bowled off his pad by Tim Phillips. Amar Rashid went as well in the same over to leave the Unicorns 71-6. Phillips then took the next three to fall as Saker, Querl (the third 2nd ball duck of the innings) and Wheeldon all fell to varying degrees of shot to leave the Unicorns 98-9 with 10 overs still to go.
Then Chris Benham finally had someone to bat with in Tom Craddock on debut. Benham went after Phillips to ruin his figures slightly (5-28) on his way to a 66 ball 50. He then hit two fours off the under par Tsotsobe before holing out to Matt Walker at deep midwicket for 58 to set Essex 138 to win.
Essex's reply was steady with Pettini occupying the crease whilst Cook went after the bowling as Essex took the batting powerplay in the 11th over. Cook would fall though to a cracking yorker from Saker for 38 (which would later be voted champagne moment) as Napier came in to try and finish it off from 53-1. He didn't really get going on the slow track and after swiping a six off Craddock hit one to cover for 11.
Bopara and Pettini then batted Essex to a slow win with 5.5 overs to spare with Bopara hitting Benham's first ball in list-a cricket for 4. He finished 29 not out and Pettini 48 not out (off 100 balls) and Phillips was voted man of the match for his bowling.
This was not to be their day as Napier bowled Lett, then Thornely was lbw to Masters for 25, which proved to be the 2nd highest score. Campbell and Knappett then launched a recovery before the collapse began. Ravi Bopara bagged Campbell and Parsons in his first over Knappett was unluckily bowled off his pad by Tim Phillips. Amar Rashid went as well in the same over to leave the Unicorns 71-6. Phillips then took the next three to fall as Saker, Querl (the third 2nd ball duck of the innings) and Wheeldon all fell to varying degrees of shot to leave the Unicorns 98-9 with 10 overs still to go.
Then Chris Benham finally had someone to bat with in Tom Craddock on debut. Benham went after Phillips to ruin his figures slightly (5-28) on his way to a 66 ball 50. He then hit two fours off the under par Tsotsobe before holing out to Matt Walker at deep midwicket for 58 to set Essex 138 to win.
Essex's reply was steady with Pettini occupying the crease whilst Cook went after the bowling as Essex took the batting powerplay in the 11th over. Cook would fall though to a cracking yorker from Saker for 38 (which would later be voted champagne moment) as Napier came in to try and finish it off from 53-1. He didn't really get going on the slow track and after swiping a six off Craddock hit one to cover for 11.
Bopara and Pettini then batted Essex to a slow win with 5.5 overs to spare with Bopara hitting Benham's first ball in list-a cricket for 4. He finished 29 not out and Pettini 48 not out (off 100 balls) and Phillips was voted man of the match for his bowling.
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Harris'd
At Chelmsford for the first day of Essex vs Glamorgan, Essex won the toss and fielding on a cool day. David Masters found early swing and removed Rees and Petersen before Bragg and Powell steadied the innings. Just before lunch Lonwabo Tsotsobe had Powell caught behind for 36 to make it 94-3. Bragg reached a good 50 before he and Wallace fell in consecutive overs and when Ben Wright was well caught by Matt Walker 164-6 wasn't looking good.
James Harris then found support in first Wagg, who hit a quick 36 before falling to a trap being caught at long-off, then Cosker in compiling runs. Cosker went just after tea at 250-8, Harris then went to fifty before he and Waters went quickly to round the innings off for 282.
Harris wasn't done yet, he then had Cook lbw for 5 to leave Essex 13-1 in the 11 overs before close setting up an interesting day ahead
James Harris then found support in first Wagg, who hit a quick 36 before falling to a trap being caught at long-off, then Cosker in compiling runs. Cosker went just after tea at 250-8, Harris then went to fifty before he and Waters went quickly to round the innings off for 282.
Harris wasn't done yet, he then had Cook lbw for 5 to leave Essex 13-1 in the 11 overs before close setting up an interesting day ahead
Sunday 10 April 2011
Off to University
So a sunny day in Cambridge for Middlesex vs Cambridge MCCU, should be an easy game you'd think, however Chris Rogers was out for only nine. Dan Housego struggled along throughout the morning session but Scott Newman looked in form with a run-a-ball 80 until he chipped one to cover. Housego then fell from the last ball of the session for 36, 137-3.
After lunch Malan was joined by Dexter and between them they batted throughout the session, easily swatting away whatever the students bowled, with both passing 50 and by tea the score was looking much more convincing at 312-3.
After tea Dexter finally fell unluckily short a century for 91. Simpson came in and they batted through to the declaration with Malan on 142 not out and Simpson six not out at 373-4.
The 13 overs left before close proved too long for Cambridge, as Murtagh grabbed the wickets of Ackland and Hughes before nighwatchman Bell fell in the final over of the day to Toby Roland-Jones to finish on 40-3.
After lunch Malan was joined by Dexter and between them they batted throughout the session, easily swatting away whatever the students bowled, with both passing 50 and by tea the score was looking much more convincing at 312-3.
After tea Dexter finally fell unluckily short a century for 91. Simpson came in and they batted through to the declaration with Malan on 142 not out and Simpson six not out at 373-4.
The 13 overs left before close proved too long for Cambridge, as Murtagh grabbed the wickets of Ackland and Hughes before nighwatchman Bell fell in the final over of the day to Toby Roland-Jones to finish on 40-3.
Friday 1 April 2011
A Trip up "North"
Well yesterday was the 2nd of the pre-season games that I am planning to attend, a 40 over game between Northamptonshire and Middlesex.
Overnight rain meant the game didn't start until 11:00 where Northants won the toss and stuck Middlesex in. Jack Brooks bowled a cracking spell from the Lynn Wilson end and had Paul Stirling bowled for 6. Scott Newman on the other hand was taking apart David Lucas and hit sixes off both him and Brooks before David Willey held on to a screamer at point to leave Middlesex 41-2. Dan Housego and Tom Scollay then led a recovery before Middlebrook bowled Housego off the bottom edge for 12.
David Willey bowled a tight spell from the Lynn Wilson end and had Scollay lbw for 27 to leave the total looking precarious at 92-4. Gareth Berg then set about scoring runs without getting out (something that hadn't quite been managed up to now) in his 45 including a big six off Lucas in his 2nd spell. Simpson went and just when Dexter was looking good he carved to point off Lucas and then Steven Crook played the same shot in the same over, 156-7. Ollie Rayner started hitting with Berg, but both of them went with the score in the 190s, Rayner's being a comical run out where Davey ran for the third and did for Rayner by half a pitch length.
Smith and Davey, however took 17 off the final over to get to 230-9, a total that felt light given the short western boundary.
Northants innings began with Crook castling Loye only for it to be a no-ball and the free hit to be battered for 4. Tim Murtagh bowled a miserly spell to keep the required rate at a run a ball. Crook then bowled Newton for 9 and the no ball started to look expensive as Rob White and Loye took the total past 50. Luck was about to hit Middlesex as Loye dragged a drive straight to a startled Stirling at mid-on to bring in Alex Wakely in what was the partnership of the match. The two both brought up fifties with Wakely hitting sixes off Smith and Dexter as Middlesex tried 8 bowlers in an effort to take a wicket. Just as the two started to accelerate, however, Crook bagged White for 54, but Wakely looked as though he could carry the team home on his own as he took 17 off the first powerplay over with the required rate pushing 10 and over. David Sales inability to score fast meant that Wakely had to take risks and he took one too many from Murtagh's excellent powerplay bowling and was well caught on the square leg boundary by Davey and the belief that Middlesex could actually win returned to the players.
The end result was only a 7 run win with Niall O'Brien being caught and Sales run out in the final over as Hall valiantly tried to hit the sixes needed but came up short.
The Middlesex bowling looked better than it had against Surrey, but the batting was still suspect with more than one dodgy shot being played.
Overnight rain meant the game didn't start until 11:00 where Northants won the toss and stuck Middlesex in. Jack Brooks bowled a cracking spell from the Lynn Wilson end and had Paul Stirling bowled for 6. Scott Newman on the other hand was taking apart David Lucas and hit sixes off both him and Brooks before David Willey held on to a screamer at point to leave Middlesex 41-2. Dan Housego and Tom Scollay then led a recovery before Middlebrook bowled Housego off the bottom edge for 12.
David Willey bowled a tight spell from the Lynn Wilson end and had Scollay lbw for 27 to leave the total looking precarious at 92-4. Gareth Berg then set about scoring runs without getting out (something that hadn't quite been managed up to now) in his 45 including a big six off Lucas in his 2nd spell. Simpson went and just when Dexter was looking good he carved to point off Lucas and then Steven Crook played the same shot in the same over, 156-7. Ollie Rayner started hitting with Berg, but both of them went with the score in the 190s, Rayner's being a comical run out where Davey ran for the third and did for Rayner by half a pitch length.
Smith and Davey, however took 17 off the final over to get to 230-9, a total that felt light given the short western boundary.
Northants innings began with Crook castling Loye only for it to be a no-ball and the free hit to be battered for 4. Tim Murtagh bowled a miserly spell to keep the required rate at a run a ball. Crook then bowled Newton for 9 and the no ball started to look expensive as Rob White and Loye took the total past 50. Luck was about to hit Middlesex as Loye dragged a drive straight to a startled Stirling at mid-on to bring in Alex Wakely in what was the partnership of the match. The two both brought up fifties with Wakely hitting sixes off Smith and Dexter as Middlesex tried 8 bowlers in an effort to take a wicket. Just as the two started to accelerate, however, Crook bagged White for 54, but Wakely looked as though he could carry the team home on his own as he took 17 off the first powerplay over with the required rate pushing 10 and over. David Sales inability to score fast meant that Wakely had to take risks and he took one too many from Murtagh's excellent powerplay bowling and was well caught on the square leg boundary by Davey and the belief that Middlesex could actually win returned to the players.
The end result was only a 7 run win with Niall O'Brien being caught and Sales run out in the final over as Hall valiantly tried to hit the sixes needed but came up short.
The Middlesex bowling looked better than it had against Surrey, but the batting was still suspect with more than one dodgy shot being played.
Tuesday 29 March 2011
And So it Begins
Finally, the season is here! First match, Surrey vs Middlesex, in March, at The Oval.
Arrived at lunch due to general train lateness with Surrey 99-4 and Tim Murtagh having 3 wickets. After lunch Hamilton-Brown and Wilson batted fairly easily against Steve Crook and Murtagh until Murtagh had Hamilton-Brown well caught at slip b Dexter for 34 and in the same over had Gary Wilson caught at point by Robson for 15, 121-6. Murtagh had five and wasn't done yet, he then had Chris Jordan lbw and finished the over having Meaker caught at point by Robson to leave Surrey in touble at 130-8 with Murtagh having 7-41. Batty and Tom Jewell were the unlikely saviours of the innings and found the bowling of Tom Parsons and Berg easier than Murtagh and moved the score on fairly easily with the bowling looking a bit rusty to 183-8 at tea. The only real chance being a missed stumping by Simpson off Tom Smith.
After tea, Ben Scott took over keeping duties, and Ollie Rayner, bowling from the Vauxhall end finally bowled Batty for 34 going for a big shot. Crook was unlucky to have Linley then dropped at slip before Rayner finished off the innings with Berg catching Linley at midwicket for 2 to finish with 2-27, 210 all out. This left Middlesex with 30 overs before close.
Even 30 overs was enough time to dig a large hole for Middlesex as Newman (bowled Meaker for 6), Robson (lbw Meaker 10) and Simpson (lbw Linley 4) were all sent packing to leave MIddlesex 23-3. Housego and captain Dexter then led the recovery, aided by the introduction of Dunn and Jordan to the attack to take the score past 100. However, Gareth Batty got Dexter and then Berg before close to leave Middlesex with some work to do at 113-5, Housego still there on 27.
The Middlesex bowlers looked ok, Murtagh being most excellent, it is the batting that is more worrying, with a top order collapse being remarkably similar to last year, hopefully someone other than Dexter will find form by the time the actual season begins.
Arrived at lunch due to general train lateness with Surrey 99-4 and Tim Murtagh having 3 wickets. After lunch Hamilton-Brown and Wilson batted fairly easily against Steve Crook and Murtagh until Murtagh had Hamilton-Brown well caught at slip b Dexter for 34 and in the same over had Gary Wilson caught at point by Robson for 15, 121-6. Murtagh had five and wasn't done yet, he then had Chris Jordan lbw and finished the over having Meaker caught at point by Robson to leave Surrey in touble at 130-8 with Murtagh having 7-41. Batty and Tom Jewell were the unlikely saviours of the innings and found the bowling of Tom Parsons and Berg easier than Murtagh and moved the score on fairly easily with the bowling looking a bit rusty to 183-8 at tea. The only real chance being a missed stumping by Simpson off Tom Smith.
After tea, Ben Scott took over keeping duties, and Ollie Rayner, bowling from the Vauxhall end finally bowled Batty for 34 going for a big shot. Crook was unlucky to have Linley then dropped at slip before Rayner finished off the innings with Berg catching Linley at midwicket for 2 to finish with 2-27, 210 all out. This left Middlesex with 30 overs before close.
Even 30 overs was enough time to dig a large hole for Middlesex as Newman (bowled Meaker for 6), Robson (lbw Meaker 10) and Simpson (lbw Linley 4) were all sent packing to leave MIddlesex 23-3. Housego and captain Dexter then led the recovery, aided by the introduction of Dunn and Jordan to the attack to take the score past 100. However, Gareth Batty got Dexter and then Berg before close to leave Middlesex with some work to do at 113-5, Housego still there on 27.
The Middlesex bowlers looked ok, Murtagh being most excellent, it is the batting that is more worrying, with a top order collapse being remarkably similar to last year, hopefully someone other than Dexter will find form by the time the actual season begins.
Tuesday 15 March 2011
Starting out
This is Yet Another Cricket Blog, where I (that is me) will write my random ramblings on the sport of cricket throughout the English Summer.
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