Another ton

By Darren Gosling
May 10 2016

Darren gives a comprehensive report on, apart from one dodgy period just before lunch,  an outstanding day for the Middle. Plenty to read in between showers today. Thank you Darren. 

Overnight score: Notts 345-7 (Patel 86*, Hutton 23*)

Day 2 – Session 1

Middx made light work of mopping up the Notts tail taking just 4 overs to bowl Notts out. TRJ first removed Patel who was caught by Malan on the deep square leg boundary without adding to his overnight score. Murts then bowled an eventful over which first saw Ball hit a boundary to earn Notts a fourth batting point before Murts removed his middle stump two balls later to earn Middx a third bowling point. TRJ then claimed his 5-for by bowling Gurney for 0 and ending Notts’ innings on 354.

A perfect start to day 2 for the Middle, with Notts adding just 9 runs for the loss of 3 wickets.

Ball and Broad opened the bowling to Robson & Gubbins but neither were too troubled as Middx went along comfortably at 4 an over until Gubbins played a Broad delivery onto his stumps in the 10th over departing for 11 with 40 on the scoreboard.

Five overs later Hutton replaced Ball from the Pavillion end and made an immediate and dramatic impact taking two wickets in his first over to leave Middx floundering on 49-3. Compton was the first to go trapped lbw for 3, followed next ball by Malan who was adjudged to have edged behind to the diving Read who claimed the catch. Malan was not impressed with reserve team list umpire Billy Taylor’s decision, standing his ground for several moments before eventually walking. 

Simpson came in at no.5 ahead of Franklin on the scorecard and survived the hat-trick ball from Hutton before batting watchfully with Robson to take Middx to 61-3 at lunch (Robson 34*, Simpson 5*).

Lunch – During the break the sad news was announced of John Warr’s passing, explaining the reason why the Middx and MCC flags were flying at half mast.

John Warr was a right arm fast medium bowler who made 260 appearances for Middlesex between 1949 and 1960, taking 703 wickets (ave 20.76). Always a sad day when losing another club legend.

Session 2

After a slow start where only 1 run came off the bat in the first 5 post lunch overs from Gurney and Hutton, Simpson and Robson began to shake off the shackles with the latter bringing up his 50 (92 balls) with a glance of his legs to the boundary.

Patel was introduced to the attack shortly after and Simpson hit the last ball of Patel’s first over for 6 over long off, apparently smashing a window in the pavillion in the process (must have woken up a few of the old codgers!)

Simpson in particular began scoring freely as first the 50 partnership was reached, followed 13 overs later by Simpson cutting Mullaney to the boundary to reach his 50 (93 balls) and bringing up the 100 partnership.

Robson & Simpson remained untroubled and ensured Notts went wicketless in the session as Middx went to tea on 176-3 (127-0 for the session).

Session 3

Sadly the rain forecast for tomorrow decided to make an earlier appearance and only 26 balls were possible before play ended prematurely for the day. During this time though Robson and Simpson lifted their partnership past the 150 mark earning Middx's first batting point and all but saved the follow-on in the process. Robson also reached his third century at Lords in two matches to give the England selectors another nudge, finishing unbeaten on 114.

An entertaining (if short) day’s play with standout performances from TRJ with the ball, Robson and Simpson with the bat. Let’s hope the persistent rain forecast for tomorrow does not materialise and that Middx can bat on and set Notts a target.

PS. After report submitted. I Just realised I failed to mention Robson's 100 (!) obviously become such a regular occurence at Lords this season. In fact you did Darren but worth mentioning again