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

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Scorecard:

Middlesex v Lancashire

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Summary for Day 3

The visitors dominated the first two sessions of the day. They remained focused with the ball and the quality of their fielding. Consequently, they reduced Middlesex from the healthy position of 225 for 4 to 304 all out. Expectations were high as Warren Hegg led his team into the field after enforcing the follow-on. However, the similarity between what happened at the Oval a couple of weeks early, and what was about to happen was frightening - lots of rain and an easy paced wicket.

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Gary Keedy bowled a super spell from the Nursery End. At one stage he captured 5 wickets for 23 runs, to finish with figures of 6 for 68. He ensured Lancashire collected maximum bowling points, and enabled Warren Hegg to enforce the follow-on.

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Ed Joyce scored 53 runs from 54 balls. This included 11 x 4 and 3 x 3. There were no other scoring shots!

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Alec Swann's catch to dismiss Paul Weekes was exceptional. An overhead effort whilst moving backward at leg-slip.

 

Highlight of the Day

Collecting maximum bonus points for the second time in 3 matches, thus enabling the follow-on to be enforced once again.

 

Lowlight of the Day

Not being able to make inroads into the Middlesex batting order second time around due to the weather and the placid behavior of the wicket.

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

Considering the venue and the plentiful supply of equipment, I was disappointed at the speed at which the outfield was cleared after the rain break. I am confident if a Test Match was being played and the crowd was substantially bigger, a much greater effort would have been made.

 

Key Notes of the Day

• 50 partnership in 55 balls - 197 for 4 in the 49th over - Joyce 37*
• 201 for 4 in the 49th over - Joyce 41* Weekes 13*
• Joyce 53 from 54 balls (11 x 4) 225 for 4 in the 55th over
• Joyce caught Flintoff bowled Chapple 53 - 225 for 5 in the 55th over
• Hutton 9 missed stumping by Hegg - 244 for 5 in the 64th over
• 250 for 5 in the 65th over - Weekes 36* Hutton 10*
• Weekes caught Swann bowled Keedy 39 - 253 for 6 in the 66th over
• Tahir caught Chapple bowled Keedy 0 - 253 for 7 in the 66th over
• Keegan lbw bowled Keedy 21 - 299 for 8 in the 74th over - Hutton 32*
• 300 for 8 in the 75th over - Hutton 33* Dawes 0*
• Hutton caught Swann bowled Keedy 33 in the 76th over
• Lunch taken at the fall of the the wicket
• 304 all out in the 78th over (2pm) Bloomfield caught Chilton bowled Keedy 1 - Dawes not out 1*

• Follow-on enforced
• Rain stops play 38 for 0 in the 16th over - 3.20pm
• Tea taken early 3.40pm
• Restart at 5.45pm - 16.3 overs remaining
• 51 for 0 in the 21st over - Keonig 17* Strauss 33*
• Strauss 50 in 97 balls (5 x 4) - 85 for 0 in the 32nd over - Keonig 31*
• Close of play 6.45pm - 89 for 0 in 33 overs - Keonig 35* Strauss 50*
• 34 overs play lost

 

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