A Skeletal Hand
Slip ups
By Seaxe Man
May 23 2017
Seaxe Man gives his usual detailed report on our drawn match with Surrey. There are snooker references, a skeletal hand and Ethelread the Unready. Thank for virtual ball by ball comentary , Leprechaun for some pictures and LP for the headline
Middlesex v Surrey Day 4 May 22nd 2017
Overnight Surrey 194 for 4, 72 overs, lead by 96 runs. Sangakkara 116no Foakes 6no.
The pitch on Day 3 resembled the top baize at the Crucible Theatre. Indeed I could visualise Ronnie O'Sullivan potting a 147 on it.
We will see what Day 4 brings.
An interesting comment by Lower Pavilion in the Harris Gardens at lunchtime thus.
He could see at some point a skeletal hand suddenly arising from the pitch. Archaeologists called in, discovered a 400 year old burial site beneath.
1st session.
Ollie at PE to Foakes. 1 run accrued. The Tank at NE. Overrate 0 (red) overnight moved to 0 (green). 200 up in the 75th over. Boundary to Fakes off Shane. Followed by a second. Firstly on the off then the onside.. Overrate + 1.
Wicket. Sangakkara taken at the wicket off the Tank for 120. An excellent second ton in the match for a world class batsman. Made in 120 balls. Score 210 for 5. This early break through presaged a possible tumble of wickets. Not to be.
Foakes and Curran S then embarked on a long 83 run stand which given the slowness of the wicket and the Mexican position. Meant balls that could be left were, on the stumps blocked and only wider or short ball options provided runs.
The new ball was now due but not taken. Ollie continued from the Pavilion End and Finn came on at the Nursery End. There was discussion but the old ball remained in use.
Some grumbling in the ranks at the new ball not being taken promptly on 80 overs. The new ball was finally taken in the 95th with TRJ. He beat the bat on one occasion, the first time this morning apart from the wicket. Overrate now a healthy +2
An edge which didn't carry gave Finny an air of resignation. TRJ was driven straight to bring up the 50 partnership. Finn and TRJ now in harness but without result. Helm replacing Finn.
Unlucky Finn
Runs were now coming easily and both Foakes and Curran S reached their 50's.
A voluble member of a group of Mexicans nearby, suddenly referred to Ethelred the Unready. Not sure in what context, but as he lived around The Wash area, imagine a reference to an early Lincolnshire player.
On the last over before lunch, Shane returned. New ball proving to be ineffective. Immediate success when Curran S was taken at the wicket.for 51. An inspirational change made by The Tank. Score 293 for 6 at lunch. Lead 195.
2nd Session,
The next wicket fell at 317 with Curran T bowled by Shane.
Bowled. Just
Foakes plus the lower order remained. At 327 for 7 with 47 overs left on a slow wicket, a draw looked inevitable.
Mala spelled Ollie at the PE. Batty survives an immediate lbw appeal. TRJ disposed of Batty for 6, lbw, 330 for 8. Mala forced two false strokes by Meaker, then bowled him for 0. That became 331 for 9. Foakes hit a 4 to fine leg, then another, to give a few more to chase.
Mala then had Footitt taken by Compo for 0 to close the innings at 339. This left the Middle 39 overs to chase 242 for victory.
MX innings. this opened with Compo facing Curran T. 2 for 0. Then Curran S with Gubbo facing. 4 to Gubbo 6 for 0.. A maiden to Compo by Curran T. Gubbo was then disbelievingly given out caught behind to a legside delivery. Seldom a percentage shot as that risk always exists. Taken by Foakes. So 6 for 1. Given one of our more rapid batsmen, the dismissal of Gubbo meant the chances of a chase were reduced. Esky came in. Compo forced Curran S through the covers. Tea taken at 13 for 1.
3rd session.
Esky inside edged to leg to gain a 4. At the 10 over mark we were 31. Original rate was around 6 an over, so it looked as though no chase was on and so it proved. At this point, Compo swivelled and hooked Footitt's first ball down fine leg's throat. So 31 for 2. An opportunity for Compo to get in some much needed batting practice was passed up. Mala replaced him
Pensive Compo
At the start of the final hour we were on 72 for 2 with at laest 15 overs left. Suffice to say, handshakes took place at 5.30pm. Middle closed at 92 for 2 28 overs, Esky on 31 and Mala on 37.
Primary Middlesex bowling figures TRJ 27-5-76-4. Tank 11-3-16-1. (Sangakkara) Ollie 45-11-94-3.
Mala 2.2-1-1-2.
Overview.
As on many occasions last year, the pitch was the winner in a game where, understandably, neither side was going to give the other the slightest opening.
On the trudge back to SJW Station was accompanied by a Mexican who reckoned we should of gone for it. I pointed out that a slow wicket and the early loss of Gubbo ruled that out.
On the bowling front, full marks to Toby for his marathon effort and also to Ollie likewise, The Tank made the early breakthrough and Mala who the MX aficionados thought could have bowled earlier, removed 10 and Jack.
I have heard that Sangakkara has announced his retirement at season end. In this match he very much thwarted The Middle.
Seaxe Man Lords 22nd May 2017.
A Skeletal Hand
Posted by: Middlesex till we die (IP Logged)
Date: 23/05/2017 10:49
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2017:05:25:16:27:10 by BarmierKev.
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2017:05:25:16:27:10 by BarmierKev.
Re: A Skeletal Hand
Posted by: Primrose Hillbilly (IP Logged)
Date: 23/05/2017 15:42
Wouldn't be surprised if Compo follows Sanga's lead.
He looks semi detached most of the time, and his shot second dig either showed he didn't think the challenge demanded his attention, or he just lacked the motivation to grit it out.
The only thing currently in his favour is Robbo's injury, so he can be a makeshift opener.
If they're good enough; they're old enough. Time to let the young tyro's in the seconds loose on the big stage; say I.
Eski seems to have managed the step up. Which of the chasing pack wants the next opportunity ?
He looks semi detached most of the time, and his shot second dig either showed he didn't think the challenge demanded his attention, or he just lacked the motivation to grit it out.
The only thing currently in his favour is Robbo's injury, so he can be a makeshift opener.
If they're good enough; they're old enough. Time to let the young tyro's in the seconds loose on the big stage; say I.
Eski seems to have managed the step up. Which of the chasing pack wants the next opportunity ?
Re: A Skeletal Hand
Posted by: lower pavilion (IP Logged)
Date: 23/05/2017 17:55
Seaxe Man
An excellent report as always. Due to being unwell I only attended the fourth day.
However, from where I sat in the pavilion the wicket looked completely lifeless hence the heading.
I thought our lads did all they could. However, a good wicket is when it allows a proper competition between bat and ball. On the fourth day this was clearly not the case in my opinion
However, we have been here before. Last season we had for most of our games at Lord's similar issues.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017:05:23:18:02:16 by lower pavilion.
An excellent report as always. Due to being unwell I only attended the fourth day.
However, from where I sat in the pavilion the wicket looked completely lifeless hence the heading.
I thought our lads did all they could. However, a good wicket is when it allows a proper competition between bat and ball. On the fourth day this was clearly not the case in my opinion
However, we have been here before. Last season we had for most of our games at Lord's similar issues.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017:05:23:18:02:16 by lower pavilion.
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