Look familiar?

By London Leprechaun
April 19 2016

London Leprechaun's report on day 3 is, yet again, dominated by one thing - you can guess what I think. One day we might not spend so mcuh time on these matters. But for the moment read on if you dare.

I really did not want this report to turn into yet another one dominated by the over rate issue, particularly as we started the day in such a good position and two early wickets from TRJ who bowled beautifully in the morning added to our high hopes for the match. But a swift decline in the over rate from just -2 overnight (an overnight  rescue act from Don) to -4 turned this day on its head and quite probably cost us victory. Either side of lunch saw, Franklin,  Voges and Malan bowling overs very speedily but not very effectively. Warwickshire took full advantage and from 171/6 with the follow on a distinct possibility, their innings began to prosper.  We got our over rate back to a red nought just in time for the new ball to be taken. Within 8 overs we were back to -1, within the hour to -3.  This was obviously not the only reason the match turned but the loosening of the pressure on the run rate helped Warwickshire first defy the threat, and then prosper in the afternoon sunshine. This is not the first time we have lost control of a match in rescuing the over rate. Is it too much too ask that this will be the last? PLEASE!! 

Having said that, Trott was a delight for his double hundred (when did two players get 200 in the same match)? Some of his shots were exquisite and with the help of the dogged Barker, and then some annoyingly chirpy batting from Patel and Hannon-Dolby he thoroughly deserved his score. It was one of those days when you just have to recognise a very special innings and batsman.

Having said that, and separate from the over rate issue, I do wonder if we missed a trick by not having some more variety in the attack.  On a beautifully sunny afternoon, on a pitch that looked pretty placid most of the time, could an Ollie Raynor or even a Paul Stirling have done something to break up the rhythm of the batsmen - especially when they were well set.

Having said that this match has many of the hallmarks of typical Lord’s pitches over the years: does a bit in the mornings; new balls can be a bit tricky but as the match goes on tends to die a bit. So although we lost a couple of wickets in the late afternoon session, Robbo - who looks in consumate control, and Compo who looked determinedly dogged, steadied things enough to calm any nerves - at least until we see how things go in the morning.

And, sorry to harp on, but just one final note on the over rate. Warwickshire started the Middlesex 2nd innings on  a red zero. With the opening bowlers on they went from a red zero to a green zero and stayed there. So we did not even have that late a finish. Enough said?