Match report day 4: Warks v Lancs in Championship 2003 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Warwickshire v Lancashire

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Summary for Day 4

Visiting supporters emotions were severely tested at Edgbaston on the final day due to a combination of indifferent weather, a resilient 10th wicket partnership and a diminishing number of overs. At the start of the day, Lancashire required 10 wickets from 96 overs. The weather was generally bright, but the occasional rogue cloud narrowly passed by the ground to serve as a warning. Early wickets whetted the appetite for the remainder of the days play. Trott and Bell offered 73 minutes of resistance before Keedy removed the former player with a ball which turned very sharply. Trevor Penney, playing his first four day match for nearly 2 years, recklessly shouldered arms 20 balls into the afternoon session, while Ian Bell was brilliantly yorked by Keedy as the rain and bad light closed in. Lancashire's entire playing staff helped to uncover the wicket when the rain finally abated shorty before 3.30pm. 3 wickets in the space of 4 balls turned the game in Lancashire's favour. 17 overs remained, but the dark clouds descended once again. The tension built to an unbearable level as the number of overs remaining dropped below 5. Hegg tossed the ball to Steven Crook (On debut) in one last ditch attempt to snatch victory. Crook repaid his captains faith with an explosive delivery which kept Lancashire's hopes of the title alive - Bring on Sussex next week!

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Lancashire's main hero was Glen Chapple. In his first spell of the day, he removed both openers (2 for 18) and then returned to take 3 for 43 in his final spell. Chapple's 15th over proved the crucial one as he captured 3 wickets in the space of 4 balls (Triple wicket maiden) - Piper pushed the ball to Sutcliffe at short leg, Betts slogged wildly at his second ball, and Collymore repeated Betts appalling stroke the very next ball. Chapple's final figures for the innings was 5 for 86 (Match 8 for 178). Gary Keedy removed Trott and Bell either side of the lunch interval to break up the hosts only serious batting partnership. Steven Crook was Lancashire's hero at the end of the game. With just his 8th ball of the innings, he bowled Dougie Brown. The celebrations were marvelous to watch

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Three Warwickshire batsmen passed 40 but failed to convert their innings into a half century. They all scored 8 boundaries - (Trott 43, Bell 46, and Brown 44). Dougie Brown was the last Warwickshire batsman out. This was the first time that Lancashire had managed to dismiss Brown during the season (52 not out at Old Trafford, 140 not out 1st innings Edgbaston = Total 236 runs!) Brown was very angry with his dismissal at the end of the game.

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

The decision to move Steven Crook to short mid-wicket in the 12th over paid immediate dividends, when the following ball was stroked by Mark Wagh straight to the fielder. A truly inspirational move by Law and Hegg. Mal Loye held a smart catch at second slip to remove Jonathan Trott shortly after moving to this position. The outfield was very tricky during the final hours play due to the heavy rain.

 

Highlights of the Day

• Watching the entire team helping remove the covers
• Glen Chapple capturing 3 wickets within the space of 4 balls in the 44th over
• Steven Crook clean bowling Dougie Brown to win the game with 23 balls remaining - sheer relief!
• Dismissing Jonathan Trott with the fifth ball of the last over before lunch
• Lancashire posting a field which contained 4 slips and a gully

 

Lowlights of the Day

• The appalling afternoon weather which nearly ruined the match
• Water leaking under the main cover
• Mark Chilton's drop at third slip
• Consider the huge run lead the field placings were very conservative at times

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

The entire Lancashire squad (Including the physio, scorer and coach driver!) helped remove the covers after the torrential afternoon down pour. Never before have I witnessed such an event. Lancashire captain Warren Hegg even shouted to myself to come onto the pitch and provide some assistance. During the heavy rain, some water leaked underneath the main cover near the bowlers run up. One would not expect this to occur at a test match venue. The clearing up process was increased by 10 minutes due to the maintenance undertaken by the Warwickshire ground staff

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Powell caught Law bowled Chapple 4 - 6 for 1 in the 3rd over - Knight 2
• Knight bowled Chapple (Played-on) 3 - 11 for 2 in the 7th over - Wagh 4*
• Wagh 12 dropped by Chilton (3rd slip) - 19 for 2 in the 8th over - Trott 0*
• Wagh caught Crook bowled Wood 16 - 39 for 3 in the 12th over - Trott 16*
• 50 for 3 in the 14th over - Trott 18* Bell 9*
• 50 partnership - 91 for 3 in the 26th over - Trott 38* Bell 26*
• 100 for 3 in the 27th over - Trott 42* Bell 31*
• Trott caught Loye bowled Keedy 43 (Last ball before lunch) - 111 for 4 in the 31st over - Bell 39* - Trail by 221
• Penney bowled Hogg 2 (Shouldered arms) - 114 for 5 in the 34th over - Bell 39*
• Bell bowled Keedy 46 - 126 for 6 in the 37th over - Brown 5*
• Rain stop play 1.38pm - 126 for 6 from 37 overs - Brown 5* Piper 0*
• Play recommences at 4.10pm - 35 overs lost - 24 remain
• Piper caught Sutcliffe bowled Chapple 6 - 13 for 7 in the 44th over - Brown 13* - 4.28pm
• Betts bowled Chapple (2nd ball) 0 - 143 for 8 in the 44th over - Brown 13* - 4.31pm
• Collymore bowled Chapple (1st ball) 0 - 143 for 9 in the 44th over - Brown 13* - 4.33pm
• Last hour starts at 4.40pm - 144 for 9 from 44 overs - Richardson 0*
• 152 for 9 in the 46th over - Brown 22* Richardson 0*
• Brown bowled Crook 44 - 187 all out in the 58th over - Richardson 4* - 5.28pm
• Only 23 balls remained of the game to be bowled
• Lancashire beat Warwickshire by an innings and 145 runs
• Warwickshire 6 points, Lancashire 21 points

 

Lancashire Man of the Match

Glen Chapple for his 60 runs and 8 wickets for 178 (Average 22.25). His spell of bowling on the first morning (3 for 30) and his final spell (3 for 43) were exceptional considering the lack of assistance from the wicket throughout the entire game

 

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