A Rushworth of Wickets

So the third day of Middlesex vs Durham at Lord's turned out to be one of the craziest so far with 18 wickets falling and a finish on the fourth day a certainty.
Durham resumed on 157-4 and batting looked easy as Middlesex toiled for the breakthrough. Jennings and Rushworth found runs easy to come by Rushworth even tonking Rayner for six. The 200 soon came up and it wasn't until the score reached 229 that Rushworth was LBW to Rayner for 40.
Jennings looked set for his 100, but on 98 looked to Voges fourth delivery and edged through to Simpson. From 239 for six, lunch did something funny as the next two sessions were completely different. Voges bowled Mustard off his pad, Arshad chipped Harris to the sub Balbirnie, Hastings edged Finn to slip and Coughlin caught behind off Harris only a quick 38 not out from Paul Collingwood saved Durham from disaster as they slipped to 294 all out.
Middlesex opted to bat again and it soon looked like a bad decision as Rushworth tore through the top order, having Gubbins LBW, Compton acrobatically taken at Gully by MacLeod, Voges LBW 2nd ball and Robson pinned LBW all in the first 7 overs. Hastings came on at the Nursery end to replace the expensive Coughlin and he decided to join the fun, Franklin was caught behind, Simpson was bowled off a no ball, before being caught at slip for a duck and Rayner bowled for a duck in the same over as Middlesex went to tea on a fairly bizarre 37-7.
Dexter and Harris blocked out after tea and ground to fifty in the 18th over when Dexter fell for six to give Hastings his fourth. Harris got a leading edge snaffled next over to complete Rushworth's 5 for and now out hobbled Tim Murtagh on one leg with Simpson as his runner to get a few more on the board. He edged the first ball for four and he and Finn adopted a stand and deliver approach with Murtagh wrecking Rushworth's figures by thumping him into the Grand Stand, they added 39 with Murtagh top scoring with 22 when Hasting pinned Finn LBW for 15 to finish with 5-24, and Rushworth 5-38. 89 all out wouldn't have been the plan but 24.2 overs later Middlesex found themselves bowling again.
Harris came tearing in again from the Nursery end and plucked out two more before close, Jennings limply pulling to square leg for a duck and Stoneman swatting at edge to Voges at slip as Durham closed on 24-2 still needing 235 more to win.

A Battle from Hastings

So after the women's match at Edmonton got rained off we move back to Middlesex vs Durham for day two and I get there just in time to see Harris edge behind, Franklin having already gone and Middlesex now six down.
The first ball I get there for, Harris edges Hastings behind as Middlesex had now slipped to 341-6. It was down to Dexter and Simpson to further the cause, and Durham failed to blast out the lower order as the sun came out and batting was relatively easy. Dexter was next to fall, heaving a Hastings bouncer to Usman Arshad at fine leg who took a good tumbling catch. Rayner hit a quick 16 before falling LBW to Rushworth for 16 and Murtagh was bowled heaving Borthwick for 11.
Simpson completed his 50 from 89 balls before hitting Hasting straight to mid off to be the last man out for 58 as Middlesex finished with a solid 463, Hastings with 4-87 from 33 overs.
Durham started well, with Mark Stoneman and Keaton Jennings scoring fairly easily early on, helped out by Tim Murtagh limping off with a suspected damaged hamstring after 2 balls. After a couple of quality drives, Stoneman then looked to waft Harris over cover and edged to slip for 21. Borthwick batted a bit like Stoneman with some nice shots before a waft to Franklin found the edge to Simpson for 26. Michael Richardson hit six fours in also making 26 before giving the impressive Harris his 2nd wicket.
Keaton Jennings meanwhile completed a composed 50 and finished the day on 61 but had to watch Calum MacLeod go to the penultimate over of the day, as Finn got one to rise and bowl him off the arm. So Durham end the day 306 runs behind on 157-4 needing a big effort from their middle order to catch Middlesex.

Robson Running Riot

At 10:30, a greenish pitch and very overcast conditions, the decision to bowl first might have been a smart one, however it proved not to be for Durham as Middlesex racked up 329-4 on the first day of their Championship match at Lord's.
With Graham Onions out with a knee injury, the key breakthroughs would have to come from Chris Rushworth and John Hastings, but they struggled to apply much pressure and even if the Middlesex batting was scratchy early and gave a few chances, no wickets came. Sam Robson and Nick Gubbins moved the score on to 66 before Paul Coughlin got Gubbins fishing to slip for 23.
Robson soon completed 50 and began to look a lot more relaxed and he and Nick Compton took Middlesex to lunch 104-1.
After lunch, it was a case of more of the same as the pitch looked easy going, and soon he race was on to see if Compton would get to 50 before Robson completed his ton, and despite nearly running himself out, Compton won. He went soon after, bowled having a heave at Scott Borthwick's half trackers but this only brought in Adam Voges, another man in the mood for big runs. Robson went to his ton, his first since Sri Lanka in June last year and kicked on towards a loftier landmark.
Tea came and went, and the runs were still flowing as Durham turned to Calum MacLeod as the 8th bowler of the day, only to see Voges shelled at slip. The new ball brought the breakthrough as Voges was LBW to Rushworth for 52. Robson had completed a brilliantly crafted 150, but could last the day, as after being dropped at slip off Coughlin, he edged the same bowler to Borthwick at slip to depart for 178 runs that will hopefully see him to form after a tough year.
James Franklin and James Harris saw Middlesex to the close 329-4, with more of the same expected tomorrow, if the rain holds off.

Sangaring Along

Surrey moved slightly ahead of Essex on the first day of their championship match at The Oval, with the hosts being stuck in to bat and finishing the day 293-5.
Surrey only lost one wicket in the first session as runs came slowly, but there were no real problems in the pitch with Jamie Porter snaring Zafar Ansari for 18. Rory Burns and Kumar Sangakkara looked pretty much at ease in cloudy conditions with Burns making 50 off 113 balls, and Sanga easing to his from 97 balls including a massive six into the OCS stand off Monty Panesar. Burns tried to repeat Sanga's six, but holed out to cover to go for 78. This brought Kevin Pietersen to the wicket, but he and Sanga would not have a glorious day, as Sanga was soon LBW to Ryder for 52.
Steven Davies and KP then batted through to tea and onwards to the new ball without too much trouble then KP fell LBW to Ryder's first ball back for a becalmed 32, and Jason Roy followed in the same fashion two balls later as Surrey slumped to 243-5.
It took a late 50 stand between Davies and Gary Wilson to see them through to the close, Davies 69 (50 from 94 balls), Wilson 23. The worries for Essex would be quick wickets in the morning and the state of Greg Smith who went off injured mid over.

Taylor Time

Middlesex began the Championship campaign by taking on Notts at Lord's, and it was a fairly even day as Notts finished 298-9 with Brendan Taylor making a Championship debut hundred and James Harris taking four wickets.
Notts won the toss and batted, and Steve Mullaney and Taylor did well to last the opening burst from Murtagh and Finn who got some sharp movement on a good pitch. After that runs were easier to find against Helm and Harris, but were helped out by the slips as first Malan and then Voges put down Mullaney both times off Helm. Mullaney failed to capitalise as he dragged on off Helm for 22 and Alex Hales soon followed prodding a ball to Murtagh at cover and setting off for the single to run out for a duck from the direct hit.
Now James Taylor came to the crease and he helped Brendan forge the partnership of the innings.
After lunch Brendan completed 50 and pushed on, making batting look easy as first Harris, then Helm gave too many loose balls which were gleefully plundered. Brendan raced through the 90s and completed his hundred from 160 balls with a push through cover. Finally a break came just before tea, as James hashed a pull to Gubbins at cover, it looked a worse shot as Samit Patel was LBW three balls later. Riki Wessels made one, before he became Harris's third victim and finally Brendan was sent packing by Harris for 106 as an amazing spell of 4-1 in 11 balls had dragged Middlesex out of the miasma as 180-2 became 183-6.
Will Gidman nearly went first ball but only made nine to give Helm a 2nd and Vernon Philander walked past a Voges off break to be stumped.
It looked like Middlesex would keep the score down, but Chris Read swung the day back towards Notts as he found an able ally in Jake Ball and then Harry Gurney as he made a battling 50 getting more expansive and celebrated by walloping Helm into the Grand Stand for six and then a one bounce four as he finished the day on 62 not out and Gurney on 8. Middlesex will be looking for the quick last wicket and then some solid top order batting, especially from the returning Nick Compton as Dawid Malan spent most of the afternoon off the field with a likely broken finger (after dropping another catch) and looked unlikely to bat.

Finn Flying Upwards

The first day of Middlesex vs Yorkshire at Lord's began with Middlesex winning the toss and fielding, and got quick reward with Alex Lees caught behind off Murtagh in the 3rd over. Adam Lyth and Kane Williamson then added 50 for the 2nd wicket, before Lyth edged to Simpson off Finn for 34. Joe Root's first game of the season lasted all of 5 balls as he departed for a duck, trapped LBW by Finn. Before lunch there was still time for another wicket, Williamson edging Harris to Murtagh at 2nd slip, 75-4.
The post lunch struggle for the Yorkshire middle order led to their demise with Rashid (6) and Hodd (5) falling in quick succession, and a couple of overs later Ballance was well caught by Robson off Harris for 20, 113-7 and Middlesex were well on top. Liam Plunkett had other ideas, and showed off his all-round power by flaying the ball with a fair amount of ease as the boundaries flowed to bring up the 150, Sidebottom gave Robson his 3rd catch and Finn his 3rd wicket falling for a handy 12. Plunkett completed his 50 from 52 balls as the end came quickly with Patterson cleaned up by Finn (4-50) and Brooks playing on for 1 as Yorkshire finished 178 all out, Plunkett with 56 of those.
Middlesex's reply began badly, with Rogers edging Brooks to Lyth at slip for 1 and then Robson edging behind for 6, each time Brooks broke into an explosive celebration. 20-2 and Morgan and Malan had some rebuilding to do, with the ball still swinging around under cloudy skies, Malan thumping 3 fours off Patterson and Morgan following up with two more off Brooks next over. Malan couldn't last the day, bowled by Sidebottom for 31 as Middlesex finished 64-3, Morgan unbeaten on 24. An even day in the end with some sensible batting needed from Middlesex.

Dunn, Dunn, Dunn

The second day of Surrey vs Essex at the Oval began with the toss, after the first day had been washed out, Surrey winning the toss and fielding. Alastair Cook and Jaik Mickleburgh found the going reasonably easy to start with, prodding runs off a fairly strong attack. The "highlight" of the morning being Zafar Ansari giving himself a concussion. Cook played a drive through point, Ansari misfielded it, but managed to chase it down to the fence and slid, only to carry across the wet outfield and into the advertising boards head first. There was about a 10 minute delay as he was revived and led off the field, he would take no further part in the game. The 50 came up in the 16th over, Cook looking particularly strong, before he played a horrible pull to Matt Dunn, which looped into the gloves of Steve Davies for 39, 67-1. Jade Dernbach soon got the 2nd, Mickleburgh edging to Graeme Smith at slip, 85-2. Around lunchtime, the rain came and dumped a bucketful on the ground, delaying us for a couple of hours.
The post lunch fight was led by Westley and Bopara, the pitch looking good, but with something in it for the seamers with the amount of the rain that had been around. The lack of Ansari (and with 3 keepers and Smith himself) the lack of change bowling became clear when Jason Roy came on as the fifth bowler in the 38th over. Matt Dunn returned to break the partnership in a cracking over, accounting for Westley (caught by Burns close in) and Greg Smith (edged to Wilson at 2nd slip) for a duck as Essex slumped to 126-4. The pace slowed up further as the bowlers kept the scoring in check and were rewarded when Meaker blasted one through Ben Foakes to snare him for 22. Bopara and James Foster brought up the 200, and Bopara was looking in good nick for a decent score, but was then strangled down the leg side by Roy for 49. Play ended soon after with Essex 225-6 in 78 overs, a draw looking the likely result.

Notts Quite the Plan

The first day of the first home game of the season began in some surprising April sun as Middlesex took on Nottinghamshire at Lord's. Notts won the toss and batted, and after a couple of near edges, James Harris struck in the 10th over having Phil Jaques caught behind for 14, 16-1. Notts then struggled to get much above 2 an over as Murtagh, Harris and Finn bowled well to keep the pressure on, and Michael Lumb finally cracked, going for a pull that went straight up in the air for Robson at square leg to complete a solid catch, 50-2. Mullaney and Taylor saw Notts through to lunch, and afterwards started opening up with some powerful strokeplay as Middlesex bowled too wide and too short to Taylor, who whacked away a couple of pulls with ease. Taylor went to 50 from 63 balls and was looking well set when he fell LBW to Harris for 62, 131-3, just in time, and then Harris had Samit Patel caught behind by Simpson for 0 in the same over, 131-4. Riki Wessels came in and soon went after the short Grand Stand boundary, clubbing Murtagh for six, before Mullaney followed suit with a straight six off Ollie Rayner. Mullaney completed his 50 from 171 balls with a hook fine off Finn for four, but edged to Malan at first slip next ball for 52, 164-5.
Chris Read and Wessels proved hard to shift as runs came steadily and the pair passed 200 and Read cashed in on some loose bowling from Harris, too short and wide. After the 250 came up, the new ball did the trick as Finn managed to fire one through Read to remove his off stump for 40 and his next over Wessels (who had got to an 86 ball 50) edged to Rayner at third slip for 58, 259-7 and the chance was there to keep them below 300. Peter Siddle and Luke Fletcher then made more pain, as they took on Murtagh and Finn in a flurry of boundaries, as 25 came in 7 balls to bring up the 300, Siddle thumping Murtagh for four, six (into the grand stand again), four. Siddle then had one swipe too many and his midwicket heave got a leading edged low to Morgan at point off Harris for an excellent 40 from 35 balls. Carter and Fletcher saw Notts to close on 315-8, a good day for them, Harris and Finn the pick of the bowling with four wickets each.

Four Going Cheap to Jon Lewis

The first day of the new season got underway at Hove with Sussex taking on Middlesex, with Sussex winning the toss and sticking Middlesex in, and after an hours delay we got underway. It only took 13 balls for a wicket to falls, Chris Rogers skewing the ball from Magoffin to Stef Piolet at gully to go for 4. Sam Robson and Dawid Malan then fought for 11 overs in seamy conditions, Malan dropped at cover off Anyon, and they took the score to 36 before Robson had a swish at one from Anyon to be caught behind by Ben Brown for 11, 36-2.
After lunch there was a classic Middlesex collapse up there with the very best as Neil Dexter edged Jon Lewis to Brown for 6, and next ball Eoin Morgan's return to the red ball didn't last as Lewis found some huge inswing to detonate two stumps first ball. Adam Rossington survived the hat trick, but four overs later and Malan finally fell edging Lewis to Joyce for 35. Lewis then took his fourth of a crushing spell as Rossington had a feeble waft through to Brown for 8, 73-6. At the other end, things weren't getting any easier as Ashar Zaidi struck first ball, clipping the top of James Harris's off stump for six, before Tim Murtagh tried to hit a six, only to find Matt Prior about 10 yards in from the midwicket fence, 86-9 and 100 looking a mile off. At least Toby Roland-Jones and Steve Finn showed some fight, lasting for 30 minutes, with Roland-Jones pulling Piolet for four to take the score to 99, then taking one from the same shot to bring up an unlikely team 100, Finn swung a four off Zaidi, but Roland-Jones lost his off stump to Magoffin for 17 to end the innings on 105 and tea, Lewis finishing with 4-34 and Magoffin 3-21.
After tea Middlesex needed quick wickets, and Ed Joyce was promptly bowled by Murtagh for 12, then Luke Wells edged to gully for a slow four before Mike Yardy got a tight LBW go against him for Murtagh's second on 17 as Sussex slumped to 42-3. This brought in Matt Prior, out of form and looking for runs, on comes Finn, short ball, Prior misreads it and hits it straight into the air down to long leg where Roland-Jones is waiting, he dived, and spilled the ball, a catch that would have made the day somewhat better, as Roland-Jones got hit for a couple of boundaries himself as bad light ended the day with Sussex 86-3 after 20.3 overs, looking set for a good total to start the season.

Notts Out to End the Season

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.