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

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Scorecard:

Lancashire v Middlesex

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Summary for Day 3

The third day of this championship match proved to be the perfect cure for insomniacs. By mid afternoon, the already sparse crowd was either sleeping, or yawning its way through the overs. No disrespect intended - Middlesex's batsmen were content to score slowly and Lancashire's bowlers could not extract any help from the wicket. With the transistor radio offering match commentary on the Manchester United game and sun just breaking through, no one could be blamed for "drifting off". Bad light prevented a prompt start to play - 8 overs were lost (But later gained back courtesy of Lancashire's speedy over rate). Strauss and Shah eased their past personal hundreds in the 41st and 76th overs respectively. By lunch Lancashire appeared lost for ideas how to make a breakthrough. Hegg even turned to Stuart Law without success. However, the hosts captured 4 wickets during the afternoon session to offer a brief glimmer of hope to all those spectators still watching. After the tea interval Lancashire just failed to collect a second bowling point. Both Hutton and Weekes played and missed on several occasions against the new ball. Alas by close of play, the visitors had closed within 101 of avoiding the follow-on, while Lancashire still require an unlikely 14 wickets

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Very very tough going for the bowlers. Generally even bounce, slow turn only and very little movement from the pitch or seam. In summary - the pitch is too good, it has not deteriorated in any way, shape or form. The game will end a draw - full stop. Keedy bowled a staggering 32 overs, 2 for 127. Hooper bowled Joyce behind his legs for 3 and finished the day with 1 for 43 from 21 overs. Peter Martin bowled 11 overs 2 for 25 and was probably Lancashire's most effective bowler

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Andrew Strauss scored his 3rd consecutive hundred against Lancashire. He finally hauled out to Gary Keedy in the covers for 155 (23 x 4). Oasis Shah scored 147 from x balls including 19 x 4 & 2 x 6. Ben Hutton remained 91 not out at the close of play (9 x 4 & 1 x 6) and seems likely to become the 7th centurion of the match

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Lancashire performed better in the field than Middlesex. There were very few mistakes and the only catch which was not held was extremely difficult. Unfortunately, Lancashire were not very creative with their field placings. With so many runs on the board, not enough pressure was placed upon the batsmen. Peter Martin held a skied catch long-on to dismiss Abdul Razzaq. The catch appeared very straight forward but was in fact very difficult bearing in mind the pressure associated with the situation. Martin held the ball and rolled onto his back

 

Highlights of the Day

• The way the team stuck at the task in hand despite the most placid of pitches
• Lancashire's fielding and catching

 

Lowlights of the Day

• With 734 on the board, the field placings did not seem attacking enough
• This was possibly the most boring days cricket on the circuit this season
• Lancashire narrowly failed to capture their 2nd bowling point by 15 deliveries
• Accepting that there was only one outcome for the match - a draw - and that the fourth days play holds no excitement
• Lancashire never sought use of the new ball until the 123rd over - far too late for the seam attack to grab a second bowling point

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

Nothing to report

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Start delayed for 30 minutes due to bad light - 8 overs play lost
• 100 Strauss from 147 ball (17 x 4) - 157 for 1 in the 41st over - Shah 34*
• 100 partnership - 159 for 1 in the 41st over - Strauss 100* Shah 36*
• 50 Shah from 84 balls (7 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 182 for 1 in the 46th over - Strauss 104*
• 200 for 1 in the 53rd over - Strauss 114* Shah 59*
• 150 partnership - 210 for 1 in the 57th over - Strauss 121* Shah 61*
• Strauss 126 dropped by Chapple (Very tough chance) - 215 for 1 in the 58th over
• 251 for in the 65th over - Strauss 142* Shah 81*
• 200 partnership - 260 for 1 in the 67th over - Strauss 146* Shah 86*
• Lunch - 269 for 1 from 70 overs - Strauss 146* Shah 92*
• 150 Strauss from 239 balls (23 x 4) - 276 for 1 in the 71st over - Shah 97*
• 100 Shah from 165 balls (13 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 282 for 1 in the 76th over - Strauss 153*
• Strauss caught Keedy bowled Martin 155 - 294 for 2 in the 77th over - Shah 107*
• 300 for 2 in the 78th over - Shah 112* Hutton 1*
• Shah bowled Keedy 147 (Behind legs) - 338 for 3 in the 94th over - Hutton 4*
• Joyce bowled Hooper 3 (Behind legs) - 343 for 4 in the 97th over - Hutton 6*
• 350 for 4 in the 103rd over - Hutton 9* Razzaq 4*
• Razzaq caught Martin bowled Keedy 22 - 374 for 5 in the 110th over - Hutton 14*
• Tea - 386 for 5 from 113 overs - Hutton 25* Weekes 1*
• 50 partnership - 425 for 5 in the 122nd over - Hutton 49* Weekes 16*
• New ball taken for the start of the 123rd over - 425 for 5 - Hutton 49* Weekes 16*
• 50 Hutton from 147 balls (3 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 426 for 5 in the 123rd over - Weekes 16*
• 450 for 5 in the 132nd over - Hutton 64* Weekes 24*
• Weekes caught Hegg bowled Martin 24 - 450 for 6 in the 133rd over - Hutton 64*
• Close of play - 484 for 6 from 145 overs - Hutton 91* Nash 7*
• Lancashire 6 points, Middlesex 6 points

 

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