So, to Chelmsford for some Championship Division 2 cricket between Essex and Hampshire. Day 3 and after a day 2 was washed out, Hampshire resumed on 303-6 in their first innings, Neil McKenzie 134 and Dimitri Mascarenhas on 7.
A maiden from Harbhajan Singh began the day, before McKenzie straight drove Graham Napier for four next over. David Masters came on for the third over at the River End and got McKenzie 6th ball, caught behind from a good ball for 139. Mascarenhas was left trudging back next over after Napier's yorker flattened his off stump, Hampshire now 308-8. David Balcombe got a similar sort of feeling as Napier did the same to him in his next over, 313-9. The end came soon as Danny Briggs got an outside edge to a big heave off Harbhajan and was comfortably caught at point by Greg Smith for 7, Hampshire 323 all out, Napier taking 4-62 and Masters 3-55.
Essex's first innings got under way with a three but then took on an unusual note as Billy Godleman and Jaik Mickleburgh blocked their way along for the rest of the session to 18-0 in 18 overs, Balcombe 7 over for 2 runs being the most startling statistic.
Essex then surprised everyone, including the groundstaff by declaring at lunch before coming out to help Hampshire to set an (obviously agreed) total for Essex to chase. Jimmy Adams and McKenzie came out to bat and went along comfortably for 14.5 overs, the highlights really being consecutive fours by McKenzie off Napier, 15 off Ryan ten Doeschate's only over (wide, and 3 fours round the ground by Adams) and McKenzie's lofted six over long off off Tom Westley. Hampshire declared with a single off Tom Craddock on 54-0, setting Essex 360 to win in a day and a half.
So, for the 2nd time in two hours, Godleman and Mickleburgh walk to the crease and it was a dig in effort from Essex as scoring runs proved to be difficult on a pitch that had had puddles on the outfield the day before as Balcombe and James Tomlinson found plenty of movement and the batsmen were more happy to leave the ball. Mickleburgh became the only wicket of the session as Tomlinson jagged one in and onto his leg stump for 18, 25-1. Westley and Godleman took the score to 44-1 at tea and began to score more freely, but were still happy to leave the ball where possible.
Balcombe got the breakthrough of Westley LBW for 26 with the score on 60, but that brought in Mark Pettini saw that no further wickets were lost as Essex crawled to 102-2 from 50 overs at the close still needing 258 more to win. Hampshire only dropped one catch, a low chance at slip off Tomlinson, but with plenty of time left, wickets are what is needed to win.
Wednesday 25 July 2012
Sunday 22 July 2012
No Alarms For Middlesex
After a long break, some CB40 action at Chelmsford, as Essex take on Middlesex. The rain arrived at around 4pm and after an abortive 6pm start, we finally had the toss (which Middlesex won for once, and fielded) and a 25 over match.
The first couple of over went by without incident, then Toby Roland-Jones found some swing to take a thin edge from James Franklin through to John Simpson for 4. Next ball Greg Smith was trapped bang in front as Roland-Jones completed a double wicket maiden and Essex slumped to 12-2. Steven Crook bowled well as well as Essex reached 22-2 after 5 overs. Mark Pettini's rebuilding operation was hampered by Tom Westley's struggle to get the ball off the square, even though boundaries did come, and Pettini swung Tom Smith over midwicket for six as Essex ambled to 62-2 after 13 overs.
Westley then fell to Smith, going for a huge heave over midwicket, only to find Chris Rogers just inside the boundary to go for 12. Then Ryan Ten Doeschate flicked towards midwicket and Pettini ran back for a second as Rogers reached the ball and threw, and hit the stumps at the bowler's end with Pettini run out well short with the dive for 44, 64-4. Graham Napier arrived and started in usual fashion, swinging Ollie Rayner over midwicket for four before doing similar off Crook. Essex still struggled on a slow and damp pitch and Napier soon fell, top edging Crook down to third man where Dawid Malan took a good catch for 15. Essex's troubles with momentum continued as next over Ten Doeschate(9) went for a big smash straight to Malan running round and taking a good catch falling at long-on with Essex reached 90-6 with 5 overs to go. Thankfully Jaik Mickleburgh and Adam Wheater showed up for the fight and Dexter disappered for 14 runs from the 22nd and Roland-Jones for 11 from the 23rd including a six from Wheater then smashed the window of the ice cream van over the stands at long off. Dexter decided to bowl himself for the 24th over and the results were underwhelming as Wheater parked him twice over midwicket from consecutive balls, one out of the ground as 17 came from the over. Wheater fell in the final over, caught by Berg at long on off Roland-Jones (3-24 from 5) for a 19 ball 33, to end a partnership of 53 in 5 overs as Essex finished 146-7, Mickleburgh 22 not out.
The Middlesex reply began quietly as Malan and Rogers scored 3 from the first 3 overs from Napier and David Masters, Rogers cut Napier past point for four then top edged a pull next over off Masters that saled high over square leg for six. Middlesex then began to dispatch the bowling, Malan launching Masters high over deep midwicket into the trees for six. Rogers was dropped by Westley at slip, the only chance he gave, as Westley parried the ball up, but couldn't cling on to the 2nd attempt. Keeping up a steady run rate outside of the powerplay overs (45 after 8) as Pettini tried Tymal Mills, Franklin and Smith all with no success as the 50 came up in the 10th over as the pair found the boundary all round the ground, even a burglar alarm next door couldn't distract them. 79-0 after 12 overs and the return to Napier and Masters brought 21 from the next two overs including Rogers swinging Masters for another six into the Tom Pearce Stand before taking an easy single to bring up the 100 partnership.
The last roll of the dice was Tim Phillips, Phillips first over went for three, bringing up an easy 50 for Malan from 50 balls, but his 2nd went for 10, including another six to Malan over long on. Rogers reached his fifty inbetween off 48 balls with a couple from Smith. The runs flowed and with 5 overs left Middlesex were 136-0, equalling their highest first wicket List A partnership against Essex and in complete control. Mills did finally get a consolation wicket next ball as Roger lined up another massive club over long on but mistimed it to Masters running round at mid-on for 64 from 60 balls. Tom Scollay came in at three and just looked to get Malan on strike as he'd finish on 2 not out as Malan hit Mills back over his head for four, before waiting on a slower ball and playing off the back foot through midwicket for four to bring up the win for Middlesex by nine wickets with 15 balls to spare, so fast that Middlesex didn't use their batting powerplay. Malan finished with 76 from 68 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes and deservedly took the man of the match award as Middlesex kept their semi final hopes alive and left Essex bottom of the table.
The first couple of over went by without incident, then Toby Roland-Jones found some swing to take a thin edge from James Franklin through to John Simpson for 4. Next ball Greg Smith was trapped bang in front as Roland-Jones completed a double wicket maiden and Essex slumped to 12-2. Steven Crook bowled well as well as Essex reached 22-2 after 5 overs. Mark Pettini's rebuilding operation was hampered by Tom Westley's struggle to get the ball off the square, even though boundaries did come, and Pettini swung Tom Smith over midwicket for six as Essex ambled to 62-2 after 13 overs.
Westley then fell to Smith, going for a huge heave over midwicket, only to find Chris Rogers just inside the boundary to go for 12. Then Ryan Ten Doeschate flicked towards midwicket and Pettini ran back for a second as Rogers reached the ball and threw, and hit the stumps at the bowler's end with Pettini run out well short with the dive for 44, 64-4. Graham Napier arrived and started in usual fashion, swinging Ollie Rayner over midwicket for four before doing similar off Crook. Essex still struggled on a slow and damp pitch and Napier soon fell, top edging Crook down to third man where Dawid Malan took a good catch for 15. Essex's troubles with momentum continued as next over Ten Doeschate(9) went for a big smash straight to Malan running round and taking a good catch falling at long-on with Essex reached 90-6 with 5 overs to go. Thankfully Jaik Mickleburgh and Adam Wheater showed up for the fight and Dexter disappered for 14 runs from the 22nd and Roland-Jones for 11 from the 23rd including a six from Wheater then smashed the window of the ice cream van over the stands at long off. Dexter decided to bowl himself for the 24th over and the results were underwhelming as Wheater parked him twice over midwicket from consecutive balls, one out of the ground as 17 came from the over. Wheater fell in the final over, caught by Berg at long on off Roland-Jones (3-24 from 5) for a 19 ball 33, to end a partnership of 53 in 5 overs as Essex finished 146-7, Mickleburgh 22 not out.
The Middlesex reply began quietly as Malan and Rogers scored 3 from the first 3 overs from Napier and David Masters, Rogers cut Napier past point for four then top edged a pull next over off Masters that saled high over square leg for six. Middlesex then began to dispatch the bowling, Malan launching Masters high over deep midwicket into the trees for six. Rogers was dropped by Westley at slip, the only chance he gave, as Westley parried the ball up, but couldn't cling on to the 2nd attempt. Keeping up a steady run rate outside of the powerplay overs (45 after 8) as Pettini tried Tymal Mills, Franklin and Smith all with no success as the 50 came up in the 10th over as the pair found the boundary all round the ground, even a burglar alarm next door couldn't distract them. 79-0 after 12 overs and the return to Napier and Masters brought 21 from the next two overs including Rogers swinging Masters for another six into the Tom Pearce Stand before taking an easy single to bring up the 100 partnership.
The last roll of the dice was Tim Phillips, Phillips first over went for three, bringing up an easy 50 for Malan from 50 balls, but his 2nd went for 10, including another six to Malan over long on. Rogers reached his fifty inbetween off 48 balls with a couple from Smith. The runs flowed and with 5 overs left Middlesex were 136-0, equalling their highest first wicket List A partnership against Essex and in complete control. Mills did finally get a consolation wicket next ball as Roger lined up another massive club over long on but mistimed it to Masters running round at mid-on for 64 from 60 balls. Tom Scollay came in at three and just looked to get Malan on strike as he'd finish on 2 not out as Malan hit Mills back over his head for four, before waiting on a slower ball and playing off the back foot through midwicket for four to bring up the win for Middlesex by nine wickets with 15 balls to spare, so fast that Middlesex didn't use their batting powerplay. Malan finished with 76 from 68 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes and deservedly took the man of the match award as Middlesex kept their semi final hopes alive and left Essex bottom of the table.
Saturday 14 July 2012
If You Lose It From Here...
With the summer fast descending into a damp mess, Essex took on Middlesex in a t20 match at Chelmsford.
Middlesex won the toss and batted, it looked like a reasonable decision as Joe Denly and captain Neil Dexter started steadily, Denly hitting Graham Napier over cover for four as 11 came from the first 11 balls. Dexter then fell LBW to Napier for 2 to end the over, and things started to slide from there. Adam Rossington hit Reece Topley for four, but then stuttered coming back for a 2nd after a flick to Adam Wheater in the deep on seven, James Foster completing a simple run out. Middlesex were 30-2 after the powerplay, and Dawid Malan then fell for 9, chipping the ball back down the track for Greg Smith to make a smart catch. 35-3 and things not looking up, Gareth Berg joined Denly in adding 28 for the 4th wicket without a single boundary, when Berg was bowled by Tim Phillips spin for 12. John Simpson (0) then hit to cover, hesitated, and was comfortably run out by Mark Pettini and Ryan ten Doeschate as Middlesex were only 73-5 after 15 overs.
Thankfully for Middlesex, Denly was still there, and he planted Topley straight back over his head for 6 into the sightscreen and then 4 as 17 came off the 16th over, before completed his 50 from 50 balls, a great knock given the awfulness of some of his team mates. Next ball, normal service was resumed, as Ollie Rayner nicked ten Doeschate behind to Foster for 2, and then Steven Crook was caught at short fine leg, middling a flick off his pads straight to Owais Shah. This left Middlesex 98-7 after 18 and Denly finally departed for 53, failing to middle a full toss over deep midwicket, where ten Doeschate took a good catch off Topley, then Oli Wilkin (on debut) went the same way next ball for four. 99-9, but the hundred was reached in the final over, Tom Smith swiping Napier through midwicket for four, and Toby Roland-Jones almost cleaning up Smith with a powerful straight driven four, Middlesex would fail to bat out the overs however, as Smith toed a ball just off the square, and Roland-Jones (5) charged through, with Smith (5*) not interested in the single, leaving Napier to dive, gather, and complete the run out at the bowler's end with ease. 109 all out, Topley 2-34, Phillips 1-12 and ten Doeschate 2-7 (from 2 overs) being the top bowlers. That score that should see Essex comfortably thrash Middlesex, but something unusual almost happened.
Pettini played out Rayner's first over, then dabbed the ball to point and tried a quick single, Crook, the bowler, ran in, pounced, and whilst horizontal, managed to back hand the ball onto the stumps to run out James Franklin without facing a ball, 3-1.
Pettini then decided to get a move on, swinging Smith through cover for four in consecutive overs, before swinging him downtown and into the river next ball, before treating Roland-Jones with the same contempt, a six over square leg and two more fours, meant 28 came from the 5th and 6th overs, Essex 48-1 after the powerplay. Greg Smith kept good company for Pettini, smashing Malan and Berg for fours as the required run rate dropped to four an over, Dexter using seven bowlers in the first ten overs. Pettini reached his 50 in the 11th over from 38 balls with a glorious strike for six over long off and the deal looked sealed. Smith then fell to Smith, trying a completely ridiculous switch hit from outside leg stump, to be bowled off stump for 27 from 29, and then got one to rip from outside leg stump to take Pettini's edge through to Simpson on 50, Essex now 78-3 from 12 overs.
Dexter now gambled on giving Wilkin (the eighth bowler used) his first bowl for the club, and was promptly smash for two fours over mid off by Shah, before Smith finished up his spell by having Napier (6) caught at deep square leg, a towering hit coolly caught low down by Wilkin as Smith finished with 3-24 from his four overs. Wilkin then struck, getting some inswing and low bounce to have Shah LBW for 8, 91-5 and not looking so comfortable now. Foster and ten Doeschate took Essex past 100 and seemed to be on the final stretch, but Wilkin then bowled ten Doeschate's off stump for 2 and did the same to Foster two balls later and almost yorking Phillips first ball as Essex slumped to 103-7 with 3 overs left.
It was not to be an improbable comeback, however, as Wheater reverse swept Rayner for two then four to level the score, before trying to win with a big shot, only to toe end to square leg, where Wilkin (who else?) took a tumbling catch and caused Topley to run into the dressing room to find his pads.
A wide by Rayner to David Masters next ball ended the game, but Essex only won by two wickets, as they lost 7-33 in six overs. Pettini was awarded man of the match deservedly, but Wilkin was the stand out performer, with two catches and 3-12 from three overs.
Middlesex won the toss and batted, it looked like a reasonable decision as Joe Denly and captain Neil Dexter started steadily, Denly hitting Graham Napier over cover for four as 11 came from the first 11 balls. Dexter then fell LBW to Napier for 2 to end the over, and things started to slide from there. Adam Rossington hit Reece Topley for four, but then stuttered coming back for a 2nd after a flick to Adam Wheater in the deep on seven, James Foster completing a simple run out. Middlesex were 30-2 after the powerplay, and Dawid Malan then fell for 9, chipping the ball back down the track for Greg Smith to make a smart catch. 35-3 and things not looking up, Gareth Berg joined Denly in adding 28 for the 4th wicket without a single boundary, when Berg was bowled by Tim Phillips spin for 12. John Simpson (0) then hit to cover, hesitated, and was comfortably run out by Mark Pettini and Ryan ten Doeschate as Middlesex were only 73-5 after 15 overs.
Thankfully for Middlesex, Denly was still there, and he planted Topley straight back over his head for 6 into the sightscreen and then 4 as 17 came off the 16th over, before completed his 50 from 50 balls, a great knock given the awfulness of some of his team mates. Next ball, normal service was resumed, as Ollie Rayner nicked ten Doeschate behind to Foster for 2, and then Steven Crook was caught at short fine leg, middling a flick off his pads straight to Owais Shah. This left Middlesex 98-7 after 18 and Denly finally departed for 53, failing to middle a full toss over deep midwicket, where ten Doeschate took a good catch off Topley, then Oli Wilkin (on debut) went the same way next ball for four. 99-9, but the hundred was reached in the final over, Tom Smith swiping Napier through midwicket for four, and Toby Roland-Jones almost cleaning up Smith with a powerful straight driven four, Middlesex would fail to bat out the overs however, as Smith toed a ball just off the square, and Roland-Jones (5) charged through, with Smith (5*) not interested in the single, leaving Napier to dive, gather, and complete the run out at the bowler's end with ease. 109 all out, Topley 2-34, Phillips 1-12 and ten Doeschate 2-7 (from 2 overs) being the top bowlers. That score that should see Essex comfortably thrash Middlesex, but something unusual almost happened.
Pettini played out Rayner's first over, then dabbed the ball to point and tried a quick single, Crook, the bowler, ran in, pounced, and whilst horizontal, managed to back hand the ball onto the stumps to run out James Franklin without facing a ball, 3-1.
Pettini then decided to get a move on, swinging Smith through cover for four in consecutive overs, before swinging him downtown and into the river next ball, before treating Roland-Jones with the same contempt, a six over square leg and two more fours, meant 28 came from the 5th and 6th overs, Essex 48-1 after the powerplay. Greg Smith kept good company for Pettini, smashing Malan and Berg for fours as the required run rate dropped to four an over, Dexter using seven bowlers in the first ten overs. Pettini reached his 50 in the 11th over from 38 balls with a glorious strike for six over long off and the deal looked sealed. Smith then fell to Smith, trying a completely ridiculous switch hit from outside leg stump, to be bowled off stump for 27 from 29, and then got one to rip from outside leg stump to take Pettini's edge through to Simpson on 50, Essex now 78-3 from 12 overs.
Dexter now gambled on giving Wilkin (the eighth bowler used) his first bowl for the club, and was promptly smash for two fours over mid off by Shah, before Smith finished up his spell by having Napier (6) caught at deep square leg, a towering hit coolly caught low down by Wilkin as Smith finished with 3-24 from his four overs. Wilkin then struck, getting some inswing and low bounce to have Shah LBW for 8, 91-5 and not looking so comfortable now. Foster and ten Doeschate took Essex past 100 and seemed to be on the final stretch, but Wilkin then bowled ten Doeschate's off stump for 2 and did the same to Foster two balls later and almost yorking Phillips first ball as Essex slumped to 103-7 with 3 overs left.
It was not to be an improbable comeback, however, as Wheater reverse swept Rayner for two then four to level the score, before trying to win with a big shot, only to toe end to square leg, where Wilkin (who else?) took a tumbling catch and caused Topley to run into the dressing room to find his pads.
A wide by Rayner to David Masters next ball ended the game, but Essex only won by two wickets, as they lost 7-33 in six overs. Pettini was awarded man of the match deservedly, but Wilkin was the stand out performer, with two catches and 3-12 from three overs.
Thursday 5 July 2012
Raj's Charge Overpowers England
After winning the t20 series 2-0, England Women moved on to take on India Women in the first match of the ODI series at Lord's.
England won the toss and batted, and Charlotte Edwards fell LBW to Nagaranjan Niranjana for the 3rd game in a row for 1 in the 2nd over, 1-1. In form Sarah Taylor joined Tammy Beaumont and they looked to be taking England to a large total, after struggling to 18-1 after 10 overs, the 50 came up in the 17th over as Archarna Das went for 12 in her first over. Niranjana's 2nd spell got the breakthrough as Beaumont fell LBW playing across the line for 27. Taylor then charged Das, missed the inseamer, and was stumped by Sulakshana Naik for 38, 76-3 in the 22nd over with both set batsmen out.
Arran Brindle and Heather Knight began the rebuild, Brindle bringing up the 100 with a four off Amita Sharma in the 29th over. Veda Krishnamurthy then bowled Knight for 12 with only her 5th ball in ODIs, 114-4. Seeing off Niranjana was probably the plan, but Jenny Gunn was bowled from the final ball of an excellent spell as she finished with 3-28 from her 10 overs.
Brindle went on to her 50 from 66 balls as England reached 162-5 after 40 overs, ready for a final push.
Laura Marsh swiped Gouher Sultana for four, then edged behind for 19 from 21, 175-6. Next over, Das got the huge wicket of Brindle, well held caught and bowled smacked straight back at her for 58 from 73, 181-7. Katherine Brunt swung a massive six into the Tavern Stand, but skied Jhulan Goswami to Harmanpreet Kaur at deep square leg for 13. Danni Wyatt gave Das her third wicket caught by Niranjana for 20 from 16, and the innings ended in the final over, Danielle Hazell bowled Das (4-61) for 9, 229 all out, a below par total you felt as England never managed to get away from India.
India needed to bat sensibly and Mona Meshram and Poonam Raut started solidly against Brunt and Georgia Elwiss with runs coming slowly, and India's problem with running returned, Raut pushing to point and running through for the single, and Meshram being beaten out by Wyatt's throw to Taylor for 9, 21-1.
Captain Mithali Raj and Raut then made sure England didn't take any further wickets for a while with some solid strokeplay, seeing out Brunt and Elwiss's opening spell, 24-1 after 10 and then playing solidly against Marsh and Gunn, 59-1 after 20 overs. Raut then opened up, hitting 8 off Wyatt's 2nd over before combining with Raj to have 11 from a poor first over by Brindle, giving easy runs square of the wicket.
Raut passed 50 from 94 balls, before Hazell, the 7th bowler used, struck 2nd over, bowling Raut off stump for 60, 127-2 with 103 needed from 102 balls.
England needed to dismiss new batter Kaur and Raj fairly quickly from now on, but the bowling just wasn't effective, firstly Rak passed 50 from 76 balls then Kaur hit Marsh for four then six into the Tavern Stand as India needed 71 from the final 10 over with 8 wickets left. England tried to constrict the run rate, but Kaur found the Mound Stand boundary at square leg against Wyatt. Raj then chipped the ball just over Elwiss at midwicket, the last chance for England to win really. 18 from 18 and Kaur went to a run a ball 50 then top edged a massive sweep towards square leg where Brunt running round took a spectacular diving catch to give Hazell a deserved 2nd wicket.
Raj settled nerves by hitting the next ball for four to move into the 90s. Krishnamurthy swung at three in a row against Wyatt, scrambling back for the 2nd each time. With two needed to win and the field up Krishnamurthy's next heave went towards midwicket where Brunt (the only fielder outside the circle) took another great diving catch. This left Naik on strike for the final over from Hazell, and after swinging adn failing against the first two balls, the third was hit towards square leg and the batsmen charged through for the single, only for Gunn to pick up and hurl down the stumps at the bowlers end, Naik run out for nought. That got Raj on strike, and she dispatched the next ball over midwicket for four, to win by 5 wickets with 2 balls to spare and finish with a player of the match winning 96 not out from 111 balls. Lord's now goes off limits due to the Olympics until August, an exciting game before the send off.
England won the toss and batted, and Charlotte Edwards fell LBW to Nagaranjan Niranjana for the 3rd game in a row for 1 in the 2nd over, 1-1. In form Sarah Taylor joined Tammy Beaumont and they looked to be taking England to a large total, after struggling to 18-1 after 10 overs, the 50 came up in the 17th over as Archarna Das went for 12 in her first over. Niranjana's 2nd spell got the breakthrough as Beaumont fell LBW playing across the line for 27. Taylor then charged Das, missed the inseamer, and was stumped by Sulakshana Naik for 38, 76-3 in the 22nd over with both set batsmen out.
Arran Brindle and Heather Knight began the rebuild, Brindle bringing up the 100 with a four off Amita Sharma in the 29th over. Veda Krishnamurthy then bowled Knight for 12 with only her 5th ball in ODIs, 114-4. Seeing off Niranjana was probably the plan, but Jenny Gunn was bowled from the final ball of an excellent spell as she finished with 3-28 from her 10 overs.
Brindle went on to her 50 from 66 balls as England reached 162-5 after 40 overs, ready for a final push.
Laura Marsh swiped Gouher Sultana for four, then edged behind for 19 from 21, 175-6. Next over, Das got the huge wicket of Brindle, well held caught and bowled smacked straight back at her for 58 from 73, 181-7. Katherine Brunt swung a massive six into the Tavern Stand, but skied Jhulan Goswami to Harmanpreet Kaur at deep square leg for 13. Danni Wyatt gave Das her third wicket caught by Niranjana for 20 from 16, and the innings ended in the final over, Danielle Hazell bowled Das (4-61) for 9, 229 all out, a below par total you felt as England never managed to get away from India.
India needed to bat sensibly and Mona Meshram and Poonam Raut started solidly against Brunt and Georgia Elwiss with runs coming slowly, and India's problem with running returned, Raut pushing to point and running through for the single, and Meshram being beaten out by Wyatt's throw to Taylor for 9, 21-1.
Captain Mithali Raj and Raut then made sure England didn't take any further wickets for a while with some solid strokeplay, seeing out Brunt and Elwiss's opening spell, 24-1 after 10 and then playing solidly against Marsh and Gunn, 59-1 after 20 overs. Raut then opened up, hitting 8 off Wyatt's 2nd over before combining with Raj to have 11 from a poor first over by Brindle, giving easy runs square of the wicket.
Raut passed 50 from 94 balls, before Hazell, the 7th bowler used, struck 2nd over, bowling Raut off stump for 60, 127-2 with 103 needed from 102 balls.
England needed to dismiss new batter Kaur and Raj fairly quickly from now on, but the bowling just wasn't effective, firstly Rak passed 50 from 76 balls then Kaur hit Marsh for four then six into the Tavern Stand as India needed 71 from the final 10 over with 8 wickets left. England tried to constrict the run rate, but Kaur found the Mound Stand boundary at square leg against Wyatt. Raj then chipped the ball just over Elwiss at midwicket, the last chance for England to win really. 18 from 18 and Kaur went to a run a ball 50 then top edged a massive sweep towards square leg where Brunt running round took a spectacular diving catch to give Hazell a deserved 2nd wicket.
Raj settled nerves by hitting the next ball for four to move into the 90s. Krishnamurthy swung at three in a row against Wyatt, scrambling back for the 2nd each time. With two needed to win and the field up Krishnamurthy's next heave went towards midwicket where Brunt (the only fielder outside the circle) took another great diving catch. This left Naik on strike for the final over from Hazell, and after swinging adn failing against the first two balls, the third was hit towards square leg and the batsmen charged through for the single, only for Gunn to pick up and hurl down the stumps at the bowlers end, Naik run out for nought. That got Raj on strike, and she dispatched the next ball over midwicket for four, to win by 5 wickets with 2 balls to spare and finish with a player of the match winning 96 not out from 111 balls. Lord's now goes off limits due to the Olympics until August, an exciting game before the send off.
Wednesday 4 July 2012
Beer Sloshes Over Essex
The 2nd game of the t20 double header was the "main" game of Essex vs Sussex. Essex won the toss and decided to bat first.
Mark Pettini and James Franklin came out to bat, and Luke Wright went for nine from the first over. Sussex then removed Pettini, caught by Chris Nash off Amjad Khan for 1, 16-1. Graham Napier was promoted to 3 as the pitch looked placid and runs were there for the taking, but, even though Franklin took consecutive fours off Naved Arif, Essex struggled to get on top. Franklin had his stumps scattered by Chris Liddle's first ball for 25 and Napier was lucky to be dropped by keeper Ben Brown off Mike Yardy after running round to a top edge, waving off the bowler, then grassing the chance.
Napier then merrily swung Liddle out of the ground next over, and followed it up with another four, as along with Ryan Ten Doeschate, Essex were 66-2 at the halfway point. Yardy's third over began quietly before Napier came on strike third ball, which disappeared over midwicket for six, next up, a four, then a no-ball, which meant a free hit, played from deep in the crease by Napier, and hammered over point for four. Suddenly 17 had come off the over, but Napier then went for another huge swing over midwicket, finding the top edge and Brown redeemed himself, clinging on to the chance this time, 83-3.
Essex edged ahead in the game again, as 13 came from Yardy's last over and 11 from Will Beer's 2nd over as Ten Doeschate hit both of them for six, before he then fell to Wright, well held by Liddle for 39 from 27, 118-4 with five overs to go.
James Foster and Adam Wheater then added the quick runs at the end, well Foster did, Wheater had 5 from 12, but Foster looked in great form. Consecutive sixes came off as Beer free flowed around around the ground (more jokes like that later) then four and six off Khan as Foster looked good while Wheater failed to get the ball off the square.
Foster went to his 50 from 26 balls, thumping Liddle for another six before scrambling another 11 to finish with a career best 65 from 31, Essex finished 177-4, 59 from the last five overs making a tough but gettable chase for Sussex.
The chase was on from ball one as Nash dumped Tim Phillips over long on for four, as he and Wright went about the chase in quick style, 14 and 9 coming off the 2nd and 4th overs from David Masters before Wright went after Phillips, going six (down the ground), four, four to take Sussex to 58-0 after the powerplay, bang on target to make the runs. Reece Topley then got blasted by Wright high over midwicket out of the ground, before coming back in his next over to get Nash, skying to Franklin at deep square leg for 31, which was quickly followed by Wright in the next over going for a big swing straight to Greg Smith at long off for 46. 88-2 at the halway point, ahead of Essex, but they had the good finish. Matt Prior started quickly and he hit Franklin for 12 in his only over, including another massive six over midwicket and into the construction site.
Greg Smith then went the same way as Franklin, four, six from his first two balls, as Sussex raced to 114-2 after 12. Prior then fell, caught by Phillips off Topley for 35 from 18 balls, 59 needed from 42, but a tight over from Phillips swung it back to Essex, then Murray Goodwin and Joe Gatting hammered 15 from Ten Doeschate's third over, including a flat six into the covered seats at cover leaving 31 to get from 24.
Napier then went into yorker mode, first one went past Foster for 4 byes, but the next crashed into Goodwin's off stump. Then Greg Smith (now bowling off spin) went for only 6 from the 18th and finished by bowling Yardy off the inside edge for 4. 17 from 12 became 13 from 8 as Gatting was bowled by another excellent yorker from Napier for 22 from 18. Beer managed to get a three to bring it down to 10 off the final over.
Foster decided to let Ten Doeschate bowl it, and Beer found the low full tosses easy enough to consecutive twos, before finding the square boundary, before levelling the scores with a single. Brown was then left with the easy task of crashing the ball to the cover boundary with the field up to win the game by six wickets with one ball remaining, despite Napier taking 2-25 from his four overs. Wright was awarded man of the match, as Sussex moved clear at the top of the table over Essex in 2nd.
Mark Pettini and James Franklin came out to bat, and Luke Wright went for nine from the first over. Sussex then removed Pettini, caught by Chris Nash off Amjad Khan for 1, 16-1. Graham Napier was promoted to 3 as the pitch looked placid and runs were there for the taking, but, even though Franklin took consecutive fours off Naved Arif, Essex struggled to get on top. Franklin had his stumps scattered by Chris Liddle's first ball for 25 and Napier was lucky to be dropped by keeper Ben Brown off Mike Yardy after running round to a top edge, waving off the bowler, then grassing the chance.
Napier then merrily swung Liddle out of the ground next over, and followed it up with another four, as along with Ryan Ten Doeschate, Essex were 66-2 at the halfway point. Yardy's third over began quietly before Napier came on strike third ball, which disappeared over midwicket for six, next up, a four, then a no-ball, which meant a free hit, played from deep in the crease by Napier, and hammered over point for four. Suddenly 17 had come off the over, but Napier then went for another huge swing over midwicket, finding the top edge and Brown redeemed himself, clinging on to the chance this time, 83-3.
Essex edged ahead in the game again, as 13 came from Yardy's last over and 11 from Will Beer's 2nd over as Ten Doeschate hit both of them for six, before he then fell to Wright, well held by Liddle for 39 from 27, 118-4 with five overs to go.
James Foster and Adam Wheater then added the quick runs at the end, well Foster did, Wheater had 5 from 12, but Foster looked in great form. Consecutive sixes came off as Beer free flowed around around the ground (more jokes like that later) then four and six off Khan as Foster looked good while Wheater failed to get the ball off the square.
Foster went to his 50 from 26 balls, thumping Liddle for another six before scrambling another 11 to finish with a career best 65 from 31, Essex finished 177-4, 59 from the last five overs making a tough but gettable chase for Sussex.
The chase was on from ball one as Nash dumped Tim Phillips over long on for four, as he and Wright went about the chase in quick style, 14 and 9 coming off the 2nd and 4th overs from David Masters before Wright went after Phillips, going six (down the ground), four, four to take Sussex to 58-0 after the powerplay, bang on target to make the runs. Reece Topley then got blasted by Wright high over midwicket out of the ground, before coming back in his next over to get Nash, skying to Franklin at deep square leg for 31, which was quickly followed by Wright in the next over going for a big swing straight to Greg Smith at long off for 46. 88-2 at the halway point, ahead of Essex, but they had the good finish. Matt Prior started quickly and he hit Franklin for 12 in his only over, including another massive six over midwicket and into the construction site.
Greg Smith then went the same way as Franklin, four, six from his first two balls, as Sussex raced to 114-2 after 12. Prior then fell, caught by Phillips off Topley for 35 from 18 balls, 59 needed from 42, but a tight over from Phillips swung it back to Essex, then Murray Goodwin and Joe Gatting hammered 15 from Ten Doeschate's third over, including a flat six into the covered seats at cover leaving 31 to get from 24.
Napier then went into yorker mode, first one went past Foster for 4 byes, but the next crashed into Goodwin's off stump. Then Greg Smith (now bowling off spin) went for only 6 from the 18th and finished by bowling Yardy off the inside edge for 4. 17 from 12 became 13 from 8 as Gatting was bowled by another excellent yorker from Napier for 22 from 18. Beer managed to get a three to bring it down to 10 off the final over.
Foster decided to let Ten Doeschate bowl it, and Beer found the low full tosses easy enough to consecutive twos, before finding the square boundary, before levelling the scores with a single. Brown was then left with the easy task of crashing the ball to the cover boundary with the field up to win the game by six wickets with one ball remaining, despite Napier taking 2-25 from his four overs. Wright was awarded man of the match, as Sussex moved clear at the top of the table over Essex in 2nd.
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