Leach underlies Worcester's stickability

Fozzie gives us a wide ranging report on a reasoanbly interseting day at Uxbridge with a few familair themes such as over rates, Murts takes wickets, our inability to get tailenders out. and ear;y M<iddlesex wickets again Oh and some diversionary information on dress codes (pictures available on request). 

Following Monday’s rather blustery conditions and slow play I was hoping for rather better fare today.  Play resumed in overcast conditions but with the forecast of a dry day ahead, so that at least seemed hopeful.

With Worcestershire 195-3 overnight, just 114 runs behind, quick wickets were called for, and in only the second over of the day Gidman obliged.  The way in which he shouldered arms to Murts was elegance personified, but unfortunately for him his judgement was less impressive, and he lost his off-stump. A good start!

The new batsman, Clarke, benefitted from some half-volleys from Franklin in particular, but after half-an-hour Murts returned with the new ball and immediately trapped him LBW.  For a while things then slowed down (including the over rate – why should this seem to be inevitable?), before Tom Fell got to 98 with boundaries in successive overs, and shortly later reached a well-deserved century with another boundary off Toby, to accompanying cheers and thumbs-up from his father and brother.  It turns out that Fell was born in Hillingdon and once played for Middlesex Colts, so it must have been an especially satisfying moment for him.

Cox’s rather unproductive stay at the wicket was ended soon afterwards by a sharp catch by Ollie, and at 258-6 it looked as if the Middle might now press home the advantage.  However, Leach hung around with Fell to add a further 50, not falling until after lunch.  With Harris and TRJ bowling, the tactics now became telegraphed: three men on the leg-side boundary, and short-pitched bowling inviting a hook or pull.  Fell responded happily, pulling Toby for 6, but then he tried it again and was well caught on the boundary by Robbo.  His innings of 143 was his highest first-class score.

The tactics remained the same, but Shantry, who had previously been hopping around the crease rather anxiously, now decided to stand his ground and use his considerable height, pulling Toby for consecutive sixes.  Frustratingly, both he and the new batsman, Ajmal, looked increasingly comfortable, and they added a further 53 in just 10 overs.  The introduction of Ollie for the first spin of the day had no effect (though ironically as he was introduced the over rate declined to -4), and it was only the return of Murts, once again, that did the trick – knocking two of Ajmal;s stumps out of the ground, and then immediately doing the same to Morris, as if to prove that it had been no fluke. But Worcs must have been very happy with 385, giving them a useful lead of 71.

At this point I’ll digress briefly to discuss dress code.  Gentlemen (and ladies too, for that matter), may I just issue a note of caution.  Going commando in a pair of baggy tracksuit bottoms a size too big for you can never, ever look good, and is rather off-putting for your fellow spectators. And you know it won’t pass muster in the Middlesex Room….

Meanwhile, Nick Gubbins took first strike, perhaps to take some of the pressure off Robbo.  If so, it didn’t work: Robbo played and missed at the first ball he received, but edged the second to the wicket-keeper for another duck. At the other end Gubbins had an escape when he appeared to edge a ball to slip, but Worcestershire jubilation was cut short by the umpire’s lack of interest. The other Nick, Compton, was mixing some sumptuous drives with some rather edgy strokes, but together they put on 60 before Gubbins was deceived by Ajmal – the first wicket for a spinner so far in the match, after 49 overs.  More unexpected was the dismissal of Compton soon afterwards, and at 73-3 the situation looked serious.  So it was a relief to see Joe Burns and Stirlo playing sensibly, for the most part accumulating runs carefully, though punctuated by a big 6 into Gatting Way by Joe and a couple of typically punchy 4s by Stirlo.  By the close they had added 67, and both have the opportunity to make a substantial score tomorrow. 

So it ended with Worcestershire still having an advantage, but odds on the match finishing in a draw.  A pretty interesting day’s cricket, all in all, and with the benefit of warm, sunny weather.

 Positives

 -       Murts back in the wickets with 4-76, as well as being easily the most economical bowler.

-       Joe and Stirlo’s partnership in the last hour – it would be great to see them really build on this tomorrow.

-       A word for the opposition – for a team at the bottom of the table and with 5 defeats from 7 matches, Worcs seem to have impressive resolve, high morale and a good team spirit.

 Negatives

 -       A pair for Robbo: the poor chap doesn’t look as if he could buy a run at present.

-       The over –rate. Again.

-       Dress code violations.