Match report day 3: Essex v Lancs in Championship 2003 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Essex v Lancashire

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Summary for Day 3

Another very tense and competitive days play finished at exactly 6.30pm - not a minute too soon for Essex's weary and clueless players. Who would have thought that possible shortly before the luncheon interval when Alec Swann failed to play a shot to Napier's late inswinging delivery, leaving the visitors on 30 for 4. Lancashire's batting order appeared to be woefully wrong. Thankfully, Lancashire's middle/lower order gained control of the match once the new ball lost it's hardness. Essex contributed to their own downfall by fielding poorly, missing several opportunities and setting extremely defensive fields. The benefit of Lancashire batting first remains to be seen on the last day. The wicket is still unpredictable and has continued to offer both the seamers and the spinners plenty of scope for wicket taking. Lancashire will probably bat for a short period on the 4th morning before tightening the noose slightly further!

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Carl Hooper removed 2 of the last 3 Essex wickets whilst conceding just 8 runs. He removed "Hard-hitting" Napier for 6 (caught behind), and 28 balls later, tempted Dutchman Doeschate (also 6) down the track, presenting Hegg with a simple stumping

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Glen Chapple scored a magnificent 101 runs (not out). He came to the crease with Lancashire in deep trouble (109 for 5). Initially, he played the "understudy" role to Mark Chilton (70), only occasionally opening his shoulders to score a boundary. As Chapple gained in confidence, Essex's bowlers appeared to tire. However, Chapple never threw caution to the wind. He remained very selective with his shots. He was fortunate to survive two dismissal chances - Habib completely misjudged an easy opportunity at short leg, while Middlebrook was unable to catch a head high caught and bowled chance. Schofield (38) and Hegg 38 not out provided superb support. Chapple reached his 100 with 2 balls remaining of the days play - all this with a slight leg injury!

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Chris Schofield held a sublime catch at deep square leg to dismiss Dakin. Following a previous hook shot for 4, Schofield swapped places with Mark Chilton. Martin bowled the perfect short pitched delivery - Dakin hooked - Schofield took his time and readjusted his footing several times - the ball seemed to remain in the air for long time - Schofield held the ball at waist high - a vital catch at a vital time

 

Highlights of the Day

• Chapple's 100
• Schofield's catch
• The resistance shown by Lancashire's middle order on a tricky wicket

 

Lowlights of the Day

• Lancashire's batting order
• The loss of Haynes in the first over
• The loss of Mal Loye for nought - he is struggling really badly at the moment
• Collapsing to 30 for 4 - the game was on course to be completed by the end of the day

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

Should Lancashire have adjusted their batting order? It seemed obvious that Jamie Haynes would fall cheaply - why did he receive the first over? - did he really edge the ball to Foster?

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Napier caught Hegg bowled Hooper 5 - 196 for 8 in the 54th over - Dakin 14*
• 200 for 8 in the 55th over - Dakin 17 Doeschate 0*
• Dakin caught Schofield bowled Martin 18 - 202 for 9 in the 57th over - Doeschate 1*
• Doeschante stumped Hegg bowled Hooper 6 - 208 all out in the 62nd over - Brant 1*
• Lancashire lead by 10 runs

• Haynes caught Foster bowled Brant 0 - 1 for 1 in the 1st over - Swann 0*
• Loye bowled Brant 0 (Played on) - 3 for 2 in the 3rd over - Swann 2*
• Law caught Foster bowled Brant 4 - 13 for 3 in the 5th over - Swann 8*
• Swann lbw bowled Napier (Offered no shot) - 30 for 4 in the 11th over - Chilton 9*
• 51 for 4 in the 16th over - Chilton 15* Hooper 12*
• Lunch - 66 for 4 from 20 overs - Chilton 16* Hooper 22* - Lead by 76
• 50 partnership - 82 for 4 in the 24th over - Chilton 24* Hooper 34*
• 101 for 4 in the 28th over - Chilton 32* Hooper 44*
• 50 Hooper from 63 balls (4 x 4 & 2 x 6) - 107 for 4 in the 28th over - Chilton 32*
• Hooper caught Grayson bowled Middlebrook 50 - 109 for 5 in the 30th over - Chilton 33*
• 50 Chilton from 93 balls (8 x 4) - 142 for 5 in the 40th over - Chapple 15*
• 150 for 5 in the 41st over - Chilton 56* Chapple 17* - Lead by 160
• Missed opportunity by Habib at short leg to dismiss Chapple - 150 for 5
• Chapple 17 dropped caught & bowled chance by Middlebrook - 151 for 5 in the 44th over
• 50 partnership - 159 for 5 in the 44th over - Chilton 57* Chapple 25*
• Chilton caught Foster bowled Middlebrook 70 - 188 for 6 in the 50th over - Chapple 41*
• 200 for 6 in the 55th over - Chapple 46* Schofield 7* - Lead by 210
• Schofield 11 dropped Foster - 205 for 6 in the 57th over - Chapple 47*
• Tea - 207 for 6 from 58 overs - Chapple 48* Schofield 12* - Lead by 217
• 50 Chapple from 101 balls (7 x 4) - 218 for 6 in the 63rd over - Schofield 20*
• 50 partnership 238 for 6 in the 68th over - Chapple 65* Schofield 26*
• 250 for 6 in the 69th over - Chapple 66* Schofield 37*
• Schofield caught Middlebrook bowled Dakin 38 - 252 for 7 in the 70th over - Chapple 67*
• Hegg 14 missed stumping chance by Foster - 292 for 7 in the 80th over - Chapple 92*
• 301 for 7 in the 83rd over - Chapple 94* Hegg 20*
• 50 partnership - 302 for 7 in the 83rd over - Chapple 94* Hegg 21*
• Chapple 101 from 181 balls (8 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 327 for 7 in the 89th over
• Close of play - 327 for 7 from 89 overs - Chapple 101* Hegg 38* - Lead by 337
• Essex 4 points, Lancashire 4 points

 

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