The First half an afternoon of a t20 double header, England Women, already 1-0 up in their two match series, taking on India Women at Chelmsford.
India won the toss and batted, and were soon in a bit of trouble as Amita Sharma played and missed 3 of the first 5 balls from Katherine Brunt, before edging the sixth behind to Sarah Taylor for a duck. Poonam Raut and captain Mithali Raj then started a recovery, finding boundaries from Brunt and off spinners Danni Wyatt and Laura Marsh to take the score to 32-1 after the six over powerplay. Then a collapse ensued as Raj got in a tangle against Wyatt to thin edge to Taylor for an 18 ball 21. Then next over Harmanpreet Kaur played Holly Colvin into the covers and rejected the single with Raut halfway down, the throw from Susie Rowe was wide of the stumps, but Colvin managed to complete the run out whilst lying on the ground. This left India 38-3 and in danger of folding a low score.
Kaur and Mona Meshram scored fairly steadily though the middle overs, reaching 71-3 after 14 overs, with solid fielding from England keeping them down to mostly singles. Marsh, Colvin and Arran Brindle couldn't find the breakthrough and India looked to be stepping up the pace when Kaur got inside the line and swept Jenny Gunn high into the stands at square leg as nine came from the 15th over. Another big hit from Kaur off Colvin looked to be heading for six over midwicket, but Lydia Greenway dived, caught the ball, then threw it back onto the field before hitting the boundary, a fantastic bit of fielding that turned six into two and showed how well England were saving runs in the field. A wide from Brindle brought up the 50 partnership in the 17th over, but Meshram fell two balls for later for 17, skying high to Greenway at deep midwicket who took a good high catch, 89-4. Sulakshana Naik carted her first ball high for four, but was then run out for 8, failing to beat the throw from Charlotte Edwards to Taylor, 99-5 with two overs left.
Brunt then bowled an excellent final over, with Kaur trying to flick a yorker over fine leg from outside off, missing, and being bowled for 34 from 38. only three more came from the over as Jhulan Goswami skied to Brindle and mid off for 2, Brunt finishing with 3-18 including a wicket maiden. Nagaranjan Niranjana hit four from Brindle, but the mad dash for runs brought three run outs to end the innings. Firstly Niranjana (8) hit to cover and was beaten by Marsh's throw to Taylor going for a 2nd run. Then Ekta Bisht (3) went after a good diving stop on the point boundary from Rowe was relayed by Wyatt to Taylor to beat out the attempted third run. Then Gouher Sultana's slap to long off was well fielded by Colvin to Brindle to run out Archana Das for 2, India finishing 114 all out.
England's reply began strongly as Edwards and Marsh looked to attack the bowling, but Edwards was almost out when Niranjana's strong appeal for caught behind was turned down, Edwards replied by smahing the next ball for four but was LBW next ball for 15 from 14, Niranjana leaping about wildly again in celebration this time. This brought in Taylor who, after hitting 60 in the first game, wanted more today, but had to wait before she could cut loose. England were 31-1 after the powerplay, fairly even with India and India would have felt they had a chance when Marsh (5) was run out by Bisht, who managed to deflect the return from Taylor onto the stumps, 32-2.
This brought in the other in form batter Greenway, who was promptly dropped by keeper Naik on 0, as she and Taylor started to take the game away from India as quick running between the wickets and a steady supply of boundaries sped the chase along. 58 came from the first 10 overs, and more came along quickly as Sultana's first two balls were powerfully smashed back over her head for four by Taylor. Another four from Greenway took the partnership past 50 from 41 balls in the 14th over. Taylor then reached her 2nd fifty of the series from 39 balls as the end came quickly. With the score on 113-2, Taylor flicked Das's medium pace high over midwicket for four to pull off an 8 wicket win with 17 balls to spare, Greenway 30 not out from 31 and Taylor 67 from 48 with nine fours, and she picked up the player of the match and series awards as England took the series 2-0.
Next up this evening was Essex taking on Sussex.
Saturday 30 June 2012
Tuesday 26 June 2012
Not Quite, White
A t20 on a Saturday, a collectors item in itself as Northampton (with dodgy forecast) is the venue for Northants vs Worcestershire.
Worcestershire won the toss, and decided to bat first, and found the going a bit tough (for a t20 anyway). Moeen Ali and Vikram Solanki both found the boundary, but Oli Stone then found Solanki's leg stump to fall for 8, 14-1. Chaminda Vaas and Stone then followed up with 7 off the next three overs, even a four off James Middlebrook's first over left Worcestershire 29-1 after the powerplay.
Moeen Ali then fell backing away and trying to swing Middlebrook over cover, well caught by captain Alex Wakely for 14, 33-2. This brought James Cameron to join Australian Phil Hughes for the partnership that took the game away from Northants.
It wasn't fast going, but some solid strokes brought boundaries off Middlebrook and Rob Keogh left the score 78-2 after 14 when the fireworks began. Con de Lange's first ball was smashed by Cameron for six and next over Hughes swung David Willey over long on, and followed it with two fours through midwicket (the last off a free hit) as 21 came from the over. Things got worse for Northants as Cameron absolutely annihilated a full toss from De Lange high over the West Stand at square leg, and on one bounce, out of the ground to bring up his 50 from 31 balls as 13 came from the over. Stone then got stoned for 11 off the 18th that brought up the 100 partnership for the third wicket, as Hughes also passed 50 from 47 balls. Vaas returned for his last over, and immediately had Cameron caught on the long on for 57 from 39, Hughes (52 from 50) then fell next ball, a big heave to the outswinger, and found the edge to be caught low down (somewhat bizarrely) at short third man by Stone, who then had Daryl Mitchell caught in the deep by Keogh for 1 as the late comeback left Worcestershire 142-5. Vaas was the best bowler, with 2-15 from his four overs, and Stone took 2-26.
Northants start was slow and uninspiring as Kyle Coetzer and Vaas struggled against Jack Shantry and David Lucas, and when Vaas lasered Lucas for four, he was bowled next ball for 9 off 9. Northants managed to leave things pretty even after the powerplay, partly due to Wakely's insistence of smiting Gareth Andrew to Alex Kervezee on the square leg fence for 1, 32-2.
Cameron White, the big hitting Australian then came in, but was reigned in during the spell of the match from Moeen Ali, whose off spin from the Lynn Wilson End was tight and when it did get hit, it was straight to a fielder. The innings was meandering along with 56 off the first 10, but that was all Northants really needed provided they didn't do anything stupid. Coetzer was beginning to play some good strokes, but then skied Mitchell to Ali at long off for a run a ball 33. This was the key break as Rob White then came and went for a tough 9 ball 4, heaving to Kervezee in the deep to give Mitchell another. Ali finished his 4 for only 14 runs with no boundaries, a match winning spell as it turned out.
At the other end, with the score 73-4, White decided he'd had enough of dealing with these amateurs, smashing Mitchell for a six into the roller at square leg, and then six more just past the Kervezee running round to midwicket. 16 from the 16th, but 12 an over was too much on this pitch for the others with Middlebrook hitting Shantry to long off where Cameron completed a great low catch to go for 4, 99-5.
White then hammered Lucas way over midwicket, over the groundsman's hut and out of the ground with bring up his 37 ball 50, but struggled to get the strike as Willey only succeeded in toe ending the ball to the men in the ring. White did have the last laugh in his fantastic innings, swinging the last ball of the match from Lucas effortlessly over the groundsman's hut at midwicket again as Northants ended 14 short, 128-5. White ended 62 from 42 ball with 1 four and four sixes. Mitchell took 2-29 but it was Ali's 14 run spell that got the match award. The win aids Worcestershire's quarter final push and all but eliminates Northants from the running.
Worcestershire won the toss, and decided to bat first, and found the going a bit tough (for a t20 anyway). Moeen Ali and Vikram Solanki both found the boundary, but Oli Stone then found Solanki's leg stump to fall for 8, 14-1. Chaminda Vaas and Stone then followed up with 7 off the next three overs, even a four off James Middlebrook's first over left Worcestershire 29-1 after the powerplay.
Moeen Ali then fell backing away and trying to swing Middlebrook over cover, well caught by captain Alex Wakely for 14, 33-2. This brought James Cameron to join Australian Phil Hughes for the partnership that took the game away from Northants.
It wasn't fast going, but some solid strokes brought boundaries off Middlebrook and Rob Keogh left the score 78-2 after 14 when the fireworks began. Con de Lange's first ball was smashed by Cameron for six and next over Hughes swung David Willey over long on, and followed it with two fours through midwicket (the last off a free hit) as 21 came from the over. Things got worse for Northants as Cameron absolutely annihilated a full toss from De Lange high over the West Stand at square leg, and on one bounce, out of the ground to bring up his 50 from 31 balls as 13 came from the over. Stone then got stoned for 11 off the 18th that brought up the 100 partnership for the third wicket, as Hughes also passed 50 from 47 balls. Vaas returned for his last over, and immediately had Cameron caught on the long on for 57 from 39, Hughes (52 from 50) then fell next ball, a big heave to the outswinger, and found the edge to be caught low down (somewhat bizarrely) at short third man by Stone, who then had Daryl Mitchell caught in the deep by Keogh for 1 as the late comeback left Worcestershire 142-5. Vaas was the best bowler, with 2-15 from his four overs, and Stone took 2-26.
Northants start was slow and uninspiring as Kyle Coetzer and Vaas struggled against Jack Shantry and David Lucas, and when Vaas lasered Lucas for four, he was bowled next ball for 9 off 9. Northants managed to leave things pretty even after the powerplay, partly due to Wakely's insistence of smiting Gareth Andrew to Alex Kervezee on the square leg fence for 1, 32-2.
Cameron White, the big hitting Australian then came in, but was reigned in during the spell of the match from Moeen Ali, whose off spin from the Lynn Wilson End was tight and when it did get hit, it was straight to a fielder. The innings was meandering along with 56 off the first 10, but that was all Northants really needed provided they didn't do anything stupid. Coetzer was beginning to play some good strokes, but then skied Mitchell to Ali at long off for a run a ball 33. This was the key break as Rob White then came and went for a tough 9 ball 4, heaving to Kervezee in the deep to give Mitchell another. Ali finished his 4 for only 14 runs with no boundaries, a match winning spell as it turned out.
At the other end, with the score 73-4, White decided he'd had enough of dealing with these amateurs, smashing Mitchell for a six into the roller at square leg, and then six more just past the Kervezee running round to midwicket. 16 from the 16th, but 12 an over was too much on this pitch for the others with Middlebrook hitting Shantry to long off where Cameron completed a great low catch to go for 4, 99-5.
White then hammered Lucas way over midwicket, over the groundsman's hut and out of the ground with bring up his 37 ball 50, but struggled to get the strike as Willey only succeeded in toe ending the ball to the men in the ring. White did have the last laugh in his fantastic innings, swinging the last ball of the match from Lucas effortlessly over the groundsman's hut at midwicket again as Northants ended 14 short, 128-5. White ended 62 from 42 ball with 1 four and four sixes. Mitchell took 2-29 but it was Ali's 14 run spell that got the match award. The win aids Worcestershire's quarter final push and all but eliminates Northants from the running.
Sunday 24 June 2012
Just How Close Can You Get?
With a return to the shorter format of the shortest format, Middlesex took on Essex at Lord's, in a tough south group where the hosts have struggled so far. Essex won the toss and batted first, and found the going tough, with Mark Pettini and James Franklin not blasting away against some tight bowling from Ollie Rayner, Steven Crook and Toby Roland-Jones. The powerplay brought 44 runs, and in the next over, Pettini's ambitious cut chopped Rayner onto his off-stump to go for 26, 46-1. Joe Denly then made a terrible drop of Franklin at long-on off Tom Smith, but it didn't cost much as he was stumped by John Simpson off Rayner for 23. Rayner finishing up with 2-16 off his 4 overs.
Ryan Ten Doeschate then took this as his cue to go nuts, hitting Smith for consecutive sixes in the next over, both huge hits over long-on, before doing the same in his next over. This brought up the 100 in the 14th over, and but Essex back on course for a decent total, but he fell next ball, LBW to Neil Dexter for 38 off 26. This brought in Graham Napier, who went about his merry way the rest of the over, ending it with four over cover, four through square leg, six over cover, four over cover to cart 18 from it.
The pace slowed again, as Middlesex had a strong finish to the innings, James Foster (13) holed out to Dexter off Roland-Jones, Napier (28 off 12) skied Gareth Berg to Rayner at cover and Greg Smith (14) hit Berg to Chris Rogers at long-on as only 34 came off the last four overs, Roland-Jones in particular with some accurate and fairly unplayable death bowling, leaving Essex 155-6, Middlesex needing 156 to win.
Middlesex then messed up their reply, Denly (1) swinging Tim Phillips spin to Franklin diving at mid-on. Adam Rossington then hit David Masters' first ball for four, and then swung Phillips high over long-on for six. Rogers, however, then smashed Phillips to Smith at deep mid wicket to go for 3, 19-2.
The introduction of Napier brought a wicket first ball as Malan slashed to point for 1, 26-3. Rossington fell next over, LBW to Masters for 22, perhaps unlucky, the ball looked like it was going over the stumps.
Reece Topley struck in the ninth over with the innings going nowhere, Dexter batting wide outside leg, got an edge to Foster, who was standing up and managed to trap the ball on the top of his gloves before flicking it into his gloves to complete the catch, gone for 5. Middlesex 36-5 needing 10.7 an over as Berg and Simpson rebuilt the innings, Berg hit fours in each of the next four over from Smith, Topley (a particularly good swipe through square leg off a free hit), Franklin and Phillips (a reverse sweep).
Simpson then skied to Tom Westley at cover, and Berg dumped Phillips into the Grand Stand, then was caught by Foster next ball off a reverse sweep for 39 from 36. This left Middlesex 88-7 after 15 overs with Crook and Rayner the only hope. Crook began by pulling Smith into the Mound Stand six, then followed up with six into the Grand stand and a four off Napier in the next over. Rayner then got going, four, four (inside edge), two off Franklin, then Rayner carted a Napier full toss into the Grand Stand, leaving Middlesex still in with a sniff, 19 needed from the final over. It was not to be, as Crook toe ended Smith to Pettini at deep cover to go for 22 off 10, a partnership of 49 from 26. Rayner did swing Smith for another six over cover, but couldn't fond the boundary off the penultimate ball, Toby Roland-Jones was then run out off the final ball, complete with pouring rain, by Adam Wheater and Foster coming back for a second run. Middlesex finishing 149-9, losing by six runs, Rayner finishing 39 off 21, Phillips the stand out bowler with 3-27.
Ryan Ten Doeschate then took this as his cue to go nuts, hitting Smith for consecutive sixes in the next over, both huge hits over long-on, before doing the same in his next over. This brought up the 100 in the 14th over, and but Essex back on course for a decent total, but he fell next ball, LBW to Neil Dexter for 38 off 26. This brought in Graham Napier, who went about his merry way the rest of the over, ending it with four over cover, four through square leg, six over cover, four over cover to cart 18 from it.
The pace slowed again, as Middlesex had a strong finish to the innings, James Foster (13) holed out to Dexter off Roland-Jones, Napier (28 off 12) skied Gareth Berg to Rayner at cover and Greg Smith (14) hit Berg to Chris Rogers at long-on as only 34 came off the last four overs, Roland-Jones in particular with some accurate and fairly unplayable death bowling, leaving Essex 155-6, Middlesex needing 156 to win.
Middlesex then messed up their reply, Denly (1) swinging Tim Phillips spin to Franklin diving at mid-on. Adam Rossington then hit David Masters' first ball for four, and then swung Phillips high over long-on for six. Rogers, however, then smashed Phillips to Smith at deep mid wicket to go for 3, 19-2.
The introduction of Napier brought a wicket first ball as Malan slashed to point for 1, 26-3. Rossington fell next over, LBW to Masters for 22, perhaps unlucky, the ball looked like it was going over the stumps.
Reece Topley struck in the ninth over with the innings going nowhere, Dexter batting wide outside leg, got an edge to Foster, who was standing up and managed to trap the ball on the top of his gloves before flicking it into his gloves to complete the catch, gone for 5. Middlesex 36-5 needing 10.7 an over as Berg and Simpson rebuilt the innings, Berg hit fours in each of the next four over from Smith, Topley (a particularly good swipe through square leg off a free hit), Franklin and Phillips (a reverse sweep).
Simpson then skied to Tom Westley at cover, and Berg dumped Phillips into the Grand Stand, then was caught by Foster next ball off a reverse sweep for 39 from 36. This left Middlesex 88-7 after 15 overs with Crook and Rayner the only hope. Crook began by pulling Smith into the Mound Stand six, then followed up with six into the Grand stand and a four off Napier in the next over. Rayner then got going, four, four (inside edge), two off Franklin, then Rayner carted a Napier full toss into the Grand Stand, leaving Middlesex still in with a sniff, 19 needed from the final over. It was not to be, as Crook toe ended Smith to Pettini at deep cover to go for 22 off 10, a partnership of 49 from 26. Rayner did swing Smith for another six over cover, but couldn't fond the boundary off the penultimate ball, Toby Roland-Jones was then run out off the final ball, complete with pouring rain, by Adam Wheater and Foster coming back for a second run. Middlesex finishing 149-9, losing by six runs, Rayner finishing 39 off 21, Phillips the stand out bowler with 3-27.
Sunday 17 June 2012
Bravo, Smith, Bravo!
The 50 over tour match between Middlesex and the West Indies would be a one-sided affair, with the home side being comfortably crushed. Dexter won the toss and batted, with Lendl Simmons and Chris Gayle (his first game back for the West Indies) blasting the ball about, Gayle hitting Robbie Williams for two fours in one over, before hoisting Tim Murtagh for two sixes in the next. He then swiped Anthony Ireland's first ball to Josh Davey in the deep to go for 34. Simmons then wandered down the track to Paul Striling and was easily stumped by Adam Rossington (on debut) for 23, 67-2 after 15 and not looking too comfortable. But they needn't have worried as Dwayne Smith and Darren Bravo began to hit out against the weak Middlesex attack, they weren't without chances as Smith inside edged Ireland for four and was dropped by Malan off Tom Smith, a tough chance diving to his right at long-off. He was also missed by Smith at cover, a half chance from a lasered drive.
Smith reached 50 off 48 balls, and Bravo off 69 balls before they decimated the bowling. Smith thumped an on drive off Ireland which carried into the back of the top tier of the pavilion, only a couple of metres lower the Keiron Pollard's hit into the right side tower couple of years ago. Smith looked set for his first list-A hundred, but toe ended Murtagh to Stirling at mid off to fall for 96 from 89 balls, a partnership of 156.
Big hitting Pollard was next in, but he only scored 18 when he top edged a hoick off Davey for Stirling to take an excellent diving catch at deep point in front of the Grand Stand crowd. 262-4 with 6 overs left and Middlesex may have thought they were getting away with it as a variety of full tosses weren't always punished as they should be. Williams had dropped Darren Bravo at long-off a couple of overs before, and had broken his collarbone in landing, so it meant Ireland, Davey and Dexter (Middlesex used 8 bowlers in all) to finish off, and it went badly. Sub Tom Scollay provided more poor fielding, letting Dwayne Bravo (Darren's half brother) get four through long on with a weak flap at a bouncing ball before Dwayne twice hit Ireland to the shorter Grand Stand boundary as 22 came off the 39th over to bring up the 300. Darren Bravo then went to his hundred off 110 balls in the last over, before Dwayne hit another six off Davey over point. Dwayne couldn't get two from the 4th ball of the over, but Darren finished the innings well, rattling a straight six off the middle deck of the pavilion then hitting the last ball high into the Warner Stand to finish 112 not out from 112 balls, Dwayne with 40 from 21 (2 fours 3 sixes) as West Indies finished 335-4, a massive total and probably well beyond Middlesex. Stirling finished with 1-28 from seven (why didn't he bowl all 10?) and Davey 1-71 from 10.
Any hopes of a solid start were dashed when Robson (3) was LBW to Andre Russell, though it maybe was a touch too high. Paul Stirling (1) mis-timed a flick off his pads to Darren B at square leg, 11-2. Neil Dexter hit three fours, and actually looked like making a decent score, before toeing one from Russell to square leg for 12, 31-3. Adam London (3) then fell to the obvious hook trap, hitting the ball down the throat of Simmons on the boundary to give Dwayne B a wicket, 38-4. 19 year old Rossington looked capable against the West Indies bowlers, playing Dwayne B and mystery spinner Sunil Narine very well, unlike his team mates. But all too soon, Malan went for a pull and top edged to keeper Denesh Ramdin running round to go fro 21 from 43 as Middlesex then had another collapse. Next over, Davey played the ball from Narine to square leg and charged through for the single, with Rossington shouting back to no avail, so sacrificing his wicket for 17, run out by Pollard and Ramdin by the length of the pitch. Murtagh then had a massive slog at Narine 2nd ball and edged to Ramdin, 67-7, 3 wickets in 9 balls and reaching 100 looking a big ask.
Davey and Tom Smith then fashioned a defensive partnership, mainly blocking and occasionally hitting through the gaps, Davey with a particularly good slog-sweep off Narine for four. Smith even bowled to Smith to complete a further commentators nightmare, but the end was nigh as Gayle's off spin soon cleaned up in his only over. Smith tried a reverse sweep and got in a complete tangle, with the West Indies claiming the catch at slip, the umpires ruled it incomclusive, so Gayle fired the next ball down to send the leg stump flying, 107-8, adding 40 in 12 overs. Ireland came and was LBW 2nd ball for a duck (both wickets accompanied by Gayle's unique celebrations) and with Williams unable to bat, Middlesex were all out for 107, a double wicket maiden from Gayle meaning a win by 228 runs for the West Indies, Rampaul 2-15 from six and Russell 2-19 from five being the other stand out bowlers. This was Middlesex's biggest List A defeat and an uninspiring warm up for the T20 which they now begin.
Smith reached 50 off 48 balls, and Bravo off 69 balls before they decimated the bowling. Smith thumped an on drive off Ireland which carried into the back of the top tier of the pavilion, only a couple of metres lower the Keiron Pollard's hit into the right side tower couple of years ago. Smith looked set for his first list-A hundred, but toe ended Murtagh to Stirling at mid off to fall for 96 from 89 balls, a partnership of 156.
Big hitting Pollard was next in, but he only scored 18 when he top edged a hoick off Davey for Stirling to take an excellent diving catch at deep point in front of the Grand Stand crowd. 262-4 with 6 overs left and Middlesex may have thought they were getting away with it as a variety of full tosses weren't always punished as they should be. Williams had dropped Darren Bravo at long-off a couple of overs before, and had broken his collarbone in landing, so it meant Ireland, Davey and Dexter (Middlesex used 8 bowlers in all) to finish off, and it went badly. Sub Tom Scollay provided more poor fielding, letting Dwayne Bravo (Darren's half brother) get four through long on with a weak flap at a bouncing ball before Dwayne twice hit Ireland to the shorter Grand Stand boundary as 22 came off the 39th over to bring up the 300. Darren Bravo then went to his hundred off 110 balls in the last over, before Dwayne hit another six off Davey over point. Dwayne couldn't get two from the 4th ball of the over, but Darren finished the innings well, rattling a straight six off the middle deck of the pavilion then hitting the last ball high into the Warner Stand to finish 112 not out from 112 balls, Dwayne with 40 from 21 (2 fours 3 sixes) as West Indies finished 335-4, a massive total and probably well beyond Middlesex. Stirling finished with 1-28 from seven (why didn't he bowl all 10?) and Davey 1-71 from 10.
Any hopes of a solid start were dashed when Robson (3) was LBW to Andre Russell, though it maybe was a touch too high. Paul Stirling (1) mis-timed a flick off his pads to Darren B at square leg, 11-2. Neil Dexter hit three fours, and actually looked like making a decent score, before toeing one from Russell to square leg for 12, 31-3. Adam London (3) then fell to the obvious hook trap, hitting the ball down the throat of Simmons on the boundary to give Dwayne B a wicket, 38-4. 19 year old Rossington looked capable against the West Indies bowlers, playing Dwayne B and mystery spinner Sunil Narine very well, unlike his team mates. But all too soon, Malan went for a pull and top edged to keeper Denesh Ramdin running round to go fro 21 from 43 as Middlesex then had another collapse. Next over, Davey played the ball from Narine to square leg and charged through for the single, with Rossington shouting back to no avail, so sacrificing his wicket for 17, run out by Pollard and Ramdin by the length of the pitch. Murtagh then had a massive slog at Narine 2nd ball and edged to Ramdin, 67-7, 3 wickets in 9 balls and reaching 100 looking a big ask.
Davey and Tom Smith then fashioned a defensive partnership, mainly blocking and occasionally hitting through the gaps, Davey with a particularly good slog-sweep off Narine for four. Smith even bowled to Smith to complete a further commentators nightmare, but the end was nigh as Gayle's off spin soon cleaned up in his only over. Smith tried a reverse sweep and got in a complete tangle, with the West Indies claiming the catch at slip, the umpires ruled it incomclusive, so Gayle fired the next ball down to send the leg stump flying, 107-8, adding 40 in 12 overs. Ireland came and was LBW 2nd ball for a duck (both wickets accompanied by Gayle's unique celebrations) and with Williams unable to bat, Middlesex were all out for 107, a double wicket maiden from Gayle meaning a win by 228 runs for the West Indies, Rampaul 2-15 from six and Russell 2-19 from five being the other stand out bowlers. This was Middlesex's biggest List A defeat and an uninspiring warm up for the T20 which they now begin.
Sunday 10 June 2012
Royal Rain
On Jubilee Tuesday, Middlesex start their 5th home game of the season at Lord's, this time against Sussex. For the first time this season Middlesex won the toss and fielded first.
Ninth ball of the day, Alex Barrow was tucked up by a short ball from Corey Collymore finding the edge for John Simpson to take a great diving catch to go for nought, 0-1. Then Nick Compton, scorer of 1000 runs this season, left an inswinger from Tim Murtagh which trimmed the off bail, Somerset 1-2 inside three overs. Arul Suppiah and James Hildreth then showed some lasting power, albeit with luck, as runs came about slowly with the run rate at 2 an over. Toby Roland-Jones then got one to skid past Suppiah's prod to be bowled for 15, 45-3. Craig Kieswetter came in and batted out until lunch. After lunch, runs began to flow as Kieswetter played some powerful drives and pulls, bringing up the 50 partnership in a good fightback. Hildreth found the going easier against the older ball and he reached 50 off 108 balls with 5 fours, as Somerset passed 100. Corey Collymore pulled up with a knee injury one ball into the 47th over, meaning Gareth Berg had to complete the over, and Hildreth swung and edged the last ball behind for 58, Middlesex back ahead with Somerset 125-4. The rain then came two overs later, at 130-4, and it didn't stop, so the play was called off at 4:40, and with the forecast dodgy for the next three days, it couold be hard for one side to force a result.
There was one last thing, the aircraft from the royal flypast flew over the Grand stand, a great sight for those of us left at Lord's in the rain.
Ninth ball of the day, Alex Barrow was tucked up by a short ball from Corey Collymore finding the edge for John Simpson to take a great diving catch to go for nought, 0-1. Then Nick Compton, scorer of 1000 runs this season, left an inswinger from Tim Murtagh which trimmed the off bail, Somerset 1-2 inside three overs. Arul Suppiah and James Hildreth then showed some lasting power, albeit with luck, as runs came about slowly with the run rate at 2 an over. Toby Roland-Jones then got one to skid past Suppiah's prod to be bowled for 15, 45-3. Craig Kieswetter came in and batted out until lunch. After lunch, runs began to flow as Kieswetter played some powerful drives and pulls, bringing up the 50 partnership in a good fightback. Hildreth found the going easier against the older ball and he reached 50 off 108 balls with 5 fours, as Somerset passed 100. Corey Collymore pulled up with a knee injury one ball into the 47th over, meaning Gareth Berg had to complete the over, and Hildreth swung and edged the last ball behind for 58, Middlesex back ahead with Somerset 125-4. The rain then came two overs later, at 130-4, and it didn't stop, so the play was called off at 4:40, and with the forecast dodgy for the next three days, it couold be hard for one side to force a result.
There was one last thing, the aircraft from the royal flypast flew over the Grand stand, a great sight for those of us left at Lord's in the rain.
Sunday 3 June 2012
Sussex Sunk
The final day of Middlesex vs Sussex at Lord's, with Sussex 34-1 in their 2nd innings, still needing another 174 to avoid an innings defeat.
Steve Finn opened from the Pavilion End with a hostile spell, Chris Nash inside edging a four, only to be bowled next ball, 58-2. Murray Goodwin has failed so far this year to score many runs, and he promptly poked Finn to Ollie Rayner at slip for 5. Joe Gatting and Mike Yardy then saw off Finn and Tim Murtagh, but Gareth Berg struck almost immediately, Gatting LBW for 18. Luke Wright now joined captain Yardy in having to bat until almost tea to try and save the game, Toby Roland-Jones having a strong LBW shout turned down against Yardy. The pair brought up the 100, only for a couple of dumb shots cost them any chance they still had in the game. First, Wright (13) went for a booming drive through the covers, only for the edge to fly to a diving Finn at gully. Then, 4 balls later, Yardy pulled a short ball from Roland-Jones straight to Eoin Morgan at deep square leg for 10, one of the two men placed there for the obvious ploy. That moment of madness left Sussex 101-6, with Ben Brown and Naved Arif seeing out the time until lunch, 102-6.
After lunch there was a seven over period before Sussex scored a run and when the did Arif edged a cut to Morgan at gully who spilt a relatively easy catch. The pair had their moments of luck, Arif even headed a Berg bouncer, but wickets weren't forthcoming as Brown played some good strokes as he had in the 1st innings and showed that there really was nothing wrong with the pitch. The fifty partnership then came up as the batsmen started to get more expansive, Brown thumping a cover drive off Rayner.
Arif finally fished at an outswinger from Berg and was well caught low down by Dawid Malan diving at first slip on 15, 164-7 after adding 63 in 25 overs. Sussex had tended to lose wickets in batches, and after another booming cover drive off Rayner to go to 50 from 83 balls, his 2nd of the game, Chris Rogers moved himself to a very short cover so Brown attempted a reverse sweep next ball, only for it to bounce off his glove to Berg at slip to fall for 53, 170-8 now. The return of Finn couldn't get another before tea with Sussex 191-8, 17 behind, James Anyon and Steve Magoffin surviving.
After tea, Rogers made the smart move of replacing Rayner with Malan at the nursery end, and the batsmen couldn't resist going for a hit against his leg-breaks. Magoffin having one keep low and miss his leg stump. Anyon edged Finn for four, before hitting four more to level the scores in the match. Magoffin then swung Malan for a colossal six flat into the back row of the Mound Stand. Four more to the Grand Stand boundary and an upper cut off Finn and soon the pair had added 50 in 12 overs. Magoffin then went for one hit too many, skying to Roland-Jones at deep mid-on to fall for 37 off 54, 223-9. Monty Panesar (0) then went for a Viv Richards-esque swing over midwicket, only to find Finn and give Malan his 2nd (2-19) as Sussex finished 225 all out, Anyon 13*, Finn 3-66, Berg 3-53, Rayner 1-12 with Middlesex needing 18 to win off 29 overs.
Gatting and Nash opened the bowling as Sam Robson and Rogers made light work of the of the win, Robson (10) driving Nash for four to win by 10 wickets at 4:40 their 3rd win of the year, shoring up 4th place in the table for now.
Steve Finn opened from the Pavilion End with a hostile spell, Chris Nash inside edging a four, only to be bowled next ball, 58-2. Murray Goodwin has failed so far this year to score many runs, and he promptly poked Finn to Ollie Rayner at slip for 5. Joe Gatting and Mike Yardy then saw off Finn and Tim Murtagh, but Gareth Berg struck almost immediately, Gatting LBW for 18. Luke Wright now joined captain Yardy in having to bat until almost tea to try and save the game, Toby Roland-Jones having a strong LBW shout turned down against Yardy. The pair brought up the 100, only for a couple of dumb shots cost them any chance they still had in the game. First, Wright (13) went for a booming drive through the covers, only for the edge to fly to a diving Finn at gully. Then, 4 balls later, Yardy pulled a short ball from Roland-Jones straight to Eoin Morgan at deep square leg for 10, one of the two men placed there for the obvious ploy. That moment of madness left Sussex 101-6, with Ben Brown and Naved Arif seeing out the time until lunch, 102-6.
After lunch there was a seven over period before Sussex scored a run and when the did Arif edged a cut to Morgan at gully who spilt a relatively easy catch. The pair had their moments of luck, Arif even headed a Berg bouncer, but wickets weren't forthcoming as Brown played some good strokes as he had in the 1st innings and showed that there really was nothing wrong with the pitch. The fifty partnership then came up as the batsmen started to get more expansive, Brown thumping a cover drive off Rayner.
Arif finally fished at an outswinger from Berg and was well caught low down by Dawid Malan diving at first slip on 15, 164-7 after adding 63 in 25 overs. Sussex had tended to lose wickets in batches, and after another booming cover drive off Rayner to go to 50 from 83 balls, his 2nd of the game, Chris Rogers moved himself to a very short cover so Brown attempted a reverse sweep next ball, only for it to bounce off his glove to Berg at slip to fall for 53, 170-8 now. The return of Finn couldn't get another before tea with Sussex 191-8, 17 behind, James Anyon and Steve Magoffin surviving.
After tea, Rogers made the smart move of replacing Rayner with Malan at the nursery end, and the batsmen couldn't resist going for a hit against his leg-breaks. Magoffin having one keep low and miss his leg stump. Anyon edged Finn for four, before hitting four more to level the scores in the match. Magoffin then swung Malan for a colossal six flat into the back row of the Mound Stand. Four more to the Grand Stand boundary and an upper cut off Finn and soon the pair had added 50 in 12 overs. Magoffin then went for one hit too many, skying to Roland-Jones at deep mid-on to fall for 37 off 54, 223-9. Monty Panesar (0) then went for a Viv Richards-esque swing over midwicket, only to find Finn and give Malan his 2nd (2-19) as Sussex finished 225 all out, Anyon 13*, Finn 3-66, Berg 3-53, Rayner 1-12 with Middlesex needing 18 to win off 29 overs.
Gatting and Nash opened the bowling as Sam Robson and Rogers made light work of the of the win, Robson (10) driving Nash for four to win by 10 wickets at 4:40 their 3rd win of the year, shoring up 4th place in the table for now.
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