| Scorecard: | Lancashire v Middlesex |
On an overcast and bitterly cold morning, Lancashire struck as early as the sixth ball of the day. James Anderson totally out paced Koenig for the addition of just one run to his overnight score, to send the middle stump cart wheeling backwards. (329-6). This success paved the way for Lancashire to place a strangle hold on the visitors innings. Run scoring became torturously slow with any chance of attaining maximum batting points shelved when Klusener fell leg before wicket to Anderson for 2 (347-7).
When Chris Peploe (3) edged Chapple to Hegg in the 124th over, the home side sensed an opportunity to capture maximum bowling points (362-8). Three overs later, Anderson induced an edge from Hutchison which carried to Law at first slip. Unfortunately, he failed to hold the ball for the second time in the game, and for the fifth time in championship cricket this season. Obviously, big named players are immune to being relegated to lesser fielding positions. Just how long, and how many chances have to be spilt before someone else takes over at first slip?
Mahmood and Keedy required only eight balls between them to wrap up Middlesex's innings. Hutchison (4) fell leg before wicket (379-9), and Hayward slogged recklessly at Keedy's second delivery of the day, offering a simple skied catch to Hooper in the covers (382-10). Mark Chilton and Iain Sutcliffe safely negotiated seven tricky overs before lunch without offering any chances (17-0)
Lancashire dominated the afternoon session posting a century partnership in just the 30th over. Both openers struck seven boundaries by the time they reached 50. Make no mistake, batting was not easy. Both Peploe and Dalrymple were extracting assistance from the pitch, and batting on this wicket on the fourth day could be a tricky task.
Half an hour before tea, Sutcliffe (59) was beaten in the flight as he advanced down the wicket to Peploe. Nash removed the bails in a flash to reduce Lancashire to 126 for 1. By tea, Middlesex's lead had been reduced to 225 (157-1) with Chilton 75 not out. In the 16th over after the interval, Peploe knocked over Chilton's off stump leaving the opener seven runs short of his century (189-2). His innings contained eleven boundaries and spanned 192 deliveries - a great effort.
By the close of play, Mal Loye remained unbeaten on 47 from 127 balls - a very uncharacteristic innings but extremely useful. Law reached 32 not out from 50 balls and was fortunate to survive a dropped catch by Dalrymple at mid-wicket on 20 (253-2). All three results are still possible in this match. If Lancashire can initially secure maximum batting points, and then build a lead of 200 by close of play tomorrow, who knows what Keedy and Hooper might achieve on the final day!
(Article: Copyright © 2004 Neil Adams http://www.cricketimages.co.uk/adams-report/intro.html)