Match report day 4: Middx v Lancs in Championship 2004 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Middlesex v Lancashire

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Summary for Day 4

Lancashire grafted hard on the final day of this match to secure an eight point draw. Although this might seem a poor reward for four days work, the visitors were delighted to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and remain in third place in the table. Considering Lancashire have played all three of their matches away from home, this is a very strong platform from which to work from.

 

Mark Chilton and Mal Loye consolidated Lancashire's strong overnight position during the first 48 minutes play. Loye passed 50 for the second time in the game. When the partnership reached 105, Loye played back to a ball from Weekes and was adjudged leg before wicket (180-2). Law joined Chilton, and the pair added runs without any complications. Middlesex's bowling attack was struggling with the old ball, and fringe bowlers were used in the final hour before lunch (Joyce and Hutton). At lunch, Lancashire were 246 for 2.

 

In the fifth over after the resumption, Chilton used his feet well to drive Weekes straight down the ground to the pavilion fence for four to reach his 100. Truthfully, he should have gone on to post a much higher score, but chipped tamely to Joyce at mid-wicket four overs later (293-3). Middlesex took the new ball at the start of the 91st over - a last ditch attempt to knock over Lancashire's upper order batsmen. Quite surprisingly, Keegan and Hayward only bowled four overs each before giving way to Joyce and Klusener. The latter bowler was fortunate to capture Law's wicket with the score on 331 - a feint leg-side glance which keeper Nash held without any fuss. Glen Chapple blasted a quick 17 before offering a thin tickle to Nash (353-5). Kyle Hogg was more fortunate than Law and Chapple, when Nash dropped a straight forward edge with the score on 367. At tea, Lancashire were 271 runs ahead and contest was already destined to finish as a draw.

 

With only personal pride and averages to play for in the final session, Kyle Hogg was bowled in the first over for 12 (373-6). Dominic Cork hit a boundary four, but was bowled behind his legs soon after (377-7). Carl Hooper who was exceptionally fortunate not to be given out leg before wicket early in his innings (Offering no shot) was joined at the crease by Warren Hegg. The Lancashire captain elected to declare as he brought up the 400 with a boundary four through his favourite point region. Middlesex required a highly improbable 300 to win from just 20 overs.

 

Kyle Hogg and Sajid Mahmood shared the new ball, enabling Chapple and Cork to take a well deserved break. Strauss and Keonig offered no chances in the thirteen overs bowled before the players shook hands and left the field.

 

Lancashire man of the match - Dominic Cork 7 for 120 kept Lancashire in the match at a crucial stage on an easing wicket.

 

Key Notes of the Day

• 50 Chilton from 146 balls (7 x 4) - 133 for 1 in the 46th over - Loye 31* - over rate minus 1
• 146 for 1 in the 50th over - Chilton 60* Loye 36* - over rate minus 2
• 151 for 1 in the 52nd over - Chilton 64* Loye 37* - 11.25am - Lead by 49
• 50 Loye from 101 balls (6 x 4) - 171 for 1 in the 55th over - Chilton 69*
• 100 partnership - 175 for in the 55th over - Chilton 69* Loye 56*
• Loye lbw bowled Weekes 60 - 180 for 2 in the 58th over - Chilton 70* - 11.48am - Lead by 78
• 201 for 2 in the 65th over - Chilton 76* Law 11*
• 202 for 2 in the 65th over - Chilton 7* Law 12* - 12.13pm - Lead by 100
• 50 partnership - 230 for 2 in the 75th over - Chilton 85* Law 31*
• 236 for 2 in the 77th over - Chilton 87* Law 35* - over rate 0 - Lead by 134
• Lunch - 246 for 2 in the 81st over - Chilton 95* Law 37* - Lead by 144
• 250 for 2 in the 82nd over - Chilton 95* Law 40*
• 101 Chilton from 247 balls (12 x 4) - 269 for 2 in the 86th over - Law 46* - over rate +2
• 50 Law from 98 balls (5 x 4) - 274 for 2 in the 88th over - Chilton 102* - Lead by 172 - 2pm
• 100 partnership - 280 for 2 in the 88th over - Chilton 102* Law 56*
• Chilton caught Joyce bowled Weekes 103 - 293 for 3 in the 90th over - 2.03pm - Law 68*
• 297 for 3 in the 90th over - New ball taken - 2.10pm - Law 68* Hooper 4* - Lead by 195
• 300 for 3 in the 92nd over - Law 68* Hooper 6*
• 302 for 3 in the 93rd over - Law 69* Hooper 7* - Lead by 200 - 2.20pm
• Law caught Nash bowled Klusener 91 (Edged down leg side to keeper) - 331 for 4 in the 103rd over - Hooper 13* - 3pm
• 353 for 4 in the 107th over - Hooper 17* Chapple 17*
• Chapple caught Nash bowled Klusener 17 - 353 for 5 in the 107th over - Hooper 17* - Lead by 251 - 3.20pm
• Hogg 9 dropped by Nash - 367 for 5 in the 109th over - Hooper 18*
• Tea - 373 for 5 in the 112th over - Hooper 21* Hegg 12* - Lead by 271
• Hogg bowled Klusener 12 - 373 for 6 in the 113th over - Hooper 21* - 4.02pm
• Cork bowled Klusener 4 (Leg stump - behind legs) - 377 for 7 in the 113th over - Hooper 21*
• Hooper 26 dropped by Joyce at point - 385 for 7 in the 116th over - Hegg 3*
• 401 for 7 declared in the 119th over - Hooper 33* Hegg 12* - 4.32pm
• Middlesex set 300 to win from 20 overs

• 16 for 0 from 5 overs - Strauss 8* Keonig 4* - Last hour starts
• 41 for 0 from 13 overs - Strauss 19* Keonig 14* - 5.30pm - Match drawn
• Middlesex 10 points, Lancashire 8 points

 

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