Stirling Remains Strong

Darren Gosling gives a full report on a productive day for Middlesex with some excellent pictures.

Day 2 – Morning session

With the sun shining and under mainly blue skies Middlesex found batting on day two at Radlett far easier than yesterday. The morning session began with Robbo unbeaten on 85 and ended with Strirlo unbeaten on 85. In between Robbo was the only wicket to fall but not before completing his 22^ndfirst class century.

Play it again Sam as celebrates ton

The introduction of spin (and double Nelson) saw the end of Robbo for 107 caught at the wicket off Labuschagne. Stirlo though was playing assuredly, curbing his natural instincts to ‘go large’ whilst still peppering the boundary with regular fours, moving to lunch with a century of his own in his sights. Middlesex put on 121-1 in the session to go to lunch on 272-4, with Stirlo and George Scott (15) having just completed their 50 partnership.

Afternoon session

Having taken the new ball a few overs before lunch Glamorgan were surely hoping to make early inroads after lunch and they didn’t have to wait too long to get their rewards. Scott, who had otherwise looked comfortable shouldered arms to a Carey delivery, departing for 31 leaving the Middle on 298-5. Simmo joined Stirlo at the crease but it was Stirlo who continued to dominate, securing the 3^rdbatting point before shortly afterwards recording his second Championship ton for the Middle. Simmo (15) then fell on triple Nelson caught behind off van der Gugten, before Helm (8) came and went falling lbw to Labuschagne with score on 357-7. Stirlo finally departed for 138 bowled by Labuschagne but of course not before helping the Middle to 4 batting points for only the third time in two years. At tea the Middle were 394-8 and with poor weather forecast for the remainder of this match we all assumed a declaration at tea.

Stirlo Sweep

Evening session

To much surprise , the Middle continued to bat – “what do us supporters know about cricket anyway” to quote our Director of Cricket. It didn’t last very long of course, a further 16 runs were added, though Sowter (28) and Finn (15 not out) did play some entertaining shots before Murts comprehensively lost his middle stump to leave the Middlesex innings to close on 410.

Finny 4

Glamorgan’s reply got off to the worst possible start with Hemphrey running out his opening partner Selman off just the second ball. Selman departed having not faced a ball thanks to a direct hit at the stumps from Gubbo in the covers. With Glamorgan 0-1 Labuschagne joined Hemphrey at the crease. The pair then set about the Middlesex bowling as even the usual miserly Murts took stick as Glamorgan raced along at six an over. With the score on 51-1 Helm had Labuschagne caught by Robbo at slip only for umpire Bainton to signal no ball! Murts then returned at the Salters Field end to have Hemphrey dropped by Eski in the slips, while Labuschagne completed his 50. A few overs later Murts got his revenge however, trapping Hemphrey (27) lbw to leave Glamorgan 80-2. Shortly afterwards Labuschagne survived another chance to Eski in the slips before departing very next ball, offering  a simple catch to Stirlo at point to depart for 51 and Glamorgan on 86-3. With the run rate now at -3 (can’t blame Toby this time) it was time for spin from Sowts. Lloyd (12) and Root (16) both survived a good spell from Sowts and Helm to take Glamorgan to 112-3 at the close.