Middlesex’s winning run at one day cricket, stretching back well into the pro40 last season, came to a halt at Lords today. Once again, the international batsmen in the top five failed and it was left to the middle/lower order to stave off embarrassment. In particular, Gareth Berg, giving every indication that he is determined to make the most of his talent and this opportunity, batted extremely sensibly and with growing authority.

The first news was the omission of a high profile Surrey batsman from the side, no doubt dropped after his failure a fortnight ago. (A bit daft that the return fixture comes up so soon, but that is the trouble with playing at these two test grounds.) Next, that Middlesex had won the toss and would bat. Perhaps this was surprising, the day was cloudy and warm with Pedro Collins to face, but we appear to like defending a total and it is never easy coming out to bat at 7.00 on a gloomy evening.

It was amazing, last week with the ball doing a bit all game, that no one was out lbw or caught behind. This week rapidly made up for this. In front of a much bigger crowd Joyce, Smith and Shah were all sent back lbw, Joyce playing across the line to Dernbach, Smith and Shah to big inswingers from the estimable Collins. Smith looked to be in front but Ace might have been unlucky. So, 9-3 in the sixth over (Shah had already been dropped off a hard chance at the wicket) and the wisdom of Smith and Joyce opening the batting called into question.

Then in the eighth over, Strauss straight drove Collins for four, Collins lost line and length and, following a wide, Strauss cut him for four more. Suddenly the day looked a bit brighter. It didn’t last. Strauss pulled Dernbach into his stumps and, after two lovely off drives for four off Nicholson, Morgan tried to turn the same bowler to leg only to scoop a catch to point. Berg had, in between times, been dropped by Butcher at slip, who seemed to get out of the path of the ball to wave it goodbye. Perhaps, listed at four, he fancied a bat later.

After this uncertain start, Berg scored quite fluently, particularly off the spinners. Butcher had to use Afzaal having bowled his four seamers quite a bit to go for the jugular. The sweep was very productive particularly the six into the top tier of the grandstand after reaching 50. This was off Schofield, a Twenty/20 England bowler. Scott had been lending a useful hand, until he was hit on it and had to retire. But Philander, showing sensible judgement (might be more of a batsman than I thought last week), helped in a stand of 98 for the sixth wicket. Alas, both were out caught by Batty in quick succession and it was left to Scott, bravely returning and batting with good sense, and Murtagh to see us to a total of 233. As he came off the field, the latter was presented with his Middlesex cap (thus settling a discussion on the board this week).

233 was hugely more than had seemed likely at 55-5, and a decent total on a cloudy day. With early wickets, we were in with a chance. And then came Benning. He and, to a much lesser extent, Newman, went for the bowling from the start and, though Finn in particular went past the bat often and though the ball sometimes flew off the edge, there were boundaries aplenty. We were 37-4 after 11 overs; they were 75-0. That was the game, really. As with the first innings, we came back pretty well, but Benning (50 off 32 balls; 100 off 80) was the difference. By the time wickets began to fall – we kept going well and bowled with some discipline – it was all too late. Perhaps we lacked a bit of fire power in the middle of the innings (what chance Danny Evans tomorrow?)

The side still looks unbalanced to me, so that we are stretched either in the batting or the bowling department, whoever we put out. Berg, Scott, Philander and Murtagh did us proud with the bat today, but Berg never really threatened as Jordan (second change for the opposition) did with the ball. Above all, we need the top order to fire. Strauss looks in good nick and perhaps another big score is around the corner. Shah will surely make some team pay soon. Smith and Joyce are too good to be quiet for long. Morgan batted well till he got himself out. But we’ve been here rather often before, in recent times. Two opening batsmen sat this game out.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

• Think you know your sport? Click here to try the Sportnetwork Prize Quizzes