Carberry succeeds by living on the Edge

Legend 49 no
By Seaxe Man
August 10 2006

Seaxe Man describes a day of slow play, dropped catches, edgy shots and a sratchy century in a match crucial to both sides for different reasons.

 

Pre Play

Blue sky with a cool breeze after overnight and early morning rain had
cleared. Arrived early, despite a detour via Tesco Metro. Today was the
annual visit by the Caravan Club (Jason Gillespie?) which gave the
attendance a boost. There was a healthy attendance by mid morning as
travelling Hampshire fans trickled in.  Overnight Midd-x 346 for 6. Weekes
14 Scott 17. Can we obtain a full hand of batting points? The new ball is
only 4 overs old so we shall see.

1st session

Bruce and Ervine opened the bowling and no runs accrued in the first 4 overs
played watchfully by Weekes and Scott. Finally in the 5th over Scott raised
the siege when he square cut Bruce for 4. Bringing up the 350 as he did so
and picking up the much needed 4th batting point. The Legend (Weeksey)
finally scored a single in the 7th over also off Bruce. The 50 partnership
came up in the 11th over with a sliced 4 by The Legend through the gap
between 3rd slip and gully. Bowling change in the 12th over - Thornely for
Ervine. He was promptly cut by Weeksey for 4. Scott then played a swivelling
shot for 4 in the same over bringing the score to 382. Can we do it? Scott's
wicket then fell for a useful 41 - bowled by Mascarenhas. So a tenacious
stand of 74 was ended at 385 - 7. Jolow looked totally unconvincing and
departed LBW for 0 to Thornely. 386 for 8 and starting to look dodgy. A shot
for 4 by Weeksey to cow corner lifted the score to 391 and he had now been
joined by Chaddy who took a single off the first ball he received. Shane
came on but Chad hit his last ball for 4. 397 for 8 and the tension rising.
Mascarenhas and Warne ( Hants best bowlers) were now back in harness. The
Legend cracked Mascarenhas's second ball for 4 and garnered the 5th batting
point. He repeated the dose next ball. Keegan was then bowled by Masca for a
useful 6 in the circumstances. 406 for 9. Spoons took a single off Masca's
last ball to face Warne. Two 4's by Weeksey and 1 by Spoons concluded the
proceedings at 422ao. The Legend 49*. Hants then faced a couple of overs -
Lunch - Hants 16 -0. A good morning for Midd-x

2nd session

The second session was marked by slow play by Hants. Only 95 runs being
scored in the session. Silverwood/Keegan opened the bowling. Silvers making
the breakthrough at 24 getting Adams caught by Shah at 1st slip. Jolow
replaced Chad and started with a wide. A strong LBW appeal by J Low was
rejected by Kettleborough. He also had a chance put down as did Styris when
he replaced Silverwood. The beneficiary in both cases was Carberry who I'm
sure would admit that he enjoyed a lot of good fortune. A number of bowling
changes were made in an effort to break the stand. There were few memorable
shots to remember and Hampshire went to tea at 111 for1. Carberry 60 Crawley
38.

3rd session

Progress remained slow after tea with numerous bowling changes. When JD
returned on 158 he turned one which took Crawley's outside edge to be caught
at slip by Styris. Stand 134. There then followed an excellent spell by
Silverwood during which he dismissed Benham LBW.Then another chance was
missed in the gully off Styris - the fielder in question apparently not
picking up the ball which went for 4. The skipper was not amused. Keegan
then returned to see Thornely edge over the slips, but 2 balls later had his
revenge, having him caught at the wicket. Close Hants 212-4 Carberry 103
Pothas 13.

Summary

Only 288 runs were scored in the day. Our 76 runs in the morning were scored
slowly by Midd-x but we had only 4 wickets standing with Weekes and Scott
having to do the lion's share of reaching 400. Hampshire's slow play was
less explainable with all wickets in hand. We bowled steadily with several
good spells but once again dropped catches cost us dear. Otherwise we would
have been well through their order and starting to take control. As it is -
their play suggests that they are trying to squeeze up time. Whether for a
short run chase or to get a big enough lead to put us under pressure 2nd
time round remains to be seen. Most thought Carberry's ton pretty patchy but
gave him credit for hanging in there - in what for him was a good day