Match report day 4: Notts v Lancs in Championship 2003 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Nottinghamshire v Lancashire

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Summary for Day 4

Lancashire concluded their county championship fixture list on a poor note by losing to Nottinghamshire by 233 runs. The nature of this defeat was particularly disappointing as the team crumbled from 134 for 1 to 243 all out in the space of just 28 overs. The morning session belonged to the visitors, although the entertainment value was not very high (Only 93 runs). At lunch Lancashire had reached 99 for 1, and the game was heading toward a draw. Paul Franks returned at the Radcliffe Road end and bowled an inspirational spell which reduced the visitors to 168 for 5 in the 54th over. At the same time it has to be said that Lancashire waved the white flag. The remainder of the team simply rolled over and died. A very very lethargic finale to a most enjoyable season. However, it is difficult to be too harsh on the lads considering the club recorded the lowest number of losses in the league and secured the runners up spot - very well done!

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Nottinghamshire's main hero was Paul Franks. He finished with 4 wickets for 62 runs from 18 overs. His 4 wickets came after the lunch interval (4 for 14 in 28 deliveries). Stuart MacGill also finished with 4 wickets (4 for 67). Greg Smith finished the match with 7 victims following his 2 for 61 in Lancashire's second innings

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Iain Sutcliffe scored a patient 65 from 48 overs. Prior to his dismissal, the game appeared to be drifting toward a draw. Sutcliffe shared in stands of 54 with Chilton for the first wicket and 80 with Loye for the second wicket. He was exceptionally unlucky to be dismissed in the 48th over - a delivery from Franks was drifting down the leg side. Sutcliffe attempted to move out of the way but guided the ball down toward his leg stump. Sutcliffe did not have sufficient time to react and was forced to watch the ball as it clipped the base of the stump and just managed to dislodge the leg bail. Kyle Hogg scored an exciting 50 from just 43 balls which included 11 crisply struck boundaries

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Very sprightly especially as the day progressed. No dropped catches. Occasional fumbling in the outfield!

 

Highlights of the Day

• The partnership of 80 between Sutcliffe and Loye for the second wicket
• Despite the defeat, Lancashire only lost 2 championship matches all season - the lowest in the league table
• Kyle Hogg's 50 which included 11 boundaries
• Peter Martin's six which posted the 200
• The call of no-ball which saved Mark Chilton from being out in the 22nd over

 

Lowlights of the Day

• Stuart Law failing to score 17 runs thus reaching 1834 runs for the season (Beating his previous highest score of 1833 in 1999)
• The very tame afternoon collapse including Carl Hooper's first ball dismissal
• Iain Sutcliffe's dismissal - an unfortunate way to get out
• Following last Sundays defeat against Sussex (NCL) and this defeat, it is hard to see Lancashire raising their game in time for the top of the table clash against Northamptonshire (NCL title decider on September 21st)

 

Discussion Point of the Day

Lancashire finished 34 points behind Sussex at the top of the table. Did the weather prevent Lancashire form capturing the title, or was it a combination of the elements and a couple of poor decisions/ performances throughout the campaign ? - whatever your answer - it was a pleasure to follow the lads around the circuit this year and I am proud of the teams achievement - bring on 2004!

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Sutcliffe reaches double figures in the 16th over - 31 for 0 - Chilton 18*
• 50 for 0 in the 22nd over - Chilton 26* Sutcliffe 18*
• Chilton 26 bowled Harris (Middle stump) from a no ball - 51 for 0 in the 22nd over
• Chilton caught Read bowled MacGill 27 (3 balls after the above) - 54 for 1 in the 23rd over - Sutcliffe 19*
• Lunch 99 for 1 from 35 overs - Sutcliffe 42* Loye 20*
• 100 for 1 in the 36th over - Sutcliffe 42* Loye 21*
• 50 partnership - 105 for 1 in the 37th over - Sutcliffe 46* Loye 21*
• 50 Sutcliffe from 109 balls (9 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 109 for 1 in the 38th over - Loye 21*
• Loye lbw bowled Franks 28 - 134 for 2 in the 46th over - Sutcliffe 64*
• Sutcliffe bowled Franks 65 (Played ball onto leg stump - just removing leg bail) - 137 for 3 in the 48th over - Law 1*
• Hooper lbw bowled Franks 0 (First ball) - 137 for 4 in the 48th over - Law 1*
• 150 for 4 in the 49th over - Law 2* Hogg 12*
• Law bowled Franks 3 (Middle stump) - 168 for 5 in he 54th over - Hogg 29*
• Chapple lbw bowled MacGill 0 - 169 for 6 in the 55th over - Hogg 30*
• 53 Hogg from 43 balls (11 x 4) - 193 for 6 in the 60th over - Hegg 1*
• Hogg bowled MacGill 53 - 194 for 7 in the 61st over - Hegg 2*
• 203 for 7 in the 64th over - Hegg 2* Martin 9*
• Martin caught Pietersen bowled Smith 16 - 211 for 8 in the 66th over - Hegg 3*
• Tea - 213 for 8 from 66 overs - Hegg 4* Wood 0*
• Wood caught Gallian bowled MacGill 20 (First slip) - 239 for 9 in the 71st over - Hegg 10*
• Hegg caught Gallian bowled Smith 12 - 243 all out in the 74th over - Keedy 2* - 3.55pm
• Nottinghamshire 21 points beat Lancashire 4 points by 233 runs

 

Lancashire Man of the Match

Glen Chapple for his 8 wickets and 25 runs. Possibly the only player to remain focused throughout the match. If his colleagues had emulated Chapple, Lancashire would not have lost this game - well done Glen - 679 runs and 49 wickets for the season

 

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