Match report day 1: Lancs v Essex in Championship 2003 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Lancashire v Essex

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Summary for Day 1

Lancashire lost the toss for the first time this season. Essex choose to bat first in conditions which clearly provided some assistance. After reaching 34 without loss, the visitors contrived to lose 7 wickets for 61 runs before the luncheon interval. James Foster and Graham Napier added 57 for the eighth wicket, but Essex were dismissed for just 215. By the close of play, Lancashire found themselves in a familiar position this season - in total control ten wickets away from victory, but at the mercy of yet another unfavourable weather forecast on Friday & Saturday.

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

James Anderson became the first Lancashire player to take a hat-trick since Mike Watkinson at Edgbaston in 1992. The hat-trick was spread over two overs, with Robinson (5th ball of Anderson's 5th over), Hussain (6th ball of Anderson's 5th over), and Jefferson (1st ball of Anderson's 6th over) being the victims. Robinson was snapped up in the gully, Hussain was pinned back in the crease, and Jefferson fended at a lifting delivery. He finished with 4 for 67 from 15 overs.

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Iain Sutcliffe battled at the crease for 47 overs, during which time he reached 50 not out from 145 balls (5 x 4). It was a dull innings to watch as the statistics show -
10 runs from 12 overs
12 runs from 24 overs
33 runs from 36 overs
50 runs from 46 overs
However, no-one should under estimate its value in the context of the game, or the collapse from Essex which preceded it.

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Lancashire held every opportunity which Essex presented them with. Alec Swann's two catches in the gully were the most memorable, although Sutcliffe's catch at short leg was acrobatic and sharp witted.

 

Highlight of the Day

• James Anderson's hat-trick
• Peter Martin taking 2 wickets in two balls
• Nasser Hussain returned to the home dressing room so quickly that his name did not appear on the scoreboard until he disappeared up the pavilion steps!!

 

Lowlight of the Day

Lancashire once again allowed the lower order batsmen to score too many runs. Essex recovered from 95 for 7 to 215 all out. The persistent use of spin at the Warwick Road End after the lunch interval merely provided the visitors with an opportunity to score quick runs.

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

Nothing significant to report, although Alec Swan was not impressed by the leg before wicket adjudication which forced him back to the home dressing room.

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Essex won the toss and elected to bat
• Robinson caught Swann bowled Anderson 11 - 34 for 1 - 9th over
• Hussain lbw bowled Anderson 0 - 34 for 2 - 9th over - Jefferson 18*
• Jefferson caught Hegg bowled Anderson 19 - 35 for 3 in the 11th over
• 53 for 3 in the 17th over - Flower 11* Grayson 7*
• Grayson caught Sutcliffe bowled Martin 13 - 67 for 4 in the 23rd over
• Irani caught Swann bowled Martin 0 - 67 for 5 in the 23rd over
• Flower lbw bowled Martin 25 - 82 for 6 in the 27th over - Foster 5*
• Middlebrook lbw bowled Keedy 12 - 95 for 7 in the 32nd over
• Lunch 97 for 7 from 33 overs - Foster 6* Napier 2*
• 101 for 7 in the 34th over - Foster 6* Napier 6*
• 50 partnership - 149 for 7 in the 42nd over - Foster 20* Napier 40*
• 152 for 7 in the 43rd over - Foster 23* Napier 40*
• Napier caught Martin bowled Anderson 40 - 152 for 8 in the 43rd over
• 50 Foster from 81 balls (6 x 4) - 185 for 8 in the 53rd over - Brant 4*
• Foster caught Anderson bowled Hooper 57 - 194 for 9 in the 54th over
• Brant caught Chilton bowled Hooper 23 - 215 all out in the 58th over Grant not out 2 - 3.20pm

• Tea Lancashire 38 for 0 from 12 overs - Swann 28* Sutcliffe 10*
• Swann lbw bowled Irani 33 - 44 for 1 in the 19th over - Sutcliffe 11*
• 51 for 1 in the 24th over - Sutcliffe 12* Loye 6*
• 50 partnership in the 36th over - 94 for 1 - Sutcliffe 33* Loye 26*
• 50 Sutcliffe in 145 balls (5 x 4) - 127 for 1 in the 46th over
• Close of play - 127 for 1 from 47 overs - Sutcliffe 50* Loye 33*
• Unbroken partnership of 83 - trail by 88 runs

 

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