Match report day 1: Lancs v Middx in Championship 2003 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Lancashire v Middlesex

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Summary for Day 1

Lancashire won the toss and elected to bat. Runs were sparse during the first hour (42 for 1 after 19 overs). Following Sutcliffe's early demise, Lancashire gained complete control of the game thanks to Loye and Chilton. Middlesex appeared to have no clue how to break the partnership. Under darkening skies and just before the new ball was due, Abdul Razzaq claimed both players wicket. Middlesex desperately tried to slow the game down during the final hour. However, they failed to remove either Law or Hooper and now face the daunting prospect of another long day in the field, as well as batting for more than 2 days to save the game

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Other than Leicestershire (DeFreitas excepted), Middlesex's bowling attack was the poorest on show this season. They lacked any cutting edge and seldom beat the bat, or forced an appeal. Although Razzaq captured 2 wickets for 93 runs by the close of play, he contributed all 9 no-balls and appeared to be otherwise occupied (He failed to make the Pakistan test team). Although Chad Keegan did not take a wicket, he bowled 5 excellent spells to finish with 0 for 56. His figures at lunch were 11 overs 0 for 23. Middlesex persisted heavily with spinners Dalrymple and Weekes. They seldom caused a problem and finished the day with combined figures of 39 overs, 0 for 132 - enough said!

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Lancashire added 259 runs for the second wicket beating the previous record against Middlesex by 26 runs courtesy of Mal Loye (137) and Mark Chilton (125), The pair batted throughout the afternoon session adding 139 runs. Loye scored 18 x 4 & 1 x 6 and Chilton scored 12 x 4 & 1 x 6. Loye scored a significant number of his runs on the off side (He usually scores heavily on the leg-side). Both batsmen lost their wicket within the space of 13 deliveries to Razzaq. Law (41*) and Hooper (26*) added 57 runs in just 16 overs before the close of play. Only Iain Sutcliffe missed out (4)

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Middlesex set a number of truly horrendous defensive fields. They made no attempt to prevent singles being scored. They failed to apply any pressure on the batsmen. The team were exceptionally quite while Loye and Chilton batted. No dropped chances though and a number of good stops around the wicket

 

Highlights of the Day

• Mark Chilton attaining his highest score in first class cricket for Lancashire
• Mal Loye attaining his highest score for Lancashire
• The partnership between Loye and Chilton

 

Lowlights of the Day

• Iain Sutcliffe's dismissal - attempting a hook shot, Sutcliffe decided not to go through with the shot. He left his bat "sticking-up" in the air. The ball struck Sutcliffe's bat and looped up to Ben Hutton fielding at gully.
• Mark Chilton did not go on to score a big hundred
• Mal Loye's dismissal - he was caught down the leg-side by Nash - a very feint tickle and an annoying way to lose your wicket
• Lancashire batted very slowly at times - perhaps they should have scored more runs by the close of play

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

It was Middlesex's turn to slow the game down during the last hour. Their bowlers had toiled all day without much success and due to the exceptional number of overs bowled in the first two sessions, they could afford to slow the match down

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Lancashire won the toss and elected to bat
• Sutcliffe caught Hutton bowled Dawes 4 - 24 for 1 in the 11th over - Chilton 19*
• 50 for 1 in the 21st over - Chilton 31* Loye 12*
• 50 partnership - 74 for 1 in the 29th over - Chilton 40* Loye 27*
• 50 Chilton from 103 balls (5 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 94 for 1 in the 34th over - Loye 30*
• 100 for 1 in the 36th over - Chilton 57* Loye 31*
• Lunch - 103 for 1 from 39 overs - Chilton 59* Loye 32*
• 100 partnership -126 for 1 in the 45th over - Chilton 68* Loye 46*
• 50 Loye from 133 balls (7 x 4) - 134 for 1 in the 48th over - Chilton 72*
• 153 for 1 in the 55th over - Chilton 78* Loye 63*
• 150 partnership - 175 for 1 in the 58th over - Chilton 78* Loye 84*
• 100 Loye from 196 balls (14 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 199 for 1 in the 65th over - Chilton 86*
• 200 for 1 in the 65th over - Chilton 87* Loye 100*
• 100 Chilton from 196 balls (10 x 4 & 1 x 6) + 200 partnership - 225 for 1 in the 73rd over - Loye 110*
• Tea - 242 for 1 from 80 overs - Chilton 109* Loye 119* - Partnership 218*
• 250 for 1 in the 83rd over - Chilton 113* Loye 121*
• Chilton bowled Razzaq 125 - 283 for 2 in the 89th over - Loye 132*
• 301 for 2 in the 91st over - Loye 137* Law 11*
• Loye caught Nash bowled Razzaq 137 (Leg-side catch) - 304 for 3 in the 91st over - Law 12*
• New ball taken at the beginning of the 92nd over
• Bad light stop play at 5.35pm - 313 for 3 in the 95th over - Law 18* Hooper 3*
• Match restarts at 5.45pm - 3 overs lost
• 350 for 3 in the 104th over - Law 34* Hooper 24*
• 50 partnership - 354 for 3 in the 106th over - Law 36* Hooper 26*
• Close - 363 for 3 from 107 overs - Law 41* Hooper 26*
• Lancashire 4 points, Middlesex 1 point

 

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