Testing Day for Middlesex

Beefy gives us a detailed report of a difficult day for Middlesex, including dopplegangers, disappearing and reappearing players, catches dropped and catches claimed or not. Not to mention full catering details.  You will think you were there after this account.

Its a very windy,grey day that greets Phil and myself for day 2 at Trent Bridge. The groundstaff are leaning on the hovercover just in case its needed,but thankfully it is driven away as the Middle players emerge so play is starting on time. We have two Gareth Bergs today,the original and the 'imposter' who is Chris Rogers who has put Bergies short sleeve jumper on. The first over is Murts from the Ratcliffe Road end to Hales: Finn has the Pavilion end. Murts has a couple of early LBW appeals but going down leg side so no luck there. Finn to Lumb and there is a huge,enthusiastic shout for caught behind,but again the umpire is un-moved.

WICKET-its 150-2 as Hales finally goes for 79 he is caught Strauss b Murts a lovely right handed dive for the catch. Bowling change Berg for Finn who sends a few short balls down and gets punished by Lumb. Finn soon takes over at the Ratcliffe Road end from Murts.An hour has gone its 188-2 and Rayner comes on for Berg. By 12.25 the runs are flowing its 200-2. Rayner to Wessells who skies the ball to Murts at Mid-off to the right handed batsman steadies himself for the catch and he takes the ball,but it somehow finishes on the ground,we hold our heads and Murts looks at the ball. Has been loads of 12th man activities for both sides in the 1st session. Lumb has reached his ton and in the nervous 90's is dropped twice by Strauss(on 95 and 99)

WICKET-its 233-3 and we get our first point as Wessells is run out by Rayner on 41 he scooped the ball up from the fielder at Mid-on. Lunch arrives and the score is 234-3,I decide to try the chippy across the road and get Haddock and Chips,the fish a size of a Whale,Phil  has the long room roll,its a thick Gammon today. After lunch,a few bowling changes rumble on and at 14:05 the floodlights are again turned on,new ball is taken. Berg first over with it from Ratcliffe Road end,Finn pavilion end,then Murts takes over from Berg. Finn to Mullaney an appeal for caught behind isn't given,came off the pad. 300-3 and its been a day of toil for the bowlers who just cant get the breakthrough. Lumb 150 no and there are dark clouds everywhere,looks like rain we mutter,and Notts cut loose after batting points.Dexter is bowling and this only 15 overs into the new ball,trying all ideas for that elusive wicket.

WICKET- 328-4 Lumb finally goes for a very good 162,c Murts b Berg. Berg to Mullany who decides to launch the ball over the new stand and possibly into the car park behind,Finny goes after it,to get the ball or check the cars are ok? He returns with the ball and Dexter. We didnt see him go and help him.

WICKET-365-5 Mullanay c Berg b Finn 60 Berg in the deep and we need another wicket for another point.Rayner to Broad who sends the ball towards Berg,the ball goes over the boundary and Berg straing away holds fingers up to signfy a 6,honest move by Bergie WICKET 382-6 as its Broad c Strauss b Finn for 12,its an international test match wicket! and another,its raining wickets now WICKET 382-7 Read is next to walk as Finn is the fielder for Dexter to claim a wicket.Swann comes in now,we have seen loads of test players here this match he goes

WICKET as Swann is LBW for 1 by Dexter again. its 402-8 and its Dexter to Adams and Berg,who is Deep square leg and makes a great dive forward full lenght and catches the ball,but,he isnt fully sure if it carried,neither are the batsmen or umpires,so its in the favour of the batsman,but once again its honest Berg.

WICKET 417-9 as Adams goes for quick 29 c Dexter b Finn . Poor old Ravi Patel,he has been drinks carrier all game so far and looks knackered as he goes out to the middle with a bottle carrier and a bag containing 15 bottles of drink. Finally the last wicket goes,and Notts are 423 all out,a good turn around by the lads.

We are now going to bat with 22 overs left,1st over its Broad to Strauss and it isnt long until the WICKET goes,Strauss just cant get a run at the moment and is caught by Reid off Gurney for 2. Robson soon follows c Reid b Adams for 9 its 32-2 its getting so dark out but still we play on,with 2 overs left Rogers is walking back to the pavilion as he is out for 6 its 50-3 now and Rayner is in as night watchman.   All in all another good day at Trent Bridge,fingers crossed for good weather tomorrow as Phil and myself head off for a beer and a curry.