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Middlesex held
By Jeremy Horne
June 8 2003
A century stand between Ravi Bopara and James Middlebrook saw Essex to a draw at Lord’s and continued to expose Middlesex's weakness at dismissing lower order batsmen. Middlesex looked on course for a win when Essex had been reduced to 137-6.
Chad Keegan gave Middlesex the perfect start when he bowled Darren Robinson 1st ball. Paul Grayson then joined Will Jefferson and they managed to bat steadily until Jefferson fell leg before to Abdul Razzaq. This sparked a flurry of wickets as Andy Flower and Aftab Habib were both dismissed soon after. By lunch, Essex had reached 90-4 and were deep in trouble.

After the break, James Foster and Grayson extended their partnership beyond 50, but when both were dismissed within a few overs of each other, Essex were deeper in trouble at 137-6. Jon Dakin and Ravi Bopara managed to repair some of the damage, but when Dakin went for 24, with the score at 165, Essex still needed another 32 to make Middlesex bat again.

James Middlebrook joined Bopara at the crease and together they batted for over 2 hours, denying Middlesex their 2nd victory of the season. Middlebrook was eventually dismissed, just after reaching his half century, but it was all too little too late.


DAY 3:
The roles were reversed for a change as rain put a stop to Middlesex's press for victory on day 3 after Essex were made to follow on. No play was possible after lunch as Essex were 21-0 after 5 overs of their 2nd innings, still needing another 176 to make Middlesex bat again.

The morning session began with Middlesex suffering from their usual tail end woes as Graeme Napier and Ravi Bopara extended their 9th wicket partnership to 79 before Napier was finally dismissed by Ashley Noffke for 44. Bopara shortly followed, run out for 48, equaling his career best score. Middlesex will now hope that the rain stays away tomorrow as they press for an all-important 2nd victory of the season.

DAY 2:
Middlesex were on course for victory after being bowled out for 363 and reducing Essex to a rubbish 95/8 at the close. Hutton (107), Razzaq (54) and Weekes (51 not out) and Simon Cook (3 wickets) lead the way for Middlesex as Essex looked a poor imitation of the side that played Notts last week.

DAY 1:
Honnors were split at the end of day 1 at Lords. After a 3 hour delay play got underway and Middlesex were soon on 23/3. But a 128 run partership between Joyce (69) and Hutton (69 not out) saved the day and Middlesex closed on 178/4.

SCORES:

MIDDLESEX 1ST INNINGS:

Strauss lbw b Dakin 11
Koenig c Foster b Dakin 0
Shah c Jefferson b Dakin 4
Hutton c Foster b Dakin 107
Joyce c & b Bopara 69
Abdul Razzaq b Dakin 54
Weekes not out 51
Nash b Brant 1
Noffke lbw b Brant 8
Cook b Napier 20
Keegan b Middlebrook 21

Extras 17

Total (all out, 121.1 overs) 363


ESSEX 1ST INNINGS:

Robinson c Nash b Keegan 7
Jefferson c Nash b Noffke 22
Grayson c Nash b Noffke 0
Flower c Nash b Keegan 11
Habib b Abdul Razzaq 15
Foster c Shah b Cook 11
Bopara run out 48
Dakin lbw b Cook 5
Middlebrook c Strauss b Cook 1
Napier c Keegan b Noffke 6
Brant not out 0

Extras 2

Total (all out , 65.1 overs) 166


ESSEX 2ND INNINGS: (FOLLOWING-ON)

Robinson b Keegan 13
Jefferson lbw b Abdul Razzaq 30
Grayson c Nash b Cook 69
Flower c Nash b Cook 3
Habib b Abdul Razzaq 2
Foster c Weekes b Noffke 15
Bopara not out 40
Dakin c Joyce b Cook 24
Middlebrook lbw b Cook 52
Napier not out 3

Extras 18

Total (for 8 wickets, 95 overs) 269

Did not bat: Brant

RESULT: MATCH DRAWN

POINTS: MIDDLESEX 11, ESSEX 7




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