Good batting day

By QPR Chris
August 22 2018

QPR Chris reports on a Middlesex day that had all the ups and downs of our season but ended remarkably well.  Does  it bode for an astonishing finish today?

Super Jimmy Harris combined with Max Holden - and then the lower order - to give us a fighting chance of pulling off what would be an astonishing victory at Northampton on the last day.

Harris nailed it in day one’s post-match interview when he said that too often this season have we been playing catch up in games, reflecting our mid-table position. This match has been no exception as, after a poor second day with the bat, we seemed destined to fall to an ignominious defeat on the third afternoon when falling to the equivalent of 7 for 6 following on. The form of many of the top order gives cause for considerable concern, not least that of Morgan and captain Malan - the experienced internationals who are struggling for form and have thus exposed the middle order. 

Nonetheless, the purpose with which Holden and Harris went about their work was hugely commendable and, increasingly, it became clear Northants wouldn’t simply romp to victory in the last innings. Like Robson (a patient and studious 72) earlier in the day, Max and James showed excellent judgement throughout to choose which balls to leave and which to cash in on. Assisted by a remarkable 56 extras (including an inordinate number of byes) our batsmen showed admirable resolve and obvious talent to gradually build a lead, as the tension grew around the County Ground. After a number of superb strokes against the county for whom he played as a loanee last season, Holden was clearly frustrated to throw his wicket away in the 90s, slashing at the second new ball. Yet, as Kevin Hand rightly suggested, the innings was worth much more in the context. Northants’ bowlers stuck to their task but will have been frustrated that we managed to forge partnerships through to the close, anchored by the hugely impressive Harris, who nears a career best. Bamber also deserves credit on his debut for grinding out late order runs.

Was it the tiredness of the bowlers, the quality of the batting or the easing of the conditions under blue skies that contributed to our lead of 215 at the close? One suspects a combination of all three. Other questions - will first innings centurion Vasconcelos bat, having left the field with an apparent shoulder injury while keeping wicket? Will the seamers continue to rule the roost on day four, or will we regret the omission of Rayner? Both Holden and Ripley (Northants coach) felt their respective sides have a good chance to force victory on day four. All sets it up perfectly for an intriguing finale. In a match where swing has been king, from our perspective a good dose of cloud covering would be very handy. Come on the Middle!