Middlesex Story

[konrad_middlesex]

it was just a bad day
Have picked up peformances recently though- will post the next few games a bit later on as I have to fit this around exams and revision

[konrad_middlesex]

A Good Comeback

3rd May- Middlesex vs Kent

After a defeat against Scotland, a strong comeback against a good Kent side was a must. Captain Andrew Strauss called away on international duty.

Middlesex

B Godleman
N Compton
O Shah
E Morgan
D Malan
D Nash
T Murtagh
S Udal (C)
C Silverwood
S Finn
D Evans

Kent Innings

Middlesex won the toss and put Kent in on a reasonable surface, which looked good all day. Finn bowled with good control in the powerplay, but Key and Denly went after Murtagh and put on 70, before Danny Evans removed Denly. This started a regular flow of wickets as Kent slumped to 116-4, with Gareth Berg picking up two. Key and Hockley then steadied the ship with a 47-run partnership, before Finn came back to remove Key for 87. Khan, Cook and Dixey all contributed to take Kent to 243-7, before the last 3 wickets fell for just 1. Kent 244 (49.2 overs)

Middlesex Innings
Without Strauss, Middlesex opened with Godleman and Compton, two contrasting batsman. The mixture of aggression and consolidation worked well, as they two put on a century before Compton fell to Joseph for 59. Joseph then removed Shah cheaply, and a few nerves began to flutter when Morgan and Malan both fell to leave Middlesex 178-4. But the day belonged to Godleman, who brought up his century through extra cover, and his 69-run partnership with Nash took Middlesex home with 3 balls to spare.
Middlesex 247-4 (49.3 overs) Middlesex won by 6 wickets

MOM Billy Godleman (115no)

Summary:

Kent 244 (49.2 overs) Key 87 Denly 28 Evans 3-50 Berg 2-60
Middlesex 247-7 (49.3 overs) Godleman 115no Compton 59 Joseph 2-60 Kemp 1-40

Reaction

A great win followin the disappointment against Scotland, and good to see Godleman in the runs. Another useful innings from Compton, and both young fast bowlers Finn and Evans did well.

[konrad_middlesex]

More Disappointment

4th May- Somerset vs Middlesex

Following a win; a trip to the batting paradise of Somerset.
Berg and Richardson in; Finn and Murtagh rested.

Middlesex

B Godleman
N Compton
O Shah
E Morgan
D Malan
D Nash
G Berg
S Udal (C)
C Silverwood
A Richardson
D Evans

Middlesex Innings

Middlesex won the toss and decided to bat. Compton and Godleman got off to a solid start, putting on 55 in 14 overs before Godleman fell for 21. Omari Banks stopped Compton and Shah's counter-attack as he removed Shah and fellow international Morgan with successive deliveries. Banks struck again with a beauty to bowl the flowing Compton for 77 off 84. Malan and Nash then put on 62, to take Middlesex into a strong position, before Banks bowled Malan in his final over. Nash fell one short of 50, but good late hitting from Berg, Udal and Silverwood took Middlesex to a defendable total. Middlesex 280-7

Somerset Innings

On a flat pitch, with their range of batsmen, Somerset would be capable of chasing anything, so Middlesex would need quick wickets. However, the opening bowlers had no control over their line, and Trescothick prospered. He reached a blistering 50 off 43 before the opening partnership ended, the steadier Frances missing a straight ball from Udal. Somerset were in no mood to consolidate, and Trescothick and Durston continued to pour on the runs. Durston passed 50 then became Udal's second victim, but by then the game was almost certainly up. Trescothick eventually fell for a sublime 136, and it was left to de Bruyn to violently seal the game for Somerset. Somerset 282-3 (48.2 overs) Somerset won by 7 wickets

MOM Marcus Trescothick (136)

Summary:
Middlesex 280-7 (50 overs) Compton 77 Nash 49 Banks 4-76 Phillips 1-48
Somerset 282-3 (48.2 overs) Trescothick 136 Durston 58 Udal 2-60 Evans 1-54

Reaction

Well an OK batting display was let down by shoddy bowling. Richardson was particularly woeful, giving away extras and far too many boundaries. On the positive, more form for Compton and Nash; my two best batsmen so far.

[Chasjs]

Keep it up, the 50 over game is tough to master but you finally get the hang of it.

I think Morgan will be one of the most improved players of ICC10.