Match report: Middx v Lancs in NCL 2003 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Middlesex v Lancashire

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Summary

In Carl Hooper, Lancashire have acquired not only a very fine batsman, but an extremely talented all rounder. His fielding this season has been sublime, and his clever variation of spin a delight to watch. However, during this NCL encounter with Middlesex at Lords, Hooper demonstrated yet even more versatility to his armour by suddenly bowling medium pace half way through his spell of 9 overs. Lancashire lost the toss and were asked to bowl. Middlesex scored extremely aggressively in the first 5 overs (28 for 1) including 11 from the first over. Careless shot selection and some fine bowling reduced Middlesex to 60 for 4 in the 13th over. Ed Joyce and David Nash were forced to rebuild Middlesex's innings and the number of boundaries dramatically reduced. Abdul Razzaq blasted 61 runs from just 31 deliveries enabling the home side to reach 255 for 6 from 45 overs. In truth, this score was only "par" considering the short boundary and the "long" corners at Lords. Despite Chad Keegan bowling 3 maidens (4 in total for Middlesex), and the run rate climbing well in excess of 7 an over, Lancashire won the match with 8 balls to spare and consolidated their position in the league table (second) - promotion? On this form - yes

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Considering the pitch was very good and the ball came onto the bat at an ideal pace for the batsmen, John Wood's spell of 1 for 34 from 9 overs was vital. Bowling first change from the Nursery End, Wood captured the crucial wicket of Andrew Strauss with his 10th delivery (Mis-timed hook which went straight up into the air - easy catch for Hegg). He bowled Lancashire's only maiden of the innings and gave 100% effort

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Mal Loye played extremely well at the top of the order. He never panicked during the early phase of Lancashire's innings. In Tim Bloomfield's 6th over he scored 18 runs (3 x 4 & 1 x 6). His dismissal came as a surprise in the 35th over. Stuart Law smashed 3 x 4 & 2 x 6 before being caught on the deep cover boundary by the relieved Shah (It was travelling very fast at head high). Carl Hooper steered the visitors to victory with a very classy 88 not out from just 68 balls (7 x 4 & 3 x 6). He never scored a boundary until his 10th scoring shot but remained in total control as the run rate toppled 7.5 per over.

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Not Lancashire's best day in the field (As listed below under lowlights of the day). Both Chilton and Schofield worked hard to restrict singles around the wicket when fielding at cover, mid-wicket and point. Any ball hit through the field toward the Grandstand was guaranteed to reach the boundary rope. Even posting a fielder on this boundary was no insurance policy against conceding a four

 

Highlights of the Day

• Despite the short boundary to the Grandstand (Which probably accounted for the high score in the game) Carl Hooper hit two huge sixes straight down the ground (One to each end). The second six came in the 42nd over and all but sealed Lancashire's victory
• Excluding the 20/20 "Competition", Lancashire remain unbeaten away from home in both the 4 day and 1 day arena - very impressive

 

Lowlights of the Day

• Lancashire missed a couple of relatively easy run-out chances which could have further restricted Middlesex's score. On each occasion, the ball was thrown by the bowler at the batsman's end during the bowling follow through process. The distance involved was no greater than 5 to 10 feet
• Lancashire made several fielding errors and conceded a couple of needless overthrows. They also missed a skied opportunity to dismiss Nash when Swann failed to react quickly enough from the boundary edge
• Alec Swann's run out - a truly horrible way to be dismissed - luck or bad judgement?

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

When Glen Chapple was caught by Shah, the umpires discussed the possibility that the delivery from Abdul Razzaq was over waist high. Chapple waited patiently for the verdict before walking back to the pavilion. Umpire Burgess signalled that it was at waist high but no greater - Chapple was not quite so convinced

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Weekes caught Loye bowled Martin 6 - 17 for 1 in the 3rd over - Strauss 6*
• Keegan caught Swann bowled Martin 4 - 36 for 2 in the 7th over - Strauss 20*
• 50 for 2 in the 10th over - Strauss 25* Shah 8*
• Strauss caught Hegg bowled Wood (Skied) 29 - 56 for 2 in the 12th over - Shah 10*
• Shah lbw bowled Mahmood 14 - 60 for 4 in the 13th over - Joyce 0*
• 101 for 4 in the 25th over - Joyce 12* Nash 26*
• 50 partnership from 82 balls - 110 for 4 in the 27th over - Joyce 17* Nash 29*
• Nash 42 missed run out chance by Hooper - 136 for 4 in the 33rd over - Joyce 29*
• 50 Nash from 64 balls (4 x 4) - 145 for 4 in the 34th over - Joyce 30*
• 151 for 4 in the 34th over - Nash 55* Joyce 30*
• 35th over - Hooper reverts to bowling medium pace
• Joyce caught Martin bowled Mahmood 32 - 154 for 5 in the 36th over - Nash 57*
• Nash run out Chapple/Hooper 62 - 160 for 6 in the 37th over - Razzaq 0*
• Dalrymple 11 missed run out chance by Martin - 191 for 6 in the 41st over - Razzaq 18*
• 205 for 6 in the 42nd over - Razzaq 28* Dalrymple 15*
• 50 partnership from 31 balls - 210 for 6 in the 42nd over - Razzaq 29* Dalrymple 19*
• 50 Razzaq from 27 balls (6 x 4 & 2 x 6) - 237 for 6 in the 44th over - Dalrymple 22*
• 250 for 6 in the 45th over - Razzaq 57* Dalrymple 28*
• 255 for 6 from 45 overs - Razzaq 61* (31 balls) Dalrymple 28*

• 51 for 0 in the 11th over - Loye 29* Chilton 21*
• Chilton bowled Razzaq 21 - 56 for 1 in the 13th over - Loye 34*
• 50 Loye from 64 balls (7 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 94 for 1 in the 20th over - Law 18*
• 100 for 1 in the 23rd over- Loye 56* Law 20*
• 50 partnership - 109 for 1 in the 24th over - Loye 58* Law 26*
• Law caught Shah bowled Weekes 37 - 120 for 2 in the 25th over- Loye 58*
• 150 for 2 in the 31st over - Loye 65* Hooper 23*
• 50 partnership from 56 balls - 171 for 2 in the 34th over - Loye 74* Hooper 30*
• Loye bowled Razzaq 78 (9 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 183 for 3 in the 35th over - Hooper 36*
• Swann run out Bloomfield 1 (Backed-up too far - Hooper's straight drive was unknowingly deflected onto the stumps by Bloomfield) - 190 for 4 in the 36th over - Hooper 40*
• 203 for 4 in the 38th over - Hooper 47* Chapple 6*
• 50 Hooper from 51 balls (3 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 207 for 4 in the 39th over - Chapple 8*
• Chapple caught Shah bowled Razzaq 17 - 248 for 5 in the 43rd over - Hooper 80*
• 252 for 5 in the 43rd over - Hooper 84* Schofield 0*
• 257 for 5 in the 44th over - Hooper 88* Schofield 1*
• Lancashire 4 points won by 5 wickets, Middlesex 0 points

 

Man of the Match

A very solid all round team performance. Carl Hooper wins the award for his versatile approach to the game and his match winning innings of 88

 

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