Match report day 2: Northants v Lancs in Championship 2004 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Northamptonshire v Lancashire

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Summary for Day 2

The main objective of the morning session was to attain maximum batting points and to score runs quickly. With an unfavourable weather report forecasted for the third day, the visitors needed to be bowling by mid afternoon. Initially Chapple and Hooper scored freely and the fifth batting point seemed a mere formality. However, in tandem with the changeable weather, Lancashire suddenly varied their approach, with defence and slow scoring becoming much more prevalent. Perhaps the loss of Chapple and Hogg within the space of 2 overs had a significant bearing on this. Dominic Cork eventually hit a six over long off with a couple of overs to spare to release the mounting tension.

 

In the 7th over after lunch, Hooper became the third Lancashire player to reach his century. Hegg offered enthusiastic support with his running between the wickets - a pleasure to watch. A partnership of 90 was eventually broken when Hegg played on with 45 to his name. A truly outstanding catch on the deep mid wicket boundary by Afzaal to dismiss Hooper provided an ideal opportunity for Hegg to declare (504-9).

 

Lancashire bowled well either side of the tea interval. Runs were very sparse with the rate barely exceeding 2 per over. Swann held a sharp chance in the gully to leave the hosts on 6 for 1. Powell and Roberts both dug deep as Northants reached tea on 51 for 1. Powell survived his second chance to a drop catch by Law in the first over after the resumption. Roberts survived a rebound helmet catch soon afterwards - he was called back to the crease after clearly forgetting the rules. Although Powell was dismissed leg before wicket with the score on 59, Lancashire failed to make any further inroads before the close despite Chapple's incentive of £1000 per wicket from the club sponsor.

Key Notes of the Day

• 50 partnership - 321 for 4 in the 108th over - Hooper 33* Chapple 25*
• 50 Hooper from 83 ball (8 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 356 for 4 in the 114th over - Chapple 40
• 100 partnership - 370 for 4 in the 120th over - Hooper 58* Chapple 49*
• 50 Chapple from 76 balls (9 x 4) - 375 for 4 in the 120th over - Hooper 58*
• Chapple bowled Phillips 55 - 377 for 5 in the 120th over - Hooper 58*
• Hogg caught Sales bowled Jones 0 - 378 for 6 in the 121st over - Hooper 59*
• 403 for 6 in the 129th over - Maximum batting points - Hooper 68* Cork 16*
• Cork bowled Swann 19 - 412 for 7 in the 133rd over - Hooper 73*
• Lunch - 436 for 7 from 139 overs - Hooper 81* Hegg 16*
• 455 for 7 in the 145th over - Hooper 92* Hegg 23*
• Hooper dropped caught & bowled chance by Swann - 455 for 7
• 50 partnership - 462 for 7 in the 145th over - Hooper 99* Hegg 23*
• 100 Hooper from 165 balls (2 x 6 & 9 x 4) - 467 for 7 in the 146th over - Hegg 27*
• 502 for 7 in the 149th over - Hooper 115* Hegg 45*
• Hegg bowled Louw (Played-on) 45 - 502 for 8 in the 149th over - Hooper 115*
• Hooper caught Afzaal bowled Swann 115 in the 150th over - Martin 2*
• Lancashire declared at fall of 9th wicket - 504 for 9

• Huggins caught Swann bowled Chapple 5 - 6 for 1 in the 8th over - Powell 1*
• Powell 16 dropped by Law at 1st slip - 41 for 1 in the 18th over - Roberts 19*
• 50 for 1 in the 23rd over - Powell 21* Roberts 23*
• Tea - 51 for 1 from 2 overs - Powell 22* Roberts 23*
• Powell 22 missed chance by Law at 1st slip - 51 for 1 in the 26th over - Roberts 23*
• Roberts caught and bowled by Martin from a ball which rebounded from Iain Sutcliffe's helmet at short leg. Roberts walked but was asked to return to the crease by the umpire.
• 50 partnership - 59 for 1 in the 29th over - Powell 26* Roberts 27*
• Powell lbw bowled Martin 26 - 59 for 2 in the 30th over - Roberts 27*
• 50 Roberts from 92 balls (7 x 4) - 98 for 2 in the 42nd over - Afzaal 16*
• 102 for 2 in the 42nd over - Roberts 54* Afzaal 16*
• 50 partnership - 109 for 2 in the 45th over - Roberts 61* Afzaal 16*
• Close of play - 142 for 2 from 57 overs - Roberts 85* Afzaal 22*

 

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