Desperate Field Set

By Seaxe Man + Beefy
September 11 2015

Seaxe Man starts off by providing virtual ball by ball commentary of first productive session today. Beefy takes over giving details on how we further fought our way back. We hear of records broken and a milestone at the end. This is an easier read than day 1.  

SEAXE MAN

Overview

Overnight, Middlesex 274-5,Compton 86no,Franklin 60no.Middx 81 ahead and weather sunny.6th wicket stand of 131 at last provided the Middlesex punters with some fine stroke play. 

1st session

Frankie on strike and Middlebrook opened from Nursery End, after 1 over, new ball taken from the pavilion end by Sidebottom, Compo facing, he added 5 to his score and now we have Brooks from the Nursery End. A 4 through 3rd man took Compo to 98 not out, and a single through fine leg onto 99, then a single through short leg up to his ton, 178 balls and 13 fours. In the 84th over, the 150 partnership arrives not long after Franklin went for 63 to Sidebottom it looked high but it stood and the score is 293-6. A 4 through 3rd man ended the over and Compo is on 106, equaling our 1st inns score. Simmo has replaced Franklin and a quiet spell ensued, the run drought is ended with a single off Bresnan, an edge off Bresnan gives Compo a couple through gully, in the meantime Patterson has replaced Sidebottom at the Pavilion end. Simmo finally gained 4 through gully, and a nice square cut by Compo moves the score onto 323,followed by an off driven 4.

Spin replaced seam at the Nursery End, a misfield gives Compo another 4, after a long period Simmo finally reaches double figures off Middlebrook and a swept 4 by Simmo bought up the 50 partnership for 7th wicket in over 106.

Lyth on at the Nursery end for last over before lunch,4 byes,a dot,1,dot,dot,1. A good hard fought session by the middle 86 runs added for 1 wicket, Simmo had supported Compo well, carefully and slowly but effectively at lunch we are 360-6 Compo 144 and Simmo 19....Seaxe man signing off and handing the pen to Beefy.

BEEFY 

Brooks opening play after lunch from the Pavilion End and Sidebottom from Nursery, Sidebottom to Simmo and a nick that is dropped by the 'keeper. Not long after a wicket falls and Compo is out LBW Middlebrook for a great 149 and its 380-7. The field had crowded the batsman and the umpire decision was immediate, plum out.

Middlebrook from Pav End to Simmo and a huge and desperate LBW appeal, the bowler on his knees in front of the umpire who is unmoved. A poor ball by Brennan was punished by Simmo who hooked to long on for 4.The 400 is up as Harris sends the ball to Long leg,8 hours of batting!

Strange fielding positions with 5 close fielders in horse shoe shape around Simmo, silly mid on, silly mid off,  silly point Middlebrook to Simmo, who comes down the wicket and sends the ball towards the pavilion for 6. Middlebrook has now bowled 32 overs so far. A wicket falls, it’s Simmo who is LBW to Lyth for 47, but looked a long way down the wicket. A lead of 234,who would of thought that would happen after the first day?

Brooks to TRJ,a lovely shot to long on(ish) for 4,next ball the same.Tea and we are 441-8. Not long after returning the 450 is up, Harris is 30,TRJ 19. Harris tried a sweep shot...WHY? T he over rate is +4, we don’t see that very often, as Yorkshire are rattling through the overs. Middlebrook to TRJ and he dispatches the ball over the bowler to the pavilion for 4 runs, it’s 473-8 an 'elegant forward defensive ' shot by Toby.

The 50 partnership is up in 100 balls, Toby, the star batsman sends a hook shot to Sidebottom, who is fielding in front of 'The Berlin Wall' and he is dropped the ball rolls over the ropes for 4 more.Toby soon reaches 50,off 59 balls,44 off boundaries. In the 156th over, the lead reaches 300,amazing really, but batting really well, the track had flattened out we reckon!

 Its now 501-8,and at 504-8. SM wanted this score some time ago, the second new ball today is taken, Harris reaches 51not out off 149 balls, nice and steady. 510-8 and Harris plays a great square cut off Patterson for 4. SM mentions the record score v Yorkshire is near, we reach 528 and sets a new record, breaking 527 at Huddersfield in 1887 ( he was there of course). At the same time, reaching 100 partnership. Harris and Toby carry on playing great shots, the Yorkshire heads are dropping and we reach a new 9th wicket partnership, record breaking 128 set by BJT Bosanquet and RE More in 1904 in Sheffield ( SM was there too).

The fun continues, and some are starting to talk about a declaration, we say, no,bat on. Must admit, the note taking did stop, as a certain TRJ was reaching a milestone. Willing him on, slowly, its the nervous 90's,and then he is there....TOBY ROLAND JONES 103 NOT OUT. Deserved??? Oh very much, the whole ground stands to him, as he stands in the middle, arms out-stretched.One superb innings.

At stumps, he deservedly takes the walk towards the pavilion...... one thing to note, the Yorkshire side as a whole are most sporting, all applauding him, and the support doing the same... a nice bunch are those people of Yorkshire.

So, to tomorrow, a game we all thought would be over by now heads to the 4th day....isn't county cricket a great game?