Match report: Lancs v Middx in C&G Trophy 2003 by Neil Adams

---

Scorecard:

Lancashire v Middlesex

---

Summary

Lancashire eased their way into the semi-final of the Cheltenham and Gloucester cup for the second successive year, following a comprehensive win against Middlesex. With the exception of a short period of the game early in the afternoon, the hosts dominated the game. Once again, Lancashire batted first, and then tore into the opponents batting line-up. In truth, following the loss of 3 early wickets, Middlesex did not stand much chance of winning. The run rate climbed steadily - exceeding 7 an over shortly after the midway point of the innings. Lancashire maintained the pressure throughout Middlesex's reply, rotating their 6 bowlers to maximum effect on a sluggish pitch. Andrew Flintoff returned to the bowling attack and collected 2 for 22, while Lancashire's ground fielding was near perfect.

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Peter Martin collected 4 wickets for 34 runs from his full allocation of 10 overs. He bowled 3 different spells and accounted for a Middlesex wicket on each occasion (2 in the first spell - 2 for 10 in 6 overs). He only conceded 2 boundaries and totally ripped the heart out of the visitors upper order.

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Contrasting performances from Mal Loye 74 from 113 balls (The anchor man), and Glen Chapple 45 from 25 balls (The pinch hitter and only 19 scoring strokes 3 x 4 & 3 x 6) ensured Lancashire posted a very respectable total, which set Middlesex in excess of 5 runs per over from the outset.

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Andrew Flintoff made some exceptional boundary stops. His throwing from the third man, or extra cover region was dynamic. The Middlesex batsmen dare not attempt a second run.

 

Highlights of the Day

• Watching Glen Chapple smash 45 from 25 balls.
• Securing a semi-final place for the second successive year, and the delight of not being drawn at Bristol versus Gloucestershire.

 

Lowlight of the Day

The lowest point of the day came when Lancashire lost Law, Hooper and Flintoff for the cumulative total of just 49 runs.

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

With the television cameras present, there was very little chance of a wrong decision being made. However, Andrew Flintoff was adjudged not out (Leg before) to a Paul Weekes delivery which looked destined to hit the wicket.

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Lancashire won the toss and elected to bat
• Loye 0 dropped Weekes at 2nd slip 3rd ball of the match - 0 for 0 in the 1st over
• Sutcliffe 20 dropped - 46 for 0 in the 14th over - Loye 26*
• 50 for 0 in the 14th over - Loye 26* Sutcliffe 24* - Also 50 partnership
• Sutcliffe caught Cook bowled Hutton 32 - 69 for 1 in the 17th over - Loye 36*
• 103 for 1 in the 22nd over - Loye 39* Law 25*
• Law caught Hutton bowled Weekes 25 - 103 for 2 in the 22nd over - Loye 39*
• Hooper caught & bowled Keegan 11 - 120 for 3 in the 27th over - Loye 44*
• 50 Loye from 82 balls (1 x 6 & 2 x 4) - 130 for 3 in the 30th over - Flintoff 3*
• Flintoff caught Hutton bowled Razzaq 13 - 141 for 4 in the 33rd over - Loye 51*
• 151 for 4 in the 37th over - Loye 53* Chilton 6*
• Loye caught Noffke bowled Weekes 74 - 180 for 5 in the 42nd over - Chilton 14*
• 201 for 5 in the 46th over - Chilton 24* Chapple 11*
• Chilton bowled Razzaq 34 - 213 for 6 in the 47th over - Chapple 13*
• Hegg run out (Joyce) 7 - 246 for 7 in the 50th over - Chapple 39*
• 252 for 7 from 50 overs - Chapple 45* Hogg 0*

• Weekes caught Chilton bowled Anderson 8 - 13 for 1 in the 6th over - Strauss 5*
• Shah lbw bowled Martin 1 - 14 for 2 in the 7th over - Strauss 5*
• Joyce caught Hegg bowled Martin 6 - 22 for 3 in the 11th over - Strauss 7*
• 52 for 3 in the 17th over - Strauss 20* Nash 13*
• Nash caught Hegg bowled Chapple 13 - 55 for 4 in the 18th over - Strauss 21*
• Razzaq lbw bowled Flintoff 18 - 86 for 5 in the 25th over - Strauss 32*
• Strauss caught Law bowled Martin 32 - 86 for 6 in the 26th over - Hutton 0*
• 101 for 6 in the 30th over - Hutton 8* Cook 6*
• Cook bowled Hooper (Between legs) 8* - 104 for 7 in the 32nd over - Hutton 9*
• Hutton bowled Hooper 27 - 139 for 8 in the 40th over - Noffke 15*
• Noffke caught Loye bowled Martin 19 - 147 for 9 in the 43rd over - Alleyne 4*
• 150 for 9 in the 43rd over - Alleyne 7* Keegan 0*
• Alleyne caught & bowled Flintoff 19 - 195 all out from 49.1 overs - Keegan 29*
• Lancashire win by 57 runs

 

Lancashire Men of the Match

Mal Loye for his 74 runs from 113 balls and 1 catch, and Glen Chapple for his whirlwind 45 runs and 1 wicket.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Neil Adams http://www.cricketimages.co.uk/adams-report/intro.html)