By Gladiator
June 30 2010
Gladiator sends in his first report for us from Bristol on day one of CC match v Glos. Highlight of the day a fine knock by young Josh Davey but overall another disappointing day for the Middle.
The first innings scores at Bristol this year suggest that every team that wins the toss should bowl first. It was with no hesitation that Gidman asked Middlesex to bat. That was fine by Middlesex, they wanted to bat anyway. The surface was hard, yes there was some grass on top, but it didn't look like one that would as much as previous scores would suggest.
Middlesex got their way through to 236 after being 97-5. Much of that credit has to go to the 19 year old Josh Davey on his Championship debut. Just recently Davey made his international debut, for Scotland, and in the two ODI's he averaged 14 with the bat and picked up a wicket. His partnerships with Simpson (37), Smith (22), Murtagh (25) and a 9th wicket partnership of 53 with Middlessex's other player on Championship debut, Roland-Jones.
Middlesex got off to a good start against a 'relentless' five man pace attack of Kirby, Franklin, Lewis, Ireland and Hussain. A 63 run opening wicket partnership kicked them off and blunted the attack for 16.2 overs. It was from there that Middlesex lots 5 wickets for 34.
It will be interesting to see if how tough this wicket was to bat on and tomorrow will be the answer to that question. At the end of day two we will all be asking was it that hard a wicket to bat on or did the Middlesex batters miss out.
Quote:Gladiator
was it that hard a wicket to bat on or did the Middlesex batters miss out