Oh Deer Park for Essex

Seaxe Man describes in his usual detail a rare event a 20/20 Middle win. We also hear of Pinky asking for his opinion.    

Background.

We (Middlesex) are currently on a run of 7 successive defeats in the T20Blast Competition after winning two of the first three. With 4 games left, two home and away versus Essex (who have recovered from a poor start),

The Mexicans at Lords and finally Somerset at Taunton. Prospects of setting up a record T20 sequence in a losing run of 11 games, looks possible. Looking at the stats, it hardly matters whether we are at home or away, with 21 home wins and 20 away. Total losses of 36 at home include 26 at Lords.

Tonight's opponents Essex, are packed full of experienced all rounders, a pre- requisite in their recovery in T20 I would think.

With Stephen Finn returning to the squad and Mitch McClenaghan recovered from his hand injury, we are stronger on the bowling front. This is tough on their understudies who worked manfully in the debacle at The Hacienda last Friday night.

We have only two T20 wins at Richmond so far. Hoping we can beat the odds and get a third tonight.

For the second time, record advance ticket sales at Old Deer Park ensured an excellent crowd of 3000 attending to see a rare T20 win.

Teams

Middlesex. Two changes to the card. Joe Burns replaced Dexter and Steven Finn replaced Harry Podmore. Plus a debut for George Scott a tall 19 year old RHB from Hertfordshire.

Essex as carded.

Essex won the toss and elected to bat. When asked why, ten Doescate said pitch looked ok for a club wicket but thought it had a used look.

Essex Innings

Powerplay. Finn opened the bowling and removed Pettini in the first over. so 6 for 1. This was bloke who gave us grief in the double header as I recall. McClenaghan and Finn bowled overs 2 and 3, Franklin 4. In this he removed the dangerous Jesse Ryder. 22 for 2. Over 5 was Mitch M and Finny bowled the 6th. In this he removed Westley and ten Doescate and the powerplay ended with Essex on 31 for 4. Wickets 3 an 4 fell at 29 and 31. The restoration of Finn paired with Mitch M gave us some authority and blew away the Essex top order from which they never recovered.

Overs 7 to 18. The Essex innings ended two overs early and the wickets tumbled on a regular basis. Only the 6th wicket which added 51 offered any resistance. and lasted 6 overs before Dawid Malan removed the on loan Liam Dawson from Hampshire for 22, (over 15) and 93 for 6.

Finn had completed his stint in over 8 removing Bopara in the process to finish with 4-0-28-4. Rayner, Mitch M and Franklin took the remaining wickets to leave Essex stranded on 109 in over 18.

A Pinky Break

The question now: was could The Middle chase down this modest target? Pinky was wandering about and Darren and I had the pleasure of the bloke with the mike asking us for our forecast, as to which over The Middle would overtake the 109. Darren went for the 18th, I optimistically said the 14th.  Editors note -If you don't know the result and want to read on look away from the brackets ( we won in 17th).

Middlesex innings

Powerplay. Mala and Gubbins opened the batting adding a brisk 47 before Gubbins was out in over 5 for 22. Mala went next over the 6th for 19. My hopes for a 14th over finish went with him. So end of our powerplay 48 for 2. A cushion of 17 on Essex plus two wickets.

Overs 7 to 17. Simmo came in for a brief cameo and departed in over 9. This brought about the debut of George Scott. He batted usefully for 20 being taken by a good catch at mid wicket. Score 98 in over 14 with the finishing line coming in sight. Captain Morgan and James Franklin saw us over that slowly and carefully. The Essex bowling improved towards the end. A slimmed down Ravi Bopara bowled rapidly and deserved his wickets in an economical spell and was Essex's most threatening bowler.

Overview

Goes without saying, had we had Stevie Finn a few more times would have helped.

Mitch McClenaghan fortunately recovered from injury has had two decent games.

Debutant Scott acquitted himself well playing one or two excellent shots. Disappointed when he got out with the finishing line in sight.

Hallelujah we managed to break the run of lost matches and also record a long awaited win at Richmond. Our third overall.

A token win but it makes the journey home seem shorter.

Seaxe Man Richmond CC Old Deer Park.