The final match report of the year for the final CB40 group match of the year as Middlesex take on Sussex at Lord's on the August Bank Holiday. The battle of the top two in the group with only the group winner to qualify for the final, which would be Sussex unless Middlesex utterly destroyed them.
Sussex won the toss and batted and Ed Joyce and Chris Nash then proceeded to hammer along against an attack with some key players rested. Anthony Ireland went for 23 in his first two overs as Sussex reached 47 after 6 overs with Toby Roland-Jones and the lesser spotted Robbie Williams stemming the tide only slightly although the bowling powerplay only went for 21, Nash swinging Williams for 6 in the process and reaching 50 off 38 balls whilst Joyce played more carefully as they had added 90 in 14 overs when Nash went for one shot too many off Jamie Dalrymple and was bowled for 57. Lou Vincent came in and he and Joyce scored steadily as the total pushed along. Joyce passed 50 off 64 before swinging one from Dawid Malan to Sam Robson at long on for 54, 149-2 after 25.
Middlesex needed more wickets to stop Sussex posting 270+ and Murray Goodwin started quickly, only to top edge a ball that rolled onto his stumps from the economical Tom Smith (8-0-22-1) for 18, 178-3. Next over Vincent holed out off Dalrymple to Williams for 42 when he looked ready to up the run rate, 184-4. Captain Mike yardy and Joe Gatting then added 38 in the batting powerplay and 14 off the last two overs even though Gatting was caught by Scott Newman at midwicket off Roland-Jones for 26 o ff the penultimate ball. Sussex finished 239-5 leaving Middlesex a chase that they would feel they had a chance with. Dalrymple was the best bowler, with 2-41.
Malan and Robson opened the batting and they made steady progress, going along at five an over against Amjad Khan and Chris Liddle, reaching 43 after 8 overs. Crunching fours were mixed with smart play as both batsmen showed off a bit, Robson late cutting one over the slips for 4 and Malan smacking a big six off Monty Panesar. Sussex's day was summed up when Khan on the boundary let one through his legs for 4. The 100 partnership came up after 16 overs. Malan reached 50 off 48 balls and Robson off 53 balls. Middlesex weren't blasting it, but were edging nearer the target without losing wickets. Malan also passed 500 runs for the tournament. 153-0 after 25 overs and a crack at the first wicket record looked on as Malan, looking for his 2nd hundred of the year, edged Wayne Parnell to Ben Brown to fall for 84 (off 84!). Next over, Robson's maiden List A 50 ended when he was bowled by Yardy for 65, 157-2.
Paul Stirling and Chris Rogers then endured a tough few overs, Rogers almost being bowled before they cut loose and flayed the bowling around, Stirling hitting Panesar for another huge six into the Mound Stand in the 29th over. Yardy then bought back Parnell for the 33rd over, which promptly disappeared for 19, Stirling effortlessly flicking the ball into the Mound Stand again before Rogers walloped one to the vacant midwicket area. 213-2 and Middlesex were almost there with Nash and Gatting on to bowl, Sussex weren't expecting to win now. Nash did have Rogers LBW for 37, a partnership of 72 off 57, 229-3. Bit this didn't stop Stirling, who hit Gatting into the Mound Stand again, before driving a single off Nash to finish 46* off 29 and to win the match by 7 wickets with 17 balls left. The win, whilst impressive meant Sussex still qualified top with their superior net run rate but Middlesex could be happy to end this part of their season on a high before getting back to the important business of winning championship promotion.
Friday, 14 October 2011
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Losing The Plot
The final day of Kent vs Middlesex at Canterbury where Kent resumed 231 ahead on 292-6. Azhar Mahmood and James Tredwell were looking to add quick runs, only for Tredwell to edge Steve Finn to John Simpson for 10 from the 4th ball of the day, 293-7. Simpson then took a sharp diving catch in front of first slip from Finn's 7th ball to remove Adam Ball for nought and give Finn his fifth wicket. 295-8 and Middlesex might have avoided a 250+ chase, but for Matt Coles joining Mahmood in smiting Finn and Tim Murtagh for 25 for the ninth wicket when Coles nicked to Simpson, his fourth catch, off Murtagh for 15 , 320-9. Mahmood was nearing his first 100 of the year and he thumped Murtagh for his 2nd six to move into the 90s only for Riaz to be LBW to Murtagh for 2, 332 all out leaving Middlesex 272 to win off about 78 overs. Finn finished with 5-113, Murtagh 3-61 and Corey Collymore 2-31.
50 Minutes to go before lunch and Middlesex were hopeful of batting out the time without any incidents occuring, this was not to be the case. Scott Newman failed and had his off stump splattered by Coles for a duck, 4-1 in the 4th over. Chris Rogers joined Sam Robson and they looked to have batted out the session at 30-2 after 12, only for Darren Stevens to provide a miracle over again for Kent this season when he had Robson caught by Martin Van Jaarsveld at 2nd slip for 12 off the 2nd ball of the over. That signalled lunch but that wasn't the end of Stevens.
Dawid Malan joined Rogers after lunch and he swish at his first ball and was caught by keeper Geraint Jones for nought, meaning Stevens was the 3rd Kent bowler to be on a hat trick. Neil Dexter came in on a king pair and, as it later transpired, was batting with a broken finger. He blocked the hat trick only to edge the 5th ball of the over low to Van Jaarsveld at 2nd slip. Jamie Dalrymple then blocked the final ball of the over, a triple-wicket maiden, which left Middlesex 30-4 and looking very sunk unless a miracle occured. St Lawrence (for it is his ground we are at), the most likely to provide that miracle, didn't fancy it today as Rogers fell over a Stevens yorker for 26 five overs later to leave Middlesex 51-5 with 60 overs still remaining.
Finally some runs began to flow as Simpson and Dalrymple started to flay into the softening ball, Simpson pulling Coles for six towards our seats at square leg. Dalrymple then swiped Tredwell into the Nackington Road as the partnership reached 49 in 9 overs and just as it looked like they'd kick on when Simpson puched a Riaz outswinger to Jones to fall for 19, 100-6. Tom Smith then aided Dalrymple by blocking one end as JD proved there was nothing wrong with the pitch and that the bowlers weren't that brilliant as he reached 50 off 69 balls and the pair saw Middlesex through to tea despite Smith looking a bit clueless against Riaz. 144-6 and there was an outside chance that Middlesex could survive if Dalrymple really went for it and Smith & co didn't try anything clever.
Adam Ball was given the ball after tea by Rob Key and after 3 more overs of blocking, Smith then edged to Stevens at gully to fall for 7 off 73 balls leaving Middlesex 148-7. Murtagh can bat, just not today as Ball swung one late onto his off stump first ball, 148-8 the 5th golden duck of the match and Ball the 4th Kent bowler on a hat trick. Finn blocked out the over and carried on blocking as Dalrymple happily hammered the ball all round the wicket as the defensive field by Key gave him the chance to move in sight of his hundred. He hit Tredwell straight into the Frank Woolley stand and pulled and cut the short stuff from Stevens and Riaz. Finally he pulled one from Riaz through midwicket just wide of the man running round from deep square leg for 4 to bring up a fantastic hundred from 150 balls, his 2nd of the year, when all around him were failing.
The end was nigh, though, and Finn was unluckily bowled off after the ball rolled back onto his stumps from Tredwell for 4 off 40, 190-9 and only Collymore left with the last hour still to come. Dalrymple then hit Tredwell for his third and biggest six, swinging the ball high over the Frank Woolley stand at long-on to bring up the 200 as he went down all guns blazing. Tredwell then found some turn to clip Collymore's off stump for one as Middlesex were all out for 202 to lose by 69 runs, Dalrymple finishing 108 not out off 168 ball with 10 fours and 3 sixes.Kent took 20 points and Middlesex 6 though it wasn't such a blow for Middlesex as they remain 2nd after other results went in their favour.
50 Minutes to go before lunch and Middlesex were hopeful of batting out the time without any incidents occuring, this was not to be the case. Scott Newman failed and had his off stump splattered by Coles for a duck, 4-1 in the 4th over. Chris Rogers joined Sam Robson and they looked to have batted out the session at 30-2 after 12, only for Darren Stevens to provide a miracle over again for Kent this season when he had Robson caught by Martin Van Jaarsveld at 2nd slip for 12 off the 2nd ball of the over. That signalled lunch but that wasn't the end of Stevens.
Dawid Malan joined Rogers after lunch and he swish at his first ball and was caught by keeper Geraint Jones for nought, meaning Stevens was the 3rd Kent bowler to be on a hat trick. Neil Dexter came in on a king pair and, as it later transpired, was batting with a broken finger. He blocked the hat trick only to edge the 5th ball of the over low to Van Jaarsveld at 2nd slip. Jamie Dalrymple then blocked the final ball of the over, a triple-wicket maiden, which left Middlesex 30-4 and looking very sunk unless a miracle occured. St Lawrence (for it is his ground we are at), the most likely to provide that miracle, didn't fancy it today as Rogers fell over a Stevens yorker for 26 five overs later to leave Middlesex 51-5 with 60 overs still remaining.
Finally some runs began to flow as Simpson and Dalrymple started to flay into the softening ball, Simpson pulling Coles for six towards our seats at square leg. Dalrymple then swiped Tredwell into the Nackington Road as the partnership reached 49 in 9 overs and just as it looked like they'd kick on when Simpson puched a Riaz outswinger to Jones to fall for 19, 100-6. Tom Smith then aided Dalrymple by blocking one end as JD proved there was nothing wrong with the pitch and that the bowlers weren't that brilliant as he reached 50 off 69 balls and the pair saw Middlesex through to tea despite Smith looking a bit clueless against Riaz. 144-6 and there was an outside chance that Middlesex could survive if Dalrymple really went for it and Smith & co didn't try anything clever.
Adam Ball was given the ball after tea by Rob Key and after 3 more overs of blocking, Smith then edged to Stevens at gully to fall for 7 off 73 balls leaving Middlesex 148-7. Murtagh can bat, just not today as Ball swung one late onto his off stump first ball, 148-8 the 5th golden duck of the match and Ball the 4th Kent bowler on a hat trick. Finn blocked out the over and carried on blocking as Dalrymple happily hammered the ball all round the wicket as the defensive field by Key gave him the chance to move in sight of his hundred. He hit Tredwell straight into the Frank Woolley stand and pulled and cut the short stuff from Stevens and Riaz. Finally he pulled one from Riaz through midwicket just wide of the man running round from deep square leg for 4 to bring up a fantastic hundred from 150 balls, his 2nd of the year, when all around him were failing.
The end was nigh, though, and Finn was unluckily bowled off after the ball rolled back onto his stumps from Tredwell for 4 off 40, 190-9 and only Collymore left with the last hour still to come. Dalrymple then hit Tredwell for his third and biggest six, swinging the ball high over the Frank Woolley stand at long-on to bring up the 200 as he went down all guns blazing. Tredwell then found some turn to clip Collymore's off stump for one as Middlesex were all out for 202 to lose by 69 runs, Dalrymple finishing 108 not out off 168 ball with 10 fours and 3 sixes.Kent took 20 points and Middlesex 6 though it wasn't such a blow for Middlesex as they remain 2nd after other results went in their favour.
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
On The Slide
3rd Day of Kent vs Middlesex at Canterbury and Middlesex resuming on 258-7 in their first innings, 16 ahead of Kent. Dawid Malan and Tim Murtagh carried from yesterday by repelling the Kent attack successfully for another 28 runs, bringing up the 50 partnership in the process before Murtagh top edged Darrren Stevens to keeper Geraint Jones for 20. Malan then fell four balls later edging Wahab Riaz to James Tredwell for 68. Steve Finn (6) then brought up the 300 then top edged to Rob Key to give Riaz a third wicket. 303 all out was a lead of 61 but the last 8 wickets had fallen for 99, not quite as bad as on Tuesday night though.
Kent saw their chance so got off to a quick start as Finn didn't make the instant impact Middlesex would have liked with the run rate at 5 an over for the first 6 overs. Corey Collymore, who bowled economically, then snared Key with an edge to John Simpson to depart for 16, 33-1. Northeast then hit a single off the next ball to keep the strike, and then sliced the first ball of Finn's next over to Sam Robson. Martin Van Jaarsveld and Joe Denly then saw off any further mishaps, being 50-2 off 12 at lunch, still 11 behind.
The pair then carried on after lunch with Van Jaarsveld hitting well off the back foot as they went past 50 for the 3rd wicket when Denly edged Finn to captain Neil Dexter at gully for 47, 88-3.
Van Jaarsveld looked at ease, dumping Tom Smith back over his head for six, as Middlesex's bowlers struggled to cause a collapse. Stevens eventually fell LBW to Collymore's inswinger for 16, 145-4. Van Jaarsveld then went to 50 off 93 balls as he and Jones went through to tea, 168-4 off 48, 107 ahead.
Murtagh bowled the first over after tea and sent Van Jaarsveld's off stump walking for 66 2nd ball. Jones and Azhar Mahmood then made Kent's total more imposing as they cruised along at nearly 4 an over as before Finn splattered Jones's off stump 5 short of 50. 261-6 and the lead at 200, more than Middlesex would have liked them to have got. Mahmood then went to 50 off 91 balls by thumping Tom Smith for 6 back over his head, just like Van Jaarsveld had done.
He (62*) and Tredwell (10*) batted through the last 15 minutes to close 292-6, 231 ahead and the game looking like it was going to be a good finish.
Kent saw their chance so got off to a quick start as Finn didn't make the instant impact Middlesex would have liked with the run rate at 5 an over for the first 6 overs. Corey Collymore, who bowled economically, then snared Key with an edge to John Simpson to depart for 16, 33-1. Northeast then hit a single off the next ball to keep the strike, and then sliced the first ball of Finn's next over to Sam Robson. Martin Van Jaarsveld and Joe Denly then saw off any further mishaps, being 50-2 off 12 at lunch, still 11 behind.
The pair then carried on after lunch with Van Jaarsveld hitting well off the back foot as they went past 50 for the 3rd wicket when Denly edged Finn to captain Neil Dexter at gully for 47, 88-3.
Van Jaarsveld looked at ease, dumping Tom Smith back over his head for six, as Middlesex's bowlers struggled to cause a collapse. Stevens eventually fell LBW to Collymore's inswinger for 16, 145-4. Van Jaarsveld then went to 50 off 93 balls as he and Jones went through to tea, 168-4 off 48, 107 ahead.
Murtagh bowled the first over after tea and sent Van Jaarsveld's off stump walking for 66 2nd ball. Jones and Azhar Mahmood then made Kent's total more imposing as they cruised along at nearly 4 an over as before Finn splattered Jones's off stump 5 short of 50. 261-6 and the lead at 200, more than Middlesex would have liked them to have got. Mahmood then went to 50 off 91 balls by thumping Tom Smith for 6 back over his head, just like Van Jaarsveld had done.
He (62*) and Tredwell (10*) batted through the last 15 minutes to close 292-6, 231 ahead and the game looking like it was going to be a good finish.
Friday, 30 September 2011
Major Collapse Reporting for Duty
Middlesex started the 2nd day against Kent at Canterbury in a comfortable position and Sam Robson moved to 50 off 71 balls as he and Scott Newman rocked along at nearly 4 an over before Newman edged Wahab Riaz to James Tredwell at slip for 34, 99-1. Chris Rogers came in and played well in tricky conditions for 28 when he edged to Azhar Mahmood off Darren Stevens, 147-2. Steve Finn arrived from England duty after not being selected and replaced Steve Crook in the team. Middlesex were 157-2 at lunch as Dawid Malan and Robson then carried on and made it look like Middlesex would get a big lead as they went passed 200. Matt Coles then found enough swing to have Robson caught behind five short of a hundred, 204-3. This then triggered feelings of suicide as Neil Dexter was LBW next ball but failed to get a hat trick. Five overs later though Jamie Dalrymple was caught at leg slip by Rob Key off James Tredwell and John Simpson was LBW first ball to make Tredwell the 2nd player to be on a hat trick, which Tom Smith survived leaving Middlesex 209-6. This meant Middlesex had lost 4-5 in 31 balls and that big lead looked unlikely!
Smith stuck around with Malan as Malan carried on batting well against some hostile bowling. Smith was eventually yorked by Coles for 13, 238-7. The light was getting worse and Tim Murtagh (7*) aided Malan in reaching 50 off 108 balls. Then the light closed in and after a long wait play was abandoned with Middlesex 258-7 (Malan 55*), just 16 ahead.
Smith stuck around with Malan as Malan carried on batting well against some hostile bowling. Smith was eventually yorked by Coles for 13, 238-7. The light was getting worse and Tim Murtagh (7*) aided Malan in reaching 50 off 108 balls. Then the light closed in and after a long wait play was abandoned with Middlesex 258-7 (Malan 55*), just 16 ahead.
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
More and More Collymore
First day of Kent vs Middlesex at Canterbury began an hour late due to the late finishing day-night game the day before.
Kent won the toss and batted, this looked like a good idea as Middlesex, pushing for promotion, failed to tae a wicket in the first hour as Joe Denly and Rob Key overcame the new ball and began to score more easily, then Key edged Corey Collymore to Dawid Malan at slip to go for 17, 63-1. Sam Northeast didn't get settled and fell for 3 to Steve Crook, 71-2 and Van Jaarsveld also gave John Simpson a catch for 2 to Crook after lunch ad 83-3 looked a bit onimous. Denly, who had reached 50 off 84 balls just before lunch, fell 3 balls later to Tim Murtagh, lbw for 55, 87-4. Darren Stevens and Geraint Jones then went about hitting Kent out of trouble with 45 in 9 overs when Jones (26) was lbw to give Collymore his 2nd wicket. Next ball Azhar Mahmood hit Collymore towards midwicket and ambled out of his creasew looking for a single, only for Collymore to run and rip in the throw which detonated the leg stump finding Mahmood just short of his ground to become the first golden duck of an interesting game, 132-6.
Darren Stevens dragged on off Dexter to go for 27 before Adam Ball gave Collymore a third wicket prodding to Jamie Dalrymple at 2nd slip for 8, 155-8 and conus points looked thin on the ground. Enter Tredwell and Mat Coles who smashed the bowlers for 57 in 10 overs, Coles even swiping Collymore for 6. But Collymore would have his revenge as Tredwell chopped on for 31, 212-9. Coles and Wahab Riaz (17 not out in his last game before going pack to Pakistan) added 30 more in seven overs when Coles hit Murtagh high towards the midwicket fence where Dalrymple took a good catch just inside the ropes to fall for 41 off 47. This took Murtagh to a career high 65 first class wickets for the season. 242 all out looked below par even though the pitch did seem to be slow and would require application if Middlesex were to get a large total.
Starting after tea, Scott Newman (16*) and Sam Robson (37*) safely saw out 13 overs scoring 55 runs when bad light ended play with Middlesex in control 187 behind.
Kent won the toss and batted, this looked like a good idea as Middlesex, pushing for promotion, failed to tae a wicket in the first hour as Joe Denly and Rob Key overcame the new ball and began to score more easily, then Key edged Corey Collymore to Dawid Malan at slip to go for 17, 63-1. Sam Northeast didn't get settled and fell for 3 to Steve Crook, 71-2 and Van Jaarsveld also gave John Simpson a catch for 2 to Crook after lunch ad 83-3 looked a bit onimous. Denly, who had reached 50 off 84 balls just before lunch, fell 3 balls later to Tim Murtagh, lbw for 55, 87-4. Darren Stevens and Geraint Jones then went about hitting Kent out of trouble with 45 in 9 overs when Jones (26) was lbw to give Collymore his 2nd wicket. Next ball Azhar Mahmood hit Collymore towards midwicket and ambled out of his creasew looking for a single, only for Collymore to run and rip in the throw which detonated the leg stump finding Mahmood just short of his ground to become the first golden duck of an interesting game, 132-6.
Darren Stevens dragged on off Dexter to go for 27 before Adam Ball gave Collymore a third wicket prodding to Jamie Dalrymple at 2nd slip for 8, 155-8 and conus points looked thin on the ground. Enter Tredwell and Mat Coles who smashed the bowlers for 57 in 10 overs, Coles even swiping Collymore for 6. But Collymore would have his revenge as Tredwell chopped on for 31, 212-9. Coles and Wahab Riaz (17 not out in his last game before going pack to Pakistan) added 30 more in seven overs when Coles hit Murtagh high towards the midwicket fence where Dalrymple took a good catch just inside the ropes to fall for 41 off 47. This took Murtagh to a career high 65 first class wickets for the season. 242 all out looked below par even though the pitch did seem to be slow and would require application if Middlesex were to get a large total.
Starting after tea, Scott Newman (16*) and Sam Robson (37*) safely saw out 13 overs scoring 55 runs when bad light ended play with Middlesex in control 187 behind.
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
We All Fall Down...
16th August, Canterbury, under the floodlights for Kent vs Middlesex in the CB40 in front of the Sky cameras as Middlesex needed to win to have any chance of making the semi finals. Neil Dexter won the toss and Middlesex decided to bat first with Martin Van Jaarsveld captaining Kent with Rob Key rested.
Scott Newman and Dawid Malan opened the batting and scored slowly off the first seven overs before Newman was caught behind off Azhar Mahmood for 11, 23-1. Malan and Paul Stirling then set about scoring at a healthy pace and brought up their 50 partnership in the 14th over. The pair batted well without scoring many boundaries and Malan reached his 50 off 58 balls with Middlesex cruising past 100 and Van Jaarsveld trying eight different bowlers and shortly after the 100 partnership the eighth one (Simon Cook) had Stirling just stumped in the 22nd over for 45 leaving Middlesex 130-2.
Dexter now joined Malan and they carried on the good work and with 10 overs to go Middlesex were 193-2 and looking well placed to make 280+ and the batting powerplay was taken at the start of the 32nd over which Wahab Riaz obliged in bowling 3 consecutive no-balls in as Malan reached his first List-A hundred off 106 balls though not without some trouble from Riaz's yorkers which he fell over twice. The 36th over was to prove the beginning of the Kent fightback as Riaz had Malan LBW falling over another yorker for an excellent 107, 239-3.
Malan's teammates then conspired to throw away the chance of a big total as the last eight wickets fell for 24 in 26 balls. Chris Rogers edged Mahmood to Geraint Jones for 3, John Simpson was LBW to Riaz for 5, Dexter, after reaching his 50 off 46 chipped one to substitute Matt Coles at mid on for 58. Steve Crook was caught by Tredwell off Mahmood for 0, Tom Smith also fell for 1 in the same over caught at third man. Jamie Dalrymple then had his off stump cartwheeled by Riaz for 2 and Toby Roland-Jones went almost identically next ball to leave Riaz with 5-46 and Mahmood 4-52 and Middlesex 263 all out with 3 balls left unfaced.
Tim Murtagh opened the bowling and the spin of Smith opened from the Nackington Road End and Smith bowled what turned out to be the only maiden over in the match. Only 15 came from the first 4 overs but soon it became clear that this was a good pitch and that scoring runs on it was really quite easy and the 50 came up before Daniel Bell-Drummond sliced Crook to Rogers on the boundary for 17, 51-1. Next over, Roland-Jones had Joe Denly LBW for 28, 55-2. Van Jaarsveld then gave Malan a catch to fall for 0 and Kent were 56-3 and Middlesex were back in the game again.
Mahmood and Darren Stevens then set about steadying the ship and kicked on as the pair added 90 in 12.1 overs before Mahmood was LBW to Malan for 46, 146-3. Sam Northeast helped Stevens past 50 (42 balls). 74 runs were needed off the final 10 overs just when it looked like the game was gone, Stevens fell for 65 giving Dexter an easy wicket. 195-5 became 213-6 as Jones hoisted one from Roland-Jones to Crook at long-on who took an easy catch. Adam Ball joined Northeast and they added the partnership which took Kent almost to the win with 29 in 3.4 overs before Ball edged Roland Jones to Simpson for 19. 22 needed off 16 had been reduced to 15 off 12 when Northeast launched one off Murtagh high towards Smith at deep midwicket who ran round and dropped the catch over the ropes for 6 to bring up Northeast's 50 (43 balls) and to almost win the game for Kent, 3 balls later another heave produced a drop from Crook at long-on. Northeast's next heave off the last ball of the over did produce his downfall (ct Dexter b Murtagh 57) as only 4 were needed off the final over which were easily achieved by Riaz(12*) and Tredwell(1*) for Kent to finish 264-8 and win by 2 wickets with 3 balls left. Roland Jones finished with 3-51 and Crook 2-38 as Middlesex now had a very limited chance of qualifying for the semi-finals of the CB40. Mahmood was given man of the match for his all-round performance and everyone shot off home as the championship game between these sides begins at noon.
Scott Newman and Dawid Malan opened the batting and scored slowly off the first seven overs before Newman was caught behind off Azhar Mahmood for 11, 23-1. Malan and Paul Stirling then set about scoring at a healthy pace and brought up their 50 partnership in the 14th over. The pair batted well without scoring many boundaries and Malan reached his 50 off 58 balls with Middlesex cruising past 100 and Van Jaarsveld trying eight different bowlers and shortly after the 100 partnership the eighth one (Simon Cook) had Stirling just stumped in the 22nd over for 45 leaving Middlesex 130-2.
Dexter now joined Malan and they carried on the good work and with 10 overs to go Middlesex were 193-2 and looking well placed to make 280+ and the batting powerplay was taken at the start of the 32nd over which Wahab Riaz obliged in bowling 3 consecutive no-balls in as Malan reached his first List-A hundred off 106 balls though not without some trouble from Riaz's yorkers which he fell over twice. The 36th over was to prove the beginning of the Kent fightback as Riaz had Malan LBW falling over another yorker for an excellent 107, 239-3.
Malan's teammates then conspired to throw away the chance of a big total as the last eight wickets fell for 24 in 26 balls. Chris Rogers edged Mahmood to Geraint Jones for 3, John Simpson was LBW to Riaz for 5, Dexter, after reaching his 50 off 46 chipped one to substitute Matt Coles at mid on for 58. Steve Crook was caught by Tredwell off Mahmood for 0, Tom Smith also fell for 1 in the same over caught at third man. Jamie Dalrymple then had his off stump cartwheeled by Riaz for 2 and Toby Roland-Jones went almost identically next ball to leave Riaz with 5-46 and Mahmood 4-52 and Middlesex 263 all out with 3 balls left unfaced.
Tim Murtagh opened the bowling and the spin of Smith opened from the Nackington Road End and Smith bowled what turned out to be the only maiden over in the match. Only 15 came from the first 4 overs but soon it became clear that this was a good pitch and that scoring runs on it was really quite easy and the 50 came up before Daniel Bell-Drummond sliced Crook to Rogers on the boundary for 17, 51-1. Next over, Roland-Jones had Joe Denly LBW for 28, 55-2. Van Jaarsveld then gave Malan a catch to fall for 0 and Kent were 56-3 and Middlesex were back in the game again.
Mahmood and Darren Stevens then set about steadying the ship and kicked on as the pair added 90 in 12.1 overs before Mahmood was LBW to Malan for 46, 146-3. Sam Northeast helped Stevens past 50 (42 balls). 74 runs were needed off the final 10 overs just when it looked like the game was gone, Stevens fell for 65 giving Dexter an easy wicket. 195-5 became 213-6 as Jones hoisted one from Roland-Jones to Crook at long-on who took an easy catch. Adam Ball joined Northeast and they added the partnership which took Kent almost to the win with 29 in 3.4 overs before Ball edged Roland Jones to Simpson for 19. 22 needed off 16 had been reduced to 15 off 12 when Northeast launched one off Murtagh high towards Smith at deep midwicket who ran round and dropped the catch over the ropes for 6 to bring up Northeast's 50 (43 balls) and to almost win the game for Kent, 3 balls later another heave produced a drop from Crook at long-on. Northeast's next heave off the last ball of the over did produce his downfall (ct Dexter b Murtagh 57) as only 4 were needed off the final over which were easily achieved by Riaz(12*) and Tredwell(1*) for Kent to finish 264-8 and win by 2 wickets with 3 balls left. Roland Jones finished with 3-51 and Crook 2-38 as Middlesex now had a very limited chance of qualifying for the semi-finals of the CB40. Mahmood was given man of the match for his all-round performance and everyone shot off home as the championship game between these sides begins at noon.
Monday, 22 August 2011
A Tough Day
The 2nd day of the top of the table match between Middlesex and Northamptonshire at Lord's started with Middlesex 198-6 after a reduced first day. John Simpson and Toby Roland-Jones were batting and they quickly brought up the 200 with Simpson playing well and Roland-Jones hanging in to bring up the 50 partnership before Roland-Jones was bowled by James Middlebrook for 24. 236-7 and Steve Crook in to hit a quick 12 before edging Middlebrook to Steven Peters. Tim Murtagh then stuck around Simpson until lunch with Middlesex on 296-8, only 4 runs short of the next batting point.
The 300 came up as Simpson reached 50 off 131 balls before Murtagh was LBW to Chaminda Vaas for 27. Simpson finally fell in identical fashion for 61 to give Vaas 5-76 with Corey Collymore 5 not out and Middlesex 317, a good recovery but probably not enough runs.
The Northants innings got off to a quick start with Peters and Mal Loye looking at ease against the Middlesex bowlers who couldn't assert any pressure as the 50 partnership was raised and at tea the score was 78-0.
The problems continued after tea as none of Middlesex's 7 bowlers were effective as first Peters (99 balls) then Loye (101 balls) reached 50 and passed 100 without loss.
The 150 partnership came before Crook finally bowled a couple of troubling balls to Peters who eventually got a leading edge that Crook clung on to with a smart diving catch to go for 75, 158-1. Crook was to have two wickets in 7 balls as Rob White (4) fell over a pull shot and guided an edge to Dawid Malan at slip, 164-2. Loye (80*) and Alex Wakely (12*) saw out the rest of the day to leave Northants 188-2 only 128 runs behind Middlesex.
The 300 came up as Simpson reached 50 off 131 balls before Murtagh was LBW to Chaminda Vaas for 27. Simpson finally fell in identical fashion for 61 to give Vaas 5-76 with Corey Collymore 5 not out and Middlesex 317, a good recovery but probably not enough runs.
The Northants innings got off to a quick start with Peters and Mal Loye looking at ease against the Middlesex bowlers who couldn't assert any pressure as the 50 partnership was raised and at tea the score was 78-0.
The problems continued after tea as none of Middlesex's 7 bowlers were effective as first Peters (99 balls) then Loye (101 balls) reached 50 and passed 100 without loss.
The 150 partnership came before Crook finally bowled a couple of troubling balls to Peters who eventually got a leading edge that Crook clung on to with a smart diving catch to go for 75, 158-1. Crook was to have two wickets in 7 balls as Rob White (4) fell over a pull shot and guided an edge to Dawid Malan at slip, 164-2. Loye (80*) and Alex Wakely (12*) saw out the rest of the day to leave Northants 188-2 only 128 runs behind Middlesex.
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