Match report day 2: Lancs v Middx in Championship 2003 by Neil Adams

Scorecard:

Summary for Day 2

During the morning session, as Law and Hooper annihilated Middlesex's bowling attack, spectators were urgently reaching for their handbooks to analyse the endless records which were being broken (Or about to be broken). Without doubt, this session was the most entertaining and devastating spell of cricket I have ever witnessed. It was a privilege to watch and difficult to score at times! Hooper and Law's "Violent" assault totally demoralized the visitors bowling attack. 4 players conceded over 100 runs and another fell narrowly short (Dalrymple 96). Hooper played the aggressive innings, while Law stroked the ball around the pitch oozing total class. Hegg was under no pressure to declare with so much time left in the game and a promising forecast ahead. He finally declared just before 3.30pm. The visitors were only too glad to trudge off to the dressing room. Strauss and Koenig added 59 for the first wicket before Schofield struck. Middlesex negotiated several scares before the close of play at 6.20pm - the rain eventually terminating play at the third attempt. Strauss remained 99 not out at the close - he will need to bat exceptionally well when play resumes if Middlesex are to avoid a second straight loss and Lancashire are to gain their first four day win of the season at Old Trafford

Bowling Performance of the Day

It was a pleasure to see Chris Schofield in action so early in Middlesex's innings (13th over). He rewarded Hegg's faith with a wicket in just his second over. Schofield bowled 14 overs unchanged from the Stretford End. Together with Keedy and Hooper, Schofield holds the key to Lancashire's success. With so many runs on the board, Hegg must possess the faith to persist with Schofield and set very attacking fields. Gary Keedy extracted useful turn from the other end. As the pitch deteriorates over the next couple of days, Middlesex will find it difficult to survive

Batting Performance of the Day

Where do I start! - Hooper destroyed Middlesex's bowling attack (201 from 193 balls including 15 x 4 & 11 x 6). In one Dawes over, Hooper smashed 3 sixes. Law eased his way to 144 which included 18 x 4 from 164 balls. The pair added 282 for the 4th wicket - a record against Middlesex, beating the 264 by Chilton and Law at Lords earlier in the season. Hooper's hundred meant that he had scored a century against every county. Both Law and Hooper scored a hundred before lunch (101 & 109 respectively). Lancashire score of 734 was the highest against Middlesex and the highest score posted in a championship game at Old Trafford. Four players scored a hundred in Lancashire's innings (Chilton 125, Loye 137, Law 144 and Hooper 201). This was only the second time in Lancashire's history that this feat has been achieved. The last time was 99 years ago! Schofield and Hooper added 113 for the 5th wicket before Hooper finally fell for 201 attempting another huge shot

Fielding Performance of the Day

Middlesex were simply woeful - endless mis-fields, overthrows and a drop chance. Only keegan's run out of Law is worthy of a mention. Lancashire set attacking fields. However, with 734 runs on the board, I would dearly liked to have seen a fourth slip - the ball regularly travelled through this area at catchable height. Sutcliffe held a sharp chance in close on the leg-side but failed to hold on to another chance offered by Strauss - this could turn out to be a costly miss

Highlights of the Day

The privilege of watching the first sessions play in which Lancashire scored 219 runs
Law & Hooper's partnership of 282 from 51 overs

Lowlights of the Day

Law and Hooper failed to beat the all time record for the 4th wicket for Lancashire 358
Law's run out
Sutcliffe's drop of Strauss - it was a teasing chance which fell between Sutcliffe and Hegg

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

Nothing to report

Key Notes of the Day

50 Law from 74 balls (5 x 4) - 386 for 3 in the 114th over - Hooper 39*
403 for 3 in the 117th over - Law 60* Hooper 46*
100 partnership - 404 for 5 in the 118th over - Law 60* Hooper 47*
50 Hooper from 79 balls (6 x 4 & 1 x 6) - 412 for 3 in the 119th over - Law 63*
455 for 3 in the 124th over + 150 partnership - Law 82* Hooper 73*
101 runs scored in the first 73 play - 464 for 3 in the 125th over - Law 84*
100 Hooper from 122 balls (10 x 4 & 5 x 6) - 501 for 3 in the 130th over - Law 91*
200 partnership - 507 for 3 in the 130th over - Hooper 111* Law 91*
100 Law from 123 balls (13 x 4) - 517 for 3 in the 131st over - Hooper 112*
Hooper 116 dropped by Dawes at long-off - 545 for 3 in the 136th over - Law 124*
550 for 3 in the 136th over - Law 125* Hooper 120*
250 partnership - 555 for 3 in the 137th over - Law 128* Hooper 122*
Lunch - 582 for 3 in the 141st over - Law 142* Hooper 135* - Session 219 for 0 from 34 overs (6.44 per over)
Law run out Keegan 144 - 586 for 4 in the 142nd over - Hooper 137*
601 for 4 in the 148th over - Hooper 145* Schofield 7*
150 Hooper from 167 balls (12 x 4 & 6 x 6) - 610 for 4 in the 150th over - Schofield 11*
50 partnership - 637 for 4 in the 152nd over - Hooper 171* Schofield 16*
653 for 4 in the 154th over - Hooper 178* Schofield 25*
100 partnership - 688 for 4 in the 157th over - Hooper 193* Schofield 45*
200 Hooper from 190 balls (15 x 4 & 11 x 6) - 697 for 4 in the 158th over - Schofield 47*
Hooper caught Joyce bowled Keegan 201 - 699 for 5 in the 159th over - Schofield 48*
700 for 5 in the 159th over - Schofield 49* Chapple 0*
Chapple 0 dropped by Nash - 700 for 5 in the 159th over - Schofield 49*
50 Schofield from 62 balls (6 x 4) - 705 for 5 in the 160th over - Chapple 4*
734 for 5 declared from 162 overs - Schofield 58* Chapple 21* - 3.25pm

50 for 0 in the 13th over - Strauss 36* Koenig 12*
Koenig caught Sutcliffe bowled Schofield 13 - 59 for 1 in the 15th over - Strauss
44* - Tea taken
50 Strauss from 71 balls (9 x 4) - 75 for 1 in the 20th over - Shah 8*
103 for 1 in the 26th over - Strauss 66* Shah 18*
Strauss 66 dropped by Sutcliffe - 106 for 1 in the 27th over - Shah 21*
50 partnership - 111 for 1 in the 30th over - Strauss 71* Shah 21*
Rain stop play 5.23pm - 112 for 1 in the 30th over - Strauss 71* Shah 22*
Game restarts at 5.33pm - 1 over lost only!
Rain stop play 5.44pm - 129 for 1 in the 34th over - Strauss 88* Shah 22*
Game restarts at 5.58pm - 3 overs lost
153 for 1 in the 40th over - Strauss 98* Shah 32*
Rain stops play 6.20pm - Close of play - 156 for 1 from 40 overs -Strauss 99*
Shah 34* - 3 overs lost (Total lost for the day = 7)
Lancashire 5 points, Middlesex 1 point