The Only Way is Middlesex

Middlesex Infinitum reports from his contribution to MTWD with some further thoughts. In between Barmy Kev chimes in. 

Play started 20 minutes late due to bad light, with the loss of 3 overs (although we can make this time up due to a change in regulations this season.) BK- suits me as I expect to arrive late. Eventful first over. First ball Eskinazi looked to leave it but did not withdraw his bat quickly enough, as it came off the back of the bat for a boundary through third man. The second ball was a bouncer, which went for 4 byes. It was so far over Adam Wheater’s head that he got no-where near it despite a leap. Fourth ball of the morning was caressed through the covers for four.  BK note: (The ball by ball commentary stops here).

Robson edged Porter through a vacant 3rd slip but did fall to the bowler nibbling an edge to Wheater one short of his 150. 

The sun came out and the ball began to swing with plenty of plays and misses from Malan new to the crease. Essex got another breakthrough when Malan, trying to run Bopara down to fine man, got tucked up and played onto his stumps. 305-3. Think Malan got frustrated as some tight bowling by bogged him down and he likes to get bat on ball. 

Voges and Eskinazi saw out the session. Wagner bowled short to both batsman with a leg slip and a short leg. Eskinazi had been uncomfortable facing the short ball and 10 minutes before lunch, he took his eyes off the ball and got struck on the helmet. He called for the Physio straight away. BK -didn't something similar happen last season? There was a long delay whilst a new helmet was called for and Eskinazi was being treated. 

Lunch: Voges 8*, Eskinazi 36*, Middle 321-3. Hopefully Stevie is okay and can resume batting. Need to push on now after lunch for maximum bonus points. 

First ball after lunch and Eskinazi nicks Wagner behind. The ball swings after leaving the batsman but Wheater cannot hold on and drops a sitter. Body language from Essex is good aside from Wagner who is livid. 

Essex takes the new ball and soon after Voges, a long way across his stumps, is trapped lbw as the ball straightened on him up the slope. Voges 13, Middle 331-4. 

Simpson came in and showed impetus straightaway and looked to push on the score in the afternoon session. Eskinazi ground to a halt once he completed his 50, finding it difficult to even find singles. 

Wagner collided with Simpson the non-striker in his follow through as Eskinazi called him through for a quick single that was not there. Eskinazi and Simpson both ended up at the bowlers end and the bails were removed. However ten Doeschate withdrew the appeal before the umpires deliberated. Great sportsmanship and all credit to him. 

In the 109th over Middlesex was 388-4, needing 12 runs for full batting points. With Wagner bowling and Eskinazi on strike only 3 runs were needed as they finished 391-4 after 110 overs.BK -I really felt we hould have started to accelearate earlier for 4th batting point. This maybe crucial in September Eskinazi then proceeded to score 10 off the next over!!! 

Essex now deployed two gullies to Simpson and he duly obliged by spooning the simplest of catches to the first gully Westley, who inexplicitly grassed it. Wagner was the unfortunate bowler again and his frustration showed as he bowled a leg side half volley next up which was helped on its way to the fine leg boundary. (BK - In the lower Grandstand, would be worthy of a yellow card in October, I heard an audible FFS obscenity from Wagner luickily the Leprechaun had her headphones on at the time)

Perhaps should have got 550 before declaring, as that would leave Essex 400 to avoid the follow on? Given the evening session was 40 overs. Hopefully it will be irrelevant!  (BK -I felt with earlier accelaration we might have got to 550 at our time of declaration and if it meant we were all out for score jusr under 500 no big deal.) 

I left at 6pm for long trip back to Sway so have nothing to add. BK takes over. I said 4 wickets down by close ideal. Essex got off to a flyer. Once Cook caught behind  rate slowed.  Hi Fi beat Westley for pace a beuty. Lawrence then played and missed a few times. I have to leave at 7pm , gosh still a half an hour left. Between Wembley  Park and Kinsgbury amongst miserable Spurs fans two quick Middle wickets failed to cheer them up.