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

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Scorecard:

Lancashire v Kent

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Summary for Day 2

Blackpool is renowned for providing superb family entertainment. The choice of excitement varies from the white knuckle rides at the Pleasure Beach to the huge assortment of activities at the Tower. Unfortunately, those spectators who choose to visit Stanley Park to watch this Championship encounter were seriously denied of any action and could rightly claim poor value for their money. Kent's batsmen strangled the life out of this match by accumulating runs so slowly. In truth, Kent should have been in a position to declare at lunchtime with in excess of 600 on the scoreboard. When Kent captain, David Fulton beckoned his batsmen to the pavilion at 3.30pm the cheer was deafening, and the relief palpable. Lancashire temporarily lost their way as 2 early wickets fell. The wicket is still "Holding-up" and a draw is now the most likely outcome. Kent do not deserve to win. No wonder they are languishing in the lower regions of the first division.

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Another difficult day in the field for Lancashire's bowlers. The heat was very oppressive and the low/slow wicket offered minimal assistance. Chapple and Martin did extract some variable bounce and movement in the opening exchanges, but once the first hour passed, the ball seldom misbehaved. Hegg used 9 different bowlers during Kent's innings including Mal Loye. Hegg was equally as disillusioned as the crowd with Kent's tactics and using his part time bowlers reflected his displeasure and frustration. Carl Hooper finished with 3 wickets for 147 runs from 51 overs - a great effort under the circumstances

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Mark Chilton scored a patient 52 not out which included 9 boundaries. His innings was particularly valuable considering the loss of Loye and Swann within the first 12 overs. Chilton did survive several loud appeals for leg before wicket. Carl Hooper also scored a half century from 94 balls and appeared to be at ease in the middle with Chilton.

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

John Wood made a number of superb stops on the long-leg and third man boundaries. He chased the ball and prevented several 4's from being scored. These stops were made all the significant by the fact that Wood was bowling from the North End at the time in the intense heat (Stops made when not bowling!)

 

Highlight of the Day

Watching Mal Loye collect his first wicket in first-class cricket. His celebration was a joy to watch. Ealham could not believe it. (Pulled a short ball to Schofield fielding on the deep mid-wicket boundary)

 

Lowlights of the Day

• Suffering a large bout of boredom watching Kent's batsmen - no wonder they are in the bottom 3 of the league table
• Lancashire suffering 2 quick loses at the beginning of their innings
• Kent's continuous over appealing

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

Why did Kent bat so slowly during the entire course of the day? They wasted so much time. They never accelerated in any way at all. The crowd responded with the slow-hand clap and cheered sarcastically when Kent scored a run. Not very good publicity for the game on Sky television. Everyone probably turned off!

 

Key Notes of the Day

• 100 Walker from 242 balls (14 x 4) - 395 for 4 in the 112th over - Ealham 20*
• 50 partnership - 396 for 4 in the 112th over - Walker 102* Ealham 20*
• 400 for 4 in the 114th over - Walker 104* Ealham 23*
• 100 partnership - 446 for 4 in the 126th over - Walker 130* Ealham 39*
• 451 for 4 in the 126th over - Walker 130* Ealham 39*
• 50 Ealham from 121 balls (4 x 4 & 2 x 6) - 480 for 4 in the 135th over - Walker 145*
• 150 Walker from 342 balls (19 x 4) - 487 for 4 in the 140th over - Ealham 55*
• Walker caught Chapple bowled Hooper 150 - 488 for 5 in the 140th over - Ealham 55*
• Ealham 57 dropped by Law at point (Very tough) - 494 for 5 in the 143rd over- Jones 5*
• Lunch - 497 for 5 from 143 overs - Ealham 58* Jones 7* - Session - 113 for 1 from 36 ovs
• 500 for 5 in the 145th over - Ealham 61* Jones 7*
• 50 partnership - 538 for 5 in the 155th over - Ealham 71* Jones 34*
• 50 Jones from 74 balls (2 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 578 for 5 in the 165th over - Ealham 91*
• Ealham caught Schofield bowled Loye 93 - 585 for 6 in the 167th over - Jones 55*
• 600 for 6 in the 169th over - Jones 65* Tredwell 3*
• 602 for 6 declared from 169 overs - Jones 66* Tredwell 3* - 3.30pm

• Swann lbw bowled Ferley 2 - 6 for 1 in the 6th over - Chilton 4*
• Tea - 14 for 1 in the 8th over - Chilton 5* Loye 7*
• Loye caught Key bowled Ferley 13 - 30 for 2 in the 12th over - Chilton 15*
• 50 for 2 in the 16th over - Hooper 14* Chilton 16*
• 50 partnership - 80 for 2 in the 25th over - Hooper 24* Chilton 35*
• 102 for 2 in the 33rd over - Hooper 30* Chilton 46*
• 50 Chilton from 102 balls (9 x 4) - 116 for 2 in the 37th over - Hooper 39*
• 50 Hooper from 94 balls (8 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 128 for 2 in the 38th over - Chilton 51*
• 100 partnership & close of play - 130 for 2 from 40 overs - Chilton 52* Hooper 52*
• Lancashire 1 point, Kent 5 points

 

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