Middlesex Crusaders: Into the future (a story)

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Cricinfo news

Toby Radford steps down from Middlesex

27th July, 2009

Toby Radford, Middlesex coach since November 2007, has decided to step down as their First XI coach following their woeful performances in the limited overs tournaments both last season and this season. He will still be involved with the Middlesex Cricket Academy, however.

“The guys have performed well in the four-day matches. They are a great side.” Radford is quoted as saying.

Middlesex are currently second in the Championship second division after 9 games played. They are on 129 points and trail leaders Yorkshire by 17 points. However, their limited overs performances leaves much to be desired. They finished bottom of their group in the Challenge Trophy, winning only 2 of their 8 matches. They fared slightly better in the Twenty20 Cup, winning 4 matches, but still ended up at the bottom of their group. Their only Pro40 match so far this season has also resulted in a loss.

Radford, a former Middlesex and Sussex player, has made it public that another coach may have better luck with the team in the shorter forms of the game.

A press conference is scheduled for later today to unveil a new coach for the team. They play Kent tomorrow in the Pro40 league.

(Note: Normal difficulty in ICC08. I didn’t want to start a totally new game so I just took my horrendous performances in the limited overs games and made it into a story. Hopefully things can go better for me!)

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Cricinfo news

Middlesex name new coach

27th July, 2009

Middlesex have announced in a press conference earlier today that their new coach will be Ryon Cupidore. Cupidore, who assisted the coaching for some youth clubs in the West Indies before pursuing a coaching career in England, is quoted as saying, “I got the call earlier and it’s a huge surprise to me as well. I’ve worked with the Youth Academy on a few occasions but I never thought that they would want me to coach their First XI team.”

Cupidore has no experience as a player, but Middlesex management has “put our faith into a man who has been involved with the game for some time now and he will definitely be taking Middlesex onto better things from his first game onward.”

Middlesex play Kent tomorrow in the Pro40 league. The new coach has yet to meet some of the players, but he has stated that I should not be a problem. “These guys are out there to play cricket and not worry about what happens behind the scenes. (Toby) Radford is still very much involved with Middlesex cricket and he’s still there if the guys want to turn to him. But I’m looking to the future and I know that they can perform well in these limited overs games. I’ve already taken a look at the performances of the guys and I have some ideas that will be implemented within the course of the next few games. The management has given me their full support.”

Former coach Toby Radford also commented on Cupidore’s appointment. “He’s a big supporter of the team and he’s worked with the Academy regularly. It’s not a huge surprise for me. He’s a very good coach and I expect that he will definitely have some success. I think they picked the right man for the position.”

(Any comments would be nice. It would give me the incentive to stick with this and make it something really great.)

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Squad:

Edward Smith ©
Edmund Joyce (vc)
Dennis Baker
Christopher Bucknall
Nicholas Compton
Danny Evans
Steven Finn
Billy Godleman
Murali Kartik
Shaun Levy
Dawid Malan
Robin Martin-Jenkins
Eoin Morgan
Timothy Murtagh
David Nash (wk)
Christopher Peploe
Alan Richardson
Ben Scott (wk)
Owais Shah
Chris Silverwood
Andrew Strauss
Robbie Williams

[The Phantom Ram]

Good start, I'm looking forward to this one.

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28th July 2009

Middlesex vs. Kent – Pro40 League, Division 1

Middlesex: E Morgan, E Smith ©, A Strauss, E Joyce (vc), B Godleman, D Malan, B Scott (wk), T Murtagh, M Kartik, C Silverwood, C Peploe

Kent: T Wales, R Key, M Van Jaarsveld, G Martin, J Denly, J Kemp, A Mahmood, R McLaren, J Pipe (wk), A Khan, S Cook

Forecast: Overcast throughout the day but no chance of rain.

Pitch Report: Minor cracks along the length of the pitch. Should help bowlers who put it in the right spot. Spinners may come into play later on in the day if the cracks open up but they look like they might just hold up. The outfield is a little on the slow side due to the heavy rains over the past couple of days.

Toss: Middlesex, who chose to bat first. Captain Ed Joyce, “There could be a little help from the pitch at the moment but once the batsmen get a start things should go smoothly for us. We expect that there will be a lot of inconsistencies when we’re bowling so it’s better that we put some runs on the board so that we have something to defend.”

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Report:Middlesex started off sheepishly, going at only 3.2 runs an over before the first wicket fell with the score on 29. Morgan fell lbw to Khan for 16, bringing Strauss into the middle.
While Strauss struggled to score runs, as has been his problem this season, captain Smith, on the other hand, led by example. He smacked Cook for four boundaries in the bowler’s third over, and Strauss was all too happy to give his captain the strike.

However, Strauss continued his run of bad form that got him dropped from the England team, falling for only 12 after facing 36 deliveries. It was a good delivery that did him in, swinging in late from around the wicket by Khan, but Strauss would definitely wonder when there will be some runs with his name on it.

Smith brought up a fine 50 off of 67 deliveries with a pull past the midwicket fielder but his partners kept getting themselves out. Joyce, new to the crease and still apparently with his mind in the dressing room, set off too late on what should have been a comfortable single and was run out for only 4.

Smith himself went two overs later, lbw to Khan as he looked to get the run rate up for a well played 60 of 77 balls. Malan, himself short on form, walked out to meet Godleman at the crease. Godleman has been used to this sort of situation, trying to rescue his team from a bad spot. And at 109 for 4 in the 26th over, a job definitely needed to be done.

Malan departed for only two, caught at the floating third slip position by Kemp. Scott came to the crease and immediately set about trying to bring the run rate up, scoring 29 off only 31 deliveries. Godleman was no slouch either, making a rapid 41 off of 52 balls. Still, with only 4.4 runs per over needed by Kent, it would take something special from the bowlers to seize this match.

End of Middlesex innings: 175/5, 40 overs, E Smith 60(77), B Godleman 41(52), A Khan 2-28(8), A Mahmood 1-42(8)

Kent need 176 runs at 4.4 per over

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Silverwood opened the bowling for Middlesex and struck with the last ball of his first over, removing Wales without a run on the board, caught well at second slip by Kartik. Murtagh shared the new ball with him and only leaked one run off of his first over but suddenly Key started to play his shots and the bowlers’ economy rates suffered.

Murtagh finally struck in his third over. Key had hit him for two boundaries earlier in the over and was going for a third, cutting the ball square of the wicket, but he only managed to find Joyce, who held onto a sharp catch to dismiss him for 33 off of only 21 balls.

Dismissing the dangerous Key seemed to give Middlesex a boost and Van Jaarsveld fell in the very next over to a brilliant ball from Silverwood. It hit the seam and straightened just enough to hit in line. There was no doubt in the umpire’s mind and that ball was definitely going on to hit the top of middle stump. Kent found themselves 38 for 3 in the 7th over, their run rate more than enough but their wickets tumbling.

Unfortunately none of the other bowlers seemed to have the same sort of wicket-taking ability as the first two. Denly and Martin found no problems with working them for the necessary singles and the occasional boundary. Suddenly the required rate was under 4 an over and the batsmen were settled into the middle.

Smith brought back his strike bowler for an over and it paid off almost immediately. Silverwood tempted the batsman with a short and wide delivery that bounced just a fraction more than anticipated and Denly could only watch as he was caught at gully by Peploe for 38. Kemp came into the middle and was immediately rapped on the pads but the ball was just going down the legside.

Unfortunately for Middlesex, the other bowlers just continued to leak the runs and Kent cruised to victory in the 38th over, winning by 6 wickets.

End of Kent innings: 176/4, 37.4 overs, G Martin 68*(100), J Denly 38(62), C Silverwood 3-34(7.4), T Murtagh 1-33(8)

Kent win by 6 wickets

Man of the match: G Martin

[The Phantom Ram]

I like the match write ups, I find that tricky.

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Cricinfo news

New Middlesex coach wants patience

28th July, 2009

At the post-game press conference today, Middlesex coach Ryon Cupidore asked for some patience while he sorted out the problems that have crept into the Middlesex limited overs performances over the past two years.

“I’ve seen them play a game now so I have something to go by. It would be a couple of games before you see some results but I already have some strategies in mind and I intend to implement them from as early as the next game. We play Derbyshire in the Championship in two days but our form in the longer game is not in doubt.”

Middlesex have now lost both of their games in the Pro40 league thus far. When asked why faith continues to be shown in the out of form Andrew Strauss and Dawid Malan, Cupidore had this to say: “I’m not like other coaches, who will say that work needs to be done and we will address this issue. I’m going to tell you straight. The only reason that Dawid Malan is in the first team at the moment is due to the injury to Nicholas Compton. I think that Malan has a little bit of work to do before he has what it takes at this level at the moment, but to shove him into a 40 over match as a sort of proving ground is just too much. Malan needs to have the pressure taken off of him and that happens in a four day match. He will be given a chance in the championship later on in the season and that would give him the test he needs to succeed. As for Strauss, I know that he’s capable of big scores but he needs to find his form again. He’s been dropped by the England squad in order to find his form at the county level and I guarantee that he will find it.”

With regards to the team’s bowling, coach Cupidore said that “I’m looking to change up the bowling a little bit. The guys that succeed at four day level don’t always become good limited overs bowlers automatically. I’m also looking to some of the batsmen to bowl a little part-time stuff as well. Toby (Radford) showed faith in Edmund Joyce’s medium pace and he’s definitely an option that we can turn to when the strike bowlers need to be rested. Joyce has been very keen to bowl more and more and that’s the sort of passion I hope to see more of in the future.”

Middlesex next play Hampshire in the Pro40 league on August 10th.

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30th July, 2009

Middlesex vs. Derbyshire – County Championship, Division 2

Middlesex: E Morgan, E Smith ©, A Strauss, E Joyce (vc), B Godleman, D Nash, B Scott (wk), T Murtagh, M Kartik, C Silverwood, C Peploe

Derbyshire: J Ellery, S Stubbings, R Clarke, J Sadler, F Telo, G Smith, G Wagg, J Bradshaw (wk), T Lungley, K Dean, N Doshi

Forecast: Overcast throughout the day, clearing up in the second session and hopefully for the rest of the day.

Pitch Report: Absolutely flat with very little cracks or bad patches. Bowlers will have to work long and hard for their wickets here. The outfield has slowed to a crawl and there may be a lot of twos and threes as the ball slows up before the rope.

Toss: Middlesex, who chose to bat first. Ed Smith: “This was a great toss to win. This pitch looks perfect for batting and we’re hoping to post a challenging total on the board for our boys to defend.”

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Report: Middlesex made one change to their team, bringing in wicketkeeper Nash in place of Malan. Scott, however, retains the gloves for this match and Nash is expected to field in the slips for the match. The openers made their way out and play got underway.

Derbyshire made the perfect start to the match, bowling Morgan with a delivery that swung in very late, beating the inside edge and going through the gate to knock back the off stump with the very first ball of the match. This brought Strauss into the middle and all hopes were that he could find some form in this match. Unfortunately that was not to be and Strauss was trapped in front and given out lbw to give Lungley his second wicket.

Captain and vice captain joined each other at the crease but Derbyshire could not be stopped. With the score on 42, Smith found himself comprehensively beaten and the death rattle of the stumps falling was all that he heard afterward. Joyce could hardly stick around either, making 41 off of only 39 deliveries before he fell lbw to Clarke with the score on 87. Nash came in and got off the mark with a sweetly timed shot through the covers for four, but he fell the very next ball to a brilliant catch at short leg.

None of the Middlesex batsmen seemed to want to stay out in the middle for very long. Godleman fell to another great catch at short midwicket and Middlesex’s last recognised batting pair was left at the crease. Derbyshire seemed to have no respect for that, though, and Murtagh was bowled with a delivery that hit a good length and came back in off the seam.

Derbyshire went to lunch with the score on 137 for 7 and clearly the morning session went to them.

Scott was left to bat with the tail and he tried his best to shelter them, farming the strike and checking his big shots in order to work the ones and twos. Murali Kartik fell soon after the break, caught at short leg while trying to fend off a bouncer.

Scott brought up his fifty off of 136 balls and showed his ability to not only play the big shots, but also to stick around when it was necessary. He kept hanging in there, facing most of the strike, but his concentration faltered for a moment when facing Doshi and he poked his bat at a delivery going down the leg side. The ball got the slightest touch on the face of the bat and Bradshaw took a good catch down the legside. Scott got a polite round of applause as he made his way back to the pavilion, staying out in the middle for 175 balls and showing the sort of concentration that the rest of the team desperately needed.

It was only a matter of time before the last wicket fell but Silverwood and Peploe stuck around for another 30 runs before Silverwood finally nicked one to Bradshaw and the innings ended on 232.

End of Middlesex innings: 232/10, B Scott 60, E Joyce 41, R Clarke 3-34, T Lungley 3-72

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Middlesex got four overs before tea at Derbyshire but did not manage to get past any of the openers’ defenses in that time. Derbyshire went to tea on 11 without loss, 221 runs behind.

After the break Stubbings seemed to want to make short work of the deficit, hitting Murtagh for two fours and a six in the same over. Murtagh returned in his next over and got his man with the very first ball, fishing for a delivery outside the line of the off stump and giving first slip a regulation catch. Things remained relatively calm after that and Ellery and Clarke saw off the shine on the new ball.

Murali Kartik was handed the ball in the 22nd over and he struck with his fourth delivery, going around the wicket to Clarke and delivering an armball that hustled Ellery into a shot and Strauss picked up a good catch at silly point. Ellery departed for 33 and the score was 83 for 2.

Derbyshire continued to work away at the total, picking up the runs with relative ease. They closed the day on 136 for 2, 96 runs behind Middlesex and with Clarke and Sadler looking in good touch. Middlesex had a lot to think about overnight.

End of day 1: Derbyshire 136/2, R Clarke 40*, J Sadler 24, M Kartik 1-25, C Peploe 0-2
Derbyshire trail by 96 runs

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Day 2: Middlesex had no answer to the two overnight batsmen, who continued to look very impressive. They knocked off what was left of the deficit with about 50 minutes to go until the lunch break, with both men scoring half centuries and looking for more. Hardly a ball seemed to beat the bat.

Kartik finally struck about 20 minutes before the interval, removing Clarke for a well played 89. The damage had already been done, however, and that partnership changed the course of the entire match for Middlesex. Derbyshire went to lunch of 266 for three, with Sadler three runs away from what would be a great century.

Immediately following the break, Sadler got what he required and made exactly three runs to bring up his century in 165 balls. He got a well-deserved ovation form his teammates and from many of the fans as well. Silverwood struck three balls later, however, removing him with a brilliant caught and bowled when he snatched the ball up only inches away from the pitch in his follow through.

Middlesex took the new ball but it only served to give the batsmen something that would come off of the bat better. Smith brought up a fine half century with a boundary through mid on and seemed in no trouble at all. The Derbyshire lead mounted all the while and Middlesex’s body language seemed to tell it all.

It took a batsman error to give Middlesex the breakthrough. After a huge mix-up between the two batsmen, what should have been a single turned into a run out. But Middlesex hardly celebrated. With the lead already 151 and only 5 wickets down, there was not much to celebrate.

Peploe removed Wagg for only 1, but again, the celebrations were muted. Derbyshire looked in no danger at all and went to tea with the score on 402 for 6.

Something seemed to have been said during the break, as Silverwood and Murtagh removed three of the remaining wickets in what was a good aggressive session of bowling. The last pair put a little stopper in things, but eventually the last wicket fell with the score on 459.

End of Derbyshire innings: J Sadler 100, R Clarke 89, C Silverwood 4-118, M Kartik 2-53
Derbyshire lead by 227 runs

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Morgan managed to avoid a repeat of his first ball disaster from the first innings but he could not avoid a pair, this time falling…to the second ball of the innings. Smith went soon afterward, and the score was 24 for 2.

Strauss seemed to be finding his form, however, and he hit several perfectly timed shots that sped over the outfield. He brought up his second fifty of 14 innings this season with a push square of the wicket on the offside. Middlesex closed the day looking well in their job to consolidate after the loss of two early wickets and with the partnership between Strauss and Joyce worth 49.

End of day 2: Middlesex 73/2, A Strauss 52*, E Joyce 11*, G Wagg 0-9, R Clarke 0-4
Middlesex trail by 154 runs

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Day 3: Strauss looked well as he went about adding to his overnight score of 52, but he fell to a good catch for 74. Joyce brought up his fifty before being bowled soon afterward. This triggered a magnificent bowling spell by all of the Derbyshire bowlers and they removed both Nash and Scott, the first innings hero, for ducks. Middlesex went to lunch struggling at 216 for 6, still 11 runs behind Derbyshire.

Tim Murtagh fell just after the break for 18 and Middlesex found themselves even further in despair. Godleman tried to farm the strike but he could not prevent getting a thick edge that flew to third slip and the tail was left exposed. The last wicket pair managed a few boundaries as a result of the attacking fields set against them, but Derbyshire did not seem to mind too much. The inning eventually ended with Middlesex facing defeat at 262 all out.

End of Middlesex innings: 262/10, A Strauss 74, B Godleman 60, K Dean 5-77, T Lungley 4-107
Derbyshire need 36 runs to win

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Derbyshire came out and took the fight to the bowlers, scoring at an impressive rate and getting the 36 runs needed in only 7 overs.

End of Derbyshire innings: 36/0, S Stubbings 21*, J Ellery 15*, C Silverwood 0-21, T Murtagh 0-21
Derbyshire win by 10 wickets
Man of the match: T Lungley

(Why is it that as soon as I start a story for others to see that I start losing?!)

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Cricinfo News

Middlesex moving backward?

2nd August, 2009

Maybe it was a touch of overconfidence. Maybe new coach Ryon Cupidore didn't think that Middlesex's problems extended into the Championship arena as well. But after what was a weak all-round performance from the team, questions are being asked about the hiring of the relatively inexperienced coach.

"I don't think it's a problem," Cupidore said after the game, "The guys just had an off game."

Captain Ed Smith said at the presentation, "We just didn't score as many as we wanted to in the first innings and that allowed them to get a big lead over us, and that's where we lost the match."

Middlesex have slipped three places down to fifth in the Championship standing, with Derbyshire leapfrogging them and snatching the second place position.

If that wasn't enough for Cupidore to worry about, they play Hampshire next week in the Pro40 league and all eyes will be on him to see what changes he brings in after guaranteeing that his team will do better in that match.

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10th August 2009

Middlesex vs. Hampshire – Pro40 League, Division 1

Middlesex: A Strauss, E Smith ©, E Morgan, N Compton, E Joyce (vc), B Godleman, D Nash (wk), T Murtagh, S Finn, C Silverwood, C Peploe

Hampshire: M Lumb, M Brown, J Crawley, C Benham, S Ervine, G Lamb, D Mascarenhas, C Tremlett, T Burrows (wk), N Sherbourne, F Newlands

Forecast: Cloudy in the morning and early afternoon, with the sun likely to come out as the afternoon progresses.

Pitch Report: An almost flat track that batsmen would love and bowlers would hate. Very little cracks at all and the bowlers would have to hope that the new ball swings, because the pitch will not give them much assistance. The outfield is slow due to the rainfall at this time of year, but with the sun coming out in the afternoon it could dry up. A good toss to lose.

Toss: Kent, who chose to field. Ed Smith: “If we won the toss we were discussing maybe taking the field first as well. It’s a pretty flat pitch but the outfield is soaking wet in parts. We’ll have to bat well and hope that we put a good total on the board and then come and bowl them out in the second innings.

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Report: Coach Cupidore had brought a few changes to this Middlesex team. Compton was cleared to play late last week and he came in to replace Scott. Nash took the gloves in this match. Strauss was promoted back up the order after finding some form in the Championship match a week and a half ago. Kartik went out and Finn came in, bringing some pace and aggression with the new ball.

But it is the batting that was being looked at first, and Middlesex needed to post a challenging total on the board or they would fall into the relegation zone. They made their most steady limited overs start of perhaps the entire season, making only 38 in the first 10 overs but losing no wickets. Smith survived a very close run out appeal in the 15th over but was found to have just been in his ground.

Strauss and Smith seemed to not want to repeat that close call so instead of running they made the ball score their runs for them. They worked the ball past the fielders and hit the boundary regularly over the course of the next few overs. Strauss even cleared the rope over the head of the leaping deep backward point for a well-hit six runs.

However, the run out seemed destined for Smith and he chanced himself another time but he found himself yards short of his crease on this occasion. The man patrolling the cover boundary picked the ball up and fired the return in and hit the stumps directly. Smith departed for a very well played 68 off of only 65 deliveries. Middlesex had lost their first wicket in the 22nd over with the score on 124.

Strauss kept the scoreboard ticking over, working the ball into the gaps and picking up the occasional boundary as his new partner Morgan played himself in. When Strauss got caught off of a mistimed drive that took the inner portion of the bat and went to mid on, the score was 162 in the 32nd over and Morgan was finding the middle of his bat quite nicely. Middlesex ended their innings on 188, with Morgan edging to the keeper in the last over and Compton looking fluent upon his return from injury.

End of Middlesex innings: 188/3, 40 overs, A Strauss 78(94), E Smith 68(65), N Sherbourne 1-26(8), F Newlands 1-33(8)
Hampshire need 189 runs at 4.7 per over

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Finn opened the bowling for Middlesex and went for 7 in his first over, not the sort of start that Middlesex were hoping for. Silverwood kept things tidy with 2 off of his first over. Finn’s pace and aggression paid off in his second over, however, getting Brown to edge to second slip with the score on 9.

Crawley came in and immediately hit Finn for consecutive boundaries, however, and Middlesex’s captain looked understandably worried. Silverwood removed Crawley in the next over, and the relief on Smith’s face was evident as he ran up to congratulate his bowler. Finn continued to bowl aggressively, albeit expensively, and removed Benham soon thereafter.

The first change bowlers, Murtagh and Joyce, did a very good job of keeping the run rate down, operating together for a total of 8 overs and restricting Hampshire to only 28 runs. Joyce picked up the wicket of Ervine in his fourth over, taking a simple return catch to dismiss the batsman with the score on 81. He went on to remove Lumb in his next over, caught superbly at backward point by a diving Godleman.

Peploe had only 2 overs that went for 16 runs before Smith took him off and threw the ball to Compton, who has not had a lot of experience bowling at any level and who, by the way, had his arm broken by a vicious bouncer just a month ago. That did not seem to matter to him, however, as his very first ball tempted the batsman into a push at a ball that spun past the bat and barely missed the stumps.

At the other end, Joyce was finishing a tidy spell that ended with him taking 2 wickets for 26 runs from his eight overs. Murtagh came back on from Joyce’s end and Lamb, frustrated at his lack of being able to score as freely as he would, hit one right into the hands of the waiting long off fielder, who did not even have to move. Two other wickets followed in quick succession for Murtagh, first Tremlett hitting it right down the throat of Joyce at short midwicket and then Mascarenhas being bowled as he attempted a big heave through the onside.

By the time Finn and Silverwood came back into the attack, Hampshire were struggling and Finn picked up the wicket of Burrows, Godleman taking another sharp chance at backward point. Silverwood took the final wicket with the score on 173, trapping Sherbourne plumb in front for an easy lbw decision.

End of Hampshire innings: 173/10, 38.3 overs, M Lumb 36(54), N Sherbourne 31(27), T Murtagh 3-41(8), S Finn 3-41(7)
Middlesex win by 15 runs
Man of the match: A Strauss

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Cricinfo news

Changes work for Middlesex

10th August, 2009

Middlesex coach Ryon Cupidore played a team with a few changes today against Hampshire. Dropping Murali Kartik was a controversial choice, but his replacement Steven Finn made things look easy upon his return to the first XI team.

“Finn brings some pace and aggression with the new ball,” Cupidore said after the game, “Silverwood bowls a tidy line and length and that can trouble the batsman but sometimes you need a little extra pace and bounce and Finn definitely showed that today.”

Chris Peploe, who only bowled two overs that went for 16 runs, looked out of sorts in this match. Cupidore said, “(Chris) Peploe was kept because Kartik hasn’t had a lot of luck in the one day games this season. Ed (Smith) did the right thing by taking him out of the attack when he did, as they might have taken the game away from us had he continued.”

As for Nicholas Compton bowling, Cupidore said, “Nick was only cleared to play late last week. But he’s shown that he’s willing to bowl more often and you saw that he did a very good job of containing the batsmen today. He may not have picked up any wickets, but he stemmed the flow of runs nicely and that’s what was required of him at the time. As he keeps getting more experience, I expect him to be a useful bowler.”

As for the batting, Cupidore said that, “Strauss looks like he’s found himself again and he showed what he can do when he has a good day. We didn’t get as much runs as I really liked, but we defended our total well. In the next match we’re aiming to go above five runs an over without risking too much.”

Cupidore did not answer any further questions. Middlesex next play Yorkshire in the county Championship in two days, while their next Pro40 fixture is on the 17th.

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12th August 2009

Yorkshire vs. Middlesex – County Championship, Division 2

Middlesex: A Strauss, E Smith ©, N Compton, E Joyce (vc), B Godleman, B Scott, D Nash (wk), T Murtagh, M Kartik, C Silverwood, S Finn

Yorkshire: J Rudolph, M Vaughan, A Rashid, R Pyrah, J Sayers, D Wainwright, A Gale, G Brohpy (wk), T Humphries, M Lawson, L Woodward

Forecast: Overcast all day, with a chance of rain in the morning session. Skies should clear up in the afternoon but get cloudier as the day draws to a close.

Pitch Report: Good, even bounce with good carry to the keeper. There is talk about a thin layer of dust on the surface, bringing the spinners into contention very early on. The outfield is still wet from rain that fell just a few hours ago.

Toss: Yorkshire, who chose to field. Ed Smith: “It was a good toss to lose, as there seems to be something in it for everyone at the moment. The pitch may start behaving badly later on in the match and they’ll have to bat last so I think it would be a challenge in the third and fourth innings on this track.”

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Report: Strauss looked quite fluent from the outset. He got both himself and Middlesex off the mark with a good boundary that clattered into the advertising boards after one bounce. Not much seemed to test the batsmen early on, but Humphries managed to get an edge from Smith that flew to second slip, who took a good low catch.

Strauss went soon thereafter without adding to the score. Joyce came in and worked the ball into the gaps but soon fell for 20 and suddenly Middlesex were three down with the score under a hundred. Compton, playing his first Championship match after injury, looked as if he had never left, stroking the ball sweetly to all parts of the ground and even out of it on two occasions. Middlesex went to lunch with the score on 132 for 3, Compton looking good on 47 and Godleman keeping him good company on 31.

Middlesex came back out and Compton immediately went about posting his seventh half century of the season, and one that would mean a lot to him after returning from injury. At the other end, Godleman registered his fifty as well. Compton eventually went for 80 but his contribution to the team upon returning from injury was definitely noted.

Godleman looked as if he was headed for another first class century, but he fell at 94 to a very good catch at silly point. His disappointment at his shot was very noticeable as he walked back to the pavilion, but he received a light round of applause as he made his way back to the dressing room.

With the spinners on and the outfield slow, Scott and Nash just worked the ball into the gaps and ran the singles. Boundaries were very rare and Scott fell just before tea while trying to get the scoreboard moving along. Murtagh came into the middle but left to a first ball duck, bowled by a very good delivery. Kartik came in and showed some of his capability with the bat, holding off the bowlers with Nash until tea.

Middlesex came back from the tea break but Nash fell lbw to Rashid after only a few minutes out at the crease. Silverwood came out to join Kartik but with Yorkshire taking the new ball, it was only a matter of time before the tail went cheaply. Middlesex eventually had their last wicket fall, Silverwood going lbw to Woodward.

End of Middlesex innings: 328/10, B Godleman 94, N Compton 80, A Rashid 3-109, T Humphries 2-55

[qpeedore]

Middlesex would have been looking to take at least one wicket in the 45 minutes they had to bowl at Yorkshire, but that did not happen and Yorkshire went in at the end of the day without a wicket having fallen.

End of day 1: Derbyshire 42/0, J Rudolph 20, M Vaughan 14, S Finn 0-14, C Silverwood 0-24
Derbyshire trail by 286 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 2: Finn and Silverwood continued bowling at the start of the day. Finn managed to get Rudolph to get a top edge that just evaded the running cover fielder and went to the boundary. Silverwood trapped Vaughan on the back foot right in front and Vaughan departed for 18. Finn used the same tactics and he managed to get Rashid out lbw in the very next over.

The bowling spell continued to go right for Middlesex and Rudolph got one in Silverwood’s next over that he tried to play through point but all he could do is chop the ball onto his own stumps.

Eventually, however, the two opening bowlers needed to rest and Murtagh and Kartik came onto bowl. Murtagh struck the batsman in front and had a very close lbw decision go against him but the batsmen soon relaxed themselves and played themselves in until Kartik got Pyrah lbw for 58 with the score on 162. Yorkshire went to lunch with the score on 184 for the loss of 5 wickets, Sayers looking fine on 64 not out.

Sayers continued to score his runs after the interval, as his partner Wainwright found the runs as well. Sayers looked set to score a century, but he fell to a good catch at midwicket when he was on 92. Middlesex took the new ball but it took a few overs before it paid off for them, Wainwright falling with the score on 293 in the last over before tea.

Silverwood and Finn continued with the new ball after the break, with Silverwood getting an edge from Gale that went neatly into the gloves of Nash. Finn was no slouch either, bowling Brophy comprehensively for only 5. Silverwood, seemingly wanting to outdo his bowling partner, bowled Humphries with a devastating inswinging Yorker that knocked the leg stump out of the ground. The last wicket also fell to Silverwood, and Yorkshire’s innings was over, just four runs before they would get another batting point.

End of Yorkshire innings: 346/10, J Sayers 92, D Wainwright 80, C Silverwood 5-108, S Finn 2-103
Yorkshire lead by 18 runs

[qpeedore]

Middlesex had about 40 minutes to negotiate before the close of play on the second day, and Yorkshire’s bowlers would have definitely be looking to get a breakthrough. That breakthrough did come after only a few overs, Smith falling lbw to Woodward for 11. Everyone seemed surprised when Compton walked out to the crease instead of a night watchman but he quickly alleviated their fears by getting off the mark with a push past mid on with his very first delivery. Middlesex closed the day after going past Yorkshire and looking to build a lead of their own.

End of day 2: Middlesex 46/1, A Strauss 17*, N Compton 16*, T Humphries 0-19, R Pyrah 0-2
Middlesex lead by 28 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 3: Compton fell early, with midwicket taking an easy catch. Strauss continued to look good, and brought up his half century in the middle of the session with Joyce giving him good support. Strauss ran himself out on 58, going for a single that definitely was never on and found himself about a yard short of his crease.

Joyce continued to play well, bringing up his own fifty off of 87 deliveries. Middlesex went to lunch on 178 for 3, leading by 160 runs with Joyce on 59.

Joyce picked up the scoring after the interval, dispatching the ball to the boundary with relative ease. At the other end, Godleman showed that he knew where the boundary was as well, clearing it with a flat six over third man. Joyce, not to be outdone, responded to this by hitting Rashid for 16 runs in one over, ending with a six back past the bowler’s head.

Humphries could not be hit away as easily, however, and Joyce fell lbw to him for 91, nine short of a century. Godleman was in by this time, however, and he seemed unaffected by the loss of his batting partner, bringing up his fifty with a four through the onside. Following this was a period of play where boundaries were hard to come by, but Godleman and new partner Scott batted their way through it and saw off the bowlers.

Yorkshire took the new ball with 25 minutes to go before tea and with the Godleman/Scott partnership threatening. This hardly affected them, however, and they worked the ball into the gaps and picked up the singles until tea. They went in at 305 for 4, leading by 287 runs and with Godleman 16 runs away from what would be the first century of the match.

Scott returned from the break and immediately began hitting the ball everywhere as Godleman kept rotating the strike to give the more aggressive Scott the bulk of the deliveries. When Godleman hit 95, however, Scott gave him the strike and he brought up his century with a neat four past Rashid. After missing out on a century by just 6 runs in the first innings, Godleman’s relief was apparent.

Scott was bowled by Wainwright’s first delivery of a new spell and Nash strolled to the crease and the intent was obvious as he hit a good boundary to get off the mark that Middlesex were close to declaring. They got the lead past 400 before they declared, Godleman being congratulated by his teammates as he walked into the pavilion.

End of Middlesex innings: 420/5 declared, B Godleman 130*, E Joyce 91, D Wainwright 1-57, L Woodward 1-85.
Yorkshire need 403 to win

[qpeedore]

Yorkshire had a rough 15 minute period to negotiate before the close of play, but they managed to survive some very aggressive bowling and field placing to close the day on 13 without loss.

End of day3: Yorkshire 13/0, J Rudolph 9*, M Vaughan 4*, S Finn 0-9, C Silverwood 0-4
Yorkshire need 390 to win

[qpeedore]

Day 4: The final day’s play began and Middlesex looked confident that they can bowl Yorkshire out within the day and seize the 14 points.

Vaughan, however, looked like he had other plans in mind, hitting Finn for six backward of square in the very first over of the day. Finn could do nothing but watch the ball sail over the rope and into the stands.

Silverwood had better luck, setting Rudolph up by bouncing him for three balls in a row before bowling a fuller, straighter delivery. Rudolph was caught on the back foot as he tried to force the ball away, and the catch went to the gully fielder, taking it comfortably at just under waist height.

Rashid came in and announced his presence with a boundary off of his first delivery but Silverwood tightened his line and cramped Rashid for room. He was bowled through his legs as he tried to work the ball away and Silverwood had his second wicket.

Finn, meanwhile, found his line and kept his level of aggression up to both batsmen but especially to Vaughan, forcing an edge from him that flew only inches past the diving point fielder and to the boundary. In his next over, Vaughan got one that bounced awkwardly and hit the shoulder of the bat and spooned right back to Finn during his follow through. He moved quickly to his right and juggled it once before holding onto the catch. An elated Middlesex captain Smith ran to congratulate his bowler and Yorkshire found themselves 3 down for only 41.

Finn seemed unstoppable in this spell, bowling an almost perfect delivery that did everything right except get the edge of the bat to the new batsman only two balls after he came out to the middle. While Silverwood kept things tight with a steady line and length, Finn varied his length well and got himself yet another wicket in his next over, hustling Pryah into a shot that caught the edge and flew to point, where it was well caught inches away from the turf by Compton.

Silverwood’s display of excellent line and length got him another wicket as well, drawing Sayers into pushing for a ball slightly wider outside the off stump and the edge went to first slip and was caught comfortably by Scott.

By the time first change bowler Murtagh delivered his first ball, Finn and Silverwood had removed half of the Yorkshire team. Murtagh and Joyce continued showing the sort of discipline that went before them, with Murtagh’s first 5 overs containing 4 maidens and the other conceding 4 runs. Joyce had bowled 4 overs for 9 runs with 1 maiden himself.

Murtagh’s first delivery of his sixth over moved in sharply off the seam and trapped Gale in front and Middlesex could almost taste their victory. Exactly two overs later Murtagh struck in a very similar fashion, this time removing Wainwright via lbw. Yorkshire went to lunch reeling on 96 for 7, still 307 behind with two sessions to go.

Finn and Silverwood resumed bowling after the break, and Finn struck 10 minutes after the interval, bowling a quick delivery that struck in line and was definitely going on to hit off stump. Finn kept his pace and fullish length up and bowled a straight yorker that trapped Lawson in front for only 7. Middlesex were one wicket away from a win.

It did not take much longer, Silverwood doing the job in the very next over and Middlesex wrapped up a sweet victory by dismissing Yorkshire for a meager 132.

End of Yorkshire innings: 132/10, T Humphries 24*, M Vaughan 21, C Silverwood 4-47, S Finn 4-53
Middlesex win by 270 runs
Man of the match: B Godleman

[qpeedore]

Cricinfo news

Middlesex quicks demolish Yorkshire

16th August, 2009

Middlesex’s quick bowlers went right through the Yorkshire batting lineup in the final innings of their match to post a very convincing 270 run victory for the Crusaders. Ryon Cupidore brought Murali Kartik back into the side as Chris Peploe went out after a slightly expensive performance in their last fixture. However, the focus was not on him. In fact, he did not even bowl a ball in the second innings, the quicks doing all the damage.

Chris Silverwood kept things consistent with his line and length, allowing Steven Finn to vary things a little. Between the two of them, they took 15 of the 20 Yorkshire wickets in the match.

Captain Ed Smith had nothing but praise for his team, “Our guys went out there and really played a great game. Everyone seemed to fire and our bowlers really put on an exceptional show, getting them out cheaply and giving us a good victory.”

Coach Ryon Cupidore, who has come under a lot of fire for some of his decisions, was all smiles at the press conference. “There is no doubt that we have a talented team. It’s about finding the right balance and working with it. We had a great game. Everyone contributed to the victory. There will be times when someone doesn’t have a good game. And it’s up to me and the rest of the coaching staff to pull that player aside and have a chat with him.”

When asked about potential changes to the team for the upcoming game against Worcestershire in the Pro40 league, Cupidore said, “You’ll have to wait until the game to see that one. But I will confirm that the core of the team will remain the same. We may make a few changes to the batting order, allowing some big hitters to come up the order. But it all depends on the state of the match at the time. Thank you.”

[jonnyboy21]

Superb stuff, keep it going :)

[qpeedore]

17th August 2009

Worcestershire vs. Middlesex – Pro40 league, Division 1

Middlesex: A Strauss, E Smith ©, E Morgan, N Compton, E Joyce (vc), B Godleman, B Scott, D Nash (wk), T Murtagh, C Silverwood, S Finn

Worcestershire: S Moore, D Hulme, D Henley (wk), C Warner, C Adams, V Solanki, M Moon, G Batty, K Ali, R Jones, S Jones

Forecast: Cloudy all day, with a chance of the sun peeking through around midday but being covered up as the day goes on.

Pitch Report: Good, even bounce with good carry to the keeper. Not much help for the bowlers off the pitch for this one and batsmen would have to be deceived in the air to get themselves out on this one. Definitely a good batting track.

Toss: Worcestershire, who chose to bat. Ed Smith: “We really wanted to win the toss and get out here to bat, but we’ll have to bowl well and restrict them to a gettable total before we come out in the second innings and start our run chase. The pitch looks like it will hold up well right through the day, so batting second shouldn't be too much of a problem.”

[qpeedore]

Report: The big topic of talk around the ground was the omission of Murali Kartik. Coach Ryon Cupidore must have a lot of faith in his team to leave out the specialist spinner. Compton showed that he can bowl well in the last game, but to call him even a part-time bowler may be pushing it. He’s more of a hardly-ever bowler.

Worcestershire started very aggressively, hitting Finn for 9 in his first over. Finn did come back and have some retribution, however, getting Moore to edge to second slip during his fifth over with the score on 38.

That would be the only success Middlesex had for some time, however, as the lack of swing or assistance from the pitch made it very easy for the batsmen to find the boundary with easy. Smith switched around his bowlers more often than he would have liked, and Compton found himself coming on to bowl after only 10 overs and with Worcestershire looking very dangerous.

Smith brought Silverwood back in the 29th over in an attempt to keep the run rate down, but he too was dispatched to the boundary. Compton kept plugging away at his end, however, and was rewarded with two wickets. First he removed Hulme with a ball that went straight on with the arm and took middle stump. His next wicket looked just as good, trapping Henley in front for a very easy lbw decision.

Compton finished his spell with figures of 2-37, by far the pick of the bowlers up to that point. Joyce replaced him from that end as Finn took over from Silverwood at the opposite end. Joyce’s next over only went for 2 runs, keeping the pressure on the batsmen while Finn managed to get an edge that went to the keeper.

Two more wickets fell in the final over, but the batting damage had already been done. Middlesex were in for a huge challenge in order to get a victory in this match.

End of Worcestershire innings: 232/7, 40 overs, D Hulme 93(72), D Henley 62(71), S Finn 4-41, N Compton 2-37
Middlesex need 233 runs at 5.8 per over

[qpeedore]

With a run rate very near a run a ball, a quick start was what Middlesex needed to have. Strauss managed to hit two fours in the first over before being bowled as he looked for a third one. It was an unnecessary wicket, and he clearly looked disgusted with himself as he walked back to the pavilion with the score already on 10 and still in the first over.

The bowlers kept themselves to a good line, and the field backed them up well, cutting off the singles. Middlesex need to keep the scoreboard ticking over before the match got away from them. The pressure soon told on Smith and he was trapped in front for only 9.

Compton came in and started to look solid but was dismissed after only facing a few deliveries. Joyce came to the crease and promptly hit two successive boundaries, taking the pressure off of the team for a few moments.

The asking rate soon rose above six an over, however, and dot balls were absolutely crucial to Worcestershire. The bowlers and fielders kept things tight, and almost forced a mistake in the 17th over when Joyce barely survived a very close run out appeal.

Joyce went in the 22nd over, edging to first slip and Middlesex found themselves 4 wickets down with the asking rate pushing 7 an over. Godleman came in and hit two fours and a two before getting himself off of the strike with a single, but still the asking rate was more than a run a ball.

Morgan, however, kept pushing the ball into the gaps and hitting the bad deliveries for boundaries, bringing up a well played 50 in the 24th over. At the next end, Godleman stepped on the accelerator and started hitting out at the bowler, punishing anything that strayed too wide on both sides of the wicket. He and Morgan brought the asking rate back under a run a ball in the 26th over, scoring 12 runs off of Ali.

By the time Morgan departed for 65, the match could go either way. Scott walked out to the crease, still with a lot of work for Middlesex to do but they could see victory within their grasp if only they worked toward it. Following Morgan’s dismissal, there was a period of three overs that only went for 5 runs putting the pressure right back on Middlesex and the asking rate went back above six an over.

Godleman broke the chains holding Middlesex back with two consecutive fours, bringing up his fifty with the first one after only having faced 35 balls. At the other end, Scott sent a simple return catch to the bowler, followed by Nash being trapped in front by Batty. Godleman still hung in there, however, and brought up a hard-fought victory in the 39th over with a single to deep cover.

End of Middlesex innings: 233/7, 38.3 overs, B Godleman 67*(49), E Morgan 65(78), K Ali 3-50(8), S Jones 2-60(8)
Middlesex win by 3 wickets
Man of the match: S Finn

(My God…that match was really close. I swore I’d have lost it almost until the final 2 overs.)

[qpeedore]

19th August 2009

Middlesex vs. Sussex – County Championship, Division 2

Middlesex: A Strauss, E Smith ©, E Morgan, N Compton, E Joyce (vc), B Godleman, B Scott (wk), T Murtagh, M Kartik, C Silverwood, S Finn

Sussex: C Hopkinson, G Platt, M Goodwin, M Yardy, A Hodd (wk), H Le Roux, J Ames, C Nash, R Sillence, R Kirtley, C Liddle

Forecast: Cloudy all day but with little chance of rain and visibility should be good enough through the entire day.

Pitch Report: Absolutely flat. Batsmen would have to get themselves out on this track, because the bowlers would hardly be threatening until much later on in the game.

Toss: Sussex, who chose to field. Ed Smith: “That’s a bit of a surprise because this looks perfect for batting, but they probably have a plan in mind. We’re going to go out there and see if we can ruin that plan. We’re hoping to post a big total in the first innings.”

[qpeedore]

Report: Kartik came back into the team at the expense of Nash, who has only average 25 in first class games this season. Scott will wear the gloves for this one. Middlesex played an otherwise unchanged lineup. There was talk of the lack of help from the pitch for the bowlers and the possibility that Compton may get a chance to bowl a lengthy spell when Sussex had their chance to bat.

However, it was Middlesex out in the middle first, and the openers Strauss and Smith walked out looking confident. Strauss got Middlesex off the mark with a push through the offside for two but it was in the third over of the day that proved to be expensive for Sussex, with four byes going past keeper Hodd, followed by two sweetly timed fours from Strauss and a double to carry Middlesex onto 18 in rapid time.

Strauss calmed down after that, however, and the runs all but dried up during the next 5 overs or so. Strauss refused to be tied down for very long and he hit several fours before hitting Yardy for a six over mid off to bring up his fifty in the 21st over. This seemed to give Smith a bit of incentive and he started finding the boundary as well, bringing up his fifty with a nice cover drive for four. With both batsmen already having a fifty to their name, they blocked out the next three overs until lunch, going into the break on 140 for no loss, with Strauss on 70 and Smith on 54.

The two openers carried on with much of the same after the break, working the ball into the gaps for singles and doubles while hitting the bad balls to the fence. Strauss entered the nineties and survived a very close lbw shout on 94, with the ball hitting him just marginally outside the line of the off stump. Had he offered no shot, it wouldn’t be a hard decision, but the umpire decided that he was playing a shot and that the ball struck him outside the line. He brought up his first century of the County season to overs later, celebrating with a leap into the air as he clearly demonstrated that he had returned to form. His captain, Smith, was the first to congratulate him.

Smith brought up his own century several overs later, showing more of the consistency that has been his strength for the past two seasons now. He now averaged 57 this season, with 6 fifties and now 7 centuries, definitely leading by example. The bowlers, to their credit, definitely tried their very best, almost getting Smith an over later with a ball that almost shaved the edge of the bat, but he pulled away just in time. They also rapped Strauss on the pads and he looked nervously up at the umpire, who gave another good decision, with the ball just heading down the leg side and probably missing the stumps by just inches.

Middlesex went to tea, still without a wicket having fallen and with Strauss on 133 and Smith on 120. The crowd at Lord’s, some of them attracted by the coaching tactics of new coach Cupidore, gave them a standing ovation as they walked to the pavilion, followed by a very weary-looking Sussex team.

They returned from the break and continued to look in fine form, with Strauss bringing up his 150 in the 79th over. In the next over Sussex thought they had one of their men, appealing loudly for a caught behind off of the bowling of Le Roux but they were turned down. Strauss immediately adjusted his pads, suggesting that his bat had hit that and not the ball. The umpiring definitely kept a high level to this point, and both umpires held up well under pressure so far.

Sussex took the new ball after the 81st over, with the old ball having done nothing for them. It paid off immediately, with Yardy trapping Smith on the back foot for a very well-played 139. Middlesex had lost their first wicket with the score on 310. Strauss eventually fell as well, contributing to his own downfall a little by not offering a shot to a ball that did nothing but hit him in line. He departed for 163. He clearly looked a very tired man as he went back to the pavilion amidst cheers and applause, and probably it was a momentary lapse of concentration that led to his demise.

Compton walked out and joined Morgan at the crease and promptly hit two fours to get himself going. With 3 overs to go in the day, Morgan went lbw to Le Roux for 35. Middlesex closed the day on an even 400, with Strauss and Smith to thank for that excellent platform for the middle to build upon.

End of day 1: Middlesex 400/3, N Compton 37*, E Joyce 2*, C Liddle 0-65, H Le Roux 1-64
Middlesex lead by 400 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 2: Compton set things rolling off of the first ball of the day, sending it crashing into the fence beyond cover for four. He then took a quick single to give Joyce the strike and Joyce sent the ball into that same fence with another boundary. Compton brought up his fifty a few overs later, with a four past mid off.

Joyce was lbw to a very close decision but the ball would probably have taken off the top of off stump and he was on his way. That did not seem to bother Compton, however, who continued to hit his boundaries. Newcomer to the crease Godleman kept pace with him, almost going one for one with each boundary that Compton scored. Compton was much further on his way than Godleman, though, and he brought up his first century of the season with a boundary through mid on. He could not build on that century as he fell two overs later, though. Godleman fell just before lunch as well, but Middlesex would clearly be very happy as they went in, with the score on 541 for 6.

Murtagh fell soon after the break to a very good ball but Kartik has shown that he can handle a bat extremely well over the past couple of seasons and he kept the Sussex bowlers from prying out his wicket while Scott did most of the run scoring at the next end. Sussex were not helped by a dropped catch at second slip, missing an opportunity to remove Middlesex’s last established batsman.

Scott brought up his fifty and Middlesex immediately declared just as Sussex were going to the umpires about the third new ball of the innings.

End of Middlesex innings: 610/7 declared, A Strauss 163, E Smith 139, H Le Roux 2-94, M Yardy 2-112
Middlesex lead by 610 runs

(Funny stat…all 7 wickets were lbw…)

[qpeedore]

With such a big total, Middlesex kept the pressure up by setting very aggressive fields until the tea interval, but the pitch was so good for batting that Sussex survived without losing any wickets to go to tea on 45 for no loss.

Hopkinson immediately set about knocking the runs off of the deficit, a boundary at a time. He hit 3 of them in the first over after the break, off of Finn. Finn could do nothing to prevent it, however, and he was taken off soon afterward. Hopkinson brought up his fifty with a single to midwicket, with his partner Platt on 49 himself. Platt brought up his fifty in a more stylish form, with a boundary through the covers.

With about 30 minutes to go in the day, Smith threw the ball to Compton and gave him some support with a fairly aggressive field. Compton kept things relatively tight but did not look too penetrating. Rather, it was Kartik at the other end who got Middlesex their first wicket, a healthy edge from Platt that fell right into the waiting hands of Godleman at slip. Goodwin came in and Sussex negotiated the remaining two overs to end the day with only one wicket down.

End of day 2: Sussex 168/1, C Hopkinson 75*, M Goodwin 2*, M Kartik 1-17, N Compton 0-13
Sussex trail by 442 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 3: Finn and Silverwood started things off on day 3, but the pitch was still very good for batting and Sussex easily worked the ball away for their runs. Finn finally got Goodwin, however, to a good catch at short midwicket.

Wickets were still hard to come by, though, and Hopkinson took advantage of the great batting conditions and brought up his century to a good round of applause from his teammates in the dressing room. Yardy had started to look good at the other end, but Joyce had him caught at first slip to a good ball. Hopkinson looked as if nothing would affect him, carrying on with his game and even hitting Joyce for a huge six over mid off.

Middlesex took the new ball but all it did was come off of the bat better and Hopkinson brought up his 150 in the last over before lunch. Sussex went to lunch on 288 for 3, still 322 runs behind Middlesex but looking good.

Hopkinson seemed to calm down after lunch, working the singles while his partner Hodd took over the aggression, bringing up his fifty as well. Runs were easy to come by on this pitch. Murtagh finally got Hodd out via lbw but nobody could seem to pry out Hopkinson.

Kartik and Compton came on to bowl but Hopkinson treated them both the same way. Compton, however, managed to finally get the wicket of Hopkinson for an amazing 192. Sussex went to tea on 421 for 5, still 189 behind but with the dangerous Hopkinson out.

Silverwood struck three overs after the break, removing Le Roux just after he had made his fifty. Nash came in but only managed 5 hard-earned runs before Finn bowled him and put him out of his misery. Ames continued to work the ball around and knocked off most of the rest of the runs needed to avoid the follow on. He seemed set for a fifty but he fell just one run short and had to walk back to the pavilion with a look of disappointment on his face.

Middlesex removed all but one wicket and Sussex closed the day with the lead under a hundred and the match likely heading toward a draw.

End of day 3: Sussex 517/9 R Sillence 19*, C Liddle 6*, T Murtagh 2-66, E Joyce 2-124
Sussex trail by 93 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 4:Middlesex only needed one wicket to dismiss Sussex in their first innings and they were looking to get it quickly. But the umpiring, which had been good right through the game so far, suddenly took a turn for the worse. Two obvious lbw decisions went against Middlesex as well as a strong appeal for a catch behind but the umpire kept his finger down. Finn finally removed the last wicket but with the addition of almost 40 runs, the damage had been done.

End of Sussex innings: 555/10, C Hopkinson 192, G Platt 86, T Murtagh 2-66, E Joyce 2-124
Middlesex lead by 55 runs

[qpeedore]

Middlesex came out with about an hour to go before lunch but there would be no repeat of the first innings. Smith fell for a duck in the second over, edging to first slip. Strauss continued to look excellent and he carried on from the first innings, dispatching the ball to the boundary with relative frequency. Middlesex went to lunch on 54 for 1, with Strauss on 34 with 5 boundaries already and Morgan on 16.

Middlesex returned from the break and Strauss continued to keep the scoring rate up, and he brought up his fifty half an hour after the interval. All doubts about his return to form were now gone. Strauss eventually fell, bowled by Yardy for 75 but his contribution to the match was well noted by everyone around, including some of the Sussex players themselves.

Morgan, who missed out in the first innings, posted his fifty just two overs after Strauss departed and looked fine until he fell with only a few minutes to go before the tea interval. Middlesex declared at tea, perhaps giving Sussex a sniff at a chance to win the game, but with a win seeming unlikely.

End of Middlesex innings: 182/3 declared, A Strauss 75, E Morgan 71, H Le Roux 1-24, M Yardy 1-30
Sussex need 238 to win

[qpeedore]

Sussex got off to a very slow start, only 11 runs coming off of the first 6 overs before Platt survived a very close run out appeal only to edge the very next ball to first slip. Middlesex continued to bowl tightly nonetheless, with the first change bowlers maintaining a consistent line and length. Joyce managed to get Goodwin in much the same manner that Finn got Platt, edging to first slip. But with only 22 minutes left, the result was already inevitable.

Both teams knew that it would be a draw and there was no messing around with extra time or anything. They went back to the pavilion, with Sussex on 54 for 2 and the draw definitely always on, having played on this totally flat pitch that was a batsman’s paradise.

End of Sussex innings: 54/2, C Hopkinson 28*, M Goodwin 16, S Finn 1-11, E Joyce 1-15
Match drawn
Man of the match: A Strauss

[qpeedore]

Cricinfo news

Middlesex coach happy with team

Middlesex coach Ryon Cupidore has stated that he is happy with the balance of his team in the four day version of the game. “We definitely played well in the last game despite the draw,” he said, “The pitch was ideal for batting and almost everyone got themselves in on the runs. The bowling was as good as could be under the conditions. When the pitch isn’t helping any of the bowlers, it’s up to them to keep their morale up and not lose hope. They did that quite well.”

When asked what the lineup would be for Middlesex’s next Pro40 fixture, Cupidore said, “I’m still not too happy with the balance of the team just yet. We won our last two games but not too convincingly in my mind. We’re still looking for the right combination. The guys all know what they need to do, and we’re looking into the 2nd Eleven to see if there are any guys who we can recall to the top team. (Toby) Radford is still very involved with Middlesex cricket, as you know, and we've talked together and he's told me of a few players who may benefit the team in our next game. But when the time comes, you'll see."

[qpeedore]

24th August 2009

Nottinghamshire vs. Middlesex – Pro40 League, Division 1

Nottinghamshire: W Jefferson, A McCulloch, A Ali, S Patel, M Wagh, M Wood, C Read (wk), G Swann, P Franks, R Ferley, G Clough

Middlesex: A Strauss, E Smith ©, E Morgan, N Compton, E Joyce, B Godleman, B Scott (wk), C Bucknall, M Kartik, C Silverwood, S Finn

Forecast: Cloudy all day with the sun trying to burst through now and then but the clouds should maintain their cover for most of the day.

Pitch Report: A little bit of everything in this pitch. Not too bad, batsmen will score their runs but the bowlers will also get the ball to move around as well. Should be a good contest between bat and ball.

Toss: Nottinghamshire, who chose to bat. Ed Smith: “The decision still went our way, as we would have still wanted to field had we won the toss. The outfield is a little wet in parts and the ball may slow up as it nears the rope. Hopefully that will dry up by the second innings and make batting easier.

[qpeedore]

Report: As stated, Cupidore mixed things up a little in his starting lineup. Kartik, who has really not impressed in limited overs this season, is in the starting eleven along with Bucknall, who comes in for Murtagh after making some good performances with both bat and ball for the Middlesex second team.

Finn and Silverwood shared the new ball and looked to be off to a tight start, but Jefferson hit out in the fifth over, sending the ball sailing over the rope for a six. He followed it with a four through square leg. Finn looked unimpressed and tightened his line for the rest of the over, not allowing him to score any more runs. Silverwood removed him in the next over, edging to Scott as he tried to hit him through the onside.

Silverwood then went on to bowl newcomer Ali in his next over. Nottingham were 42 for 2 after 10 overs, when the first bowling change occurred. Joyce went for an expensive first over, but at the other end Bucknall proved that his recall to the first team was worthwhile, bowling McCulloch with his second ball. Joyce calmed things down in his second over, bowling a maiden, but could not keep this sort of form up and he was taken off after bowling 5 overs for 31 runs. Bucknall switched ends and Kartik came on to bowl as well.

Kartik caught Patel plumb in front for 24 during the 23rd over and followed it by getting Wagh to edge to the keeper in his next over but he was slightly expensive nonetheless. He continued to take wickets regularly, however, and captain Smith kept him in the attack. He removed Wood via lbw and then went on to beat the edge of Swann’s bat with the next two balls of the over. At the other end, Compton managed to get himself a wicket with his part-time bowling, getting Read to edge to first slip.

Finn and Silverwood returned to the attack shortly thereafter, and Finn picked up two of the final three wickets in his last three overs. Nottingham closed their innings after the 40 overs on 178.

End of Nottinghamshire innings: 178/9(40), M Wagh 38(38), C Read 28(32), M Kartik 3-31(7), C Silverwood 2-18(8)
Middlesex need 179 runs at 4.5 per over

[qpeedore]

Middlesex started their innings off very slowly, scoring at under 2 an over for the first five overs. Strauss fell lbw to a good ball for only 4, and Morgan soon joined him in the pavilion after being bowled. Compton walked out to the middle and joined Smith with the run rate above 5, but they immediately put some fears to rest by rotating the strike often with quick singles. Compton also hit two boundaries off of successive balls, with Smith repeating the feat in the next over. Middlesex’s fears were calmed somewhat after that.

Nottingham kept bowling well, however, and the asking rate soon pushed itself above a run a ball. Smith and Compton did what they could to try to maintain it, until they hit 13 runs between them in the 25th over to bring it back down under six an over. They hit at least a boundary an over for the next few overs and soon the rate dipped below 5. They both brought up half centuries in the same over. First was Smith, with a simple push square of the wicket. Compton was more aggressive, hitting a boundary to bring his up. Strangely, even though Smith had been out in the middle since the start of the innings, he had only faced one more ball than Compton.

Middlesex must have been wondering about their net run rate, as they never seemed to stop scoring their runs at a fast pace. Compton and Smith continued to hit at least a boundary an over while still managing to give each other equal shares of the strike with singles spread between the big shots. Compton survived a run out appeal, but the replay showed he was just in his crease.

Compton eventually departed for 71, but the game was in the bag. Joyce came in and just gave his captain support for the final few runs. Fittingly, Smith hit the winning run, a cover drive for a single.

End of Middlesex innings: 179/3(38.1), E Smith 80*, N Compton 71, P Franks 1-22(8), S Patel 1-24(6.1)
Middlesex win by 7 wickets
Man of the match: N Compton

(Okay…Compton DID take a wicket but, to me, Smith should have gotten it…which is why I suggested a look at the MotM stuff in the suggestions thread.)

[qpeedore]

Cricinfo news

Middlesex coach praises captain

Middlesex coach Ryon Cupidore had praised the efforts of captain Edward Smith for his leadership abilities.

"He's definitely leading by example, setting the standard by which the rest of the team has to go by. But he's also taking what we say in the coaching sessions and implementing it out there on the field. During the course of a game, he's the one who has most of the control over the team, and it's good to see that he goes along with what the coaching team tries to lay out in theory for them."

Cupidore also responded to his critics.

"If you're looking for a guy who makes everyone happy, then look again. What I'm trying to do is build a team here. And the guys are happy to agree with my ideas. They want to win too. But winning isn't everything, of course. But there will always be critics, and I invite it. I work well under pressure."

[IndiaWarrior]

well written,but above things are real or fantasy.

[qpeedore]

Very much fantasy. Not real at all! Simulated in the game with some embellishments on my part to make things a little more exciting.

Ryon Cupidore - that's me.

[rishi]

Hello Mr. Cupidore!!

It would be nice to have some very interesting screenshots as well.
Turning point of game, retired hurts, a hattrick? Look forward to have visual picture (very carefully selected) along with your very interesting story!! :)

[rishi]

Keep it up!!

[qpeedore]

Hmm...screenshots, I'll think about that. Maybe I could use one of those video editing softwares and create like a highlights package. BUT...that would take a lot of time.

It's something to consider, though. Definitely.

[qpeedore]

27th August, 2009

Gloucestershire vs. Middlesex – County Championship, Division 2

Gloucerstershire: H Marshall, G Hodnett, A Gidman, K Kendall, M Gitsham, C Spearman, S Adshead (wk), J Lewis, S Kirby, A Ireland, I Fisher

Middlesex: A Strauss, E Smith ©, E Morgan, N Compton, E Joyce, B Godleman, B Scott (wk), C Bucknall, M Kartik, C Silverwood, S Finn

Forecast: The rains seem to be holding up for the duration of this match and the sun should be out in all its glory for much of this game. There will be some cloud cover, but nothing too threatening.

Pitch Report: Another flat pitch, with no signs of wear on it at all. The sun has really dried everything up nicely and the ball should give even bounce to the batsmen. Definitely bat first on this one.

Toss: Middlesex, who chose to bat. Ed Smith: “This definitely looks like a great pitch for us to post a big total. Hopefully we’ll get a result in this one, unlike the last game. When the sun hit this it may open up a few small cracks so we’ll see how the second innings plays. It could be very tough in the second innings for both teams, so we need to post a good total now.”

[qpeedore]

Report: Middlesex played an unchanged team from the lineup that cruised to victory in their Pro40 fixture a few days ago. There was some talk around of Murtagh maybe feeling a little bit of weariness, which is why he sat this game out and Bucknall came in. Only the coach would be able to answer that question.

Strauss and Smith walked out to the middle. Smith is in exceptional form this season and only a few runs behind the top season scorer, Jacques Rudolph. He would have been hoping to get some runs on this flat pitch and possibly surpass Rudolph in this game. Strauss, on the other hand, had bigger things to play for, namely a recall to the England squad.

Middlesex started off very slowly, only 19 runs coming off of the first ten overs of the day. The pitch seemed true, however, and there did not seem to be much risk in the batsmen playing their shots when the time came for that. The fans in the stands had to wait until the 14th over for their first boundary, Strauss finding the fence off of the bowling of Ireland. Smith hit his first four two overs later, but off of the bowling of Lewis instead.

Lewis did get Smith in his next over, however, removing him lbw for 19. Two overs later he almost found the edge from Strauss, but in the end it turned out to be a very good leave. Strauss tried to show his authority in Lewis’ next over, hitting him for consecutive fours before blocking two very good deliveries and then edging the fifth ball past the slips and to third man. He continued to try to hit at least a boundary an over but in his forties that trend suddenly stopped. He brought up his fifty in a slightly risky fashion, with another edge past a diving second slip that beat third man and went for four. He alleviated all fears the very next ball by hitting the middle of the bat and sending the ball through midwicket for another four.

Having taken two chances, Strauss settled down well but still played his shots. He survived another close call three balls before lunch, but the umpire was correct in determining that the ball pitched just outside the line of leg stump. Middlesex went to lunch on 114 for the loss of only Smith, with Strauss on 74 and Morgan on 17 at the other end.

Strauss was run out in unfortunate circumstances after the break, going for a second run that just was not on. He went for 75. Compton came into the middle ad immediately announced his arrival with several fine shots. He soon settled and it was Morgan at the other end who suddenly took over. Morgan’s first ten runs took almost 60 balls, but his next 40 was scored at almost a run a ball, showing a good ability to switch gears.

Compton had a huge scare when, on 44, he hit the ball right back to the bowler Lewis, who took a sharp chance and immediately started celebrating. Compton started to walk but the umpire suddenly signaled no-ball. Morgan walked straight to Compton and they had a long discussion in the middle of the pitch before Compton nervously went back to the striker’s end. He took a quick single to get himself off of the strike and no doubt would have thanked the cricketing gods for his lifeline.

He went on to post his fifty a few overs later, having calmed down a lot and starting to play his shots again. In the next over he hit his first boundary since the no-ball, much to his relief. Two followed one, and three followed two, and Compton looked back to his usual self. At the other end, Morgan had played his way into the nervous nineties, but showed little signs of it when he hit the ball just enough to evade the diving mid off fielder and get himself the four runs needed to reach his third century of the season. Middlesex went to tea two balls later, with Morgan on an even hundred and Compton on 68, with the overall score 274 for 2.

Compton survived another close call in the over after tea, being given not out to an lbw appeal that looked very good to the naked eye. Replays, however, suggested that the ball would have just missed leg stump. Gloucester took the new ball as soon as it was available, looking to get a breakthrough with the harder ball. Middlesex denied them that opportunity for 18 long overs until Morgan finally top edged a sweep to get himself caught out for 148. Gloucester finally had their third wicket with the score on 355.

Compton brought up his century in the next over, with a good looking on drive that the fielder simply had no chance of getting near to. Two overs later, he slapped a six backward of point to show the bowlers that he was taking advantage of his many near-falls. He was eventually caught at short leg for 118 with three overs to go in the day.

No night watchman came out, instead, Godleman came to the middle and he and Joyce saw through to the end of the day.

End of day 1: Middlesex 395/4, E Joyce 13*, B Godleman 5*, A Ireland 0-88, S Kirby 0-100
Middlesex lead by 395 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 2: The bowlers seemed to enjoy the night’s rest, coming back on day 2 and giving Middlesex a bit of problems at the start. Runs came in singles for the first few overs, and Kirby got a wicket, Joyce falling to a good catch at short leg. He followed this with a great Yorker in his next over to remove Scott. At the other end, Fisher got Bucknall to edge one to the keeper and Middlesex found their strong position slipping a little. When Goldeman edged to first slip, it seemed all but over for their first innings.

Kartik and Silverwood seemed to have something to say about that, however, featuring in a 55 run partnership that saw both men play some great shots that would put more established batsmen to shame. It ended when Silverwood was bowled for a handy 34. Kartik stretched the innings past 500 before he fell lbw to end things.

End of Middlesex innings: 511/10, E Morgan 148, N Compton 118, I Fisher 3-107, J Lewis 3-122
Gloucestershire trail by 511 runs

[qpeedore]

There was enough time for one over before lunch, which went for 5 runs. Marshall hit a boundary to get Gloucester going and one leg bye past Scott.

Hodnett seemed to take over after lunch, outscoring Marshall in terms of boundaries, but Marshall worked the field to keep scoring at a decent rate himself. The opening bowlers tried very hard but they could not get a breakthrough and Smith eventually decided to rest them and give his other bowlers a chance but not even that seemed to bother the two batsmen.

Middlesex finally got their first wicket after 23 long and hard overs, Joyce bowling Marshall for 36. Hodnett survived a close run out chance a few overs later, just grounding his bat in time. He went on to hit Kartik for a boundary in his first over to bring up his fifty. He would not carry on, however, as Kartik had him caught at first slip off of the very next ball. He went for 52 with the score on 108.

Two overs and eight runs later, Kartik had his second wicket, trapping Kendall in front for an lbw. Gloucester went to tea on 131 for 3, with Gidman on 24 and Gitsham new to the crease on 3.

None of the bowlers looked too penetrating after the interval, allowing Gitsham to outscore his partner and reach his fifty first. Gidman made his fifty several overs later, but was bowled by Compton in his second over without adding to that score. Bucknall then had Spearman lbw for only 9, but the impressive-looking Gitsham was still at the crease on 75. Gloucester closed the day with a big task ahead of them but still in the game.

End of day 2: Gloucestershire 265/5, M Gitsham 85*, S Adshead 12*, N Compton 1-38, C Bucknall 1-34
Gloucestershire trail by 246 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 3: Silverwood struck in the first over of the day, removing Adshead via lbw for 16 after he had hit a four the previous ball. He would have added another wicket two balls later, but the leg slip fielder dropped a very easy catch and Lewis was allowed a lifeline. Gitsham entered the nineties in the meanwhile, stroking the ball to the boundary frequently. He brought up a well-played century with a single through the legside and was applauded by his teammates from the pavilion.

Middlesex then had the opportunity to take the new ball but refused. That decision paid off for them in the 81st over itself, with Finn getting the old ball to reverse a little and Gitsham edged to Scott without adding to his even hundred. Finn then delivered a peach of a ball to remove Kirby without scoring. It swung in late and rapped him right on his boot in front on off stump. He ended the over with a good bouncer to the new batsman Ireland that was barely avoided.

Finn needed to be rested, however, and Middlesex brought on Bucknall and Joyce. The tail lingered, however, and the target to avoid the follow on kept getting smaller and smaller. Ireland hit a career-best 30 before Joyce finally got him to edge one to the keeper. Three runs were needed to avoid the follow on with one wicket in hand. He almost had he last wicket two balls later, but first slip dropped the catch. Middlesex looked clearly deflated.

Bucknall came to the rescue, however, grabbing the last wicket with just one to go to avoid the follow on. Middlesex would have been happy to at least have the option, but it remained to be seen what would happen.

End of Gloucestershire innings: 360/10, M Gitsham 100, G Hodnett 52, C Bucknall 2-50, E Joyce 2-60
Middlesex lead by 151 runs and have enforced the follow on

[qpeedore]

With enough time for two overs before lunch, Middlesex bowled with a very aggressive field. Some runs leaked, as expected, and Gloucester went to the break on 9 without loss.

Some sharp fielding from the man at point did Marshall in after the break, with the throw directly hitting the stumps and Marshall still about a foot away. Finn then had Hodnett caught well at second slip by Strauss and Gloucester were 24 for 2. Gidman hit Finn for 11 runs a few overs later, starting with a huge six past mid on, and following it with a four and a single. Kendall was no slouch either, getting off the mark with a boundary and following it with another just three balls later.

Bucknall replaced Finn and went for an expensive first over, but settled down in his second. Joyce, meanwhile, had replaced Silverwood and bowled two maidens in a row before having the first runs scored off of him in his third over. He came back to strike at the end of that over, however, with the ominous-looking Gidman getting a faint edge to the keeper.

The slow bowlers came onto bowl afterward, and Gloucester went to tea on 103 for 3, with Kendall on 31, and Gitsham, the first innings centurion, on 15.

It took some time after the interval before Middlesex had another breakthrough, Kartik getting Gitsham lbw for 41. At the other end Kendall was two runs away from a fifty. He went on to reach that milestone two overs later but would not make another run. Kartik trapped him plumb in front and Gloucester were 149 for 5.

Kartik continued to look dangerous and almost had himself another wicket, but a sharp chance was put down at second slip after a juggle. Gloucester went on to negate the lead and closed the day on 207. Middlesex still had the edge, but Gloucester were making them work.

End of day 3: Gloucestershire 207/5, C Spearman 17*, S Adshead 38*, C Silverwood 0-37, C Bucknall 0-36
Gloucestershire lead by 56 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 4: Nothing of note happened within the first few overs and it looked like Smith had a plan in mind to just bowl until the new ball became available. Middlesex immediately took it after 80 overs but had to wait another 5 overs for their breakthrough, with Silverwood getting the wicket of Spearman for 37. He was dropped on zero late yesterday off of the bowling of Kartik.

At the other end, Adshead posted his second fifty of the season and looked in good touch. Joyce eventually removed him for 61 but he had helped the lead get to something that Gloucester could bowl at.

Lewis was bowled by Bucknall for a quick 30 after playing more than a few shots in the process. He then went on to beat the edge of the new batsman’s bat several times but could not get another breakthrough. It was Kartik who got Middlesex their ninth wicket, bowling Ireland for 4 with just two overs to go before lunch. The last wicket fell when Finn had Kirby lbw with the final ball of his over, just before lunch.

End of Gloucestershire innings: 318/10, S Adshead 61, K Kendall 50, M Kartik 3-50, E Joyce 2-54
Middlesex need 168 to win

[qpeedore]

With two full sessions to go on the final day, nothing too risky was needed by Middlesex, and they started their chase slowly but steadily. Strauss did start to play his shots, however, and nobody could blame him with all the form he had been showing. Smith soon got in on the action, scoring some of the runs that he should have gotten in the first innings.

Strauss was bowled by Kirby for 20, however, and Smith was run out a few balls later for 25. Suddenly Middlesex had two down. The two first innings centurions joined each other at the crease again but Morgan was caught well at first slip for only 19.

Middlesex kept things quiet until the interval, taking the singles and not looking for too much risks. It paid off, as the deficit was only 58 at the break and they were still only three down.

Compton and Joyce played well after the break, not looking for the big shots and instead just working the field around. Compton brought up his fifty eventually, and hit the wining run two overs later to seal a good victory for Middlesex.

End of Middlesex innings: 168/3, N Compton 55*, E Joyce 40*, S Kirby 1-38, A Ireland 1-39
Middlesex win by 7 wickets
Man of the match: N Compton

[qpeedore]

1st September 2009

Sussex vs. Middlesex – Pro40 League, Division 1

Sussex: C Hopkinson, C Nash, M Goodwin, H Le Roux, M Yardy, A Hodd (wk), G Platt, L Wright, R Sillence, R Kirtley, C Liddle

Middlesex: A Strauss, E Smith ©, E Morgan, N Compton, E Joyce, B Godleman, B Scott (wk), C Bucknall, M Kartik, C Silverwood, S Finn

Forecast: Sun, sun, and more sun. It should cool down in the afternoon, but perfect conditions throughout the day would remain.

Pitch Report: Like the encounter between these two teams in the longer version of the game, this is a flat track that looks like it will hold up well throughout the day. Batting first or second doesn’t seem to matter on this pitch.

Toss: Middlesex, who chose to bat. Ed Smith: “The conditions look good for batting and we want to get out there and post a good total on the board and then come out and bowl them out or restrict them. We didn’t get a result in the Championship game but we’ll see who comes out better today.”

[qpeedore]

Report: It seems to be normal for Middlesex to start slowly and build from there now. This match was no different, with only 29 runs coming off of the first 10 overs. But Joyce and smith had settled by this time and they stared to loosen up a bit and play some attacking shots, with Smith doing the bulk of the scoring.

Smith seemed set for yet another fifty this season, but he was bowled one run short of the mark and left after facing only 55 deliveries. Strauss went two overs later, bowled by Sillence for 27. Compton came to the crease and hit his shots, bringing the run rate up to a respectable level. He was eventually bowled for 33 but his job was done.

Middlesex could not keep the scoring rate that high, however, and the innings ended on 165 without much excitement throughout.

End of Middlesex innings: 165/3, E Smith 49(55), E Morgan 45*(56), L Wright 1-20(8), R Kirtley 1-32(8)
Sussex need 166 runs at 4.1 per over

[qpeedore]

The asking rate was not that high at all and Sussex would cruise easily to victory without much risk. The Middlesex bowling attack had something to say about that, however, and they got their first wicket in the sixth over with the score on 15. The ball moved away just a little off the seam and second slip easily grabbed the catch off the edge. Two runs and two balls later, Goodwin was caught well at point by Compton, grabbing a sharp chance inches above the grass.

Sussex did not let those two setbacks bother them, however, working away at the runs at a good pace. Le Roux especially targeted the bowling, scoring at more than a run a ball until he was bowled by Joyce for 17 off of only 16 deliveries. The runs were counting down, but so were the wickets in hand. When Joyce had Yardy bowled in the 19th over, things looked a little worrying for Sussex. The asking rate was still manageable, only 4.7 an over, but wickets were falling too regularly. Already they were 69 for four. The game was still very much in their favour, though.

Hopkinson showed more of the great form he had showed in the Championship game, bringing up his fifty a few overs later. He continued to play as he always had, working the field and hitting the balls that were there to be hit. Bucknall and Kartik were economical with the ball, however, and the rate soon rose above 5 an over.

Hood changed all of that in five balls. He hit Bucknall for four fours and a two, bringing the rate down to 3.6 an over. Bucknall getting him lbw to the last ball of the over seemed nothing more than just a consolation. He and Kartik completed their spells with decent figures still, though.

The strike bowlers then came back into the attack for the final burst. Finn struck immediately, getting Hopkinson out via lbw for an excellent 65. He then bowled two dot balls before getting the new batsman Wright to edge one to second slip. Credit must be given to Smith for keeping his slips in there throughout the match. Finn completed his double wicket maiden and the game had five overs to go and the match balanced nicely. Sussex needed exactly 5 an over to win.

Six runs came off of Silverwood’s over and the game swung in Sussex’s favour. But Finn only leaked two in his next over and Middlesex then had the advantage. The tension was high. Silverwood prepared to bowl his next over with a lot of pressure on him. He struck Platt in front and almost everyone on the field appealed but the finger stayed down. Replays suggested that the ball would miss leg stump. Silverwood completed a maiden, however, and looked very happy with himself despite not getting the decision.

17 runs were needed from 12 balls. All Finn had to do was keep it straight and not do too much. But that did not matter to Platt, who still took the ball and sent it flying to the boundary to take 11 runs off of the over.

Sussex needed 6 runs from six balls. Smith brought his field in, trying to cut off the singles and with the tailender Sillence on strike. Silverwood kept it full and straight, and got Sillence with his feet glued to the crease. He appealed, the umpire raised his finger, and he was on his way. Six from five now. Kirtley, the new batsman, knew what he had to do. He hit the ball and ran as quickly as he could to the other end. Platt made it home safely in the end. Five from four. Silverwood bowled a dot next. Five from three. Silverwood tried to get a full straight one in next, but he strayed in line marginally and Platt dispatched it to the point boundary. Sussex could win, only one needed with two balls to go. Middlesex looked disappointed.

Silverwood ran up and bowled a dot. One from one. The pressure was on. Silverwood ran in to deliver the final ball of the innings. Platt gave it his all, swinging at a ball just outside the off stump, but all he could do was hit it into the ground and the man at silly point grabbed it before they could think about setting off for the single.

End of Sussex innings: 165/8, C Hopkinson 65(110), A Hodd 34(32), C Silverwood 3-25(8), S Finn 2-39(8)
Match tied
Man of the match: C Hopkinson

(Too close…)

[rishi]

wow.. u must hav had heart in ur mouth there!!:p
realy nice game!! too ba u too wuld hav to relive d thrill thru ur story :D

[qpeedore]

You would not believe...first I thought I had the match lost, then I thought I had a chance. Then I thought I'd win...only to think I'd lose again. And at the end of it all it's a DRAW?!

Maybe that was destiny...

[qpeedore]

7th September 2009

Middlesex vs. Durham – Pro40 League, Division 1

Middlesex: A Strauss, E Smith ©, E Morgan, N Compton, E Joyce, B Godleman, B Scott (wk), C Bucknall, M Kartik, C Silverwood, S Finn

Durham: M Di Venuto, P Mustard, G Ripley, D Benkenstein, D Park, P Collingwood, K Coetzer, L Plunkett, A Davies, S Harmison, N Killeen

Forecast: A hot morning with lots of sunshine, but it should cool off during the afternoon and evening as the clouds start coming in.

Pitch Report: Not a bad pitch for batsmen. It would be easier to bat, but bowlers who work hard and put the ball in the right areas will get their rewards.

Toss: Durham, who chose to bat. Ed Smith: “The pitch looks like it will hold up well throughout the game, so us batting second should be okay. Our boys will need to keep things tight, of course, but we should restrict them if we get it right.”

[qpeedore]

Report: Middlesex played an unchanged team, despite Owais Shah having returned from international duty this past week.

Durham got off to a decent start, scoring at around 4.5 an over until Silverwood got the breakthrough in the eighth over, getting Di Venuto to hit the ball right down the throat of the short midwicket, who took a great catch.

Durham still kept scoring, though, going at 5.5 an over after the first 10. Bucknall and Joyce then came onto bowl. Bucknall was relatively economical given the run rate, but Joyce had two overs that went for 21 runs and he was promptly taken out of the attack, with Kartik coming in to replace him. It took Kartik eight balls before he got Middlesex’s next breakthrough, getting Mustard to edge one to the keeper for a quick 41 off of 52 deliveries.

In his next over, he got Benkenstein to edge to the slip, but at the other end Ripley was going at well more than a run a ball and the overall rate was 6 an over. Ripley brought up his half century off of only 35 deliveries and went onto keep scoring his boundaries, even when Kartik got Park lbw for 10.

Durham kept scoring their runs and Ripley brought up his hundred in the 36th over but was run out by a direct hit from the man at square leg without adding to it. He had only faced 85 balls for his hundred.

Collingwood was essential in keeping the rate up and Durham finished their 40 overs with a very challenging total on the board.

End of Durham innings: 239/6, G Ripley 100(85), P Mustard 41(52), M Kartik 3-37(8), S Finn 1-46(8)
Middlesex need 240 runs at 6.0 per over

[qpeedore]

Middlesex needed to be off to a good start. Only 5 runs came off of the first two overs but in the third over Smith hit a six and then a single. Strauss hit the next ball for four. In all thirteen runs were taken from that over. They could not score as quickly as that for the next few overs, however, and were only 39 after 10 overs.

Three wickets fell in quick succession as Smith, Strauss, and Morgan all fell within four overs of each other. All three fell lbw, Strauss falling to Harmison while the other two fell to Davies. Compton came in and tried to score quickly, but he soon fell for 7.

Joyce and Godleman gave Middlesex some hope, featuring in a rapid 57 run partnership, but they were both bowled by Plunkett two overs apart. Bucknall came in and promptly hit a six but by this time the asking rate was over 10 and over and everything Middlesex did could not prevent it from going up further. Scott and Bucknall tried their best to reduce the deficit, but in the end it proved to be too much for them and after 40 overs they had lost the match.

End of Middlesex innings: 203/6, A Strauss 40(50), E Joyce 36(33), A Davies 2-35, L Plunkett 2-39
Durham win by 36 runs
Man of the match: G Ripley

[qpeedore]

9th September 2009

Essex vs. Middlesex – County Championship, Division 2

Essex: A Cook, V Chopra, R Ten doeschate, R Bopara, J Foster (wk), D Napier, D Stevens, C Wright, D Masters, A Palladino, M Mason

Middlesex: A Strauss, E Smith ©, E Morgan, O Shah N Compton, E Joyce, B Godleman, B Scott (wk), M Kartik, C Silverwood, S Finn

Forecast: A good first and second day, but rain looks to threaten on the final two days of this match according to the weather reports. Hopefully there won’t be too much stoppages and there can be a good game.

Pitch Report: The pitch will keep low for at least the first session as the underground water remains in it. Once that dries up with should harden up and the ball will come onto the bat a little better. No real help for the bowlers, but the batsmen won’t find it easy to score runs either.

Toss: Middlesex, who chose to field. Ed Smith: “Some people may say fielding isn’t a good decision but we think that once the sun comes out and hits the pitch, the bowlers will have a good time on there. Until that time it’s just up to us to keep the runs down.”

[qpeedore]

Report: Middlesex came into this match with only three specialist bowling options, one of whom is the left arm orthodox Kartik. Bucknall was dropped in place of Owais Shah, who has had a good tour with England and also made some huge scores for Middlesex at the start of the county season. Joyce may find himself bowling a lot more than usual in this game due to the lack of a third seamer.

The low bounce got to Chopra in only the sixth over, cutting at a ball that just did not get up enough. The edge flew to Kartik at first slip, who took a simple catch. Cook looked as if he had the bounce well sighted, but he was bowled by one that crept in under his bat and sent the off stump flying backward.

Ten doeschate and Bopara seemed to have things under control, however, and they hit an average of about one boundary an over, despite Joyce causing a few plays and misses. They seemed unaffected by all of this, and Bopara steadily climbed to the 40s. Silverwood returned to the attack and trapped him in front of the stumps for 42, however. The low bounce seemed to do another batsman in again. Essex went to lunch on an even hundred, for the loss of three wickets. All three went to Silverwood.

Finn and Silverwood continued the bowling after the break, and Finn struck just two overs into the second session, getting Ten doeschate to hit one to short leg, who took a very sharp catch to get rid of him. Finn then went on to remove Foster, edging to Kartik at first slip for only 12. Following this was a period of seven overs for only 12 runs, but Stevens changed that when he hit Joyce for 11 runs in one over. Joyce refused to let it affect him, and came back in his next over to dismiss Stevens’ partner, Napier, for only 8. Napier had played all of 50 balls for his 8.

Kartik got Stevens a few overs later, the ball popping up into the air off of a defensive shot and the man at silly point taking a good diving catch. Joyce then had Masters get caught in the gully after he tried to cut the ball away but only found the fielder.

Palladino came in and immediately hit a four to get himself off the mark but at the other end, Silverwood had returned and all Wright could do was edge a delivery to Scott, who took a good catch moving to his right. Kartik ended the innings by bowling Mason and Essex would definitely have to fight to make sure that the game did not run away from them.

End of Essex innings: 175/10, R Bopara 42, R Ten doeschate 31, C Silverwood 4-53, M Kartik 2-32
Middlesex trail by 175 runs

[qpeedore]

There was enough time for two overs before tea, and Middlesex took advantage of the attacking field and scored 20 runs off of those two overs.

Things settled after tea, as expected, and the openers worked the ball into the gaps and scored mostly in singles. With one hour to go in the day, however, that changed and Strauss and Joyce started to swing their arms, with Smith reaching fifty off of 76 deliveries. Strauss looked set to aim for his fifty after making a start, but he went for 28, lbw to Palladino.

Smith did not stop, however, and he continued freeing his arms and hitting the boundaries, slowing down only as the day drew to a close.

End of day 1: Middlesex 135/1, E Smith 83*, E Morgan 18*, M Mason 0-38, D Masters 0-23
Middlesex trail by 40 runs

[qpeedore]

Middlesex started the day off slowly but steadily. Smith registered his hundred with a boundary through point. Essex should have had a wicket, but first slip dropped what should have been a very easy catch to give Morgan a life. The resulting single also put Middlesex into the lead in terms of runs.

Essex did get a wicket two overs later, however. Smith played a lazy shot and fell lbw to Palladino. Shah walked out and there would be a lot of eyes on him to see if he could repeat the form he had at the start of the season. He immediately got off the mark with a single, to scattered applause.

Wright found Morgan’s edge and this time the slip fielder did not make any mistakes. He held onto a good catch and Morgan was on his way, just 5 short of a fifty. Compton came in and immediately set about scoring some runs, quickly overtaking Shah both in terms of runs scored and balls faced. Shah was happy to give him the strike, however, as he spent some time getting used to the county matches again. Middlesex went to lunch on 261 for 3, 86 ahead.

Compton carried on with the same actions after the break, and registered a fifty in the first over after lunch. He was eventually lbw by Mason for 62.

Shah kept playing his game, working the field for the singles and rotating the strike. Once he got past 35, however, he seemed eager to get to his fifty and he hit a few boundaries, quickly reaching the mark. He continued to play in this manner and survived a close appeal for a catch by the keeper when the ball clearly deviated from its path, having struck something. The umpire ruled not out and was proven to be correct when the replays showed it, the ball hitting Shah’s shirt and then going to the keeper.

At the other end, Joyce posted his fifty off of only 64 deliveries and looked ready to keep playing shots but he was bowled for 64. Shah had entered the nineties by this time and he looked a little sorry to see his partner go, but he went on to post his century in the final over before tea with a single just in front of square on the offside. He was eventually caught by Cook at first slip, who definitely made up for his earlier drop of Morgan by taking two good catches now.

Scott came in and hit a rapid 18 before he was caught and he departed. Godleman hung around with Kartik, however, and he scored a fifty as well as extending Middlesex’s innings past 500. Middlesex declared, and gave Essex two overs to think about before the close of play.

End of Middlesex innings: 522/7 declared, O Shah 117, E Smith 110, A Palladino 3-126, M Mason 3-129
Essex trail by 347 runs

[qpeedore]

Middlesex came and but the rains started to threaten and only one over was bowled before the umpires called play off for the day.

End of day 2: Essex 0/0
Essex trail by 347 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 3: Play started late due to the overnight rain soaking the outfield, but it eventually got under way and Essex looked like they were set to knock off the deficit quickly, both openers hitting Silverwood and Finn for boundaries regularly. Finn did strike, however, getting Cook lbw for 11.

Finn and Silverwood could find no further luck in their spell, however, and soon came out of the attack. Middlesex got their second wicket via run out in Kartik’s first over, Chopra going for a quick single that was not quick enough. Essex went to lunch on 83 for 2 after a short first session.

Kartik struck in the first over after lunch, getting Bopara to edge one to first slip, who took a very good low catch. Kartik and Joyce bowled well in tandem, letting little runs leak while at the same time being fairly attacking. When Joyce came out of the attack and Finn returned, Kartik still continued to bowl the same way.

Ten doeschate registered a fifty that was definitely well earned. At the other end the pressure seemed to tell on his partner, Foster, and he was bowled by Finn for 17 after facing 72 deliveries. Ten doeschate refused to let the pressure affect him, and he waited for his chance. It soon came and he hoisted Kartik for a six with a slog sweep. This seemed to cause him to switch gears, and he started hitting out at the bowlers, picking up his scoring rate. Finn eventually removed him lbw for 91, after he had hit 12 fours and a six.

Essex went to tea on 206 for the loss of 5 wickets, still 141 behind.

Middlesex bowled well after tea, and runs were hard to come by. There was a 40 minute break for rain with 7 overs to go in the day, but the umpires decided that the overs could be completed and play resumed.

Middlesex took the new ball and it paid off almost immediately for them, Silverwood getting the wicket of Napier for 37. He then had the dangerous-looking Stevens caught at backward point for 44.

In the final over of the day Finn did everything himself, after Wright played the ball right back to him. He balanced himself in his follow through and ran to the other side of the pitch to take a good catch. He then had Palladino hitting to short leg and Essex were nine down.

The umpires had a meeting in the middle and Smith immediately threw the ball to Kartik in an attempt to get the game to continue, but the umpires decided that the light was too bad for even spin bowling and they offered the batsmen, who gladly accepted.

End of day 3: Essex 259/9, D Masters 4*, M Mason 0*, S Finn 5-87, M Kartik 1-46
Essex trail by 88 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 4: One wicket was all Middlesex needed and it came in the fourth over of the day to Finn, who finished with match figures of 8-124

End of Essex innings: 267/10, R Ten doeschate 91, D Stevens 44, S Finn 6-92, C Silverwood 2-76
Middlesex win by an innings and 80 runs
Man of the match: O Shah

[rishi]

Keep the Middlesex flag flying high..:)

[qpeedore]

Of course!

Everything just went right in that last game for me, and I'm glad!

[qpeedore]

13th September, 2009

Cricinfo news

Crunch time for Middlesex

With only two more Championship matches to go this season, Middlesex are looking for a promotion spot to get themselves into Division 1 for next season. They are currently on 208 points, tied with Derbyshire but at the moment Derby would receive promotion above Middlesex due to them winning 9 games to Middlesex’s 7.

“It’s crunch time,” Middlesex coach Ryon Cupidore is quoted as saying, “The guys all know what they have to do and we did well in the last match, winning by an innings and 80 runs but if we want promotion we need to make sure that we score as many bonus points a possible. That may just be the key to us going ahead of Derby and gaining promotion to Division 1 next season.”

Cupidore also had more praise for his team’s captain and also for the returning Owais Shah, who scored 110 and 117 respectively in their last game, with Shah going on to win the man of the match award. “Smith and Shah did well against Essex, and it definitely gave us a huge platform where our bowlers could come and gets some wickets. Finny (Sean Finn) bowled brilliantly, and you see that we consider Joyce as a genuine all-rounder now. He’s definitely stepped his bowling up many times over and he’s doing a great job.”

When asked why he did not play a third specialist seamer in the team for the last game, Cupidore said, “To be honest we knew that Owais was going to play. He had a great series with England and even before that he was great for us at the start of the season. At the moment all of our top and middle order seem to be firing well, so why drop someone because he’s doing good? It doesn’t do much for the morale of the team when you make good scores and then all of a sudden you get dropped just because a guy is returning from international duty. Joyce bowls well and along with Finny and Silverwood, he can definitely clean up a team, as you saw.”

Cupidore took no further questions. The final two Championship games this season for Middlesex are at home against Yorkshire and away at Warwickshire. Derbyshire play Gloucestershire at home before going away to Yorkshire. Coincidentally, Yorkshire stands at the top of the table with 218 points and having to play the two teams who would want a win against them.

The Championship proves to be very exciting at the close of this season.

[qpeedore]

14th September, 2009

Middlesex vs. Somerset – Pro40 League, Division 1

Middlesex: A Strauss, E Smith ©, E Morgan, N Compton, E Joyce, B Godleman, D Nash (wk), R Martin-Jenkins, C Peploe, D Evans, A Richardson

Somerset: M Mitchell, T Moss, J Hildreth, P Trego, G Hawking, M Trescothick, C Kieswetter (wk), O Banks, A Thomas, P Jones, M Munday

Forecast: A cloudy day throughout, which may help the ball move around early on but the sun should peek through in the late afternoon.

Pitch Report: Good, even bounce from this pitch. The ball will come onto the bat nicely and the batsmen will enjoy themselves out there.

Toss: Middlesex, who chose to bat. Ed Smith: “It’s good conditions out there for batting, and we’re looking to get a decent total out there. At the worst we’ll have to play for our spot in the top Division, but that’s okay.”

[qpeedore]

Report: Middlesex decided to give some different players a game, as the season was drawing to a close and they needed to see who looked hopeful for next season. The entire bowling attack had been replaced, with the batting relatively constant. Middlesex seemed to be looking for some new bowlers for next season.

Middlesex started well, scoring 10 off of the first over. They settled after that and proceeded to score in singles and twos with the occasional boundary. Strauss fell for 25 in the 14th over, after the opening pair had made exactly fifty for the first wicket. Morgan came in and faced 22 balls, making 14 before he went lbw to Banks. Compton only made 6 before he departed and Middlesex found themselves 83 for 3. When Smith fell in the next over, things looked grim.

Joyce and Godleman steadied things somewhat, however, Joyce scoring an even fifty off of only 48 balls and featuring in an 80 run partnership with Godleman before the innings ended after the 40 overs.

End of Middlesex innings: 169/4, E Joyce 50*(48), E Smith 39(67), P Jones 2-24(5), O Banks 1-31(8)
Somerset need 170 runs at 4.2 per over

[qpeedore]

All eyes were on Richardson, who had started the season off in the First XI team but was dropped after some rather ordinary performances in favour of Finn. He needed to impress and possibly claim a spot next season. He bowled a maiden first up, keeping a good line and length and forcing the batsman to play at the ball.

Evans at the other end had more pressure on him. This was his first game of the season in the top XI despite being consistent in the Second XI squad. Only three runs came off of his over, the batsmen keeping themselves in check as they observed him closely.

Richardson’s second over was less impressive, going for all of 14 runs. Evans also went for runs in his second over, the batsmen taking 9 off of him. After a rather expensive opening spell of 10 overs, Smith took the pair off and brought in Martin-Jenkins, who struck in his first over, getting Moss lbw for 26.

Mitchell entered the 40s and looked fine before being bowled by Martin-Jenkins two overs later. He went for 42.

The Middlesex experiment did not really work well and Somerset cruised to victory in the 37th over.

End of Somerset innings: 172/2, J Hildreth 52*(78), P Trego 51*(67), R Martin-Jenkins 2-28(8)
Somerset win by 8 wickets

[qpeedore]

15th September 2009

Cricinfo news

Middlesex coach bashed for selections

Middlesex coach Ryon Cupidore has come under a lot of negative scrutiny after changing his team’s entire bowling attack for their last game against Somerset, losing by 8 wickets.

“At the worst we’d have ended up in the playoff and here we are. Experiments are done. Sometimes they work. This wasn’t one of those times.” Cupidore said after the match.

“The guys had no pressure on them as I have all the confidence that they will succeed in the playoff and remain in the top division. They were told to go out there and just keep trying new things.”

Cupidore’s detractors have cited this last match as another example of why former coach Toby Radford should be recalled to his spot at the head of the First XI coaching team. Middlesex now play Warwickshire in the playoff match but first they have the Championship to worry about, where they will hope to take maximum points against Division 2 top team Yorkshire.

Cupidore has not yet released the list of the squad who will play in that game.

[qpeedore]

School starts again for me tomorrow so I may not be able to update as often as I'm doing now (university degree...not easy). But I have games fully written up until the third Championship game next season, so this won't end. Definitely not.

[rishi]

All the best mate!!
Ryon Cupidore neds some rest.. to fous on very important matches ahead [:d]
(i knw uve already played thm) But the story is very interesting!!

[qpeedore]

17th September 2009

Middlesex vs. Yorkshire – County Championship, Division 2

Middlesex: E Smith ©, E Morgan, O Shah, N Compton, E Joyce, B Godleman, B Scott (wk), R Martin-Jenkins, M Kartik, C Silverwood, S Finn

Yorkshire: M Vaughan, R Pyrah, A Rashid, T Bresnan, D Wainwright, J Dowland, G Balance, G Brophy (wk), T Humphries, M Hoggard, L Woodward

Forecast: A cloudy day on the first day but the sun should be out all day on the second day before going back behind the clouds for the rest of the match.

Pitch Report: On the surface it looks like a good batting pitch but things seem like they could get poor for the batsmen very quickly. The bowlers would have to work for their wickets, however it seems like good line and length could be rewarded despite the batsmen being able to score.

Toss: Middlesex, who chose to field. Ed Smith: “We didn’t really know what to make of this pitch but after talking it over we decided to bowl first. It looks like a good pitch and we’ll have to work, but we think it would gradually degenerate and make things hard after the first few overs or so.”

[qpeedore]

Report: With the Middlesex experiment all but over, only Martin-Jenkins remained in the team after a rather ordinary performance in the Pro40 match. Strauss was left out, no reason given for that.

Silverwood kept things tight in the first over, only letting one run come off of him, but it was Finn who struck first, getting Pyrah to feather one to the keeper after pitching the first three ball full and on the stumps before delivering a good bouncer that caught him in two minds.

A very good opening spell from the two bowlers ended after 14 overs, causing the two batsmen a lot of problems but they negotiated it well. With most of the swing from the new ball gone, Vaughan dug his heels in and started to play his shots, soon getting to fifty. At the other end Rashid was giving him good support but Martin-Jenkins got Rashid to hit one to midwicket and he left for 39 with the score on 99.

Yorkshire went to lunch with the score on 133 for 2, Vaughan looking good on 76.

After lunch Vaughan returned with more of the same, getting into the nineties and definitely looking in good touch. He went on to post his hundred with a sweetly timed four through the onside but only made 2 more runs before Finn got him to edge to the keeper. Wainwright came in and hit his first two balls for a boundary each before he was caught on the back foot for a plumb lbw.

Bresnan posted his fifty without much fuss about it and carried on doing as he was doing already, working the ball around and hitting the bad ones away. It took a very good delivery from Martin-Jenkins to do him in, coming back in off of the seam and taking the top of off stump. Martin-Jenkins went on to remove Balance via lbw for only two and Yorkshire’s strong position slipped. They went to tea on 241 for 6.

Middlesex took the new ball just after tea and it took only two overs before it paid off, Brophy fending one to short leg who took a good catch. Finn bowled Humphries three overs later for one 1. Meanwhile, Dowland had worked his way into the 40s and looked set to make a half century. He registered it with a boundary and looked elated, his first ever half century at this level.

Yorkshire closed the day without losing another wicket.

End of day 1: Yorkshire 326/8, J Dowland 71*, M Hoggard 11*, S Finn 4-81, R Martin-Jenkins 3-67
Yorkshire lead by 326 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 2: Finn struck in the first over of the day, bowling Hoggard comprehensively to take his fifth wicket and his second consecutive five-for. Silverwood then had Dowland lbw in the next over and Yorkshire closed their innings.

End of Yorkshire innings: 330/10, M Vaughan 102, J Dowland 71, S Finn 5-85, R Martin-Jenkins 3-67
Yorkshire lead by 330 runs

[qpeedore]

Middlesex started to chip away at the lead very slowly, but soon started playing shots, especially Morgan. Morgan survived a run out appeal in the 16th over, but the replays showed that he was well home.

Smith was bowled by Rashid for 22 and Shah came out to join Morgan to a good ovation from the home crowd. Morgan continued to look well and Middlesex held off the bowlers until lunch, going in on 89 for 1 with Morgan on 48.

Morgan posted his fifth fifty of the season two overs after the break and looked set to go even further but he was well caught in the ring on 66. Compton came to the middle and was immediately tested by Hoggard, who even got him to edge one that flew through the gap between the two slips and to third man.

Hoggard was definitely bowling well, getting the ball to come back into the batsmen and testing them more than once. He got Shah to play and miss several times, drawing gasps from most of the fielders. Shah was very happy to see him out of the attack but he soon fell to Rashid, who was also bowling very well.

Woodward bowled Compton in the next over and Middlesex found themselves in a little bit of trouble. When Joyce went for 15, Middlesex definitely needed players to just stay at the crease. Godleman tried to do that but he could not resist trying to hit Hoggard over the top and the result was a simple catch to mid on.

Middlesex went to tea on 226 for 6, still 104 behind.

Scott and Martin-Jenkins stemmed the flow of wickets after the break, their partnership reaching fifty with about an hour to go in the day. It did not have a chance to go much past that however, as Bresnan got Scott to edge one to second slip, who took a good catch moving to his right. Kartik fell two balls later, in much the same manner, without scoring.

Silverwood batted well with Martin-Jenkins, taking the singles to give his partner the strike but also scoring runs himself in the few balls that he did face. Between them they managed to bring the lead down to only ten by the close of play.

End of Day 2: Middlesex 320/8, R Martin-Jenkins 48*, C Silverwood 20*, M Hoggard 2-100, A Rashid 2-97
Middlesex trail by 10 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 3: Silverwood fell early on in the day, but for a well played 26 as part of a 64 run partnership between himself and Martin-Jenkins.

Middlesex had a double reason to celebrate when Martin-Jenkins brought up his fifty, as that single also took them into the lead. The innings ended soon thereafter, however, with Finn edging one to the keeper, leaving Martin-Jenkins unbeaten.

End of Middlesex innings: 336/10, E Morgan 66, R Martin-Jenkins 51*, A Rashid 4-106, L Woodward 2-34
Middlesex lead by 6 runs

[qpeedore]

There would be no repeat of Vaughan’s first innings, as he was bowled off of the last ball of the first over for a duck by Silverwood. Rashid and Pyrah played well, however, and they hit the change bowlers for over 5 an over, going to lunch on 71 for 1.

Martin-Jenkins struck in the first over after the break, getting Rashid to hit one to square leg. Joyce then got rid of Pyrah in the next over, hitting to leg slip as he tried to work it behind square but coming off of the edge of the bat. The first change bowlers were having the last laugh.

Wainwright got a few good ball at first but he waited for his chance and it soon came, and he launch Joyce over mid off for a big six. Joyce came back well in the next over, however, only letting one run be scored.

Kartik got the next wicket, getting Bresnan to pop one into the air off of a defensive push. Wainwright entered the 40s and Dowland looked like he was ready to pick up from his first innings score. Wainwright registered his fifty off of 84 deliveries with a good boundary through the covers.

It was Finn who removed Wainwright for 67, the ball flying straight to backward point. Yorkshire went to tea on 201 for 5 with the match very even to that point.

Dowland posted his second fifty of the match after the break and continued to look in great touch in what should turn out to be a great career for the young player.

Martin-Jenkins reacted quickly in his follow through as the batsmen attempted to go for a quick single. He fielded well off of his own bowling and knocked the striker’s end stumps over with a direct hit to find Balance short of his ground.

Middlesex took the new ball but it took 5 full overs before Brophy was bowled off of the first ball of the sixth over by Martin-Jenkins, who was also having a great match. Yorkshire held off the bowlers until the close of play, with things still very close.

End of day 3: Yorkshire 286/7, J Dowland 80*, T Humphries 9*, R Martin-Jenkins 2-45, S Finn 1-63
Yorkshire lead by 280 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 3: It took almost 40 minutes before Middlesex got the ninth wicket, finally getting Dowland lbw for 86. Finn then had Humphries caught at second slip before Martin-Jenkins dismissed Hoggard to wrap up the innings.

End of Yorkshire innings: 307/10, J Dowland 86, D Wainwright 67, R Martin-Jenkins 4-55, S Finn 2-74
Middlesex need 302 to win

[qpeedore]

With a total that was not impossible but would be challenging, Middlesex needed to score their runs at a decent rate in order to win this match. They started off well, not defending as usual, but looking to score at every opportunity without taking too much risk.

Morgan was definitely the one who scored at a quicker rate, reaching 40 by the time lunch arrived while his partner had only reached 26 off of an almost equal amount of balls faced. Middlesex went into the pavilion on 68 for none, still 234 to win and two full sessions to go.

Rashid bowled his first over of the innings after lunch and got quite a lot of turn from the pitch, almost surprising the batsmen but they saw off the over. Morgan reached his fifty a few overs later, his second of the match. He continued to look good, even hitting Hoggard for 14 in one over, which included a six over midwicket.

At the other end, Smith fell to the sharp turn that Rashid was getting, edging one to the keeper that spun a lot. Morgan did not seem to notice, as he continued hitting his shots. He soon overtook the amount of balls he had faced but slowed down near the hundred, posting it at exactly a run a ball.

Shah was no slouch either, hitting his boundaries and scoring at a fast pace also. When Morgan went for 112, Shah took over with the hitting, and soon posted his fifty off of 65 balls.

At the other end there was less luck for Compton, who was bowled by Hoggard for only 9 just a minute before tea. Middlesex went in on 238 for 3, with 64 runs needed in the final session to win the game.

Shah continued to play but Joyce fell for only 1 in the second over after the interval, edging to first slip. Godleman came in but only lasted a few deliveries before he had to make his way back to the pavilion as well.

Scott came in and stuck around, however, allowing Shah to concentrate on scoring runs instead of trying to farm the strike to protect his partners. He made his second century in as many games and fittingly, hit the winning runs.

End of Middlesex innings: 303/5, E Morgan 112, O Shah 106*, A Rashid 3-95, M Hoggard 2-91
Middlesex win by 5 wickets
Man of the match: E Morgan

[qpeedore]

21st September 2009

Cricinfo news

Tense final round in County Championship

With just one game to go in the County Championship, tension is high in Division 2 as only three points separate the top three. The fight is for one of the coveted top two spots, which would mean promotion to Division 1 for next season, but it is very close.

At the moment Middlesex are at the top of the standings with 228 points. Just one point behind them is Derbyshire, on 227. Two points behind them are Yorkshire, on 225. Yorkshire were at the top of the standings until they faced Middlesex in their last game. But it could be anybody’s guess as to who will be promoted. In theory, any two of these three teams could go upward.

The odds are on Middlesex to advance, however, as they take on 8th placed Warwickshire in the final round. Coincidentally, they will also play Warwickshire in their Pro40 playoff just a few days before that match.

Meanwhile, Derbyshire and Yorkshire have to play each other in what may be the most important game of the season. Still, even a draw between them and a loss for Middlesex will see Derby and Yorkshire advance while Middlesex stay down. It will be very difficult to say for sure who will advance. What is definite is that one of the three teams will not be going to Division 1 after a very close season.

The final round promises to be tense.

[qpeedore]

21st September 2009

Warwickshire vs. Middlesex – Pro40 League playoff

Warwickshire: K Hutchinson, I Westwood, I Bell, J Troughton, D Maddy, N Poonia, T Frost (wk), A Botha, N Tahir, W Rankin, T Henshaw

Middlesex: E Smith ©, E Morgan, N Compton, E Joyce, B Godleman, D Nash, B Scott (wk), D Baker, M Kartik, C Silverwood, S Finn

Forecast: A good day for cricket. Conditions are not ideal, but there would be enough sun to ensure that there is a full day’s play.

Pitch Report: With even bounce and a lightning fast outfield, things look grim for the bowlers in this match but cricket is a strange game sometimes. Still, bat first.

Toss: Middlesex, who chose to bat. Ed Smith: “We’re definitely looking to go out there and pile on the runs. Things got a little closer than we would have liked and our net run rate brought us to this point, but we have no doubt that we’ll get a good total and then we’ll see what happens when they bat.”

[qpeedore]

Report: Martin-Jenkins was dropped in favour of the uncapped Baker, who has had no first class experience thus far. There was talk of a little bit of fatigue for Martin-Jenkins, who really has done nothing else to deserve being dropped from the team. Shah also sat this one out and Nash came into the side.

Middlesex got off to an incredibly slow start, going at only two runs an over before Smith was bowled for only 9. Morgan started to pick up the scoring rate after his captain’s dismissal, however, and they went from 20 after ten overs to 70 after 20, with Morgan getting to fifty in fine style with a little nudge off of his hips and to fine leg.

Compton tried to keep up with Morgan but he went for only 15. Vice-captain Joyce came in and started hitting the ball all over the place, going at well more than a run a ball. He took only 36 balls to register a fine fifty that contained 7 fours. He did not stop there, however, carrying on with his strokeplay while Morgan, having been out there since the start of the innings, took the singles and doubles. Both men carried the innings to the end and received warm applause from the fans for their efforts.

End of Middlesex innings: 199/2, E Morgan 94*(123), E Joyce 77*(60), T Henshaw 2-35(8)
Warwickshire need 200 runs at 5.0 per over

[qpeedore]

Boosted by a good performance near the end, Middlesex looked in good spirits when they took the field.

Silverwood started well, only leaking one run off of his first over. Finn could not be so successful, however, letting his first two overs go for 21 before Smith took him out of the attack. Baker came on but bowled 3 overs for 25 before Kartik found himself into the attack with the fielding restrictions still in place and Smith trying to set as defensive a field as possible.

Baker did redeem himself a little, however, taking a good catch to get rid of Westwood for 28. Hutchinson, on the other hand, had to work harder for his runs but he did not give up and the speed at which he had scored earlier in his innings meant that by the time he got to fifty, it was still at more than a run a ball. Joyce and Kartik had brought the run rate well down, however.

A huge mixup between the two batsmen led to Bell being run out almost halfway down the pitch and he went for only 8. Smith then decided to give Finn another chance and he came back well, keeping the runs down and getting the wicket of Troughton.

Silverwood returned to the attack for the final burst and immediately had Maddy caught at first slip. The last over saw the equation being 10 runs needed from 6 balls and with Hutchinson looking fine on 97.

He played the first ball to deep square leg for a well-run three to bring up his century. 7 from 5. Poonia promptly hit the next ball for four runs. 3 from 4 now. This situation seemed vaguely familiar to Middlesex as Silverwood ran in to bowl and Poonia tucked it away for a single. Hutchinson then played the ball into the gap for another single. 1 run, 2 balls. Silverwood ran into bowl and kept it full and straight, striking Poonia on the pads and appealing loudly but the finger stayed down. Replays showed a faint inside edge onto the pads. 1 from 1 now.

Silverwood ran into bowl and tried to play it to third man but the slip fielder immediately dived to his right and threw the ball to the keeper, who was up to the stumps, preventing the single.

The scores were tied, but Middlesex would win on the basis that they had more wickets remaining at the end of their innings. They looked appropriately relieved at the victory.

End of Warwickshire innings: 199/4, C Hutchinson 101*(109), J Troughton 36(42), E Joyce 1-36(8), C Silverwood 1-39(8)
Middlesex win on wickets remaining and remain in Division 1 of the Pro40 League

[Sureshot]

2 wickets down and you only set 200 to win? Not a good pitch to bat on?

[qpeedore]

Good batting pitch but the batsmen didn't score even with aggression one away from max.

[Sureshot]

Ooh, I hate that. I use Phil Mustard as an opener. I had his bars set to 7, and he scored 14 from 48 balls! I think he was using a stick of celery to hit the ball!

[qpeedore]

24th September 2009

Warwickshire vs. Middlesex – County Championship, Division 2

Warwickshire: K Hutchinson, I Westwood, I Bell, T Ambrose (wk), J Troughton, S Hole, I Trott, A Both, N Tahir, T Henshaw, J Anyon

Middlesex: A Strauss, E Smith ©, E Morgan, O Shah, E Joyce, N Compton, B Scott (wk), R Martin-Jenkins, M Kartik, C Silverwood, S Finn

Forecast: The sun would be fighting with the clouds all game, sometimes winning and sometimes losing. Rain may threaten but not for too long hopefully.
Pitch Report: Much like the pitch of a few days ago, this one has good bounce and should come onto the bat nicely. There may be something in it for bowlers who put it in the right places, but it still looks like a good pitch to bat on.

Toss: Middlesex, who chose to bat. Ed Smith: “This is the last game of the season and we definitely want to go out on a winning note and see if we can get promoted. But before all of that we have a game to play and we’ll be playing our regular game.”

[qpeedore]

Report: Godleman had suffered a back injury that forced him out of action for this game but it allowed Strauss to come back into the team while Martin-Jenkins comes back as well. Smith had only 17 runs to go in order to become the season’s top scorer, the injury to Jacques Rudolph coming at a bad time.

Smith would not get the chance to score his runs in the first innings, however, falling lbw for only 1 run. Morgan came in and immediately showed that he was a man in form, getting off the mark with a four. Strauss looked good until he hit one right back to Botha for an easy caught and bowled that saw him going for 43. Morgan had no such problems in getting to his fifty, now his third consecutive first class fifty and his fourth consecutive in all matches. He fell in the last over before lunch for 66, looking a little angry with himself at his dismissal. Middlesex went to the break on 128 for 3.

After the break Joyce seemed to carry on where he left off against the same team in the playoff match, looking good as he played his shots. At the other end, Shah got to his fifty, his amazing first class season getting even better despite it drawing to a close.

It did not take Joyce much longer to register his fifty as well, bringing it up with a single to mid on. Both shah and Joyce then started hammering the ball all over the place, with shah bringing up his century with a boundary that beat mid on. The batsmen did not even bother to run. They slowed down just before tea, giving the bowlers three overs that only went for eight runs. The ten overs before that had gone for 78 runs.

Middlesex went to tea on 313 for 3.

Warwickshire finally got the wicket they were searching for just after tea, with Henshaw bowling Joyce for 85. Compton came in but could only face 4 deliveries before the rain came and the umpires called for the covers. 41 minutes were lost to rain in total.

Shah survived a close run out appeal after the break for rain but replays showed he was just in. Warwickshire took the new ball and brought back on their main bowlers as they searched for another wicket but it did not seem to matter to Shah, who kept hitting the boundaries and brought up his 150 off of only 175 deliveries.

Warwickshire were not helped by some ordinary fielding, which gave Compton a life when he was on 17, the ball going straight to first slip and bursting through his hands. Compton settled himself with a six to show that he was more than happy for the dropped chance, while Shah kept on doing what he had been doing all season long, both for England and for Middlesex.

Compton was the man to watch, though. While Shah did hit the boundaries, it was Compton who showed no respect for the bowlers. Most batsmen would play defensively with two overs to go in the day but Compton instead hit two boundaries to bring up his fifty, at better than a run a ball. He did calm down in the last over, though, only scoring one run.

End of day 1: Middlesex 441/4, O Shah 181*, N Compton 54*, I Trott 0-35, J Anyon 0-97
Middlesex lead by 441 runs

[qpeedore]

Day 2: Compton was bowled early in the day as he tried to play himself in but clearly he wanted to just hit boundaries instead of being forced to see how the pitch was playing on the new day. Scott came in and survived a close caught behind appeal but the ball had come off of his shoulder and not the bat. Like Compton, he took it upon himself to hit a six in order to calm himself down.

Shah entered the 190s but was bowled by a very good delivery on 192 and Warwickshire breathed a sigh of relief. Martin-Jenkins came in but was back in the pavilion first ball, hitting one right back to the bowler. When Scott was bowled two overs later, Middlesex would have felt that they let things slip a little.

The final two wickets hit some runs but eventually Middlesex closed their innings after what could be termed a collapse.

End of Middlesex innings: 508/10, O Shah 192, E Joyce 85, N Tahir 6-124, A Botha 2-78
Middlesex lead by 508 runs

[qpeedore]

Warwickshire played relatively defensively until the lunch interval, going in on 18 for no loss.

It took Middlesex a while, but eventually the first wicket fell with the score on 59, Finn getting the dangerous Hutchinson lbw for 34. Westwood played well and soon reached fifty, showing good patience in his innings. Joyce almost had him caught on 65, but the man at backward point grassed it and Joyce looked understandably annoyed. When the man at short midwicket dropped Westwood again, this time off of Silverwood, Middlesex seemed deflated in the field. Warwickshire went to tea on 130 for 1.

Middlesex finally held onto a catch from Westwood after tea, finally getting him for 74. Ambrose came in but did not last long, falling lbw to Kartik for only 5. Bell looked good at the other end, however, and he definitely had to work for his runs but posted a very good fifty.

At the other end Martin-Jenkins bowled Troughton but Middlesex could make no further breakthrough into the batting and Warwickshire closed the day with four wickets down.

End of day 2: Warwickshire 207/4, I Bell 64*, S Hole 1*, R Martin-Jenkins 1-20, E Joyce 0-30
Warwickshire trail by 301 runs[/b]

[qpeedore]

Day 3: The new ball was available one over into the day and Middlesex took it, but had to wait another 6 overs before the first breakthrough came, that of Bell, falling to Silverwood for a well-played 70.

It took another while for the next wicket, Martin-Jenkins getting Trott to edge to first slip for 17. At the other end, Hole batted sensibly and soon entered the 40s. He was running out of partners, however, with Martin-Jenkins getting Botha for only 9 and still 67 needed to avoid the follow on with 3 wickets in hand.

Hole made his fifty in the next over and tried to farm the strike. It worked well and no further wickets fell before lunch, where they went in on 307/7.

Finn got him in the next over after lunch, however, getting him to drive on the up and the ball taking a thick edge and flying to backward point. Henshaw came in and started to play shots, however, and the chance of a follow on was eventually negated. The tail wagged for quite a long time, with Tahir even getting his first ever half century, but eventually Warwickshire were dismissed.

End of Warwickshire innings: 398/10, I Westwood 74, I Bell 70, M Kartik 3-59, R Martin-Jenkins 3-70
Middlesex lead by 110 runs

[qpeedore]

Smith would not be getting the award for most runs in the season, falling for only 11, so close but still short of the mark. Morgan came out to join Strauss and the two saw things through until tea.

Strauss fell soon after the break, sending the ball straight to short midwicket for an easy catch. Shah came out and the pair of himself and Morgan seemed to frustrate the bowlers. Morgan posted his fifty is good time, with Shah not too far behind. Middlesex closed the day without losing another wicket and looked good going into the final day.

End of Day 3: Middlesex 137/2, E Morgan 60*, O Shah 40*, T Henshaw 0-34, N Tahir 2-20
Middlesex lead by 247 runs[/b]

[qpeedore]

Day 4:Middlesex would have been boosted by the overnight news that Yorkshire had beaten Derbyshire by 7 wickets. Even with a loss in this game, Middlesex were guaranteed to be promoted.

Shah went on to post yet another fifty before falling lbw to Henshaw. The news of the promotion seemed to give Morgan something to think about, as he went on to post a century with a huge six down the ground. Middlesex declared at the end of that over, giving Warwickshire a sniff at a chance of winning the game if they batted well.

End of Middlesex innings: 227/3 declared, E Morgan 108*, O Shah 54, N Tahir 2-51, T Henshaw 1-50
Warwickshire need 338 to win

[qpeedore]

Warwickshire played through to lunch, going in on 17 without loss.

Hutchinson was run out in the over after the break, going for 11. Several tight overs were bowled, hardly letting any runs leak. The pressure told on Bell, who tried to hit one through the offside but only managed to hit it to the right of the man at backward point, who took a magnificent low diving catch just inches away from the ground.

The change bowlers kept things just as tight and it seemed like Warwickshire were happy to play for the draw. They went to tea on 94 for 2 and going at only 2.4 an over.

Ambrose got to 50 after the interval but edged to the keeper without adding to that. At the other end, Troughton got to fifty himself, but he persisted after his achievement. Warwickshire hung around for the draw, and Middlesex did not mind that at all, having gained promotion to Division 1 for next season.

End of Warwickshire innings: 172/3, I Westwood 73*, T Ambrose 50, C Silverwood 2-49
Match drawn and Middlesex gain promotion to Division 1 of the County Championship
Man of the match: O Shah

[qpeedore]

Results

County Championship, Division 1:

Somerset
Kent
Lancashire
Northamptonshire
Hampshire
Surrey
Nottinghamshire
Durham (relegated)
Worcestershire (relegated)

County Championship, Division 2:

Yorkshire (promoted)
Middlesex (promoted)
Derbyshire
Glamorgan
Leicestershire
Sussex
Warwickshire
Essex
Gloucestershire

Pro40 League, Division 1:

Durham
Kent
Sussex
Hampshire
Somerset
Nottinghamshire
Middlesex (won playoff)
Worcestershire (relegated)
Glamorgan (relegated)

Pro40 League, Division 2:

Surrey (promoted)
Lancashire (promoted)
Warwickshire (lost playoff)
Essex
Gloucestershire
Leicestershire
Yorkshire
Northamptonshire
Derbyshire

Challenge Trophy: Winner - Kent

Twenty20 Cup: Winner - Sussex

Championship records

Most runs : J Rudolph (Yorkshire) - 1535
Note: E Smith (Middlesex) - 1534...Damn!

Most wickets: M Munday (Somerset) - 135

Highest innings: J Rudolph (Yorkshire) - 295 vs. Warwickshire

Best Bowling (Innings): G Lamb (Hampshire) 8-41

(Any comments, suggestions, questions...the next season starts soon! I've been experimenting with video capture software but all of them are jerky on playback or give horrible quality if a 1:1 ratio is there. Would one of the admins or game developers tell me which video capture codec gives an accurate representation of the game? Highlight reels would be awesome, to be honest, and it would cut the write-ups down a bit too so that you won't be as bored reading them.)

[rishi]

good! Nice.. :)

[Sureshot]

Sussex won the T20 cup? Well done on gaining promotion from Division Two, I've spent 5/6 seasons trying to do that with Essex.

[qpeedore]

But you do better in limited overs, right?

I have yet to really find a good way to give a challenge on that. But I'm experimenting.

[Screenwriters CC]

Come on the Middle'! I look forward to seeing how you do and well done for making time to play the game and then reporting it here, not sure I have the time or the patience for that! And congratulations on the promotion, if only the proper team could do the same!

I'm currently on 2017 with Middlesex and the only original member of the squad that is still around is Nick Compton. Joyce retired last year and I had to let Shah go the year before. The only players that I let stay at the club until retirement were Joyce, Strauss and Silverwood in fact.

[qpeedore]

16th April 2010

Nottinghamshire vs. Middlesex – County Championship, Division 1

Nottinghamshire: W Jefferson, A McCulloch, S Patel, M Wagh, M Freshwater, C Read (wk), M Wood, S Broad, R Ferley, R Sidebottom, C Clough

Middlesex: D Malan, E Smith ©, E Morgan, O Shah, E Joyce, N Compton, B Scott (wk), R Martin-Jenkins, M Kartik, C Silverwood, S Finn

Forecast: Cloudy right through. May help with swing but it remains to be seen if the ball will swing at all.

Pitch Report: A mixed reaction to the pitch from batsmen and bowlers alike. A little bit of everything in it, this could be a good contest.

Toss: Nottinghamshire, who chose to bat. Ed Smith: “We haven’t been in the top division for a few years, and obviously we wanted to win the toss and bat but there’s something in it and it won’t be easy for them to score runs.”

[qpeedore]

Report: With Malan coming into the side at the start of the season, it remained to be seen if he would perform well. The rest of the team was unchanged from the end of last season.

Finn and Silverwood would hope that their form with the ball carried over to this season as well. They stuck to their line and length bowling and Nottingham found it difficult to score, only having 18 on the board after 10 overs. That pressure was released soon afterward, however, with the boundaries starting to flow and even a big six being hit off of Silverwood in the 16th over.

Both batsmen settled into their task and Middlesex found it hard to remove them. They both scored half centuries before the break and went in on 114 for no loss, after a hard morning for Middlesex.

Things seemed just as difficult in the afternoon session, with the batsmen scoring freely and the runs coming easily. The first wicket finally fell with the score on 150, Jefferson going lbw to Kartik for 72. Patel came in and announced his presence with a nice four, getting it past mid on who had no chance of stopping it.

McCulloch at the other end looked in fine form as well, getting into the nineties and not looking nervous at all. He reach his century with a double through the on side but fell lbw to Kartik for 112 soon afterward.

Wagh came in and hit himself a four and a six to get his tally going but only managed 36 before he fell to Joyce. A brilliant piece of fielding from the second slip got Patel run out, Freshwater looking to run the ball down to third man and thinking that he had beaten the man. A sliding stop and a direct hit proved otherwise.

Nottingham went to tea on 277 for 4, with that session fairly even.

Nottingham kept scoring at a quick pace after the break. Even the new ball met the rope many times until Finn finally had Read lbw for 39. Silverwood then bowled Freshwater, knocking back the middle stump.

That was the last of the wickets for the day, and Nottingham closed their day on a strong position.

End of day 1: Nottinghamshire 386/6, M Wood 22*, S Broad 23*, R Martin-Jenkins 0-65, E Joyce 1-65

[qpeedore]

Day 2: Wood eventually fell to Finn but Broad kept going and posted his fifty, looking in fine form. Ferley went lbw to Martin-Jenkins cheaply but it was Joyce who finally got Broad out. Silverwood removed Sidebottom for the final wicket but Nottingham had a huge total on the board.

End of Nottinghamshire innings: 483/10, A McCulloch 112, W Jefferson 72, M Kartik 2-55, E Joyce 2-79
Middlesex trail by 483 runs

[qpeedore]

Lunch was taken immediately and Middlesex came back out to start their innings. They suffered a huge setback very early on, with Smith going for a pull to a ball that kept low. It hit him in his ribs and he was forced to retire hurt. Shah came out to replace him but was bowled for only 9.

Malan, who was less than impressive when given a chance last season, looked much better this time around and he showed that he has the ability. There were a few false shots and plays and misses, but overall he looked good. He posted his fifty with a top edge that went to the boundary and quickly showed that the edge did not affect him by driving two further fours in the over.

Compton had a very slow start but once he crossed 25 he seemed settled and started to play his shots more fluently. He brought up his fifty in the last over before tea with a push to mid on and Middlesex went to the break on 144 for 1 but with Smith unlikely to resume his innings it seemed like 144 for 2.

Malan carried on after the interval and entered the nineties but fell for 92, eight runs short of what would have been a great century. It was still his highest first class score, however. Joyce walked to the crease and blocked his first delivery before sending the second sailing over the fence for six.

At the other end, Compton looked in good form and he seemed set for a century. Unlike Malan, however, he got to the mark, even doing so with the maximum six runs. Joyce was less fortunate, falling lbw to a ball that would have just clipped leg stump.

Middlesex closed their day with some work needed still but well on their way.

End of day 2: Middlesex 268/3, N Compton 124*, E Morgan 14*, S Broad 2-88, R Sidebottom 0-66
Middlesex trail by 215 runs.[/b]

[qpeedore]

Day 3: Nottingham struck early, removing Compton for a very well-played 132. Scott came in but fell for a duck. Martin-Jenkins came in and scored 18 off of his first 5 deliveries, a good sign. But he scored no further, falling in the first over of the new ball.

Middlesex lost their last three wickets quickly, with still 16 to go to avoid the follow on. Smith would have certainly taken them past it, but he did not come out to bat, and the news was that he had fractured a rib.

End of Middlesex innings: 317/10, N Compton 124, D Malan 92, S Broad 5-117, R Sidebottom 3-86
Middlesex trail by 166 runs and have been asked to follow on

[qpeedore]

Malan fell cheaply this time, going for only 5. Compton and Shah, however, came together and played all the shots in the book, with the ball finding the boundary regularly and Shah posting a fifty just before lunch.

Compton posted his fifty after lunch, looking just as good as he did in the first innings. Shah eventually fell for 84 off of just as many deliveries but he had definitely helped to pull Middlesex out of the hole they had dug themselves into.

Middlesex seemed to keep digging, however, with the next two wickets falling even before the deficit was cleared. Scott came in and fell cheaply again, but did manage to get off of his pair.

Compton looked set for his second century of the match but a miscued shot led to his downfall on 98, so close to the mark.

With just the tail to come, things looked bleak. Kartik and Silverwood fell in the same over, but Martin-Jenkins farmed the strike and pushed the Middlesex lead to 87 before he was caught behind.

End of Middlesex innings: 253/10, N Compton 98, O Shah 84, S Broad 4-78, R Ferley 2-54
Nottinghamshire need 88 to win

[qpeedore]

With such a small total to defend, Middlesex tried hard and did manage to take one wicket but Nottingham cruised home in the end.

End of Nottinghamshire innings: 88/1, A McCulloch 44*, W Jefferson 26, C Silverwood 1-22
Nottinghamshire win by 9 wickets
Man of the match: S Broad

(Harsh intro to Division 1)

[qpeedore]

27th April 2010

Surrey vs. Middlesex – Challenge Trophy, Group stage

Surrey: H Amla, J Benning, U Afzaal, S Walters, K Beaumont, J Brown (wk), M Hussain, T Stubbs, S Mushtaq, J Ormond, J Nel

Middlesex: A Strauss, E Morgan, N Compton, B Godleman, E Joyce ©, D Nash, B Scott (wk), R Martin-Jenkins, M Kartik, C Silverwood, S Finn

Forecast: Light cloud cover throughout the day but with no chance of rain at any stage.

Pitch Report: This one will favour the batsmen but may behave a little erratically as the game progresses. Bat first.

Toss: Middlesex, who chose to bat. Stand-in captain Ed Joyce: “We’re looking to go out there and bat well. Things didn’t go our way in the Championship match last week, but we’re looking to change that here.”

[qpeedore]

Report: With the injury to Smith and Shah’s call up to represent England, there were a few changes to the team that lost last week. Nash comes in as a batsman, and Malan went out for Strauss.

They needed to have a solid start, and with fifty overs, they could afford to start slowly and build. It took 8 overs before the first boundary came, but Strauss began finding the boundary regularly after that. This prompted some very tight bowling from Surrey and Middlesex were forced to score in singles and doubles for some time. It led to a close call for Morgan, who was almost run out but the replay showed that he had just made it in his crease.

The pressure was released a little when the mid off fielder allowed the ball to go right through him and go for four. Strauss then went about hitting a few more boundaries, reaching his fifty runs with a sweep for four.

Morgan tried to follow, but his sweep caught the top edge and skied up, being caught well by the man at square leg. Strauss kept going, however, realizing that the run rate needed to go up. He kept going for the big shots and he managed to score off of almost every delivery he faced.

Strauss got to a fine century off of only 106 balls with a little deflection to third man, being applauded by his teammates from the pavilion for his effort.

Compton fell at the other end, 5 short of a fifty. He looked a little disappointed, twice now being out within sight of a landmark this season.

Middlesex eventually ended their innings on 216, a decent total but probably not that challenging.

End of Middlesex innings: 216/2, 50 overs, A Strauss 131*(152), N Compton 45(70), S Mushtaq 2-46(10)
Surrey need 217 runs at 4.3 per over

[qpeedore]

Middlesex needed to keep things tight from the start if they had hopes of winning. Finn started well with a maiden but Silverwood let 5 go off of his first over. Finn followed with a 3 run over, to which Silverwood went for 9 runs but he did manage to pick up a wicket, Benning edging to first slip. The wicket seemed to give him some control, and his next over only went for one run.

Surrey kept scoring despite this, however, getting the boundaries with frequency. Joyce did manage to get Amla edging to the keeper but by this time the asking rate was under 4 an over. None of the bowlers seemed to be able to stop the batsmen.

Compton and Kartik came on and bowled well together and compared to the other bowlers, they were not as expensive, but runs were still leaking badly. Ufzaal reached his fifty with hardly any difficulty at all, and Walters followed him a few overs later.

Finn came back on and managed to get Walters lbw for 57 but by this time it was all but academic and Surrey easily got there in the end.

End of Surrey innings: 217/3, 47.1 overs, U Afzaal 80*(118), S Walters 57(68), C Silverwood 1-32(5), E Joyce 1-36(5)
Surrey win by 7 wickets
Man of the match: A Strauss