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Haringey Racer reports on a fascinating Day 2 at Lord's. Most of us expected little cricket out of this day, but in fact there was plenty and what there was mostly went Middlessex's way. Many thanks to HR for this excellent and evokative report.

When the admin first asked me if I would do a report on Day 2 I naturally turned to the Met Office website for Saturday’s forecast. This showed dirty black clouds with lots of rain coming out of them and I thought I was in for an easy ride (“took one look at the weather and decided there was no point going”). From that point onwards, though, the forecast started to improve until, on Saturday morning, the rain wasn’t predicted until the late afternoon. This meant a great deal of rushing round to get everything done so that I could get to HQ for the start of play.  One quick trip round Sainsbury’s later I was ready to go.

The Jubilee line was suspended, but as I normally take a bus from Baker Street up to the ground that wasn’t a problem and I was in my seat ready for a prompt start at 11:00. At this stage the ‘crowd’ consisted of at most 200 or so and, if I had walked round I would probably have recognised them all. Naturally we were concerned that Wigley and Lucas would become the latest pair to post a record last wicket stand against us. Thankfully Dial M had other ideas. After three sighters he produced a beautiful outswinger that Lucas completely failed to nick to the keeper, followed by a straight one the pinned him absolutely plumb in front. 288 all out.

As the pavilion bell rang for the start of our reply, a few drops of rain began to fall. Robson and Compton wasted no time. Van Der Vath opened from the Nursery End; Robson took a single first ball; Compton edged the next through the slips for four and repeated the shot two balls later for 2. Lucas opened at the Pavilion End and was promptly square driven by Compton for four. At 11:20 a brief shower drove the players from the field. The umpires remained though and after 10 minutes called the players back. Compton continued playing shots, aided it must be said by some pretty woeful bowling and fielding, while Robson was slightly more restrained. After 10 overs of rubbish the score was 66-0 and Panesar and Hall were brought in to try to put the brakes on, which they managed to a degree but only slightly. Compo reached his 50 off 46 balls (if my notes are correct) with 9 fours out of a total of 78-0. The 100 came up in the 20th over, aided by some excellent running, with Compton on 60 and Robson 33.

The Firing Line  

Next in the firing line was Wigley. His first ball pitched slightly wide, swung after passing the stumps and went past first slip for two byes. Shortly afterwards he pitched short to Robson who square cut powerfully but was denied runs because the shot was stopped by Vanburn Holder who was unaccountably standing at point – it can’t have been because the sun was in his eyes. Lunch was taken at 119-0 from 25 overs with Robson 45 and Compton 63. An excellent positive opening by Compton in particular having paid dividends.

The afternoon session started with Robson quickly moving on to his own 50 (52 balls, 6 fours) form 124-0. It seemed now that Robson was monopolising the strike and the 150 came up in the 33rd over (Robson 70, Compton 69). Being overtaken spurred Compton into action and he raced ahead again before somewhat surprisingly hitting Wigley straight to mid off for 82. His anger at missing out on a hundred was obvious. 167-1; the best start not involving Strauss or Hughes that I can remember for some time. Shah came in and played one or two airy drives and edges through the slip area. Van Der Wath had Robson caught behind, although Robson chose to wait for the decision which took a long time to arrive from Vanburn. The 200 came up in the 42nd over (Shah 24, Morgan 8) so the scoring rate was still not far short of 5 an over which says all you need to know about the bowling and fielding. Shah, however, was bowled immediately afterwards by Lucas. 200-3.

Northants skipper Boje had clearly had enough. Clearly not trusting England’s second choice spinner to either take wickets or keep the runs down he brought himself on to bowl . He certainly slowed the scoring down, got the occasional bit of slow turn, and had Malan caught at short leg for a scratchy 10. Morgan did though play one lovely on drive off Boje for six. At around 3:50 another heavy shower forced an early tea at 243-4 (56.4 overs, Morgan 29, Scott 8).

Play resumed 20 minutes which meant that no further time had been lost. Monty was finally given another bowl in tandem with his skipper and the two left arm spinners did keep the runs down as the 250 was not reached until the 62nd over. Boje had a huge lbw appeal against Scott turned down by John Holder. Boje may not have said anything but the body language and the look of sheer disbelief on his face should be worth three points on the ECB disciplinary scale (but probably won’t be). Van Der Wath then returned at the Pavilion End and Morgan greeted him with a pull through mid wicket to reach his 50 (74 balls, 6 fours, 1 six). The 1st innings lead was achieved by Morgan with another on driven six off Boje in the 69th over. Van Der Wath then seemed to get into a bit of a row with Scott , being no-balled for bowling a third bouncer in an over to him. However Van Der Wath then bowled him next ball and celebrated in a manner that suggested he had taken 5 for 40 in 17 overs rather than 2-94.

Morgan quickly followed lbw to Boje before some more severe rain brought proceedings to a halt at 5:10 with the Middle handily placed on 310-6. All in all a thoroughly miserable day weather-wise but some good batting although the two late wickets mean that the position is not as strong as it might have been.