Match report day 2: Essex v Lancs in Championship 2003 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Essex v Lancashire

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Summary for Day 2

Steady morning rain delayed this division one encounter until 2.30pm. Although the game is low scoring, it is not short of action and by the close of play, the outcome was finely balanced with all 3 results still possible. Generally, Essex fared slightly better in the session leading up to tea. The ball was no longer visibly swinging and a first innings deficit appeared to be on the cards. In the final session of the day, Lancashire dug deep in reserves of self belief and as the rain fell yet again just before the official closing time, Essex's players breathed a sigh of relief en route to the dressing rooms

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

With the exception of Mahmood, all of Lancashire's bowlers performed well. Glen Chapple was the pick of the attack collecting 2 wickets for 39 runs on the second day. Chris Schofield only bowled one over but managed to dismiss James Mddlebrook caught and bowled (Second ball) with a full-toss!

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Nasser Hussain scored 54 runs from 71 balls. He was particularly savage against Mahmood's bowling scoring 22 runs from just 2 overs at one stage. His dismissal came somewhat as a surprise. He was rarely in any difficulty until he offered a simple bat-pad catch to Jamie Haynes

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Chris Schofield covered every inch of the pitch - regularly changing positions for right/left handed combinations. His enthusiasm was infectious, and his agility very impressive

 

Highlight of the Day

Lancashire stuck well to the task in hand. The team never allowed Essex to completely gain the upper hand. Each time the home side appeared to be in control, Lancashire captured another wicket

 

Lowlight of the Day

Sajid Mahmood suffered a personal nightmare. He conceded 67 runs in just 10 overs despite bowling a maiden. He bowled 12 no-balls (24 extremely valuable runs in a low scoring game), and 1 wide. Whilst admiring Hegg's inner belief in Mahmood (He did not remove him from the attack), one would have expected Mahmood to have been rested sooner rather than later

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

Nothing to report

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Play delayed until 2.30pm due to rain - 44 overs reduction
• Rain delay at 2.55pm - 28 for 2 from 9 overs - Flower 14* Hussain 14*
• 5 overs lost 48 remaining - 3.15pm restart
• Chapple 39 consecutive deliveries to Hussain from the start of Essex innings
• 50 for 2 in the 16th over + 50 partnership - Hussain 35* Flower 14*
• 50 Hussain from 60 balls (8 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 79 for 2 in the 18th over - Flower 22*
• 20th over before the first single of Essex's innings - 80 for 2 - Hussain 52*
• Hussain caught Haynes bowled Chapple 54 - 90 for 3 in the 23rd over - Flower 23*
• 102 for 3 in the 25th over - Flower 26* Habib 5*
• Tea - 102 for 3 from 25 overs - Trail Lancashire by 116 runs
• Habib bowled Chapple 19 (Turned away and played on) - 128 for 4 in the 31st over
• Chapple off pitch injured - 136 for 4 in the 33rd over - Flower 34* Irani 7*
• 150 for 4 in the 35th over - Flower 43* Irani 8*
• Flower lbw bowled Hooper 46 - 162 for 5 in the 39th over - Irani 15*
• Irani bowled Martin 19 (Off-stump) - 170 for 6 in the 45th over - Middlebrook 3*
• Middlebrook caught & bowled Schofield 9 - 177 for 7 in the 49th over - Dakin 1*
• Rain stop play 6.20pm - 178 for 7 from 49 overs - Dakin 1* Napier 1*
• Essex trail Lancashire by 40 runs
• Essex 3 points, Lancashire 3 points

 

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