Middlesex CCC
Shah v Derby
Wonderful innings
By Seaxe Man
July 27 2009
Seaxe Man reports on Day Three from Derby. As usual, a full and detailed report of the days play highlighted by almost a one man show by Owais Shah. Read on
Weather/Warm ups.
Had driven up Tuesday in not too much of a hurry, as I drove through a wall of water from Pinner to Derby, and unsurprisingly on arrival at three o clock: was not surprised, when meeting Beefy, heading down town with his mate Ken: to discover that play had been called off at two thirty. The leisurely drive had paid off.
Stayed in the Day's hotel just outside the ground. There were about 15 Middlesex aficianados in attendance over the 4 days, 4 of whom were in the same hotel as myself. So had the pleasure of having a 'full English breakfast' with Chris and his mate, who I last shared breakfast with at Old Trafford, back in Div 1 days in 2006.
After the usual reminiscing, headed into the ground and decided to drop anchor on the balcony of the Derbyshire Pavilion. A good vantage point, just above the players onfield entrance. Time 10.05. I had received a text msg from Barmy Kev requesting me to cover Day 3: out of the blue so to speak.
Which was lucky, as weatherwise, this was to prove the best of the 4 days. As I wrote then. There was patchy cloud, mostly white, with encouraging stretches of blue sky. So fingers crossed.
The Derby players had emerged for their warm up playing touch rugby. The Middlesex players were in front of the Don Amott Stand, going through their pre match warm up, with acting 1st eleven coach Richard Scott. Our preference being footie rather than ruggah.
Local autograph hunters copped a few of our players: Sky sent someone along to persuade Owais to simulate leaving the pitch. Which he did graciously a couple of times.
So to the cricket.
1st session.
Our old mate Nantie Hayward opened the bowling from the Media Centre End, (as referred to by the Derbyshire announcer), to Shah, who promptly off drove him for 4. A mixed over, with a no ball, a lbw shout and a couple of dot balls. Wagg from the Pavilion End, was off driven twice by Compo for a 2 and a four. Some raunchy off driving of Wagg by Shah followed.
Nantie Hayward then clean bowled Compton for 6, off the 1st ball of his next over. 39 for 2. Compton looked to have been beaten by pace off the wicket. No doubt assisted by the damp conditions, ' it was doing a bit', using that colloquialism
Eoin Morgan replaced him. Poynton was on as sub wicketkeeper for the injured Pipe. Different attitude to the one we encountered at Chelmsford last year, when Pettini refused us the same courtesy. Ace pulled Nantie for 4, taking his score to 42 out of the total of 62.
The reserve keeper then took an outstanding catch from a leg glance by Morgan off Wagg. Morgan departed for 7. Score 62 for 3. Malan took guard. A push to leg got him off the mark. Hayward/Wagg were bowling at a good pace, a right and left arm combination.
Stefan Jones newly returned to Derbyshire, spelled Nantie at 11.55 from the MCE. A maiden over followed to Dawid. Owais reached a well deserved 50, sliding Jones through the slips to the 3rd man boundary. His 50 came in 62 balls with 10 4's. Derbyshire were at this point -2 on the over rate.
This presumably had some bearing on Wagg changing to left arm spin at 12.30 bowling to Malan. As events were to prove, this was a good move by Derbyshire captain Chris Rodgers.
In the meantime, Malan edged Jones through the slips for 4, and then succumbed to the same bowler lbw. 107 for 4. Malan 11. Next man to take guard was Nash. Another 4 from Shah took his share to 76 out of 111. We lunched at 122 for 4. Shah 82, Nash 4.
The much advertised 'Carvery' was immediately behind the balcony. So I repaired to that and had turkey plus 3 veg. Don Shelley popped by for a chat and I also exchanged views with the local punters on the replacement for Kevin Pietersen. Not a popular chap in these parts, I gathered.
2nd Session
Ace/Nashy resumed, with Nash facing Nantie. After a short rising delivery which he ducked, Nashy pushed a single to get the score moving again. Field 2 slips, gully, inner ring, deep cover, mid wicket. Powerful off drive for 4 by Shah from the last ball of this over.
Wagg resumed, with left arm spin. A straight drive by Shah took him to 90. At 141, Nashy stepped down the wicket to Wagg, who appeared to me, to be caught in two minds, the result of which, was Nash, turning the delivery to short leg. 141 for 5. Nash 9.
Berg emerged. He got off the mark, taking a 4 through square leg off Nantie. A sweep through square leg brought him another 4, followed by a defensive push, well timed, which again reached the mid on boundary. Both off Wagg. I was just thinking, this is looking good, when Wagg turned one, and bowled Bergie next ball. 157 for 6. Berg 12.
Shaggy took guard. He was not to last long. 150+ has been a dodgy score for The Middle first up in recent times. Groenewald replaced Hayward at MCE. Ace took a single. Shaggy was then comprehensively bowled in a similar fashion to Compo. Stumps left awry by Groenewald's delivery. Shaggy 0. Score 158 for 7. Still not clear of the dodgy 150's.
Murts came in to partner Ace who was on 97. A quickly run 3, got Ace to a well deserved 100, well applauded by the home crowd. 136 balls and 17 fours. Murts got off the mark with a 4, as several of his earlier colleagues had done. It was to prove to be another false dawn however. Wagg was bowling a good spell of left arm spin and had troubled all our batters bar Shah. Now out of the dodgy 150's to 166 for 7, still 81 adrift.
Murts was then taken behind for 5 off Groenewald. 168 for 8. Shah 101no. The home punters with whom I shared the balcony, were now optimistic of a 50 run lead. Particularly gratifying they thought, as they had recovered from 139 for 7 the previous day, with a record stand for the 8th wicket against Middlesex of 91 which Beefy mentioned.
However, all was not lost. Steve Finn who has been working on his batting/fielding skills joined Ace. Although he only scored 8. He assisted Ace in taking The Middle to the relatively calm waters of 195. To reach that point, Ace hammered a great straight drive coming down the wicket to Wagg. Finn sliced a 4 off Groenewald, who replied with 2 short balls which he ducked.
Ace smashed an offside 4, with only 2 wickets to go, The Middle's fate lay in his very capable hands. 191 for 8. Over ended with a glorious straight drive which had the home punters purring. Wagg eventually beat Finn's defence, with another ball which turned. 195 for 9. Wagg a well deserved fivefer.
Will we get a batting point? A brace of byes got us to 199. Ace eventually took one of the singles on offer, and 200 plus a point were garnered. Richo cheekily straight drove a 4. A couple of further fours by Big Al got us up to 220, one of which was a sumptuous cut over the slips. He had some luck as a couple of charges down the wicket were missed by both him and the sub keeper. Lucky man. Big Al.
Another charge down the wicket by Richo led to another couple of byes. The declaration came at 226 for 9. Ace 129no (21 fours) Richo 18no. Derby lead 21. Time available finite or 128 overs. The locals on the balcony with whom I had an interesting conversation, on the merits of Pietersen and Newcastle United, both of whom they reckoned were arrogant: thought that a good finish was now in the offing. And so to tea.
3rd session.
Murts to open to Rodgers. 6 runs taken. Finn to Rodgers. 11 off the over including a couple of fours. The Derbyshire captain was showing his intentions in no uncertain manner. Murts a maiden over. A lot of chatter in the slip cordon. Shaggy had to leave the field with a cut to his right hand when fielding a hot shot. Robbie Williams squad number 16, came on as sub fielder.
Boundaries were flowing from Rodgers, reaching 50 at 4.45 in 55 balls with 8 fours. Derby 70 for 0. Rodgers doing, to use the pun, an Ace job for Derby. Berg replaced Finn at PE. Given the time available and an uncertain weather forecast: Rodgers gave himself licence to slog. Richo took over from Murts at MCE. Comparitive scores. Rodgers 66, Madsen 8. Derby 80 for 0.
Shaggy came on at MCE bowling to the aggressive Rodgers. Delay as sightscreen was moved to accommodate. Field had gone more defensive. Malan relieved Berg. As with most openers, Rodgers was less certain against the spinners. He drove Malan's second ball to midwicket, where Robson took a comfortable catch. Rodgers 76. Derby 97 for 1.
Their 100 came up shortly after in the 19th over. A quieter period of play ensued. The pitch had lost some of it's gremlins as they often do, from the first innings. Some dark clouds brought rain stopping play after 26 overs. Fortunately the stoppage lasted only a few minutes.
On resumption.Park was caught by Finn off Udal at point. Derby 130 for 2. Ironically the sun was now blazing down. Derby closed at 138 for 2 off 33 overs.
Summation/Highlights.
First: thanks to both the umpires and captains for keeping the game moving and getting the maximum amount of overs, from a match, which so far, has been blighted by the weather. Thanks also to the Derby groundstaff, who worked their collective 'socks off', drying the ground in double quick time.
The ground itself seems to have good drainage and powers of recovery. My two breakfast companions remarked, that they had attended the fixture last year and found the same excellent attitude. This encourages punters to return.
For the home side: Wagg's ability to provide both swing and spin was a bonus with a rapid 76 to follow by Rodgers.
For The Middle. Shah's ton was a gem. He offered no chances and a glorious array of shots all around the wicket. He was applauded by all alike. The Derby faithful admitted he was different class and worth the trip to watch as I myself thought.
This was concurred by a couple of Middle supporters Danny and Frank. Danny reckoned it was the best knock he had ever seen on a wicket that was doing 'a bit'.
Add to that Murts career best 7 for 82, which improved his previous figures a touch. Finn also continues to improve his CC bowling. All in all, with what the weather allowed. It was good cricket to savour.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:07:29:07:47:53 by Ged.
