The 2012 season started with a trip to Fenner's for Essex taking on Cambridge MCCU.
Essex won the toss and batted, only to get bogged down by some good bowling from Peter Turnbull, Matt Salisbury and Robert Woolley. Billy Godleman and Tom Westley added 62 before Westley was LBW to Salisbury for 30. Jaik Mickleburgh was then dropped at slip off Turnbull before slicing the next ball to gully to fall for 9, 77-2. He then had Pettini caught behind by Dean Bell for a duck. That left Essex on 91-3 at lunch, which became 91-4 when Woolley got Wheater for another duck caught behind.
Greg Smith, newly acquired from Derbyshire came in began to hit the attack more easily as the bowlers tired.
Cambridge had further chances to take wickets as Godleman was missed from a stumping chance before he passed 50 but Salisbury then splattered his off stump for 57, leaving Essex still in a bit of trouble at 141-5.
The next wicket wasn't to fall for a while, quite a while as it happened as captain James Foster proceeded to hit the bowling around freely, easily milking the spinners including 16 off an over from Josh Poysden as Smith went past 50 and then on to a hundred from 103 balls, despite nearly being run out on 95. Foster reached his 50 soon after. Essex were 286-5 (Smith 106*) at tea and afterwards went about walloping a few more. Smith hit two more sixes before being bowled by Salisbury, only for it to be called a no-ball. Smith managed 21 fours as well as he raced to 160 before to edging Poysden to third man where Salisbury took a great diving catch making the score 366-6. Normally you'd expect the county side to declare now, but Essex, obviously incensed by the morning collapse went on a slaughterfest as Graham Napier joined Foster in 12 overs of Twenty20 hitting as Foster reached his hundred off 103 balls as the score went past 400 then 450 with Napier reaching a 32 ball 50. but that wasn't all as Napier carted 20 off the 87th over from Paul Best including the last ball being taken by the fielder who fell over the rope for six. This left Napier on 77 and Foster gave him the strike before carting 23 more off the over from Salisbury ending the over with a six towards the pavilion, a four over midwicket and finally a colossal six over the Hughes Hall at square leg to reach a crazy hundred from 48 balls with eight fours and eight sixes (including 6 of them in the final 9 balls). Essex promptly declared 506-6 from 88 overs with Foster on 114 (off 117) as well, and the bowlers nursing some painful figures including Best 0-148 from 22, Poysden 1-96 off 11, though Turnbull 2-75 showed some reward from the good morning.
There was just enough time for David Masters to dismiss Bell LBW for 10 as Cambridge ended the day 26-1 from 8 overs.
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Monday, 16 January 2012
Desert Dreams
Yes, I'm still about though not having any games to go to, I've written a preview of the Pakistan-England series.
So England begin their series against Pakistan tomorrow in the neutral UAE in what is the first test for their number one Test Ranking.
After hammering India 4-0 at home in the summer Andrew Strauss and co. are at first glance the favourites against Misbah-ul-Haq's men who are ranked 5th. But looking deeper into it Pakistan have been one of the most improved sides of the last year after the spot-fixing scandal and with the likes of Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal and all-round hero Mohammad Hafeez they have a strong spin attack and have played enough games in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to know that runs are their to be scored if you are prepared to wait for them.
England have looked shaky in their two warm-up games and have relied on 2nd innings runs and generous declarations to win. Alaistair Cook, Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott have all been in great form for the past year but and it would be a surprise if they all failed to adapt to the conditions. That said, England have historically struggled in Asia and there is no better time than now to show they are truly the best team in the world.
The loss of Tim Bresnan for the whole series is a blow for England and has probably scuppered any immediate chance of Monty Panesar playing as a 2nd spinner with Graeme Swann, despite taking 5 against the PCB XI last week. Chris Tremlett will probably be the lucky bowler who gets in ahead of Steve Finn.
Both matches so far in Dubai have been fairly slow, low scoring affairs meaning that a patient start will be required and may not prove good for the likes of Strauss who hasn't scored a test hundred since Brisbane in 2010.
Umar Akmal is the future of Pakistan's batting and was one of the few stand out players from the disaster-thon of Pakistan's 2010 tour of England so ought to play ahead of Asad Shafiq.
England's fast bowlers won't be able to get away with bowling short on a slowish track so the likes of Anderson could prosper most. Umar Gul will lead the Pakistan bowling and his late swing could prove decisive with the older ball.
A draw may well be likely, but any small mistakes from either side could easily cost them the game and possibly the series.
First Test 17-21st January, Dubai
Second Test 25-29th January, Abu Dhabi
Third Test 3-7th February, Dubai.
So England begin their series against Pakistan tomorrow in the neutral UAE in what is the first test for their number one Test Ranking.
After hammering India 4-0 at home in the summer Andrew Strauss and co. are at first glance the favourites against Misbah-ul-Haq's men who are ranked 5th. But looking deeper into it Pakistan have been one of the most improved sides of the last year after the spot-fixing scandal and with the likes of Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal and all-round hero Mohammad Hafeez they have a strong spin attack and have played enough games in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to know that runs are their to be scored if you are prepared to wait for them.
England have looked shaky in their two warm-up games and have relied on 2nd innings runs and generous declarations to win. Alaistair Cook, Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott have all been in great form for the past year but and it would be a surprise if they all failed to adapt to the conditions. That said, England have historically struggled in Asia and there is no better time than now to show they are truly the best team in the world.
The loss of Tim Bresnan for the whole series is a blow for England and has probably scuppered any immediate chance of Monty Panesar playing as a 2nd spinner with Graeme Swann, despite taking 5 against the PCB XI last week. Chris Tremlett will probably be the lucky bowler who gets in ahead of Steve Finn.
Both matches so far in Dubai have been fairly slow, low scoring affairs meaning that a patient start will be required and may not prove good for the likes of Strauss who hasn't scored a test hundred since Brisbane in 2010.
Umar Akmal is the future of Pakistan's batting and was one of the few stand out players from the disaster-thon of Pakistan's 2010 tour of England so ought to play ahead of Asad Shafiq.
England's fast bowlers won't be able to get away with bowling short on a slowish track so the likes of Anderson could prosper most. Umar Gul will lead the Pakistan bowling and his late swing could prove decisive with the older ball.
A draw may well be likely, but any small mistakes from either side could easily cost them the game and possibly the series.
First Test 17-21st January, Dubai
Second Test 25-29th January, Abu Dhabi
Third Test 3-7th February, Dubai.
Friday, 14 October 2011
If Only...
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.
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.
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.
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