Match report day 1: Lancs v Middx in Championship 2004

Match report day 1: Lancs v Middx in Championship 2004 by Neil Adams

Scorecard:	Lancashire v Middlesex
Other links:	Day 2, Day 3, Day 4

Summary for Day 1

Having lost a crucial toss, and faced with the prospect of bowling on the easiest paced wicket of the season, Lancashire's players knew they were up against it from the word go. The pitch offered nothing for either the pace, or spin attack. Added to this, the home side entered the match with only 5 front line bowlers following the introduction of Alec Swann to the side in replacement for the injured Dominic Cork.

By lunch, Middlesex had reached 126 for 1 with Koenig unbeaten on 76. Lancashire's only success of the morning came in the 26th over when Ben Hutton hit a long hop from Keedy straight to James Anderson fielding at deep mid-wicket. If it had not been for such a reckless shot, Middlesex would have easily reached lunch without suffering any loss. During the early phase of Koenig's innings, the opener played and missed regularly. Most of his runs seem to come from edges and poorly timed strokes.

Koenig reached his century in the 52nd over, moving from 94 courtesy of a maximum hit over long-on from Keedy's bowling. Shah's dismissal 4 overs later brought the hosts a rare period of success. The Middlesex captain carelessly wandered down the track and found himself stumped for 35 from the bowling of Carl Hooper. Ed Joyce returned to the away dressing room after facing just 3 deliveries. In the middle of a lively spell of bowling from the Stretford End, Sajid Mahmood uprooted the left handers off stump (183-3). Paul Weekes failed to offer a shot to Anderson in the 63rd over and was adjudged leg before wicket (198-4). Meanwhile, Koenig carried on his merry way reaching tea undefeated on 132. No doubt Stuart Law was regretting his failure to hold a straight forward catch at first slip with Koenig on 115 as the players left the field (233-4).

The final session of the day was particularly disappointing from the spectators point of view. There were very few positive strokes to enjoy from a batting perspective, and Lancashire's bowlers appeared visibly tired and somewhat dispirited. Only 90 runs were forthcoming in 34 overs. Keonig continued to ride his luck with numerous uncertain strokes and plentiful edges. The only success for Lancashire came in the 80th over, when Dalrymple fell leg before wicket to Keedy for 17 (237-5). Lancashire's day was capped off in the 84th over when Hegg missed a sharp stumping chance, and in the 91st over when Mahmood was warned for running on the wicket. A tough day in the field for Lancashire and a difficult days viewing for the spectators.

Key Notes of the Day

Middlesex won the toss and elected to bat
51 for 0 in the 18th over - Koenig 38* Hutton 11*
50 Koenig from 68 balls (7 x 4) - 65 for 0 in the 22nd over - Hutton 12*
Hutton caught Anderson bowled Keedy 27 - 92 for 1 in the 26th over - Koenig 55*
100 for 1 in the 27th over - Koenig 59* Shah 4*
Lunch - 126 for 1 from 36 overs - Koenig 76* Shah 12*
50 partnership - 145 for 1 in the 42nd over - Koenig 85* Shah 22*
150 for 1 in the 43rd over - Koenig 88* Shah 24*
100 Koenig from 151 balls (11 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 169 for 1 in the 52nd over - Shah 31*
Shah stumped Hegg bowled Hooper 35 - 180 for 2 in the 56th over - Koenig 107*
Joyce bowled Mahmood 0 - 183 for 3 in the 57th over - Koenig 110*
Weekes lbw bowled Anderson 8 - 198 for 4 in the 63rd over - Koenig 114*
201 for 4 in the 64th over - Koenig 115* Dalrymple 2*
Koenig 115 dropped by Law at 1st slip - 201 for 4 in the 65th over - Dalrymple 2*
Tea - 233 for 4 from 76 overs - Koenig 132* Dalrymple 16*
Dalrymple lbw bowled Keedy 17 - 237 for 5 in the 80th over - Koenig 134*
Koenig 138 missed stumping by Hegg - 244 for 5 in the 84th over - Nash 3*
250 for 5 in the 86th over - Koenig 141* Nash 6*
150 Koenig from 261 balls (14 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 261 for 5 in the 89th over - Nash 7*
Mahmood warned for running on the wicket - 276 for 5 in the 91st over - Koenig 157* Nash 14*
50 partnership - 288 for 5 in the 95th over - Koenig 158* Nash 25*
300 for 5 in the 98th over - Koenig 162* Nash 31*
New ball taken - 306 for 5 in the 101st over - Koenig 162* Nash 37*
Close - 323 for 5 from 110 overs - Koenig 170* Nash 45*
Lancashire 1 point, Middlesex 3 points