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

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Scorecard:

Lancashire v Kent

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Summary for Day 1

Lancashire lost the toss for just the second time this season (Championship only). and without any hesitation Kent captain, David Fulton selected to bat. Ideally, Lancashire would have preferred to have batted first on a slow track offering very little for the bowler. Stuart Law left the field of play during the first session of the day and never returned, apparently suffering from a stomach complaint. Peter Martin removed Robert Key in the 3rd over of the day offering a brief ray of light to the hosts. Enter Ed Smith - he played the ball to all parts of the ground in a chanceless innings and became the first player to surpass 1000 runs for the season when he reached 194. After passing 200, Smith was clean bowled by Hooper. From that moment on, Kent lost their way. Boundaries were seldom struck and the run rate dropped appreciably. Considering the temperature which Lancashire were forced to face in the field they fought very hard to contain Kent. Lancashire will have to bat well and hope the pitch remains placid as the game progresses if they are to force a draw

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Lancashire's bowlers toiled all day in unbearable heat. Captain Hegg was forced to rotate regularly and provide extended breaks for the pace bowlers. Consequently, 8 different players bowled during the course of the day. Carl Hooper completed 37 excellent overs from the North end and finished with 2 wickets for 104 runs. He removed Fulton for 47, and Smith for 203 with the very next delivery following Smith's double hundred - a loss of concentration

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Ed Smith scored 203 runs from 256 balls including 35 x 4 and 1 x 6. The outfield was very dry and the boundary slightly shorter than usual (Out ground). Any shot struck beyond the in-field easily reached the rope.

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Mark Chilton worked extremely hard in the field. He made several fine diving stops and saved a considerable number of runs. By the close of play, Mark looked totally shattered and his trousers were covered in grass/dirt stains - a testimony to his effort and dedication

 

Highlights of the Day

• Lancashire remained very focused in the field and managed to restrict Kent to under four runs per over. Consequently, they prevented the visitors super passing 400.
• The glorious weather

 

Lowlights of the Day

• Losing the toss
• Stuart Law absent from the field of play most of the day due to stomach problem
• The last hours play was extremely slow and tedious
• Lancashire are unlikely to collect maximum bowling points for the first time this season

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

Nothing contentious to report - television replays confirmed any stumping decisions

 

Key Notes of the Day

Kent won the toss and elected to bat

Key caught Hegg bowled Martin 1 - 5 for 1 in the 3rd over - Fulton 4*

53 for 1 in the 12th over - Fulton 19* Smith 33*

50 partnership - 55 for 1 in the 12th over - Fulton 21* Smith 33*

50 Smith from 53 balls (10 x 4) - 89 for 1 in the 19th over - Fulton 32*

101 for 1 in the 21st over - Fulton 36* Smith 60*

100 partnership - 106 for 1 in the 22nd over - Fulton 36* Smith 65*

Fulton caught Swann bowled Hooper (First slip) 47 - 127 for 2 in the 30th over - Smith 75*

Lunch - 146 for 2 from 36 overs - Smith 88* Symonds 6*

150 for 2 in the 37th over - Smith 88* Symonds 10*

Symonds caught Hegg bowled Chapple 10 - 150 for 3 in the 37th over - Smith 88*

100 Smith from 114 balls (20 x 4) - 166 for 3 in the 38th over - Walker 4*

200 for 3 in the 48th over + 50 partnership - Smith 115* Walker 19*

150 Smith from 173 balls (28 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 247 for 3 in the 55th over - Walker 26*

251 for 3 in the 55th over + 100 partnership - Smith 151* Walker 30*

50 Walker from 104 balls (8 x 4) - 298 for 3 in the 73rd over - Smith 177*

300 for 3 in the 75th over + 150 partnership - Smith 179* Walker 51*

Tea - 303 for 3 from 75 overs - Smith 180* Walker 53* - Session 157 for 1 from 39 overs

Walker 70 dropped by Wood - 327 for 3 in the 82nd over - Smith 187*

200 Smith from 255 balls (35 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 346 for 3 in the 88th over - Walker 73*

Smith bowled Hooper 203 - 346 for 4 in the 88th over - Walker 73*

New ball not taken in the 91st over

353 for 4 in the 92nd over - Walker 79* Ealham 1*

New ball taken for the start of the 99th over - 375 for 4 - Walker 87* Ealham 15*

Close of play 384 for 4 from 109 overs - Walker 92* Ealham 18*

Lancashire 1 point, Kent 4 points

 

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