The final day of Middlesex vs Notts at Lord's was the last day of the season from my perspective and sure enough it rained, so (having already lost a day to rain) we were delayed until just after lunch before play would resume with Middlesex on 96-0 against Notts 430 first innings total.
Chris Rogers and Sam Robson went on the attack early, as Notts struggled to bowl anything consistent, with Rogers cutting an early couple of boundaries including one which evaded Luke Fletcher's dive which took a large chunk out of the hallowed turf... Rogers cut Harry Gurney for six into the Mound Stand, then followed up with another four as he moved into the 90s. It wasn't long before another boundary off Fletcher brought up his third Championship hundred of the season (142 balls), and he was within sight of 1000 championship runs when he pulled Andre Adams straight up in the air for Fletcher to complete the catch for 108 out of 151 for the first wicket, worth the wait in the rain to see him bat so easily. Adams soon had two, as Robson nicked behind next over for 41, 152-2.
Joe Denly and Dawid Malan then steadied the ship with the nice strokeplay (Denly finding some late form) and luck (David Hussey dropping Malan at slip twice in two overs) as they added 59 to bring up the first batting point. Malan then went for a massive swing off Samit Patel, and was bowled for 15, 211-3. Denly helped raid 19 off an over from Gurney to complete his 50 from 70 balls, but was bowled from Gurney's next over for 63, 245-4. Simpson saw the 250 up then Dexter sliced a drive off Gurney to Michael Lumb at gully, 252-5. Simpson and Berg came together for the quick burst after tea, and added 42 and saw off another 12 overs with some rasping cuts and drives before Berg popped the ball back to Adams for an easy catch on 26, 294-6. Ollie Rayner heaved a couple of boundaries, but was LBW to Adams for 9, 314-6. Simpson then took over the scoring, and showed his good form in the last month or so by completing 50 with a pull for four off Adams to the Mound Stand fence, it also to Middlesex to 353-7, where Rogers declared and the game ended in a comfy draw, Notts taking 9 points and Middlesex 8.
Sunday 27 October 2013
Thursday 3 October 2013
Good Night Australia
The Women's Ashes had just started it's T20 leg, with England up 6-4
on points, Chelmsford was the venue, and England won the toss and
batted. Charlotte Edwards crashed 11 off the first over from Ellyse
Perry before falling to Sarah Coyte next over for 17. Julie Hunter then
snared Heather Knight for 13 as England posted 42-2 off the powerplay.
Danni Wyatt and Sarah Taylor then added the bulk of the runs as Taylor
was particularly violent straight and square as runs were easily found
off Hunter and Jess Jonassen as England reached 76-2 halfway through.
England were cruising along, Taylor completing her 50 from 37 balls with a boundary off Rachael Haynes as well as bringing up the 100, and the pair carried on, not hitting many boundaries, but rotating the strike well and the score had reached 126 when Wyatt's luck ran out (literally) as a direct hit from Haynes found her short for 28. Australia kept the last three overs tight as Jonassen, Coyte and Erin Osborne only went for 20 with Taylor swinging at every ball, she was finally bowled off the last ball of the innings for 77 about halfway down the pitch by Osborne (the pick of the bowlers with 1-22 from 4). This left England with 146-4, a good total that would test the Australian top order if they were to succeed, with their hitters needing to fire.
Australia began slowly, with 8 from the first two overs, the pressure telling, as Meg Lanning was run out for 2 from a direct hit from Arran Brindle. Alyssa Healy fell in the same over well taken by Taylor off Brunt, 10-2. Jodie Fields and Jess Cameron needed runs, but got in a tangle, Danni Hazell being played out for a maiden in her first over, Aus 26-2 after the powerplay. Fields was then bowled by Jenny Gunn for 6, 27-3. Cameron upped the rate with 10 off Gunn's next over (including a straight six), but Australia were being tied down by England, and were 49-3 halfway through. Any hope was killed off soon after as Cameron (caught and bowled Gunn 35) and Blackwell (caught Greenway off Wyatt going for a huge heave 20) fell in consecutive overs, by this time the required rate was 12 an over and Perry and Haynes were left with too much to do, even though they did some damage to Gunn, Hazell and Brunt's figures, they were left with 25 needed from the final over and they completed a 50 partnership, but finished 15 short, 131-5, Perry 30 off 20. For England it was a good fielding and bowling display, apart from when Edwards dropped a sitter at square leg that lobbed straight to her, as Gunn (2-33) and Hazell (0-18 from 4) were the best bowlers. England take it to within 1 more win of regaining the Ashes trophy as the teams move on to Southampton.
England were cruising along, Taylor completing her 50 from 37 balls with a boundary off Rachael Haynes as well as bringing up the 100, and the pair carried on, not hitting many boundaries, but rotating the strike well and the score had reached 126 when Wyatt's luck ran out (literally) as a direct hit from Haynes found her short for 28. Australia kept the last three overs tight as Jonassen, Coyte and Erin Osborne only went for 20 with Taylor swinging at every ball, she was finally bowled off the last ball of the innings for 77 about halfway down the pitch by Osborne (the pick of the bowlers with 1-22 from 4). This left England with 146-4, a good total that would test the Australian top order if they were to succeed, with their hitters needing to fire.
Australia began slowly, with 8 from the first two overs, the pressure telling, as Meg Lanning was run out for 2 from a direct hit from Arran Brindle. Alyssa Healy fell in the same over well taken by Taylor off Brunt, 10-2. Jodie Fields and Jess Cameron needed runs, but got in a tangle, Danni Hazell being played out for a maiden in her first over, Aus 26-2 after the powerplay. Fields was then bowled by Jenny Gunn for 6, 27-3. Cameron upped the rate with 10 off Gunn's next over (including a straight six), but Australia were being tied down by England, and were 49-3 halfway through. Any hope was killed off soon after as Cameron (caught and bowled Gunn 35) and Blackwell (caught Greenway off Wyatt going for a huge heave 20) fell in consecutive overs, by this time the required rate was 12 an over and Perry and Haynes were left with too much to do, even though they did some damage to Gunn, Hazell and Brunt's figures, they were left with 25 needed from the final over and they completed a 50 partnership, but finished 15 short, 131-5, Perry 30 off 20. For England it was a good fielding and bowling display, apart from when Edwards dropped a sitter at square leg that lobbed straight to her, as Gunn (2-33) and Hazell (0-18 from 4) were the best bowlers. England take it to within 1 more win of regaining the Ashes trophy as the teams move on to Southampton.
Saturday 21 September 2013
Morgan the Magnificent
The final (probably ever) 40 over game for Middlesex was against Leicestershire at Lord's on August bank holiday. Eoin Morgan was captaining Middlesex in his last game before going off on England duty, won the toss and fielded, and it began fairly evenly as an early pull for six from Greg Smith over the short square boundaries was tempered by Josh Cobb departing for six driving Finn to mid off. Ned Eckersley joined Smith in adding a 50 partnership to lay a solid foundation, Smith reaching 50 off 61 balls before slicing into the deep off Ravi Patel for 56, 91-2. Eckersley and Matt Boyce kicked on in the 2nd half of the innings, lofting the ball over the short boundary as Eckersley completed 50 from 53 balls and looked set for a hundred, before smearing Harris to Roland-Jones in the deep for 73, 186-3 and a good total on the cards.
Boyce then brought up the 200 and reached his 50 from 51 balls, then sliced to point for 53, to give Ollie Wilkin his first wicket. Wilkin then had two in five as Mike Thornley edged behind having a huge swing, 222-5 with 3 overs left. Two balls later Rob Taylor holed out off Roland-Jones for 5, 226-6, things were getting a bit tense as Middlesex were running out of time to finish their overs as Patel rushed to complete the 39th over. Ben Raine smashed a six, then smashed to Morgan in the deep and (after a six run ppenalty as Middlesex failed to finish their overs in time) Shiv Thakor top edged Harris to Finn at fine leg, 248-8. Then Harris had another final over meltdown like he had against Somerset, as Tom Wells as three balls disappeared for four, and a no ball bouncer was iced by a short ball whacked into the Grand Stand and the final ball of the innings a length ball that was smoked over extra cover into the Mound Stand, Wells making 31 off 11 balls, the last over costing 32 with the penalty and Leicestershire making a challenging 274-8.
Straight away Dawid Malan edged Rob Taylor behind first ball and then Paul Stirling lost his middle stump to Nathan Buck as Middlesex slumped to 22-2. Joe Denly and Eoin Morgan revived the chase with a quick 72, Morgan looking particularly good against the spinners. Denly then chipped a return catch to James Sykes who had to dive over non-striker Morgan to complete the catch, 94-3.
Adam Voges, also his last game, joined Morgan as the skip reached 50 from 43 balls, leaving Middlesex needing 143 with 20 overs left. Morgan raced onwards adding 81 in 9 overs and moved onto 90 before scooping the ball to Smith off Thakor for 90 from 63, a great knock, but with 100 still needed, job not finished. Voges then fell in identical fashion for 37 and at 198-5 Leicestershire were back in the game. Enter John Simpson, who along with Wilkin, went on the attack and found the boundary as Taylor and Buck wilted under pressure, and it was down to 18 off 20 when Wilkin top edged to third man for a handy 20. But there was to be no panic, as Simpson swung Taylor for a short six, completed a 37 ball 50, and then hit back to back boundaries off Buck ending it with a late cut, to win by 4 wickets with 10 balls to spare, Simpson unbeaten with 58 off 39. A pleasing end for what was a solid one day season.
Boyce then brought up the 200 and reached his 50 from 51 balls, then sliced to point for 53, to give Ollie Wilkin his first wicket. Wilkin then had two in five as Mike Thornley edged behind having a huge swing, 222-5 with 3 overs left. Two balls later Rob Taylor holed out off Roland-Jones for 5, 226-6, things were getting a bit tense as Middlesex were running out of time to finish their overs as Patel rushed to complete the 39th over. Ben Raine smashed a six, then smashed to Morgan in the deep and (after a six run ppenalty as Middlesex failed to finish their overs in time) Shiv Thakor top edged Harris to Finn at fine leg, 248-8. Then Harris had another final over meltdown like he had against Somerset, as Tom Wells as three balls disappeared for four, and a no ball bouncer was iced by a short ball whacked into the Grand Stand and the final ball of the innings a length ball that was smoked over extra cover into the Mound Stand, Wells making 31 off 11 balls, the last over costing 32 with the penalty and Leicestershire making a challenging 274-8.
Straight away Dawid Malan edged Rob Taylor behind first ball and then Paul Stirling lost his middle stump to Nathan Buck as Middlesex slumped to 22-2. Joe Denly and Eoin Morgan revived the chase with a quick 72, Morgan looking particularly good against the spinners. Denly then chipped a return catch to James Sykes who had to dive over non-striker Morgan to complete the catch, 94-3.
Adam Voges, also his last game, joined Morgan as the skip reached 50 from 43 balls, leaving Middlesex needing 143 with 20 overs left. Morgan raced onwards adding 81 in 9 overs and moved onto 90 before scooping the ball to Smith off Thakor for 90 from 63, a great knock, but with 100 still needed, job not finished. Voges then fell in identical fashion for 37 and at 198-5 Leicestershire were back in the game. Enter John Simpson, who along with Wilkin, went on the attack and found the boundary as Taylor and Buck wilted under pressure, and it was down to 18 off 20 when Wilkin top edged to third man for a handy 20. But there was to be no panic, as Simpson swung Taylor for a short six, completed a 37 ball 50, and then hit back to back boundaries off Buck ending it with a late cut, to win by 4 wickets with 10 balls to spare, Simpson unbeaten with 58 off 39. A pleasing end for what was a solid one day season.
Tuesday 10 September 2013
Flying Footitt's Fast Finish
The final day of Derbyshire vs Middlesex at Derby began with Middlesex 25-2 needing 272 more to win the game, which looked unlikely from the outset, but Adam Voges and Sam Robson began solidly as Derbyshire failed to bowl accurately, giving away some early easy runs as the 50 came up in the 19th over, but then the collapse started, as Robson was bowled by Groenewald for 29. Mark Footitt came in for his 2nd spell of the day, and cleaned up Eoin Morgan for 9 before getting some late swing to detonate Neil Dexter's stumps, 85-5 and still 200 needed. The last hope, Voges, brought up the 100 then fell to Burgoyne for 48, 101-6. Gareth Berg now came in, and looked to get on with things, as he slammed Burgoyne back over his head for a monstrous six eighth ball he faced. Simpson then fell to Burgoyne as Middlesex looked to be surrendering cheaply, 121-7. Berg and Ollie Rayner then launched surprise counter attack, as they made the pitch looked placid and easy, finding boundaries fairly easy to come by as they added 50 in 14 overs before Berg completed his own 50 from 76 balls, as they managed to see off the front line bowlers as Alex Hughes and Madsen had a bowl in an attempt to break this partnership that had carved a chunk out of the required runs. But it was Matt Higginbottom who got the breakthrough, Berg edging to slip for a fantastic 71, 206-8. Rayner and Roland-Jones brought the target down to 60, but TRJ was then Footitts fourth victim for 14, and then end came soon after as Murtagh popped up a catch to Chesney Hughes for 1 to give Burgoyne his third, 240 all out, Derbyshire win by 56 runs, Rayner left unbeaten four short of a 2nd 50, and pick of the bowlers being Footitt 4-65 and Burgoyne 3-66. Derbyshire take away 23 much needed points to give them the chance of surviving and Middlesex 4.
Raynering Down
The third day of Derbyshire vs Middlesex at Derby began with Middlesex in a bit of trouble at 197-6 with Ollie Rayner and John Simpson batting to avoid the follow on, and with 5 overs to go until the new ball, they'd have thought they'd be able to see off five overs from Madsen and Burgoyne, but that was not to be, as Simpson charged through for a single, only to be found short from the direct hit by Chanderpaul, 208-6. Rayner, now left with the tail and the new ball, took on the bowlers a bit more, as Toby Roland-Jones edged to Chesney Hughes at slip off Groenwald for 5, Rayner completed a 108 ball 50, a welcome return to batting form after a poor season. the end came quickly, as Rayner couldn't get them past 250, as Murtagh edged behind for 10 and Finn LBW for a 2 ball duck as Footitt finished with 3-69 and Higginbottom 3-59 with Middlesex all out for 249, 136 runs behind.
Middlesex (and Murtagh) came out blasting, with Ben Slater caught behind 2nd ball for a duck and then Madsen edged to Denly at slip to give Murtagh his 2nd, 4-2. Chesney Hughes fell soon after, LBW to Finn for 3, 16-3, maybe Middlesex could still turn this game around. Chanderpaul and Johnson had other ideas, arresting the slide with a solid 50 partnership to take the lead past 200 before Chanders was LBW to Roland-Jones for 32, 68-4. Alex Hughes joined Johnson in frustrating the Middlesex attack, with a solid defence being the order of the day as there was plenty of time left and a handy lead already secured and soon the 100 was up and Johnson completed his 50 from 101 balls, then Hughes edged to slip for 24 off Gareth Berg, 116-5.
Tom Poynton came and went, giving Rayner his first wicket, 131-6, and then he snared Johnson by Robson at short leg for 59, 133-7. Peter Burgoyne was LBW for 4, and (after some quick boundaries) Groenewald popped to short leg and Footitt fell first ball, as Rayner finished with 5-67 as Derbyshire were all out for 160, leaving Middlesex 297 to win in a day and a bit.
It proved to be too long to last until close as Denly was LBW to a Footitt yorker and Finn being sent in as nightwatchman was LBW for a five ball duck, completing a pair for the day and (after joining up after being disposed by England) summed up a miserable few days for him.
Middlesex ended the day 25-2, still a long way from winning the game.
Middlesex (and Murtagh) came out blasting, with Ben Slater caught behind 2nd ball for a duck and then Madsen edged to Denly at slip to give Murtagh his 2nd, 4-2. Chesney Hughes fell soon after, LBW to Finn for 3, 16-3, maybe Middlesex could still turn this game around. Chanderpaul and Johnson had other ideas, arresting the slide with a solid 50 partnership to take the lead past 200 before Chanders was LBW to Roland-Jones for 32, 68-4. Alex Hughes joined Johnson in frustrating the Middlesex attack, with a solid defence being the order of the day as there was plenty of time left and a handy lead already secured and soon the 100 was up and Johnson completed his 50 from 101 balls, then Hughes edged to slip for 24 off Gareth Berg, 116-5.
Tom Poynton came and went, giving Rayner his first wicket, 131-6, and then he snared Johnson by Robson at short leg for 59, 133-7. Peter Burgoyne was LBW for 4, and (after some quick boundaries) Groenewald popped to short leg and Footitt fell first ball, as Rayner finished with 5-67 as Derbyshire were all out for 160, leaving Middlesex 297 to win in a day and a bit.
It proved to be too long to last until close as Denly was LBW to a Footitt yorker and Finn being sent in as nightwatchman was LBW for a five ball duck, completing a pair for the day and (after joining up after being disposed by England) summed up a miserable few days for him.
Middlesex ended the day 25-2, still a long way from winning the game.
Not Quite The Plan
The 2nd day of Derbyshire vs Middlesex began well for the visitors as Peter Burgoyne fell 5th ball of the day to Murtagh, and Matt Higginbottom was caught by Morgan off Harris next over as Derby slipped to 284-8. But Middlesex failed to close out the innings, as in the next 12 overs as Groenewald and Madsen added 66, Groenewald merrily swinging the seamers straight and through the leg side as he hit 9 fours in his 49 which ended when he edged to Simpson off Rayner in the last over of the bonus points, Derbyshire now 350-9. But the pain wasn't over, as another 35 runs came as Mark Footitt carted 13 off an over from Rayner before he edged to slip for 19, Derbyshire 385 all out, last two wickets adding 101, Madsen unbeaten on a fine 138, Tim Murtagh with 3-63 being the pick of the bowlers.
Middlesex began slowly, but lost Robson for 16 (all the runs scored) caught by Johnson off Groenewald as things started to look dodgy when Denly fell for 4 caught by Chanderpaul off Groewald, 25-2. Eoin Morgan and Adam Voges took them to lunch without any more wickets falling. The 50 came up soon after and the pair looked good to get most of this massive total they were pursuing when Morgan popped the ball straight to sub fielder Calum Brodrick off Higginbottom for 28, 75-3. Dexter and Voges carried on crawling the score onwards, past 100, and to the 50 partnership, with Voges's 50 taking 139 balls. Dexter, who was struggling along on the slowing pitch, was bowled by Footitt for 21, 128-4. Then the big fish Voges was given LBW to Higginbottom for 69, he didn't seem happy with the decision as he stormed off. Higginbottom made it 2 in six balls, bowling Gareth Berg for 2, 154-6. Simpson and Rayner launched a counter attack before close, as Middlesex finished the day 197-6, still 188 behind.
Middlesex began slowly, but lost Robson for 16 (all the runs scored) caught by Johnson off Groenewald as things started to look dodgy when Denly fell for 4 caught by Chanderpaul off Groewald, 25-2. Eoin Morgan and Adam Voges took them to lunch without any more wickets falling. The 50 came up soon after and the pair looked good to get most of this massive total they were pursuing when Morgan popped the ball straight to sub fielder Calum Brodrick off Higginbottom for 28, 75-3. Dexter and Voges carried on crawling the score onwards, past 100, and to the 50 partnership, with Voges's 50 taking 139 balls. Dexter, who was struggling along on the slowing pitch, was bowled by Footitt for 21, 128-4. Then the big fish Voges was given LBW to Higginbottom for 69, he didn't seem happy with the decision as he stormed off. Higginbottom made it 2 in six balls, bowling Gareth Berg for 2, 154-6. Simpson and Rayner launched a counter attack before close, as Middlesex finished the day 197-6, still 188 behind.
Thursday 5 September 2013
Driven to Insanity by Madsen
The first day of Derbyshire vs Middlesex at Derby began with
Middlesex winning the toss and fielded, and began with a hostile opening
barrage from Murtagh and Roland-Jones but with no success, until Gareth
Berg got Chesney Hughes to hole out to Roland-Jones for 16, carrying on
his struggles this season, 37-1. The pace of the innings started to
pick up once Wayne Madsen arrived, he carried on his batting form by
picking off some early runs as Middlesex began to drift a touch. Lunch came with Madsen on a run a ball 25, and the fifty partnership between Ben Slater and Madsen came up shortly after.
Runs came slowly but steadily, as the pair passed 100 and Slater completed 50 from 128 balls before edging behind off James Harris shortly after, 118-2. Shiv Chanderpaul came and went, caught at short leg by Same Robson off Ollie Rayner for 2. Madsen reached his own fifty in the next over from 95 balls. Middlesex then let the game drift a bit, allowing Johnson and Madsen to put up 50, until Johnson tried to hammer Adam Voges's spin, and was caught at square leg for 33, 179-4. But the crash of wickets wouldn't come as Alex Hughes and Madsen brought up the 200 and progressed to the new ball with the score 226-4. Madsen went into the 90s, but lost Hughes, trapped LBW by Murtagh for 33. Madsen was soon celebrating, another four off Murtagh bringing up his hundred, and the first player to score 1000 championship runs on the way to it. Tom Poynton fell in the same over, but Madsen lasted out the final six overs, Derbyshire having the slightly better of the day, 279-6.
Runs came slowly but steadily, as the pair passed 100 and Slater completed 50 from 128 balls before edging behind off James Harris shortly after, 118-2. Shiv Chanderpaul came and went, caught at short leg by Same Robson off Ollie Rayner for 2. Madsen reached his own fifty in the next over from 95 balls. Middlesex then let the game drift a bit, allowing Johnson and Madsen to put up 50, until Johnson tried to hammer Adam Voges's spin, and was caught at square leg for 33, 179-4. But the crash of wickets wouldn't come as Alex Hughes and Madsen brought up the 200 and progressed to the new ball with the score 226-4. Madsen went into the 90s, but lost Hughes, trapped LBW by Murtagh for 33. Madsen was soon celebrating, another four off Murtagh bringing up his hundred, and the first player to score 1000 championship runs on the way to it. Tom Poynton fell in the same over, but Madsen lasted out the final six overs, Derbyshire having the slightly better of the day, 279-6.
Monday 2 September 2013
Watson Wallops, Australia Splutter
The 2nd day of the England Lions vs Australia tour match at Northampton began with England declaring on 269-7, leaving Australia with a day to bat and (really) Hughes and Khawaja to push their cases for inclusion in the final test. Ed Cowan and Dave Warner opened the batting. James Harris and Keith Barker bowled with spirit, but didn't find a breakthrough in their opening spell with Warner scoring easy runs as the 50 came up in the 13th over. Simon Kerrigan's spin arrived, and Warner charged, missed and was easily stumped by Buttler for 35, 52-1. Liam Plunkett then fairly easily picked up the wicket of Cowan, caught behind by Buttler for 17. Shane Watson then took a liking to the bowling of Kerrigan, announcing himself with 3 fours in the 23rd over, slamming the ball over midwicket and through cover with ease. another four soon followed, then the biggest hit of the day, Kerrigan slog-swept over midwicket for a massive six, but on 45 the adventure came to an end. Watson went for another heave off James Harris, but found fine leg where Liam Plunkett took a good catch, 117-3. Steve Smith came in and looked at ease against spin, but was yorked by Ben Stokes for 18, 144-4. Stokes had his 2nd in two overs as Khawaja, edging to Buttler for four. Keith Barker returned to finally shift Hughes, bowling him for 30 as Australia slumped to 160-6 in 46 overs.
Matt Wade and James Faulkner decided to grind it out for as long as they could, whilst pinging boundaries off Plunkett and Stokes as they batted up to tea, and then onwards, bringing up the 50 partnership. At 227-6, the light and rain closed in and play was abandoned, match drawn (as it always would be). Australis not really looking in any better shape for the final test as they managed to all get in, then get out without any of them spendint some serious time in the middle.
Matt Wade and James Faulkner decided to grind it out for as long as they could, whilst pinging boundaries off Plunkett and Stokes as they batted up to tea, and then onwards, bringing up the 50 partnership. At 227-6, the light and rain closed in and play was abandoned, match drawn (as it always would be). Australis not really looking in any better shape for the final test as they managed to all get in, then get out without any of them spendint some serious time in the middle.
A Ballanced Attack
Thanks to Northants making it to finals day, an England Lions XI was
selected to take on Australia in a 2 day game in Northampton. Early
morning rain delayed the start for an hour. The Lions won the toss and
elected to bat first, with Alex Lees and Luke Wells opening. Wells soon
fell for 10, edging to Wade off James Faulkner for 10, 17-1. Moeen Ali
then came along and the pair played nicely, the main unusual sight from
the morning session was Dave Warner bowling seam up, though with limited
success. Nathan Lyon picked up the other two wickets to fall before
lunch, Alex Lees caught by Shane Watson at slip for 33 and captain Eoin
Morgan also caught Watson for 5.
After lunch, Moeen Ali completed a comfy 85 ball 50 and progressed onto 61 before giving Steve Smith an easy catch off Mitchell Starc, 164-4. Gary Ballance's 8th four brought up his 50 shorty after, from 90 balls. Australia were never out of the day for long, as Ben Stokes (19) was the third victim to the Lyon-Watson slip catching combination, 195-5. Ballance carried on, and with Jos Buttler blocking up one end on the fairly slow pitch, he moved fairly untroubled into the 90s. Buttler then fell for 7 to Steve Smith, before Ballance carted the 4th ball of his next over for six over midwicket to go to his century from 153 balls. He then tried to repeat the dose next ball and was LBW for 104, the highlight of an otherwise slow day.
The Lions finished the day on 269-7 from 77 overs, a pretty decent showing on a slow pitch against a good attack.
After lunch, Moeen Ali completed a comfy 85 ball 50 and progressed onto 61 before giving Steve Smith an easy catch off Mitchell Starc, 164-4. Gary Ballance's 8th four brought up his 50 shorty after, from 90 balls. Australia were never out of the day for long, as Ben Stokes (19) was the third victim to the Lyon-Watson slip catching combination, 195-5. Ballance carried on, and with Jos Buttler blocking up one end on the fairly slow pitch, he moved fairly untroubled into the 90s. Buttler then fell for 7 to Steve Smith, before Ballance carted the 4th ball of his next over for six over midwicket to go to his century from 153 balls. He then tried to repeat the dose next ball and was LBW for 104, the highlight of an otherwise slow day.
The Lions finished the day on 269-7 from 77 overs, a pretty decent showing on a slow pitch against a good attack.
Sunday 1 September 2013
A Broad Bombing
The fourth day of the fourth test of the Ashes began with England 202 runs ahead at 234-5 with Ian Bell on 105 and joined by Tim Bresnan. England moved on to 250 before the new ball was taken and Ryan Harris found some late sharp movement to destroy Bell's middle stump for 113, and then took Matt Prior's off stump first ball to complete a well earn five wicket haul. This triggered Bresnan and Broad to start going for quick runs as boundaries were crunched through mid on and square leg and edged over third man before Harris found some bounce which Broad could only fend on the jump to gully for a seven ball 13, 275-8.
Jackson Bird then flew off the bat of Bresnan with three fours in the over as 14 came off it to push the lead past 250 and towards something England could feel happy defending. Graeme Swann decided on the same plan and smacked a couple of fours off Siddle to bring up the 300 before Bresnan chipped a catch back to Harris to go for 45, 317-9. Steve Smith dropped a skier at long on, but it only cost 13 runs (3 fours by Swann) before Anderson edged behind off Lyon for a duck, England 330 all out leaving Australia 5 sessions to score 299. Harris the pick of the bowlers with 7-117.
Australia managed 11 in 5 overs (Cook blowing a review for an LBW pitching outside leg) before a sudden downpour brought an early lunch. Australia started well after lunch, as England looked a bit clueless as to what they were supposed to be doing as Rogers and Warner feasted on some off line bowling. Even when Rogers was caught behind the DRS actually worked and he was given not out (+1 for hotspot). Australia pushed the rate up to around 4 an over as they looked to get the job done in a hurry as every time England got a couple of dot balls, they'd push one down off or leg and it would be helped away for four. Their intent became even clearer when Swann's third ball to Warner was launched inside out over extra cover for a huge six. The 100 partnership came up in the 27th over and soon Warner passed 50 from 74 balls, but England then got a wicket as Rogers was squared up by Swann and the edge flew to Trott at slip to go for 49, 109-1. Australia made it to tea 120-1.
Post tea, Australia cruised to 147 when Khawaja misread the line against Swann and was given LBW for 21, but Clarke and Warner carried on, until Warner nicked behind off Bresnan for 74, 168-3. England then blew their second review with Broad trying to shift Smith, but no more wickets until drinks. First ball after drinks, Broad gets some seam movement to detonate Clarke's off stump for 21, England back on top with what followed being an extraordinary spell from both Broad and Bresnan. Steve Smith (2) hooked one off the bottom edge onto his stumps to Broad, Watson (2) is struck in front of middle stump, given LBW, reviews, umpire's call, out next over. Then next over Haddin (4) is LBW to Broad, reviews, clipping the top of the leg bail, out! Ryan Harris was next to out, also LBW to Broad for 11 and Nathan Lyon who was dropped one, then inside edge an inswinger into his stumps for Broad to get his 2nd five-for and complete 10 in the match.
One wicket left, but the light was getting bad, so on came Swann and Joe Root for five overs as England took the extra half hour, then the sun peeked through, just long enough for Broad to get Siddle to swing the ball straight to mid off where Anderson completed the catch to give a 74 run win and take the series. Broad was awarded man of the match for his 11-121 in the match.
Jackson Bird then flew off the bat of Bresnan with three fours in the over as 14 came off it to push the lead past 250 and towards something England could feel happy defending. Graeme Swann decided on the same plan and smacked a couple of fours off Siddle to bring up the 300 before Bresnan chipped a catch back to Harris to go for 45, 317-9. Steve Smith dropped a skier at long on, but it only cost 13 runs (3 fours by Swann) before Anderson edged behind off Lyon for a duck, England 330 all out leaving Australia 5 sessions to score 299. Harris the pick of the bowlers with 7-117.
Australia managed 11 in 5 overs (Cook blowing a review for an LBW pitching outside leg) before a sudden downpour brought an early lunch. Australia started well after lunch, as England looked a bit clueless as to what they were supposed to be doing as Rogers and Warner feasted on some off line bowling. Even when Rogers was caught behind the DRS actually worked and he was given not out (+1 for hotspot). Australia pushed the rate up to around 4 an over as they looked to get the job done in a hurry as every time England got a couple of dot balls, they'd push one down off or leg and it would be helped away for four. Their intent became even clearer when Swann's third ball to Warner was launched inside out over extra cover for a huge six. The 100 partnership came up in the 27th over and soon Warner passed 50 from 74 balls, but England then got a wicket as Rogers was squared up by Swann and the edge flew to Trott at slip to go for 49, 109-1. Australia made it to tea 120-1.
Post tea, Australia cruised to 147 when Khawaja misread the line against Swann and was given LBW for 21, but Clarke and Warner carried on, until Warner nicked behind off Bresnan for 74, 168-3. England then blew their second review with Broad trying to shift Smith, but no more wickets until drinks. First ball after drinks, Broad gets some seam movement to detonate Clarke's off stump for 21, England back on top with what followed being an extraordinary spell from both Broad and Bresnan. Steve Smith (2) hooked one off the bottom edge onto his stumps to Broad, Watson (2) is struck in front of middle stump, given LBW, reviews, umpire's call, out next over. Then next over Haddin (4) is LBW to Broad, reviews, clipping the top of the leg bail, out! Ryan Harris was next to out, also LBW to Broad for 11 and Nathan Lyon who was dropped one, then inside edge an inswinger into his stumps for Broad to get his 2nd five-for and complete 10 in the match.
One wicket left, but the light was getting bad, so on came Swann and Joe Root for five overs as England took the extra half hour, then the sun peeked through, just long enough for Broad to get Siddle to swing the ball straight to mid off where Anderson completed the catch to give a 74 run win and take the series. Broad was awarded man of the match for his 11-121 in the match.
Bell Tolls For England
The third day of the Fourth Ashes test at Chester-le-Street began with Australia on 222-5 with Chris Rogers (with a hundred) and Brad Haddin batting though not for long, as Haddin was trapped in front in the first over of the morning to Graeme Swann for 13. Then another bonus before the new ball as Rogers gloved the ball from Swann where Matt Prior took a sharp catch and was given out on review for 110 to a standing ovation, 233-7 and Anderson and Broad with the new ball. Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle seemed happy swish away at anything they could which brought them into the lead before Siddle poked Anderson to Cook at first slip for 5, 245-8 and this was soon 258-9 as Anderson pinned Nathan Lyon in front for 4. Harris then swung 3 consecutive fours off Broad before being given out LBW on review for 28, where all the players were halfway back to the pavilion by the time confirmation it was out came through.
So 270 all out gave Australia a first innings lead of 32 and it was time for Cook and co to see what they could do. Cook and Root halved the deficit before Root was castled by Harris for two, the strain of opening beginning to show for him. After lunch England wasted no time going into the lead, before Cook fished outside off and was caught by Haddin, giving Harris his 2nd wicket of the day. It was then 2 wickets in three balls for Harris, as Trott gloved behind for 23, England 49-3 and in trouble again. Ian Bell came to the rescue and along with Pietersen stopped the slide with some impressive strokeplay mixed with dubious shots.
The pair took on the Australian attack fairly freely, and got away with it as edges flew wide of fielders, wild heaves dropped safe and in between there was some good shots as the 100 came up it the 27th over with both batsmen motoring on steadily as England flowed to tea 123-3.
Consecutive drives through the covers for four brought up Bell's 50, but Pietersen would not join him, as he chipped a leading edge off Lyon to Rogers at cover for 44, the breakthrough the Australians needed, as it seemed England would get away. Jonny Bairstow came in and looked to attacked, hitting consecutive boundaries off Lyon and then Harris as Australia began to tire, giving Bell the opportunity to move into the 90s reasonably untroubled. Bairstow's knock ended on 28 edging Lyon to Harris. That didn't stop Bell flicking the ball to leg and going to his 3rd hundred of the series, a crucial knock as the England lead passed 200 as they finished 234-5, Bell unbeaten on 105.
So 270 all out gave Australia a first innings lead of 32 and it was time for Cook and co to see what they could do. Cook and Root halved the deficit before Root was castled by Harris for two, the strain of opening beginning to show for him. After lunch England wasted no time going into the lead, before Cook fished outside off and was caught by Haddin, giving Harris his 2nd wicket of the day. It was then 2 wickets in three balls for Harris, as Trott gloved behind for 23, England 49-3 and in trouble again. Ian Bell came to the rescue and along with Pietersen stopped the slide with some impressive strokeplay mixed with dubious shots.
The pair took on the Australian attack fairly freely, and got away with it as edges flew wide of fielders, wild heaves dropped safe and in between there was some good shots as the 100 came up it the 27th over with both batsmen motoring on steadily as England flowed to tea 123-3.
Consecutive drives through the covers for four brought up Bell's 50, but Pietersen would not join him, as he chipped a leading edge off Lyon to Rogers at cover for 44, the breakthrough the Australians needed, as it seemed England would get away. Jonny Bairstow came in and looked to attacked, hitting consecutive boundaries off Lyon and then Harris as Australia began to tire, giving Bell the opportunity to move into the 90s reasonably untroubled. Bairstow's knock ended on 28 edging Lyon to Harris. That didn't stop Bell flicking the ball to leg and going to his 3rd hundred of the series, a crucial knock as the England lead passed 200 as they finished 234-5, Bell unbeaten on 105.
Tuesday 20 August 2013
A Stack Load of Wickets
The second day of Middlesex vs Durham at Lord's resumed with Middlesex being 126-5 in their first innings after a manic first day in which 15 wickets fell, and there were to be more, as Neil Dexter fished Graham Onions to Phil Mustard in the 5th over of the day to fall for 48. Ollie Rayner hooked his first ball for six, but fell in the same over repeating the shot and edging through to Mustard. And soon Onions was to have five wickets, with Gareth Berg edging to Mustard for 35 as Middlesex were now 149-8, with a lead of only 6. The rest only clawed out a lead of 25 as Finn edged to Richardson off Onions and Murtagh edged to Mustard off Onions as Middlesex crashed to 168 all out, Onions finishing with 7-62, having picked up 5-20 in 5.2 overs that morning,
Durham came out to start their 2nd innings and Mark Stoneman was promptly LBW to Tim Murtagh fourth ball for a duck, which was quickly followed by Keaton Jennings poking to Robson at slip off Finn for 2, 10-2. Scott Borthwick and Will Smith took Durham into the lead, but Borthwick was cleaned up by Murtagh for 25 and at 32-3 it looked like another collapse was on our hands. Smith and Ben Stokes averted anymore disaster before lunch and Durahm knew this was their last big chance to push for a decent lead of 200 or so to give Middlesex a tough chase given the rate of wickets falling.
A blast of boundaries after lunch brought up the 50 partnership in the 28th over but Smith gave in away soon after, heaving the ball straight to Finn at mid on for 30, 97-4. This was quickly 98-5 as Paul Colling wood was bowled first ball by Corey Collymore, and a collapse looked on again. Stokes meanwhile was carefully blocking and then whacking anything he could and he reached his 50 from 92 balls as the lead ticked past 100. He though threw it away, charging Rayner and being easily stumped by John Simpson for 51, and Rayner had 2 in 3 as Richardson popped an easy catch to Adam Voges as Durham were now 129-7 thanks to the double wicket maiden from Rayner.
Callum Thorp blasted a quick 23, when the return of Finn bowled him and then Onions 3 balls later for a duck. Chris Rushworth soon followed to end the innings propping a catch off Rayner to Robson at short leg for 2, Durham 171 all out, leaving Middlesex 2 and a bit days to score 147, Mustard unbeaten on 30, Rayner 3-25, Murtagh 3-32.
Middlesex survived six overs, before Robson edged Rushworth to Richardson for 6, 23-1. Joe Denly looked a bit nervous, trying to connect with anything he could for runs and he sliced the ball straight to Stokes to go for 32, and give Onions his 8th wicket of the match at 41-2. Eoin Morgan was then struck bang in front first ball by Onion's inswing, only for it to be called a no ball by the umpire, possibly the moment the game finally went away from Durham for good.
Voges and Morgan managed to see off the final 13 overs of the day with relative (given what had gone before) ease as Middlesex closed on 103-2, not taking the extra half hour and coming back to score the remaining 44 needed for the much needed victory.
Durham came out to start their 2nd innings and Mark Stoneman was promptly LBW to Tim Murtagh fourth ball for a duck, which was quickly followed by Keaton Jennings poking to Robson at slip off Finn for 2, 10-2. Scott Borthwick and Will Smith took Durham into the lead, but Borthwick was cleaned up by Murtagh for 25 and at 32-3 it looked like another collapse was on our hands. Smith and Ben Stokes averted anymore disaster before lunch and Durahm knew this was their last big chance to push for a decent lead of 200 or so to give Middlesex a tough chase given the rate of wickets falling.
A blast of boundaries after lunch brought up the 50 partnership in the 28th over but Smith gave in away soon after, heaving the ball straight to Finn at mid on for 30, 97-4. This was quickly 98-5 as Paul Colling wood was bowled first ball by Corey Collymore, and a collapse looked on again. Stokes meanwhile was carefully blocking and then whacking anything he could and he reached his 50 from 92 balls as the lead ticked past 100. He though threw it away, charging Rayner and being easily stumped by John Simpson for 51, and Rayner had 2 in 3 as Richardson popped an easy catch to Adam Voges as Durham were now 129-7 thanks to the double wicket maiden from Rayner.
Callum Thorp blasted a quick 23, when the return of Finn bowled him and then Onions 3 balls later for a duck. Chris Rushworth soon followed to end the innings propping a catch off Rayner to Robson at short leg for 2, Durham 171 all out, leaving Middlesex 2 and a bit days to score 147, Mustard unbeaten on 30, Rayner 3-25, Murtagh 3-32.
Middlesex survived six overs, before Robson edged Rushworth to Richardson for 6, 23-1. Joe Denly looked a bit nervous, trying to connect with anything he could for runs and he sliced the ball straight to Stokes to go for 32, and give Onions his 8th wicket of the match at 41-2. Eoin Morgan was then struck bang in front first ball by Onion's inswing, only for it to be called a no ball by the umpire, possibly the moment the game finally went away from Durham for good.
Voges and Morgan managed to see off the final 13 overs of the day with relative (given what had gone before) ease as Middlesex closed on 103-2, not taking the extra half hour and coming back to score the remaining 44 needed for the much needed victory.
Rooting Around
The 2nd test in the Ashes had pretty much already been decided by the third day, thanks to Australia being bowled out in just over a session on the 2nd afternoon, as England looked to press home their advantage for the rest of the series and secure a 2-0 lead.
Joe Root and nightwatchman Tim Bresnan resumed with England 31-3, and batted like England were having a net, and the Australians were happy to give it to them. Back to back fours from Bresnan soon brought up the 50 with back to back boundaries off Siddle. Soon the lead passed 300 as it quickly became clear that Australia were happy to wait for England to declare. To 50 partnership for the 4th wicket was soon followed by Root reaching 50 from 122 balls, and then the 100 with Bresnan smacking a four through point. The England pair had little trouble lasting through to lunch against the bowling of Steve Smith and Ashton Agar as England went in on 114-3, light years ahead of Australia. After lunch, Peter Siddle and James Pattinson tried to make a difference with what was an old ball in friendly batting conditions, it was not an easy task as all England had to do was accumulate.
But finally a wicket came, with the partnership on 99, Bresnan went for a flaccid pull against Pattinson which lobbed off the face to Chris Rogers at square leg to go for 38, 129-4. Australia bowled well as only 17 runs came in the first hour after lunch, but the game had really gone from them. After a change of ball Ryan Harris got some movement and Ian Bell edged low to Smith at slip who took the catch and celebrated but after review by the third umpire, not out was the call even though it looked as though the catch was clean and everyone was surprised when the call came though. After that, Root and Bell settled down to score some easy runs, Siddle disappearing for consecutive fours and Root then drilling him straight for four to move within 10 of his hundred. Root then flicked Smith for four to bring up the 400 lead on the stroke of tea which he went to on 97 and soon after he cut Agar to the cover boundary to reach his 2nd test hundred from 247 balls.
Runs then appeared quickly as Australia had given up and were now waiting for the declaration, Pattinson came back and sprayed the ball everywhere, going for 18 in two overs as England passed 200 and then Bell to 50 from 82 balls as Smith and Agar served up some free runs. Bell was turning on the jets to get to his century, but cracked a long hop from Smith straight to Rogers at midwicket to fall for 74, 282-5. That didn't stop Root reaching 150 and then the 300 before taking Smith downtown in his last over of the day swinging one ball into the Tavern Stand then repeating the dose two balls later as 17 came from the over. England closed on 333-5, Root on 178, Bairstow on 11 and England 566 ahead.
Joe Root and nightwatchman Tim Bresnan resumed with England 31-3, and batted like England were having a net, and the Australians were happy to give it to them. Back to back fours from Bresnan soon brought up the 50 with back to back boundaries off Siddle. Soon the lead passed 300 as it quickly became clear that Australia were happy to wait for England to declare. To 50 partnership for the 4th wicket was soon followed by Root reaching 50 from 122 balls, and then the 100 with Bresnan smacking a four through point. The England pair had little trouble lasting through to lunch against the bowling of Steve Smith and Ashton Agar as England went in on 114-3, light years ahead of Australia. After lunch, Peter Siddle and James Pattinson tried to make a difference with what was an old ball in friendly batting conditions, it was not an easy task as all England had to do was accumulate.
But finally a wicket came, with the partnership on 99, Bresnan went for a flaccid pull against Pattinson which lobbed off the face to Chris Rogers at square leg to go for 38, 129-4. Australia bowled well as only 17 runs came in the first hour after lunch, but the game had really gone from them. After a change of ball Ryan Harris got some movement and Ian Bell edged low to Smith at slip who took the catch and celebrated but after review by the third umpire, not out was the call even though it looked as though the catch was clean and everyone was surprised when the call came though. After that, Root and Bell settled down to score some easy runs, Siddle disappearing for consecutive fours and Root then drilling him straight for four to move within 10 of his hundred. Root then flicked Smith for four to bring up the 400 lead on the stroke of tea which he went to on 97 and soon after he cut Agar to the cover boundary to reach his 2nd test hundred from 247 balls.
Runs then appeared quickly as Australia had given up and were now waiting for the declaration, Pattinson came back and sprayed the ball everywhere, going for 18 in two overs as England passed 200 and then Bell to 50 from 82 balls as Smith and Agar served up some free runs. Bell was turning on the jets to get to his century, but cracked a long hop from Smith straight to Rogers at midwicket to fall for 74, 282-5. That didn't stop Root reaching 150 and then the 300 before taking Smith downtown in his last over of the day swinging one ball into the Tavern Stand then repeating the dose two balls later as 17 came from the over. England closed on 333-5, Root on 178, Bairstow on 11 and England 566 ahead.
Sunday 11 August 2013
One Of "Those" Days...
The penultimate game of the t20 for Middlesex was the London Derby against Surrey at Lord's. Middlesex won the toss and fielded (as they have done all season), with Surrey star signing Ricky Ponting missing out with a groin strain. It soon looked to be a good decision as Gareth Berg picked up Steven Davies (5) and Jason Roy (11) in the space of three balls in the third over as Surrey slipped to 17-2. Then things started to go a bit wrong as Vikram Solanki and Kevin O'Brien started pommelling the bowling with each of them making early sixes as the fifth over went for 16 and the sixth over went for 15 as Surrey reached 60-1 at the end of the powerplay.
The introduction of Ravi Patel (who picked up four wickets in the reverse fixture) did little to slow the rate as Solanki smacked him into the Tavern Stand before O'Brien swung Voges for six (to bring up the 100) and with another single, completed a 22 ball 50 with 5 fours and 3 sixes. His luck finally ran out, being bowled by Patel in the next over for 54, 107-3. Things looked up in Patel's next over as well, with Solanki holing out to Dexter for 37 and Gary Wilson being stumped by Rossington for 4, with Surrey now 117-5 after 13 overs, there was a chance they could be kept below 160. But the problem was Azhar Mahmood, who came in with the mood to give it some tap, with consecutive fours off Voges and a huge six off Kyle Mills as runs came quickly. Mahmood and Zafar Ansari added 59 in seven overs before a late flurry of wickets (Mahmood run out looking for the strike and Jon Lewis bowled by Berg) didn't detract from what was a good score that would be a good chase on a fairly flat pitch as Surrey finished 178-7, Patel (3-28) and Berg (3-37) the best bowlers.
Middlesex's reply got off to a horrible start, as Malan's heave off Mahmood went straight to Dernbach before Denly's top edge off Tremlett flew to Lewis at third man who took a good catch over his shoulder, 16-2. Then Tremlett bowled a no ball, which Stirling leaned back to and cut with full power, high over the Mound stand and out of the ground, a huge shot, but it was to be the highlight of the innings as first Voges off Tremlett (0) and then Stirling off Mahmood (19) picked out O'Brien in what was turning into a nightmare as everything in the air was caught. Eoin Morgan prodded one short of the fielder, before having a massive swing at Tremlett, and getting four down to the Mound Stand boundary before picking out Roy at point off Lewis to fall for a terrible 9 on his comeback from injury, 40-5 at the end of the powerplay and the game was up, which was soon 40-6 as Rossington offered up an easy catch for Wilson off Dernbach.
At least Gareth Berg showed some fight, hitting 2 fours off Dernbach then mashing Batty for 16 off his first over, including a straight four and a six that the man at long on parried over the rope. That was to be it though as Dexter fell LBW to Ansari for 3, then Berg was bowled by Batty for 33 off 19. Patel was also bowled by Ansari then Mills charged, missed and was stumped by Davies off Batty as MIddlesex crumbled to a pitiful 92 all out in only 14 overs to give Surrey the win by 86 runs, Ansari 2-7 and Mahmood 2-12 having the best figures, O'Brien was unsurprisingly given the man of the match award.
The introduction of Ravi Patel (who picked up four wickets in the reverse fixture) did little to slow the rate as Solanki smacked him into the Tavern Stand before O'Brien swung Voges for six (to bring up the 100) and with another single, completed a 22 ball 50 with 5 fours and 3 sixes. His luck finally ran out, being bowled by Patel in the next over for 54, 107-3. Things looked up in Patel's next over as well, with Solanki holing out to Dexter for 37 and Gary Wilson being stumped by Rossington for 4, with Surrey now 117-5 after 13 overs, there was a chance they could be kept below 160. But the problem was Azhar Mahmood, who came in with the mood to give it some tap, with consecutive fours off Voges and a huge six off Kyle Mills as runs came quickly. Mahmood and Zafar Ansari added 59 in seven overs before a late flurry of wickets (Mahmood run out looking for the strike and Jon Lewis bowled by Berg) didn't detract from what was a good score that would be a good chase on a fairly flat pitch as Surrey finished 178-7, Patel (3-28) and Berg (3-37) the best bowlers.
Middlesex's reply got off to a horrible start, as Malan's heave off Mahmood went straight to Dernbach before Denly's top edge off Tremlett flew to Lewis at third man who took a good catch over his shoulder, 16-2. Then Tremlett bowled a no ball, which Stirling leaned back to and cut with full power, high over the Mound stand and out of the ground, a huge shot, but it was to be the highlight of the innings as first Voges off Tremlett (0) and then Stirling off Mahmood (19) picked out O'Brien in what was turning into a nightmare as everything in the air was caught. Eoin Morgan prodded one short of the fielder, before having a massive swing at Tremlett, and getting four down to the Mound Stand boundary before picking out Roy at point off Lewis to fall for a terrible 9 on his comeback from injury, 40-5 at the end of the powerplay and the game was up, which was soon 40-6 as Rossington offered up an easy catch for Wilson off Dernbach.
At least Gareth Berg showed some fight, hitting 2 fours off Dernbach then mashing Batty for 16 off his first over, including a straight four and a six that the man at long on parried over the rope. That was to be it though as Dexter fell LBW to Ansari for 3, then Berg was bowled by Batty for 33 off 19. Patel was also bowled by Ansari then Mills charged, missed and was stumped by Davies off Batty as MIddlesex crumbled to a pitiful 92 all out in only 14 overs to give Surrey the win by 86 runs, Ansari 2-7 and Mahmood 2-12 having the best figures, O'Brien was unsurprisingly given the man of the match award.
Saturday 10 August 2013
Spirit of 74
Another day, another t20, with Middlesex paying a visit up the A12 to Chelmsford to take on Essex. Essex won the toss and batted, injuries to Pettini and Bopara had led to a slightly unusual side being picked. Greg Smith opened with Hamish Rutherford, and Kyle Mills struck quickly with Smith edging behind to Adam Rossington 2nd ball for nought (he didn't think he hit it). The Essex hero Graham Napier was then cleaned up 2nd ball for another duck, 0-2 and Mills completed a maiden. Essex were rocked by this start, and it only got worse, as Rutherford looked to swipe Mills down the ground, only to top edge to Joe Denly at cover, 10-3 and Mills was on his way to figures of 3-4 from 3 overs. Gurjit Sandhu then came on to bowl on debut and amazingly had Jaik Mickleburgh caught behind fifth ball for 1 (echoing his first over in List A cricket last season) and then yorked the dangerous Ryan ten Doeschate first ball as Essex found themselves 12-5 in five over with their innings in tatters.
Owais Shah at least looked like scoring some quick runs as he hit 13 off Sandhu's next over but Foster was then bowled by Dexter for 3, 39-6 in the ninth over. Middlesex didn't panic and the run rate wasn't going anywhere fast as Ravi Patel and Dexter shut down Shah and Tim Phillips from scoring, and Shah was next to go, charging Patel and being easily stumped by Rossington for 39, 59-7. Phillips hit Dexter for four then hit to Malan at cover, 65-8. Adam Voges then got a bowl, and Shaun Tait attempted a huge hoick first ball, only to edge to Rossington for his fourth dismissal of the innings, 65-9. Tymal Mills then planted Voges straight into the river for six, but Topley was bowled by Berg for 1 as Essex crashed to 74 all out with 19 balls unused in their innings.
Tait came steaming in and had Stiring caught behind for two as Essex knew the game was really up but fought anyway. Denly then powered three fours off Napiers next over before skying one off Tait that Greg Smith backpeddled at mid on to, went up for the catch, and grassed it summing up Essex's night. Malan was then bowled by Tait for 10 as Middlesex found themselves 30-2 after four overs. Denly and Voges took a sensible approach to scoring the runs, as they only needed 2.5 an over, and were helped out by Tait having a meltdown, sending one wide down the legside then following it up with one even wider that went for five wides. The end came soon after, Denly hitting Phillips for four to seal the win with a club record 61 balls remaining, and bringing up the fifty partnership, Denly 34 not out, Voges 22 not out. The local booed Essex off the field and the whole game was over by 9PM, Kyle Mills taking the man of the match award for his career best 3 for 4.
Owais Shah at least looked like scoring some quick runs as he hit 13 off Sandhu's next over but Foster was then bowled by Dexter for 3, 39-6 in the ninth over. Middlesex didn't panic and the run rate wasn't going anywhere fast as Ravi Patel and Dexter shut down Shah and Tim Phillips from scoring, and Shah was next to go, charging Patel and being easily stumped by Rossington for 39, 59-7. Phillips hit Dexter for four then hit to Malan at cover, 65-8. Adam Voges then got a bowl, and Shaun Tait attempted a huge hoick first ball, only to edge to Rossington for his fourth dismissal of the innings, 65-9. Tymal Mills then planted Voges straight into the river for six, but Topley was bowled by Berg for 1 as Essex crashed to 74 all out with 19 balls unused in their innings.
Tait came steaming in and had Stiring caught behind for two as Essex knew the game was really up but fought anyway. Denly then powered three fours off Napiers next over before skying one off Tait that Greg Smith backpeddled at mid on to, went up for the catch, and grassed it summing up Essex's night. Malan was then bowled by Tait for 10 as Middlesex found themselves 30-2 after four overs. Denly and Voges took a sensible approach to scoring the runs, as they only needed 2.5 an over, and were helped out by Tait having a meltdown, sending one wide down the legside then following it up with one even wider that went for five wides. The end came soon after, Denly hitting Phillips for four to seal the win with a club record 61 balls remaining, and bringing up the fifty partnership, Denly 34 not out, Voges 22 not out. The local booed Essex off the field and the whole game was over by 9PM, Kyle Mills taking the man of the match award for his career best 3 for 4.
Bossing from Rossington
The first T20 game covered this year was between Middlesex and Kent at Uxbridge, Middlesex won the toss and fielded first, and Kent were 12-1 after 2 overs as Rob Key chipped Toby Roland-Jones to Josh Davey at mid off for 7. It was soon 16-2 when Sam Northeast skied to Dexter at mid on off Kyle Mills for 4. Darren Stevens then hit Ravi Patel for consecutive fours before Sam Billings lifted Berg over midwicket for six as Kent had recovered to end the powerplay 38-2. Stevens hoisted Patel for another six, before holing out to Dawid Malan on the boundary for 25 off 15, 61-3. Kent's momentum stalled again as Billings edged Dexter to Rossington for 22 as Kent were 74-4 at the halfway stage.
Alex Blake and Geraint Jones were on the rebuild operation but couldn't sustain any power hitting, and Jones soon had his stumps scattered for 21, 97-5. Kent struggled to fins boundaries, and in the last four overs, they only managed two fours and a six (that too coming off a free hit by Blake off Mills) as Kent finished 140-6, a score that looked 20-30 runs light as Middlesex bowled and fielded well to give themselves a good chance of the win.
Dawis Malan and Adam Rossington opened the batting, with Malan hitting two fours in the opening over from Vernon Philander Rossington added a six and four in his next over as Middlesex made 24 after three. Stevens was unable to stop the flow, Rossington powering four fours off the over all round the wicket before hammering Mat Coles over midwicket for a massive six as Middlesex made 58 from the powerplay overs. Things didn't get much better for Kent, with Coles disappearing for another flat six over midwicket, before a cover drive for four brought up Rossington's maiden t20 fifty from 28 balls. A reverse sweep off Tredwell brought four, before he slog-swept Adam Riley over midwicket for another six (fielder caught it on the rope, but then fell over it). It was soon to end, Rossington bowled reverse sweeping Tredwell for an awesome 74 from 37 ball, 10 fours and 4 sixes. At 103 for 1 in the 11th over, the rest was a stroll really as Joe Denly found a couple of early boundaries, then lofted a lovely six into the midwicket crowd, before creaming a cover drive to end it, a nine wicket win with 26 balls remaining, Denly 33 not out, Malan 31 not out.
Alex Blake and Geraint Jones were on the rebuild operation but couldn't sustain any power hitting, and Jones soon had his stumps scattered for 21, 97-5. Kent struggled to fins boundaries, and in the last four overs, they only managed two fours and a six (that too coming off a free hit by Blake off Mills) as Kent finished 140-6, a score that looked 20-30 runs light as Middlesex bowled and fielded well to give themselves a good chance of the win.
Dawis Malan and Adam Rossington opened the batting, with Malan hitting two fours in the opening over from Vernon Philander Rossington added a six and four in his next over as Middlesex made 24 after three. Stevens was unable to stop the flow, Rossington powering four fours off the over all round the wicket before hammering Mat Coles over midwicket for a massive six as Middlesex made 58 from the powerplay overs. Things didn't get much better for Kent, with Coles disappearing for another flat six over midwicket, before a cover drive for four brought up Rossington's maiden t20 fifty from 28 balls. A reverse sweep off Tredwell brought four, before he slog-swept Adam Riley over midwicket for another six (fielder caught it on the rope, but then fell over it). It was soon to end, Rossington bowled reverse sweeping Tredwell for an awesome 74 from 37 ball, 10 fours and 4 sixes. At 103 for 1 in the 11th over, the rest was a stroll really as Joe Denly found a couple of early boundaries, then lofted a lovely six into the midwicket crowd, before creaming a cover drive to end it, a nine wicket win with 26 balls remaining, Denly 33 not out, Malan 31 not out.
Saturday 3 August 2013
Club Against Country
As a warm up for the Ashes, England played a warm up four day game against Essex at Chelmsford, with Sky broadcasting the game and a full house present. Essex won the toss and in an obviously planned move Ravi Bopara decided to bowl first, saying something like "It looks like the sort of pitch to score lots of runs on, but we've got to take 20 wickets, so we'll bowl first".
England began quite quickly, scoring 33 off the first seven overs, before Alistair Cook edged Tymal Mills to keeper Ben Foakes for 18. Mills had some early hustle, getting Cook out with a 92 mph ball and following it up with one that was over 94 mph in the resulting maiden. The incoming Trott and Root began to tame the Essex attack, adding 40 in 10 overs, before Root edged to Tom Westley for 41, 73-2. This brought Kevin Pietersen to the crease and he treated the bowlers with some early disdain hammering 16 off his first 9 balls as the 100 came up on the 22nd over. Trott was the next to fall, edging a rocket from Mills to Foakes to go for 32, and it was fairly obvious by now that England weren't taking this game particularly seriously at this stage.
Pietersen came out attacking after lunch, hitting more boundaries, and greeting Tom Craddock's spin with a straight driven four first ball, but then he drove the ball back to Craddock next ball, who grassed the chance, but he wouldn't have to wait much longer for another chance. KP repeated the shot first ball of his next over, where Craddock took the return catch (49 off 58), England 163-4. Craddock soon had his 2nd, Ian Bell going for a sweep shot, Jaik Mickleburgh at short leg anticipated the shot, moved to his right and flung himself at the ball to take a great reaction catch, 172-5. This brought together Prior and Bairstow to bring up the 200 in the 51st over, but England failed to build any consistency as Prior edged behind for 20 to give Craddock a third. It was soon 212-7 as Saj Mahmood blasted one though Bairstow to bowl him for 23.
This left the unlikely pair of Bresnan and Swann to put together the partnership that would enable England to make a decent score. They didn't try anything stupid and steadily accumulated runs off the bowlers before attacking the bad balls, Swann taking 4 fours off the over against Craddock. Swann was first to 50, from 67 ball (also bringing up the 100 partnership) with 3 consecutive fours off Mills. Bresnan soon followed, his 50 coming from 114 balls. That was pretty much it for the day as England finished 332-7 from 90 overs, Bresnan 55 and Swann 62, Craddock with 3-63 being the pick of the bowlers
England began quite quickly, scoring 33 off the first seven overs, before Alistair Cook edged Tymal Mills to keeper Ben Foakes for 18. Mills had some early hustle, getting Cook out with a 92 mph ball and following it up with one that was over 94 mph in the resulting maiden. The incoming Trott and Root began to tame the Essex attack, adding 40 in 10 overs, before Root edged to Tom Westley for 41, 73-2. This brought Kevin Pietersen to the crease and he treated the bowlers with some early disdain hammering 16 off his first 9 balls as the 100 came up on the 22nd over. Trott was the next to fall, edging a rocket from Mills to Foakes to go for 32, and it was fairly obvious by now that England weren't taking this game particularly seriously at this stage.
Pietersen came out attacking after lunch, hitting more boundaries, and greeting Tom Craddock's spin with a straight driven four first ball, but then he drove the ball back to Craddock next ball, who grassed the chance, but he wouldn't have to wait much longer for another chance. KP repeated the shot first ball of his next over, where Craddock took the return catch (49 off 58), England 163-4. Craddock soon had his 2nd, Ian Bell going for a sweep shot, Jaik Mickleburgh at short leg anticipated the shot, moved to his right and flung himself at the ball to take a great reaction catch, 172-5. This brought together Prior and Bairstow to bring up the 200 in the 51st over, but England failed to build any consistency as Prior edged behind for 20 to give Craddock a third. It was soon 212-7 as Saj Mahmood blasted one though Bairstow to bowl him for 23.
This left the unlikely pair of Bresnan and Swann to put together the partnership that would enable England to make a decent score. They didn't try anything stupid and steadily accumulated runs off the bowlers before attacking the bad balls, Swann taking 4 fours off the over against Craddock. Swann was first to 50, from 67 ball (also bringing up the 100 partnership) with 3 consecutive fours off Mills. Bresnan soon followed, his 50 coming from 114 balls. That was pretty much it for the day as England finished 332-7 from 90 overs, Bresnan 55 and Swann 62, Craddock with 3-63 being the pick of the bowlers
Plenty To Wright About
The final day of Middlesex vs Sussex at Lord's began with Sussex 228-4 still needing 49 to make Middlesex bat again, with Ed Joyce and Luke Wright looking to bat the home side out of the game. Wright soon reached his 50 from 93 balls as Middlesex turned to Ollie Rayner's spin early in the day to look for a wicket. Wright picked off boundaries, while Joyce steadily accumulated, but it was 2 short of his hundred that Tim Murtagh found some movement with the new ball, where an edge was well taken low by Rayner at slip, breaking the partnership of 159 at 282-5 which had put Sussex in with the chance of a draw.
James Harris soon had Ben Brown out, caught by London at point as the batsman froze on his shot, and Murtagh then had Chris Jordan caught behind for 3 as Sussex slumped to 304-7, a small lead just after lunch, without much more batting to come. Will Beer joined Wright in what became the key partnership of the day, with Wright having no troubles playing the bowlers, hitting some awesome cuts and cover drives, and it was in the 101st over from his 179th ball, that he completed his first 100 in 2 years, driving Toby Roland-Jones to the cover boundary.
The bowlers began to tire mid way through the afternoon, and the batsmen were quite happy to pick runs off where they could and Sussex raced from 350 to 400 in seven overs as Harris and Joe Denly came in for some punishment. It was shortly after completing the 100 partnership that Beer fell, caught at leg slip by Berg off Rayner for 39, and Middlesex still had a small chance, if they could knock off the last 2 quickly at 405-8. It wasn't to be that easy, as Wright completed his first 150 with a cover drive off Rayner (226 balls, 19 fours) as he and Magoffin looked to take some time out of the game to push the required rate up for Middlesex. After six overs of plodding along, Wright then took 23 off the next two to move past 180, and brought up the 450 by clubbing a full toss from Denly over midwicket for four. He wouldn't reach his deserved double ton, charging down the track to Denly, who got one to turn past the edge for Simpson to complete an easy stumping. It had been a great innings, 187 from 276 balls with 25 fours. Magoffin didn't hang around much longer, swinging Denly to Murtagh in the deep as Sussex were all out for 454, leaving Middlesex with needing 179 in 20 overs.
Rogers and Denly opened and decided to have a go for the runs, and they pounded 23 off the first 3 overs, Denly lifting Magoffin for an easy boundary over midwicket, so Sussex moved to having all nine outfielders on the boundary, and Denly promptly edged Chris Liddle, where Brown took a good diving catch, 24-1. Dexter then got a big edge which flew high off Magoffin to Brown's right, where he jumped, stuck out a hand and landed with the ball in it, a ridiculously good catch to remove Dexter for four. Rogers at the other end was scoring at a run a ball, and found the boundary with a backfoot-lean-uppercut-jab that went over the keepers head for four. But the chase was soon off as Liddle called on his one day experience to trap Berg LBW for 5 at 50-3, the game called off as a draw, Middlesex with 10 points, Sussex with 5.
James Harris soon had Ben Brown out, caught by London at point as the batsman froze on his shot, and Murtagh then had Chris Jordan caught behind for 3 as Sussex slumped to 304-7, a small lead just after lunch, without much more batting to come. Will Beer joined Wright in what became the key partnership of the day, with Wright having no troubles playing the bowlers, hitting some awesome cuts and cover drives, and it was in the 101st over from his 179th ball, that he completed his first 100 in 2 years, driving Toby Roland-Jones to the cover boundary.
The bowlers began to tire mid way through the afternoon, and the batsmen were quite happy to pick runs off where they could and Sussex raced from 350 to 400 in seven overs as Harris and Joe Denly came in for some punishment. It was shortly after completing the 100 partnership that Beer fell, caught at leg slip by Berg off Rayner for 39, and Middlesex still had a small chance, if they could knock off the last 2 quickly at 405-8. It wasn't to be that easy, as Wright completed his first 150 with a cover drive off Rayner (226 balls, 19 fours) as he and Magoffin looked to take some time out of the game to push the required rate up for Middlesex. After six overs of plodding along, Wright then took 23 off the next two to move past 180, and brought up the 450 by clubbing a full toss from Denly over midwicket for four. He wouldn't reach his deserved double ton, charging down the track to Denly, who got one to turn past the edge for Simpson to complete an easy stumping. It had been a great innings, 187 from 276 balls with 25 fours. Magoffin didn't hang around much longer, swinging Denly to Murtagh in the deep as Sussex were all out for 454, leaving Middlesex with needing 179 in 20 overs.
Rogers and Denly opened and decided to have a go for the runs, and they pounded 23 off the first 3 overs, Denly lifting Magoffin for an easy boundary over midwicket, so Sussex moved to having all nine outfielders on the boundary, and Denly promptly edged Chris Liddle, where Brown took a good diving catch, 24-1. Dexter then got a big edge which flew high off Magoffin to Brown's right, where he jumped, stuck out a hand and landed with the ball in it, a ridiculously good catch to remove Dexter for four. Rogers at the other end was scoring at a run a ball, and found the boundary with a backfoot-lean-uppercut-jab that went over the keepers head for four. But the chase was soon off as Liddle called on his one day experience to trap Berg LBW for 5 at 50-3, the game called off as a draw, Middlesex with 10 points, Sussex with 5.
Wham Bam, More Malan
Time for some floodlight cricket, Middlesex vs Somerset at Lord's, Middlesex won the toss and fielded meaning we got to see an early burst of the in form openers Marcus Trescothick and Pete Trego. It was only until the fourth over that the first boundary as Harris went for six and four over midwicket by Trescothick as Somerset raced to 50 in the 7th over, thanks to another six from Trescothick. The chaos soon stopped, with Ollie Rayner striking in his first over to bowl Trescothick for 41, and when Trego then edged Harris to Rossington for 35, it was 85-2. Things got better, with Nick Compton (6) hitting Rayner to Dexter at midwicket, 85-3 and the scoring rate now collapsed. James Hildreth and Dean Elgar plodded along, before Rayner picked up his third, Elgar swinging to Dexter at cover for 24, 121-4. Middlesex kept the pressure on and soon Alex Barrow fell, popping a return catch to Paul Stirling for 15, 158-5. In the midst of this, Hildreth completed a 72 ball 50 with his 2nd four. The spinner exerting good pressure on the middl order, which seemed to be wilting.
186-5 with five overs left, and Arul Suppiah gave Murtagh a wicket for 10, heaving to Malan in the deep, and Meschede came and went stumped off Roland-Jones (but not before hitting the same bowler into the pavilion) for 12. We come to the final over with Hildreth on strike, Harris serve up the first ball on a length, and it disappears into the Grand Stand over midwicket, the second ball is similar, and gets the same treatment. The third is fuller, and is swing squarer into the grand stand for another 6, the fourth sails away for four, and Hildreth completed a great hundred by reverse paddling a final full toss through third man for four, 102 off 94 balls as Somerset finished 247-7. Rayner the best bowler with 3-31 from his 8.
Stirling and Malan gave Middlesex a solid if unspectacular start, with runs coming fairly easily, as they kept up with the required rate, Stirling hitting consecutive fours off Kirby and Malan hitting Trego for a big six over midwicket. Stirling slammed Meschede to mid off to go for 27 with the score on 71, but this didn't put Malan off, who was hitting boundaries freely and completed 50 from 48 balls. His cover drives were particularly well hit and Joe Denly didn't want to be left out, striking Suppiah into the Tavern Stand for a huge six. The carnage didn't stop, Overton no-ball, hit for four, Waller drags one down, hit for four as the 150 came up in the 24th over. But the came wasn't over, as Denly top edged a sweep off Max Waller where Barrow took a good high catch running back for 31 from 40. Chris Roger went next over, edging Jamie Overton to slip where Trescothick took a sharp catch at the second attempt, with Barrow diving in front of him. Overton then had Rossington trapped LBW for 6, before Malan edged Meschede to Barrow for 99 off 100 balls, having looked nervous throughout the 90s with wickets falling around him, it was a poor end to a great innings.
The game was looking a bit more dodgy, 185-5, needing 63 off nine overs with 5 wickets left. Dexter and Berg took up the challenge, scoring steadily in the powerplay and had whittled it down to 30 off 24 when Meschede bowled a full toss, which Dexter nailed into the Grand Stand for six, and even though Berg swiped to Elgar at mid on off Meschede, Rayner (12 off 7) and Dexter (39) saw them home, a sweep from Rayner going for four to seal a nervy four wicket win with 5 balls to spare. Rayner given man of the match by Sky.
186-5 with five overs left, and Arul Suppiah gave Murtagh a wicket for 10, heaving to Malan in the deep, and Meschede came and went stumped off Roland-Jones (but not before hitting the same bowler into the pavilion) for 12. We come to the final over with Hildreth on strike, Harris serve up the first ball on a length, and it disappears into the Grand Stand over midwicket, the second ball is similar, and gets the same treatment. The third is fuller, and is swing squarer into the grand stand for another 6, the fourth sails away for four, and Hildreth completed a great hundred by reverse paddling a final full toss through third man for four, 102 off 94 balls as Somerset finished 247-7. Rayner the best bowler with 3-31 from his 8.
Stirling and Malan gave Middlesex a solid if unspectacular start, with runs coming fairly easily, as they kept up with the required rate, Stirling hitting consecutive fours off Kirby and Malan hitting Trego for a big six over midwicket. Stirling slammed Meschede to mid off to go for 27 with the score on 71, but this didn't put Malan off, who was hitting boundaries freely and completed 50 from 48 balls. His cover drives were particularly well hit and Joe Denly didn't want to be left out, striking Suppiah into the Tavern Stand for a huge six. The carnage didn't stop, Overton no-ball, hit for four, Waller drags one down, hit for four as the 150 came up in the 24th over. But the came wasn't over, as Denly top edged a sweep off Max Waller where Barrow took a good high catch running back for 31 from 40. Chris Roger went next over, edging Jamie Overton to slip where Trescothick took a sharp catch at the second attempt, with Barrow diving in front of him. Overton then had Rossington trapped LBW for 6, before Malan edged Meschede to Barrow for 99 off 100 balls, having looked nervous throughout the 90s with wickets falling around him, it was a poor end to a great innings.
The game was looking a bit more dodgy, 185-5, needing 63 off nine overs with 5 wickets left. Dexter and Berg took up the challenge, scoring steadily in the powerplay and had whittled it down to 30 off 24 when Meschede bowled a full toss, which Dexter nailed into the Grand Stand for six, and even though Berg swiped to Elgar at mid on off Meschede, Rayner (12 off 7) and Dexter (39) saw them home, a sweep from Rayner going for four to seal a nervy four wicket win with 5 balls to spare. Rayner given man of the match by Sky.
Friday 2 August 2013
Sixes in the Sun
Essex vs Scotland in the YB40 at Chelmsford began with Scotland winning the toss and fielding on a sunny day and a dry looking pitch. It looked like a good decision as Gordon Goudie had Tom Westly LBw for nought fourth ball. New overseas signing Hamish Rutherford, having done his bit for New Zealand and Mark Pettini looked to take advantage of the small boundaries and Rutherford hit the first six in the ninth over. The score was on 41 when Callum Burnett's first ball was hoisted straight to Drummond in the deep as Pettini departed for 23 and Owais Shah lasted only three balls with Ewan Chalmers taking the catch as Essex were in a bit of trouble on 49-3, but this brought together the big partnership that would shape the innings, as Ryan Ten Doeschate came in and started with a boundary to bring up the 50. Rutherford started to accelerate now that he was in, launching a six off Burnett and consecutive fours off Michael Leask to bring up a 48 ball 50 as the 100 came up in the 19th over.
Rutherford was eyeing his hundred, taking 13 off an over from Burnett before greeting Moneeb Iqbal with consecutive sixes from his first two balls as 16 came off the over. Ten Doeschate obviously felt left out, in his first game back after the IPL, so swung MacLeod for six, Iqbal for six (and a 51 ball 50), and then Goudie for six before Rutherford completed a ton on debut with his 6th six off Goudie (80 balls), after being badly dropped the over before off Iqbal. Then came the first big over the innings, Drummond disappeared for 21 all off the bat of ten Doeschate, two massive sixes over the midwicket boundary after two fours as the floodgates opened in the final 12 overs. Ten Doescate completed a 72 ball hundred in the next over, and was to celebrate in style.
Captain Mommsen decided, after the massacre Drummond got, to bring Burnett back on from the Hayes Close end, and it Burnett lost it against ten Doeschate. The first ball sailed over midwicket for six, the 2nd was a waist high no ball, for a single, the third and fourth went for four and one to Rutherford, the fifth went for another six, then the sixth was a waist high full toss that cleared the stand at midwicket. This meant Burnett was removed for bowling two high full tosses in the over, so Mommsen was to finish it, the 7th ball was swung down to the fine leg boundary for four and the eighth was a short ball that ten Doeschate just missed hitting swinging at, and could only scramble a leg bye, all in all 33 came off the over and Essex were 270-3 with 8 overs remaining.
Goudie went went for six off ten Doeschate, but Rutherford (who had been largely forgotten) couldn't repeat the shot, and was well held by MacLeod at long on for 110 off 88 balls, 279-4. Ten Doeschate soon completed his 150 from 89 balls (after the departure of Napier for 3) celebrated by thumping Mommsen for four then six, six, six and six, all of them huge blows straight or over midwicket. But a double hundred was not to be as a huge hoick at Leask left two of his stumps removed for a commanding 180 made from 98 balls with 11 fours and a competition record 15 sixes. Saj Mahmood (2) didn't last long but Phillips and Foster took the score past 350 to a massive 368-7.
Scotland's reply started poorly, as overseas Tom Latham was bowled by Phillips fourth ball for three. Freddie Coleman and Gordon Goudie decided the best plan was to attack, but it wasn't long before they both went. Coleman ran one, the throw whizzed past the stumps and Coleman charged back for an otherthrow, but Goudie was slow in setting off, so Napier had enough time to take the ball and run out Goudie for 18. Coleman fell LBW for 12 in the same over and Scotland were 38-3. MacLeod chipped at catch to Shah off Mahmood for 5 and it was 55-4, with the small matter of another 300 needed at 10 an over. Chalmers and Mommsen did their best, but they fell for 34 and 42 within an over of each other to ten Doeschate (who else?) as it was now 131-6. Iqbal then had some run, thumping Phillips for two sixes in an over before being run out by ten Doeschate for 30. Leask went for three and with six overs left, Scotland neeed 196 with two wickets left. Matt Cross and Burnett added some respectability to the score, messing up ten Doeschate's figures with an 18 run over as he completed a 40 ball 50 as he finished 54 not out and Burnett 31 not out as Essex won by 125 runs with Scotland 241-8.
Rutherford was eyeing his hundred, taking 13 off an over from Burnett before greeting Moneeb Iqbal with consecutive sixes from his first two balls as 16 came off the over. Ten Doeschate obviously felt left out, in his first game back after the IPL, so swung MacLeod for six, Iqbal for six (and a 51 ball 50), and then Goudie for six before Rutherford completed a ton on debut with his 6th six off Goudie (80 balls), after being badly dropped the over before off Iqbal. Then came the first big over the innings, Drummond disappeared for 21 all off the bat of ten Doeschate, two massive sixes over the midwicket boundary after two fours as the floodgates opened in the final 12 overs. Ten Doescate completed a 72 ball hundred in the next over, and was to celebrate in style.
Captain Mommsen decided, after the massacre Drummond got, to bring Burnett back on from the Hayes Close end, and it Burnett lost it against ten Doeschate. The first ball sailed over midwicket for six, the 2nd was a waist high no ball, for a single, the third and fourth went for four and one to Rutherford, the fifth went for another six, then the sixth was a waist high full toss that cleared the stand at midwicket. This meant Burnett was removed for bowling two high full tosses in the over, so Mommsen was to finish it, the 7th ball was swung down to the fine leg boundary for four and the eighth was a short ball that ten Doeschate just missed hitting swinging at, and could only scramble a leg bye, all in all 33 came off the over and Essex were 270-3 with 8 overs remaining.
Goudie went went for six off ten Doeschate, but Rutherford (who had been largely forgotten) couldn't repeat the shot, and was well held by MacLeod at long on for 110 off 88 balls, 279-4. Ten Doeschate soon completed his 150 from 89 balls (after the departure of Napier for 3) celebrated by thumping Mommsen for four then six, six, six and six, all of them huge blows straight or over midwicket. But a double hundred was not to be as a huge hoick at Leask left two of his stumps removed for a commanding 180 made from 98 balls with 11 fours and a competition record 15 sixes. Saj Mahmood (2) didn't last long but Phillips and Foster took the score past 350 to a massive 368-7.
Scotland's reply started poorly, as overseas Tom Latham was bowled by Phillips fourth ball for three. Freddie Coleman and Gordon Goudie decided the best plan was to attack, but it wasn't long before they both went. Coleman ran one, the throw whizzed past the stumps and Coleman charged back for an otherthrow, but Goudie was slow in setting off, so Napier had enough time to take the ball and run out Goudie for 18. Coleman fell LBW for 12 in the same over and Scotland were 38-3. MacLeod chipped at catch to Shah off Mahmood for 5 and it was 55-4, with the small matter of another 300 needed at 10 an over. Chalmers and Mommsen did their best, but they fell for 34 and 42 within an over of each other to ten Doeschate (who else?) as it was now 131-6. Iqbal then had some run, thumping Phillips for two sixes in an over before being run out by ten Doeschate for 30. Leask went for three and with six overs left, Scotland neeed 196 with two wickets left. Matt Cross and Burnett added some respectability to the score, messing up ten Doeschate's figures with an 18 run over as he completed a 40 ball 50 as he finished 54 not out and Burnett 31 not out as Essex won by 125 runs with Scotland 241-8.
Thursday 1 August 2013
England Left Feeling a Bit Guptill
The first ODI of a 3 match warm up before the Champion's Trophy took place between England and New Zealand at Lord's, New Zealand won the toss and fielded, handing a New Zealand debut to the former Australian international Luke Ronchi, England playing Chris Woakes and Jade Dernbach. Kyle Mills and Mitchell McClenaghan began well, keeping England to 23 off the first six, Cook and Ian Bell finding boundaries hard to come by. After the first powerplay, England had 45 but then Southee found some swing and Bell edged behind for 18. And soon after, the same thing happened again, Cook edging to Ronchi off Southee for 30 and England were rocked back at 50-2. Jonathan Trott and Joe Root began the rebuilding operation, taking their time against some tight bowling, and only a couple of boundaries came in the next 10 overs, so at halfway it was 104-2, Nathan McCullum going for 20 off his first five overs. Then it began to unravel a bit, as Root was bowled by McCullum reverse sweeping a quicker ball for 30. Then it was 2 in 6 for McCullum as Trott picked out Taylor on the midwicket boundary for 37, and there was enough time for Morgan (6) to freeze on a bouncer from McClenaghan next over, with the ball looping off the bat and going straight up in the air for Ronchi to get an easy catch, 126-6 in the 30th over. Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler struggled to score, and apart from a McCullum slip that led to an all run four, there wasn't much coming as New Zealand kept the ball away from the boundary. The pressure finally got to Buttler, as a nice friendly off break from Kane Williamson was reverse swept by Buttler straight to McClenaghan at point, 159-6.
Woakes then became the fourth to fall in the 30s, holing out to the cover sweeper off Mills for 36 and England crawled past 200 with 23 balls to go and could only finish 227-9, Bresnan and Swann falling, Southee the pick of the bowlers with 3-37.
England needed a quick start, and they got it, Jimmy Anderson having Ronchi smartly held by Swann at 2nd slip, and Williamson taken by a diving Buttler as New Zealand 1-2 at the end of the first over. Unfortunately Jade Dernbach then served up 2 wides and 9 runs straight away easing Ross Taylor into the game. Martin Guptill watched the carnage at the other end, then let Taylor ease to 27 before deciding to target Woakes's first over, with the third ball disappearing to the Grand Stand fence and then going for the hook, which flew straight to Bresnan at fine leg, who went for the catch, only to parry it over the fence for six, 50 up in the 10th and England in need of some luck. More runs flowed freely as Woakes went for nine more in his next and (after a break), 12 off his third as Guptill got to fifty off 64 and the 100 (and 100 partnership) was up in the 23rd. Guptill then went about his business, swinging Swann over long off for six and Taylor was feeling a bit left out, so went to a 71 ball fifty in taking 7 off the hapless Woakes next over. Cook, turned back to Anderson, who picked up Taylor for 54 2nd ball, 120-3, New Zealand on top with only another 100 to win and plenty of batting left.
Dernbach looked to have Grant Elliot LBW, only for him to review and it overturned for the massive inside edge Aleem Dar had failed to notice. Elliot wouldn't last too much longer, bowled by Swann for 27, but it was Guptill's day, he launched Dernbach for his third six and even though Brendan McCullum was caught for 15, Guptill heaved another six into the Grand Stand before pulling the winning four through square leg to bring up a 123 ball hundred as New Zealand won with 19 balls to spare to go 1-0 up.
Woakes then became the fourth to fall in the 30s, holing out to the cover sweeper off Mills for 36 and England crawled past 200 with 23 balls to go and could only finish 227-9, Bresnan and Swann falling, Southee the pick of the bowlers with 3-37.
England needed a quick start, and they got it, Jimmy Anderson having Ronchi smartly held by Swann at 2nd slip, and Williamson taken by a diving Buttler as New Zealand 1-2 at the end of the first over. Unfortunately Jade Dernbach then served up 2 wides and 9 runs straight away easing Ross Taylor into the game. Martin Guptill watched the carnage at the other end, then let Taylor ease to 27 before deciding to target Woakes's first over, with the third ball disappearing to the Grand Stand fence and then going for the hook, which flew straight to Bresnan at fine leg, who went for the catch, only to parry it over the fence for six, 50 up in the 10th and England in need of some luck. More runs flowed freely as Woakes went for nine more in his next and (after a break), 12 off his third as Guptill got to fifty off 64 and the 100 (and 100 partnership) was up in the 23rd. Guptill then went about his business, swinging Swann over long off for six and Taylor was feeling a bit left out, so went to a 71 ball fifty in taking 7 off the hapless Woakes next over. Cook, turned back to Anderson, who picked up Taylor for 54 2nd ball, 120-3, New Zealand on top with only another 100 to win and plenty of batting left.
Dernbach looked to have Grant Elliot LBW, only for him to review and it overturned for the massive inside edge Aleem Dar had failed to notice. Elliot wouldn't last too much longer, bowled by Swann for 27, but it was Guptill's day, he launched Dernbach for his third six and even though Brendan McCullum was caught for 15, Guptill heaved another six into the Grand Stand before pulling the winning four through square leg to bring up a 123 ball hundred as New Zealand won with 19 balls to spare to go 1-0 up.
Vikings No More
Middlesex went over to their new base away from Lord's to take on Yorkshire Vikings in a YB40 game at Radlett.
Yorkshire won the toss and batted, this soon looked like an interesting move as they found themselves 18-2, Toby Roland-Jones bagging Andrew Gale, caught on the boundary by Joe Denly and Rich Pyrah caught by Eoin Morgan at point. Gary Ballance and Phil Jacques then rebuilt the innings, and Ballance in particular enjoyed swinging sixes, four of them, but, after the fourth, tried to swing Gareth Berg for another, only to be well caught by Paul Stirling on the boundary for 40, 103-3 after 20 overs. They would have been looking for 260 or so, with a good platform laid, a sunny day and a flat pitch.
Jacques completed a sensible 50 from 68 balls with a tidy three and then cut loose, taking Berg for 3 consecutive fours before knocking the ball around for easy runs as he and Adam Lyth brought up the 50 partnership in the 28th over, but then James Harris got the crucial break, Lyth fell caught behind by Adam Rossington for 14 and three balls later Jacques was caught by Morgan for an excellent 81 off 86.
Rashid and Andy Hodd added a quick 52 for the 6th wicket before Hodd was bowled by Roland-Jones then Tim Bresnan's England warm up went well, holing out to Stirling off Harris for a duck next over. 28 came off the final three overs, with Will Rhodes (10) giving Roland-Jones his best figures in this format (4-44) as Yorkshire finished 236-8 with Rashid unbeaten on 46.
The Middlesex reply started badly, Stirling having his stumps detonated for a 2nd ball duck by Iain Wardlaw, but Denly and Malan began to find boundaries quickly and had brought up the 50 partnership in the ninth over. Denly had reached 38 off 34 when he was bowled by Pyrah on 65. This brought in the big fish Morgan, but he wasn't to have much impact on the chase, attempting to reverse sweep Rashid first ball, he was given LBW, though acted as is he thought he's hit it, 65-3 and Yorkshire back in this and Rossington in only fourth game now joining Malan.
The pair soon took on the bowling, Malan in particular began to cut loose now finding boundaries with regularity as the required rate never went much above 6 an over and the first six was to come with Malan swinging Rhodes over midwicket soon after reaching a 59 ball 50. He raced from 51 to 88 in 18 balls but was not to have a deserved hundred, fishing at Bresnan outside off to edge though to Hodd for 91 off 88 balls with 10 fours and 2 sixes. At 201-4 this left 36 needed from the final 10 overs, Rossington, having reached his own 50 from 49 balls, saw Middlesex home to a six wicket win with 26 balls to spare in an unbeaten 79, a comprehensive win at the new "home away from home".
Yorkshire won the toss and batted, this soon looked like an interesting move as they found themselves 18-2, Toby Roland-Jones bagging Andrew Gale, caught on the boundary by Joe Denly and Rich Pyrah caught by Eoin Morgan at point. Gary Ballance and Phil Jacques then rebuilt the innings, and Ballance in particular enjoyed swinging sixes, four of them, but, after the fourth, tried to swing Gareth Berg for another, only to be well caught by Paul Stirling on the boundary for 40, 103-3 after 20 overs. They would have been looking for 260 or so, with a good platform laid, a sunny day and a flat pitch.
Jacques completed a sensible 50 from 68 balls with a tidy three and then cut loose, taking Berg for 3 consecutive fours before knocking the ball around for easy runs as he and Adam Lyth brought up the 50 partnership in the 28th over, but then James Harris got the crucial break, Lyth fell caught behind by Adam Rossington for 14 and three balls later Jacques was caught by Morgan for an excellent 81 off 86.
Rashid and Andy Hodd added a quick 52 for the 6th wicket before Hodd was bowled by Roland-Jones then Tim Bresnan's England warm up went well, holing out to Stirling off Harris for a duck next over. 28 came off the final three overs, with Will Rhodes (10) giving Roland-Jones his best figures in this format (4-44) as Yorkshire finished 236-8 with Rashid unbeaten on 46.
The Middlesex reply started badly, Stirling having his stumps detonated for a 2nd ball duck by Iain Wardlaw, but Denly and Malan began to find boundaries quickly and had brought up the 50 partnership in the ninth over. Denly had reached 38 off 34 when he was bowled by Pyrah on 65. This brought in the big fish Morgan, but he wasn't to have much impact on the chase, attempting to reverse sweep Rashid first ball, he was given LBW, though acted as is he thought he's hit it, 65-3 and Yorkshire back in this and Rossington in only fourth game now joining Malan.
The pair soon took on the bowling, Malan in particular began to cut loose now finding boundaries with regularity as the required rate never went much above 6 an over and the first six was to come with Malan swinging Rhodes over midwicket soon after reaching a 59 ball 50. He raced from 51 to 88 in 18 balls but was not to have a deserved hundred, fishing at Bresnan outside off to edge though to Hodd for 91 off 88 balls with 10 fours and 2 sixes. At 201-4 this left 36 needed from the final 10 overs, Rossington, having reached his own 50 from 49 balls, saw Middlesex home to a six wicket win with 26 balls to spare in an unbeaten 79, a comprehensive win at the new "home away from home".
Sunday 21 July 2013
Impressive, Mr Anderson, but England Uprooted
The third day of the first test of the summer against New Zealand began with New Zealand 153-4, still 79 behind England. Stuart Broad struck immediately, Brendon McCullum caught behind by Matt Prior 2nd ball for two who blew a review in the process. New Zealand's hopes remained with Kane Williamson who reached a battling 50 from 158 balls, BJ Watling had some luck, dropped by Jonathan Trott at 3rd slip, then surviving an LBW review off Broad. But Williamson fell next over, strangled down the leg side off Anderson for 60. Steve Finn came into the attack and Tim Southee greeted him with a four over the slips, a four down the ground and another four smote over extra cover. But Southee went for one more hit which went straight up in the air to be caught by Joe Root just off the cut strip. The end came quickly, Bruce Martin was bowled off stump by a cracker from Anderson to bag his 5th, then Finn had Watling (17) caught behind and Trent Boult looped to gully (0) as New Zealand were bowled out for 207.
Cook and Nick Compton eased along for eight overs before Boult found Cook's edge where Dean Brownlie took a flying catch at 3rd slip to go for 21, 36-1. Compton didn't last much longer, Neil Wagner splattering his off stump next over for 15, 36-2. Root and Trott then began the rebuilding operation as New Zealand began to lose their grip on the game, Root being particularly stylish in his dispatching of the attack, especially through cover and point. The 50 partnership came up in the 25th over as the 100 came up with a four through point. Then Root was nearly run out in a mix up with Trott, but Watling couldn't gather cleanly running up to the stumps, but landed heavily on his knee, and had to go off, with McCullum taking over keeping duties. Not that this fazed Root, who went to his 50 from 78 balls. The runs kept flowing and Martin then limped off injured as well, leaving Williamson to bowl along with seamers. Then Southee managed to rip one onto Root's stumps to go for 71 off the inside edge, 160-3. Trott went to fifty, but Bairstow gave Southee his 2nd of the day, bowled for 5.
Southee soon had three, Prior playing a lazy pull to substitute Martin Guptill and square leg to bag a pair. Williamson got in on the collapse as Trott (56) went for a big drive, only for the ball with turn past the edge and crash into the stumps, 171-6. This brought together nightwatchman Finn and Ian Bell, who'd been off ill most of the previous day. They saw out the last 3 over until close, 180-6, leading by 205, Southee with 3-34.
Cook and Nick Compton eased along for eight overs before Boult found Cook's edge where Dean Brownlie took a flying catch at 3rd slip to go for 21, 36-1. Compton didn't last much longer, Neil Wagner splattering his off stump next over for 15, 36-2. Root and Trott then began the rebuilding operation as New Zealand began to lose their grip on the game, Root being particularly stylish in his dispatching of the attack, especially through cover and point. The 50 partnership came up in the 25th over as the 100 came up with a four through point. Then Root was nearly run out in a mix up with Trott, but Watling couldn't gather cleanly running up to the stumps, but landed heavily on his knee, and had to go off, with McCullum taking over keeping duties. Not that this fazed Root, who went to his 50 from 78 balls. The runs kept flowing and Martin then limped off injured as well, leaving Williamson to bowl along with seamers. Then Southee managed to rip one onto Root's stumps to go for 71 off the inside edge, 160-3. Trott went to fifty, but Bairstow gave Southee his 2nd of the day, bowled for 5.
Southee soon had three, Prior playing a lazy pull to substitute Martin Guptill and square leg to bag a pair. Williamson got in on the collapse as Trott (56) went for a big drive, only for the ball with turn past the edge and crash into the stumps, 171-6. This brought together nightwatchman Finn and Ian Bell, who'd been off ill most of the previous day. They saw out the last 3 over until close, 180-6, leading by 205, Southee with 3-34.
Wednesday 29 May 2013
North Sends Middlesex South
Middlesex's first game of the new 40 over season began with Glamorgan at Lord's. Middlesex won the toss and fielded, which soon looked a bit dodgy, as Will Bragg targeted the short boundary early, and had reached 30 in 7 overs when Toby Roland-Jones removed Mark Wallace for 7, caught by Dawid Malan at first slip. The over got better as Chris Cooke pushed his third ball to cover and set off for the single, only for Joe Denly to field the ball and hurl down the stumps at the Pavilion End with Cooke short of his ground for nought, 38-2.
This brought in Marcus North, who set about milking the the change bowlers as they eased along at 5 an over up to the 18th over, as Bragg passed 50 from 53 balls. At the halfway stage, Glamorgan were 107-2 and looking set to a make a big score, with North going to his 50 from 47 balls. Finally a wicket fell, Bragg edging a ball from Josh Davey to Tom Smith at short third man, who took a good catch to go for 62, 124-3. This only brought in Jim Allenby, who gave North plenty of the strike, which set up a charge in the final 10 overs, Smith going for 13 in an over, before Neil Dexter was swung into the Grand Stand next over, before a quick two from North brought up his 100 from 81 balls as the runs flowed easily, the 100 partnership came, then Allenby reached his 50 from 39 balls. The last four overs brought a further 52 runs, Allenby finishing with 69 off 50, and North a majestic 137 off 98 balls, 16 fours and 3 sixes. Glamorgan's 280-3 was their highest against Middlesex and would take some chasing.
Malan and Chris Rogers opened the batting, and managed to take 11 off the first two overs, and then looked set with 42 after six, as Glamorgan weren't that accurate, giving away early wides. The charge couldn't last, as Rogers got a leading edge off Allenby to Murray Goodwin at cover, to go for 22, 43-1. Paul Stirling and Malan played sensibly, scoring runs where they could, but with the score on 79, Malan (35) pushed a ball from Will Owen to Dean Cosker at point. Then the innings fell away somewhat, even though Stirling swiped boundary to the short boundaries, as Denly was caught behind by Mark Wallace off Owen for 11, 107-3 after 18. Owen made it two in three balls by bowling the big fish of Stirling for 36 off 34, 110-4. Gareth Berg and Dexter took up the challenge with the required rate rising, with Berg hitting consecutive boundaries off Cosker, then Dexter hammering Hogan down the ground for six.
But the partnership ended at 60, Dexter chopping Hogan to Cooke on the point boundary for 24, 170-5. John Simpson quickly followed, giving Mike Reed an easy catch off Wagg on the cover fence for 1. Berg carried on hitting, Allenby walloped for six, then Owen for four and then six more into the Grand Stand as Berg reached 50 from 40 balls. Davey fell for 5, swinging an Allenby full toss to Cooke and Roland-Jones for a run a ball 12, leaving 56 from the last four overs. Berg hit two more fours, but was cleaned up by a Michael Hogan yorker for 75 from 57 as Middlesex finished 254-9 losing by 26 runs. North earning man of the match for his captain's innings
Malan and Chris Rogers opened the batting, and managed to take 11 off the first two overs, and then looked set with 42 after six, as Glamorgan weren't that accurate, giving away early wides. The charge couldn't last, as Rogers got a leading edge off Allenby to Murray Goodwin at cover, to go for 22, 43-1. Paul Stirling and Malan played sensibly, scoring runs where they could, but with the score on 79, Malan (35) pushed a ball from Will Owen to Dean Cosker at point. Then the innings fell away somewhat, even though Stirling swiped boundary to the short boundaries, as Denly was caught behind by Mark Wallace off Owen for 11, 107-3 after 18. Owen made it two in three balls by bowling the big fish of Stirling for 36 off 34, 110-4. Gareth Berg and Dexter took up the challenge with the required rate rising, with Berg hitting consecutive boundaries off Cosker, then Dexter hammering Hogan down the ground for six.
But the partnership ended at 60, Dexter chopping Hogan to Cooke on the point boundary for 24, 170-5. John Simpson quickly followed, giving Mike Reed an easy catch off Wagg on the cover fence for 1. Berg carried on hitting, Allenby walloped for six, then Owen for four and then six more into the Grand Stand as Berg reached 50 from 40 balls. Davey fell for 5, swinging an Allenby full toss to Cooke and Roland-Jones for a run a ball 12, leaving 56 from the last four overs. Berg hit two more fours, but was cleaned up by a Michael Hogan yorker for 75 from 57 as Middlesex finished 254-9 losing by 26 runs. North earning man of the match for his captain's innings
Sunday 19 May 2013
A Bit of a Change
Instead of heading to the fourth day at Lord's, lets head instead to The Oval, where Surrey Women were taking on Yorkshire Women in the Women's County Championship. Yorkshire (starting as favourites) won the toss and chose to bat. The started solidly, with England Acadmeny keeper Loz Winfield outscoring Kathryn Doherty when Doherty fell LBW to another Acadmeny player Nat Sciver for 1, 26-1. Sciver then got another in the same over as Jess Watson also fell LBW for nought, 27-2. Yorkshire were soon in a bit of trouble as Katherine Robson bagged Dani Hazell for another duck, a wild slash to point where the sub took the catch, 31-3.
Then came some stability in the innings with Winfield and Hollie Armitage seeing off openers and settling in to the rest of Surrey's young attack. The pair found runs difficult to come by but Surrey should have had Armitage at slip, but the chance went down. The fifty partnership came up with a flick through square leg from Winfield. But Armitage then departed edging Cecily Scutt's left arm spin to keeper Lucy Binns for 25, 89-4. Winfield reached her 50 (85 balls) and took Yorkshire past 100 as she began to look to hit the ball over the infield Salliann Briggs holed out to cover off Jess Jackson for 4, 108-5 with plenty of overs left. Laura Spragg only last two balls before chipping one down the track for Jackson to take a good catch high above her head.
Winfield was kept off strike for a couple of overs and Phoebe Graham got to five before lifting one to the infield to give the impressive Jackson her third wicket, 115-7 and a possible upset on. Winfield went back to attacking the bowling, launching the ball to the leg side boundary with some powerful drives and sweeps. This was the innings that brought all the runs as she added 33 for the eighth wicket with Kennedy Nuttall, whose contribution was four, though Surrey dropped Winfield in the deep when she was on 70, there weren't many other chances. Nuttall was eventually run out taking a quick single to mid on by a direct hit from Jackson (to go with 3-27 from her 10) to leave Surrey 148-8. Winfield kept attacking but on 96, her luck ran out as she hoisted one towards long off, where Beth Kerins ran round and just clung on to the catch, a disappointing end to an innings that formed the bulk of the total with 15 fours. The end came soon after, Aimee Simms pushed a single square, hesitated, went and was run out by Hannah Jones's throw to Clarke for 5 with Katie Levick 4 not out, 169 all out, an achievable target if Surrey showed application.
Surrey began their chase cautiously with Spragg and Levick giving little away, apart from an early set of 5 wides from Spragg sprayed past Winfield. Sophie Pout was first to go, caught by Hazell inside the circle for two, 14-1. This brought Sciver in who started whittling down the runs required thanks to the favourable required run rate with 13 year old Hannah Jones, they saw off the opening bowlers, but Jones was out caught by Watson off Graham for 13, 44-2. Sciver then started swinging away, hitting a couple of fours straight and square down through backward square leg, as Kirsty White chipped a return catch to Hazell for 1 having helped a partnership of 31, 75-2. That was to be Hazell's only wicket despite some fierce appealing. Sciver motored along to her 50 from 60 balls, but lost Scutt lbw to Simms for 8 with 77 still remaining.
Briggs then brought back Levick from the pavilion end, and set a field with four fielders in the leg side arc, when Sciver then hit one straight to Armitage at deep midwicket to fall for 68 off 91 with 10 fours, 122-5, and it was up to Clarke and the tail to see what they could do. Kerins though, was bowled by Simms for 6 and Lucy Binns was bowled by Spragg for 4 as the score became 138-7. Clarke hit two fours to bring up the 150, and with Jackson it looked like they might do it. Briggs decided to bring on Armitage from the Vauxhall end with 17 needed from 30 and, after starting with a wide, trapped Clarke LBW next ball for 22. She then bowled Robson off stump third ball for a duck before finishing it off next over as Jackson (6) charged, missed and the ball clipped the off bail as Surrey were all out for 157 to lose by 12 runs, Armitage finishing with handy figures of 3-2 from 10 balls.
Surrey began their chase cautiously with Spragg and Levick giving little away, apart from an early set of 5 wides from Spragg sprayed past Winfield. Sophie Pout was first to go, caught by Hazell inside the circle for two, 14-1. This brought Sciver in who started whittling down the runs required thanks to the favourable required run rate with 13 year old Hannah Jones, they saw off the opening bowlers, but Jones was out caught by Watson off Graham for 13, 44-2. Sciver then started swinging away, hitting a couple of fours straight and square down through backward square leg, as Kirsty White chipped a return catch to Hazell for 1 having helped a partnership of 31, 75-2. That was to be Hazell's only wicket despite some fierce appealing. Sciver motored along to her 50 from 60 balls, but lost Scutt lbw to Simms for 8 with 77 still remaining.
Briggs then brought back Levick from the pavilion end, and set a field with four fielders in the leg side arc, when Sciver then hit one straight to Armitage at deep midwicket to fall for 68 off 91 with 10 fours, 122-5, and it was up to Clarke and the tail to see what they could do. Kerins though, was bowled by Simms for 6 and Lucy Binns was bowled by Spragg for 4 as the score became 138-7. Clarke hit two fours to bring up the 150, and with Jackson it looked like they might do it. Briggs decided to bring on Armitage from the Vauxhall end with 17 needed from 30 and, after starting with a wide, trapped Clarke LBW next ball for 22. She then bowled Robson off stump third ball for a duck before finishing it off next over as Jackson (6) charged, missed and the ball clipped the off bail as Surrey were all out for 157 to lose by 12 runs, Armitage finishing with handy figures of 3-2 from 10 balls.
Sunday 12 May 2013
The Comeback
Middlesex began the 3rd day against Surrey at Lord's in a bit of trouble, 161-9, still 177 behind, and Corey Collymore was soon LBW for 1, 166 all out. Graeme Smith, unsurprisingly enforced the follow on, so Sam Robson and Chris Rogers were out to bat as much of the two days as they could to save the game.
This time round, the pitch seemed flat and batting was easier, an early set of four overthrows was happily accepted by Rogers, as runs flowed more freely with 50 being reached in the 17th over. Lunch came and went before Robson reached his 50 from 79 balls. Even Gareth Batty's spin proved ineffective at removing anything, as the 100 came up with Rogers then getting to a 94 ball 50. The only thing that looked likely to break the partnership was some of the interesting running from Rogers, with three different occasions in the afternoon session where a quick single almost ended up in a run out.
Surrey looked a fast bowler light, with Zander De Bruyn bowling more overs than would be ideal as Rogers accelerated to catch up with Robson's score (76 to 71) as the 150 came up with four leg byes to the Media Centre boundary, the first extras conceded by Surrey in the match. Middlesex went into the lead in the match still none down and with enough time to possibly force victory as 3 runs an over was easily achieved without any risks being taken as Robson and Rogers happily left the short ball and Rogers was to reach his 100 from 185 balls with a push through midwicket, and Robson, next over, reached his 100 also from 185 balls with a quick single off Batty. Both batsmen cut loose, as the partnership passed 231, it became the highest first wicket for Middlesex against Surrey, beating a hundred year old record. Rory Burns got his first bowl in professional cricket, as the 250 came up in the 72nd over, before De Brutn got one to bounce on Robson, who went for the pull to edge through to keeper Steve Davies to go for 129 for the first wicket in about 5 hours, 259-1.
Vikram Solanki dropped Denly at slip on nought, but caught him just before close having a nothing poke to Jade Dernbach with the new ball for 12, 279-2. Steve Finn came in as nightwatchman, and saw Middlesex to close 283-2, Finn 4 not out and Rogers 131 not out. Middlesex leading by 111 with one day left, could they force an improbable win?
This time round, the pitch seemed flat and batting was easier, an early set of four overthrows was happily accepted by Rogers, as runs flowed more freely with 50 being reached in the 17th over. Lunch came and went before Robson reached his 50 from 79 balls. Even Gareth Batty's spin proved ineffective at removing anything, as the 100 came up with Rogers then getting to a 94 ball 50. The only thing that looked likely to break the partnership was some of the interesting running from Rogers, with three different occasions in the afternoon session where a quick single almost ended up in a run out.
Surrey looked a fast bowler light, with Zander De Bruyn bowling more overs than would be ideal as Rogers accelerated to catch up with Robson's score (76 to 71) as the 150 came up with four leg byes to the Media Centre boundary, the first extras conceded by Surrey in the match. Middlesex went into the lead in the match still none down and with enough time to possibly force victory as 3 runs an over was easily achieved without any risks being taken as Robson and Rogers happily left the short ball and Rogers was to reach his 100 from 185 balls with a push through midwicket, and Robson, next over, reached his 100 also from 185 balls with a quick single off Batty. Both batsmen cut loose, as the partnership passed 231, it became the highest first wicket for Middlesex against Surrey, beating a hundred year old record. Rory Burns got his first bowl in professional cricket, as the 250 came up in the 72nd over, before De Brutn got one to bounce on Robson, who went for the pull to edge through to keeper Steve Davies to go for 129 for the first wicket in about 5 hours, 259-1.
Vikram Solanki dropped Denly at slip on nought, but caught him just before close having a nothing poke to Jade Dernbach with the new ball for 12, 279-2. Steve Finn came in as nightwatchman, and saw Middlesex to close 283-2, Finn 4 not out and Rogers 131 not out. Middlesex leading by 111 with one day left, could they force an improbable win?
Saturday 4 May 2013
A Tale Of The Tail
The 2nd day of Essex vs Hampshire at Chelmsford began with Essex in a bit of bother at 72-5, still 125 runs behind Hampshire's first innings total. The day didn't begin well as James Tomlinson forced Ben Foakes to edge one to keeper Adam Wheater for 20, though it took a 2nd appeal to convince the umpire, 73-6.
James Foster and Alistair Cook then carried on the recovery at a slow pace as the Hampshire bowling swarmed around them and 100 came and went, then Foster played a nothing perod to Danny Briggs to chip the ball straight back to him for 25, 117-7. Graham Napier and Cook took Essex to lunch, Cook reaching his 50 from 131 balls.
Cook was out soon after lunch, LBW to Tomlinson for 59 and 156-8, still 41 behind as Tim Phillips joined Napier. The pair swung to came towards Essex, repelling the bowlers and finding a regular supply of boundaries, including Napier's six off Briggs into the pavilion. They brought Essex the lead, and then the 200 with Napier reaching his 2nd fifty of the season from 81 balls. The runs were now flowing, and the first ball of the new ball was cracked by Napier to Carberry at point who fielded sharply, returned the ball before then wringing his hand from the pain. It was almost a surprise when Chris Wood managed to get some movement to have Napier LBW for 74 with the score on 243 with only Topley (average of pretty much nothing) to come. A couple of hits from Phillips gained the 2nd batting point before Topley edged Briggs to short leg where Shaun Ervine took a sharp catch, 254 all out a lead of 57 with Phillips 40 not out and Hampshire's 2nd innings to begin after tea.
Hampshire began cautiously, with the accurate bowling of David Masters and Topley tying them down a little when Master induced the edge off Carberry where Ben Foakes took a reaction catch above his head at short leg for 2, 14-1. Master then got his 2nd next over, Adams LBW for 9 as Essex looked like they might blast through the batting that evening. Liam Dawson and George Bailey held firm, however, and they whittled down the defecit before taking Hampshire safely to close 20 ahead on 77-2, Bailey on 26, Dawson on 31.
Wednesday 24 April 2013
Blessed are the Meakers
(After Middlesex won inside 3 days, so a change in plan was required), The final day of Surrey vs Somerset at The Oval had the potential to be exciting, as Somerset started 6-0, 24 ahead, with a possible collapse leading to a result. Stuart Meaker soon got the early breakthroughs, as Marcus Trescothick (14) edged to Gary Wilson at slip and Nick Compton (16) lost his off stump before Gareth Batty had James Hildreth (21) LBW as Somerset slipped to 75-3 after the first hour. Surrey were unable to keep the run rate down as Alviro Petersen looked to add to his first innings hundred and the pitch being flat and lifeless, he had little trouble scoring.
Zander De Bruyn then found movement from the Pavilion End to trap Craig Kieswetter LBW for 1, now 82-4 and a shock victory was still possible. But after lunch, Surrey struggled to break through as Petersen and Jos Buttler brought up the hundred before Petersen took 10 off a Meaker over to move to 50 (66 balls). Surrey looked a fast bowler light and Gary Keedy bowled a poor line with Petersen slapping him into the OCS stand for 6 in his second over. He bowled some so wide of leg stump that Buttler had to stretch to kick them away, including kicking one to fine leg.
Batty finally got the breakthrough, with Petersen set for 100, he flicked one to Rory Burns at short leg to go for 91, 193-5. Meaker cam back on and had Peter Trego caught by Vikram Solanki for 4, then bowling Alfonso Thomas for a duck next over and an over later trapping Jamie Overton LBW for 6 to get his 5th wicket. A great performance, but probably too late as Somerset were 208-8 with 40 overs left in the day. Meaker (5-60) then limped off with a leg injury, ending any victory shot. Buttler had reached a 103 ball 50 and all that remained was if he could reach his hundred post tea. George Dockrell was happy to block out one end and feed Buttler the strike. Buttler moved through the 70s with shots round the wicket against Batty and Keedy, launching a one bounce four to the OCS stand before hitting a straight six into the same region, and another straight four to bring up the 250, and then he went for the six for his hundred, only for Batty to cling on, right on the long on boundary, 94 off 155 balls, 12x4, 1x6. The declaration and draw then came (251-9), with Dockrell unbeaten with 2 from 65. Surrey take 8 points, Somerset 9.
Zander De Bruyn then found movement from the Pavilion End to trap Craig Kieswetter LBW for 1, now 82-4 and a shock victory was still possible. But after lunch, Surrey struggled to break through as Petersen and Jos Buttler brought up the hundred before Petersen took 10 off a Meaker over to move to 50 (66 balls). Surrey looked a fast bowler light and Gary Keedy bowled a poor line with Petersen slapping him into the OCS stand for 6 in his second over. He bowled some so wide of leg stump that Buttler had to stretch to kick them away, including kicking one to fine leg.
Batty finally got the breakthrough, with Petersen set for 100, he flicked one to Rory Burns at short leg to go for 91, 193-5. Meaker cam back on and had Peter Trego caught by Vikram Solanki for 4, then bowling Alfonso Thomas for a duck next over and an over later trapping Jamie Overton LBW for 6 to get his 5th wicket. A great performance, but probably too late as Somerset were 208-8 with 40 overs left in the day. Meaker (5-60) then limped off with a leg injury, ending any victory shot. Buttler had reached a 103 ball 50 and all that remained was if he could reach his hundred post tea. George Dockrell was happy to block out one end and feed Buttler the strike. Buttler moved through the 70s with shots round the wicket against Batty and Keedy, launching a one bounce four to the OCS stand before hitting a straight six into the same region, and another straight four to bring up the 250, and then he went for the six for his hundred, only for Batty to cling on, right on the long on boundary, 94 off 155 balls, 12x4, 1x6. The declaration and draw then came (251-9), with Dockrell unbeaten with 2 from 65. Surrey take 8 points, Somerset 9.
Sunday 14 April 2013
Westley While You Work
The final day of Essex vs Gloucestershire at Chelmsford came after the previous two days had been heavily rain affected, and with more forecast in the afternoon, it was really a bonus points grab for both sides from whatever play happened.
Essex resumed on 177-3 with Tom Westley (82) and Mark Pettini (18) batting and Westley was promptly dropped in the 2nd over, the edge flying to Alex Gidman at first slip when keeper Cameron Herring dived across and grassed the chance off Will Gidman. Runs came slowly with the 200 coming up in the 13th over with consecutive fours by Westley off David Payne through midwicket. Westley then reached his hundred with his 15th four in the next over as runs began to come more easily before Liam Norwell found some late inswing with the old ball to trap Pettini LBW for 35 at 234-4. Captain James Foster then came in and Norwell and Benny Howell kept the pressure on with four maidens before Westley thumped another four down the ground.
The new ball came and Essex saw out the three overs until lunch from James Fuller and Will Gidman at 267-4. The predicted rain hadn't come, so it remained if Essex could get to somewhere near 350 and if Gloucestershire could take two more wickets for another point. Soon after lunch, another three to the deep boundary off Fuller took Westley past 150, his 2nd big score of the week, following his 130 against the students and Fenners. The 300 and third batting point soon followed as the pitch looked flat and lifeless and unlikely to produce a result even without the rain, and Gloucestershire then dropped another easy catch, Howell giving Foster a life at short mid-wicket, but Westley fell at the end of the same over, edging Will Gidman to Herring for an excellent 163.
Not that it put Foster off, he carted David Payne's first three balls of the next over for four through the point/third man region and got another four off Gidman to third man as the 350 began to look on, even though the floodlights were on and the gloom closing in. Foster kept getting of strike and Greg Smith kept blocking, making the task harder. The umpires obviously were waiting for the 350, since it had started raining round about the 99th over, but we played on.
Essex needed 5, Howell bowled a full ball which Foster swept high down to fine leg for a one bounce four (bringing up his third 50 of the year), forcing captain Michael Klinger to bring in all the fielders to stop the single, and Foster went for the same shot, this time finding the top edge where Fuller at fine leg jumped high, caught the ball, dived backwards and clung on to take the catch to give Gloucesershire their 2nd bowling point, with Graham Napier running out to make sure one more ball was bowled before they went off, and Smith slapped that ball through point for four to bring up the 350. The rain closed in at the end of the over and the game was called off an hour later with Essex 353-6.
They take 8 points from the draw, and Gloucestershire 9.
Essex resumed on 177-3 with Tom Westley (82) and Mark Pettini (18) batting and Westley was promptly dropped in the 2nd over, the edge flying to Alex Gidman at first slip when keeper Cameron Herring dived across and grassed the chance off Will Gidman. Runs came slowly with the 200 coming up in the 13th over with consecutive fours by Westley off David Payne through midwicket. Westley then reached his hundred with his 15th four in the next over as runs began to come more easily before Liam Norwell found some late inswing with the old ball to trap Pettini LBW for 35 at 234-4. Captain James Foster then came in and Norwell and Benny Howell kept the pressure on with four maidens before Westley thumped another four down the ground.
The new ball came and Essex saw out the three overs until lunch from James Fuller and Will Gidman at 267-4. The predicted rain hadn't come, so it remained if Essex could get to somewhere near 350 and if Gloucestershire could take two more wickets for another point. Soon after lunch, another three to the deep boundary off Fuller took Westley past 150, his 2nd big score of the week, following his 130 against the students and Fenners. The 300 and third batting point soon followed as the pitch looked flat and lifeless and unlikely to produce a result even without the rain, and Gloucestershire then dropped another easy catch, Howell giving Foster a life at short mid-wicket, but Westley fell at the end of the same over, edging Will Gidman to Herring for an excellent 163.
Not that it put Foster off, he carted David Payne's first three balls of the next over for four through the point/third man region and got another four off Gidman to third man as the 350 began to look on, even though the floodlights were on and the gloom closing in. Foster kept getting of strike and Greg Smith kept blocking, making the task harder. The umpires obviously were waiting for the 350, since it had started raining round about the 99th over, but we played on.
Essex needed 5, Howell bowled a full ball which Foster swept high down to fine leg for a one bounce four (bringing up his third 50 of the year), forcing captain Michael Klinger to bring in all the fielders to stop the single, and Foster went for the same shot, this time finding the top edge where Fuller at fine leg jumped high, caught the ball, dived backwards and clung on to take the catch to give Gloucesershire their 2nd bowling point, with Graham Napier running out to make sure one more ball was bowled before they went off, and Smith slapped that ball through point for four to bring up the 350. The rain closed in at the end of the over and the game was called off an hour later with Essex 353-6.
They take 8 points from the draw, and Gloucestershire 9.
Sunday 7 April 2013
Quine and Dine
The 2nd day of Cambridge MCCU vs Essex was the sunniest day so far with a good crowd, but began in a predictable way.
Cambridge resumed on 20-4, and provided some easy slip catching practice early on as Dean Bell (4), Matt Salisbury (5) and Alex Hearne (6) all fell within the first eight overs to leave the hosts 35-7. Tom Elliott and Alasdair Pollock took the total past 50, thanks to two set of four overthrows, which Essex weren't too worried about before Elliott (18) edged Greg Smith low to Tom Westley at slip, 61-8. Pollock then hammered 3 fours off Tymal Mills next over, including a massive top edge over third man. Alistair Allchin fell LBW for a nine ball duck to give Smith handy figures of 2-0 from 2 overs and Cambridge 73-9.
The Mills vs Pollock battle then hotted up, with the next ball hitting Pollock on the neck who then got up and smacked the next ball back past Mills for four. He followed that shot up by pulling a bouncer off the top edge out of the ground over square leg. The carnage carried in Mills next over as the first ball disappeared through cover for four and another bouncer was pulled just over a leaping Ben Foakes at Square Leg for six, this left Pollock on 44 from 35 balls, and Cambridge on the verge of reaching 100, they didn't, however as Grant Nicholson fell LBW for 1 to the first ball of Ravi Bopara's next over to leave Cambridge all out for 99, 229 runs behind Essex.
With no follow on enforced, Tom Westley and Rob Quiney came out for the 45 minutes before lunch and rattled along to 37-0 without any trouble. Quiney took 9 off the first over after lunch, as the pair looked untroubled by the student attack, with Nicholson coming in for some particular punishment as runs flowed easily. Quiney reached 50 from 73 balls, and celebrated next over by thumping Allchin over long on for six, two fours and another six over midwicket thudding off the wall of Hughes Hall. Westley was slower, reaching 50 from 89 balls but he too began to attack before Quiney reached his hundred from his 116th ball with another four. The score had reached 188-0 at tea, and any contest in the game was long gone with those 151 unbeaten runs that had been added.
The double hundred partnership came off Allchin before Pollock beat Quiney's outside edge and flattened the off stump for 112, Quiney was surprised that he was out, 209-1. Foakes joined Westley who soon reached his own 100 in the 51st over. Both batsmen then went after the bowlers, and spinner Akbar Ansari who seemed to keep bowling full tosses, went for 17 in his first two overs. Westley charged the first five balls of Ansari's next over, hitting the first four into gaps in the arc for two, before missing the fifth to be neatly stumped by Bell for 133, 281-2. Then the big moment of the evening as Bopara came out to bat, having only made four in the first innings, he'd of wanted a nice warmup knock to start the summer, only to be struck on the pad first ball and after a massive appeal, given out to give Ansari his 2nd.
That was to be the last wicket as, after negotiating the hat trick ball, Foakes (49*) and James Foster (34*) saw Essex through the last half hour to 335-3 from 70 overs a lead of 564 with one day to go.
Cambridge resumed on 20-4, and provided some easy slip catching practice early on as Dean Bell (4), Matt Salisbury (5) and Alex Hearne (6) all fell within the first eight overs to leave the hosts 35-7. Tom Elliott and Alasdair Pollock took the total past 50, thanks to two set of four overthrows, which Essex weren't too worried about before Elliott (18) edged Greg Smith low to Tom Westley at slip, 61-8. Pollock then hammered 3 fours off Tymal Mills next over, including a massive top edge over third man. Alistair Allchin fell LBW for a nine ball duck to give Smith handy figures of 2-0 from 2 overs and Cambridge 73-9.
The Mills vs Pollock battle then hotted up, with the next ball hitting Pollock on the neck who then got up and smacked the next ball back past Mills for four. He followed that shot up by pulling a bouncer off the top edge out of the ground over square leg. The carnage carried in Mills next over as the first ball disappeared through cover for four and another bouncer was pulled just over a leaping Ben Foakes at Square Leg for six, this left Pollock on 44 from 35 balls, and Cambridge on the verge of reaching 100, they didn't, however as Grant Nicholson fell LBW for 1 to the first ball of Ravi Bopara's next over to leave Cambridge all out for 99, 229 runs behind Essex.
With no follow on enforced, Tom Westley and Rob Quiney came out for the 45 minutes before lunch and rattled along to 37-0 without any trouble. Quiney took 9 off the first over after lunch, as the pair looked untroubled by the student attack, with Nicholson coming in for some particular punishment as runs flowed easily. Quiney reached 50 from 73 balls, and celebrated next over by thumping Allchin over long on for six, two fours and another six over midwicket thudding off the wall of Hughes Hall. Westley was slower, reaching 50 from 89 balls but he too began to attack before Quiney reached his hundred from his 116th ball with another four. The score had reached 188-0 at tea, and any contest in the game was long gone with those 151 unbeaten runs that had been added.
The double hundred partnership came off Allchin before Pollock beat Quiney's outside edge and flattened the off stump for 112, Quiney was surprised that he was out, 209-1. Foakes joined Westley who soon reached his own 100 in the 51st over. Both batsmen then went after the bowlers, and spinner Akbar Ansari who seemed to keep bowling full tosses, went for 17 in his first two overs. Westley charged the first five balls of Ansari's next over, hitting the first four into gaps in the arc for two, before missing the fifth to be neatly stumped by Bell for 133, 281-2. Then the big moment of the evening as Bopara came out to bat, having only made four in the first innings, he'd of wanted a nice warmup knock to start the summer, only to be struck on the pad first ball and after a massive appeal, given out to give Ansari his 2nd.
That was to be the last wicket as, after negotiating the hat trick ball, Foakes (49*) and James Foster (34*) saw Essex through the last half hour to 335-3 from 70 overs a lead of 564 with one day to go.
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