Middlesex LV Championship Div 1 at Trent Bridge Win 22 points Report

 

Day 4

TENSION FILLED AFTERNOON SEES MIDDLESEX RELEGATED AFTER NOTTS SCRAPE A NARROW WIN

On a sunny last day of the season, Notts scraped to a two-wicket victory with 16 balls to spare to send Middlesex back to the Second Division and Notts to a sixth placed championship finish.

Middlesex knew they had to win the match so with a declaration inevitable, the first session was somewhat tedious. Mullaney put nearly all his men on the ropes throughout with the Middlesex batsman mainly dealing in singles as they steadily accumulated enough runs to declare. In the 7th over, Stoneman (14) was caught on the square leg ropes by James off Hutton, 34 for 1. Holden (11) fell to fine diving catch at third man by Jake Ball off Hutton, 59 for 2 in the 11th over. Hutton's 62nd victim of the season which made him the championship leading wicket taker of 2023. Hutton undoubtedly Notts player of the season. Mullaney came on and ran out Eskinazi (9) with his first delivery, the batsman played the ball to towards mid-on but the ball hit non-striker Robson and trickled straight back to the bowler, Eskinazi half way down the pitch ran back but failed to beat Mullaney’s throw to Moores behind the stumps, 77 for 3 in the 15th over. Paterson came on from the Pavilion End for the 16th over. A four backward of point by Robson off Paterson brought him his 50 off 56 balls in the 18th over. Middlesex got to their 100 in the 19th over. Higgins (15) became Paterson's 50th championship scalp of the season caught behind by Moores, 107 for 4 in the 20th over. Simpson (9) top edged an attempted leg side hit off Mullaney with Moores taking the catch running towards short fine leg, 128 for 5 in the 25th over. The Middlesex 150 came up in the 29th over. Ball returned for the 32nd over. Middlesex got to lunch 177 for 5 off 33 overs with Robson on 89 and De Caires on 24.

Stuart Broad came to say his final goodbyes at lunchtime, when it was revealed that the Pavilion End was being rebranded as the Stuart Broad End in recognition of his services to Notts and England.

In the 36th over, Ball was hit for six over square leg by De Caires. In his next over Ball removed De Caires (49) caught low down at deep cover by Mullaney, 211 for 6. The sixth wicket had added 83 runs in 13 overs. Robson got to his 100 off 106 balls with a two off Mullaney. Middlesex declared after 39 overs on 224 for 6 with Robson on 105 and Yadav on 6. Robson’s innings took 109 balls but only contained three boundaries as most of his innings consisted of easily run singles with the field spread far and wide. Indeed the whole of the Middlesex innings comprised of nine fours and one six. The declaration seemed slightly premature but Middlesex had to win and also factor in the possibility of bad light later on. It proved in retrospect finely timed.

Notts needed 207 to win off 58 overs at 3.57 RPO. Easy on paper and with the wicket still playing well. Although with Mullaney failing to bowl Harrison this morning we were not aware that it was now taking some turn.

Bamber (Radcliffe Road) and Roland-Jones shared the new ball. Hameed hit Roland-Jones for three boundaries in his opening over. In the 3rd over, Slater hit Bamber for six over square leg and a four through point. The fifth over went for 10 including two boundaries for Slater. With Notts 39 for 0 after 6 overs, Yadav came on from the Radcliffe Road End. Helm came on from the Stuart Broad End for the 10th over. The 50 partnership between Hameed and Slater took 65 balls. Hameed (24), threw his wicket away gently plonking Helm straight to Eskinazi who caught him low down at square leg, 64 for 1 in the 16th over. Mullaney pulled Helm for two sixes over square leg in the 20th over. De Caires was brought on for the 22nd over. Notts got to tea on 91 for 1 off 22 overs with Slater on 43 and Mullaney on 16. It seemed that Notts were coasting to victory.

The Notts 100 came up in the 24th over but Slater was getting bogged down by the spinners. Mullaney (30 off 34 balls, 2 x 4, 2 x 6) on the sweep , raised his heel was smartly stumped by Simpson off De Caires, 106 for 2 in the 26th over. Clarke hit de Caires for 4 and 6 off consecutive deliveries in the 28th over as he went on the attack. De Caires then came off and Robson replaced him. Clarke (22) was bowled by a fine delivery from Yadav that spun in and removed his off bail, 133 for 3 in the 31st over. Robson had Slater (49) all at sea with a succession of lbw shouts in the 32nd over, the umpires finger eventually being raised, 135 for 4. Notts were wobbling.

Moores (7) after three successive ducks got off the mark with a single off his first delivery from Robson. But he soon departed to a dreadful shot swiping Robson straight to Bamber at deep square leg, 151 for 5 in the 36th over. The shot was fraught with danger with the man positioned for the catch. With no scoring rate pressure on Notts, a truly awful piece of batsmanship.

In the following over, James (1), on the backfoot, was lbw to Jadav, 152 for 6. Harrison (3) was bowled by Robson, 157 for 7 in the 40th over. Notts had lost 5 wickets for 24 runs in nine overs as they had collapsed in all too familiar fashion. Middlesex were now favourites and Kent supporters who had seen their team draw against Lancashire must have feared the worst. Luckily Montgomery a fine player of spin was still at crease and he found a calm partner in Brett Hutton.

The second delivery to Hutton by Robson went for five wides. Montgomery and Hutton were dealing in singles as Roland-jones was now sticking with Robson and Yadav throughout. The last hour was taken at 1649 with Notts 168 for 7 off 42 overs. A rare bad delivery from Yadav was hit four by Montgomery through extra cover in the 47th over. Every single was now being applauded as both batsmen were batting sensibly Hutton hit Yadav for six over mid-wicket off the last delivery of the 51st over, only six required now. Next over, Hutton (17) was caught behind by Simpson off Robson, 202 for 8. The 8th wicket had added 45 in 12 overs. Would the match have one final twist?

Jake Ball, in his last appearance in Notts colours, came to the crease with five required. He played back to two dot balls. Montgomery was happy to take a single of the first ball of the next Yadav over. Three dot balls followed before Ball took a single off the fifth delivery, with the final ball being a dot ball to Montgomery. Robson repeatedly tossed the ball outside Ball’s off stump but he never connected as a maiden was played out. Yadav bowled the 55th over, Montgomery and Ball both obtained singles to tie the scores, the last four balls were dot balls, Montgomery with his trademark reverse sweep denied the winning hit by a smart piece of fielding by the diving De Caires at short third man.

Robson now bowling to Ball, no run off the first ball and then Ball (6 not out) appropriately hitting the winning runs sweeping the leg spinner to the square ropes. A memorable end to Ball’s momentous but sadly latterly injury ravaged Notts career. Notts 210 for 8 off 55.2 overs with Sam Robson with career best figures of 4-46, having only taken 13 wickets in his entire first-class career prior to this fixture.

Montgomery (34 not out off 65 balls, 2x4) as he had done six week before in the one-day game at the St Lawrence had batted sensibly and calmly under pressure. An up and down “learning” season for the 23-year-old, a player of much promise.

A fantastic tension filled last afternoon to wrap up the season. The win meant Notts leap frogged Somerset in the table to finish six. Hutton, Paterson and Clarke the three main men this season with Duckett and Young impressing in their rare appearances. Notts’ batting remained fragile throughout the season, a number of players finding the transition from Division Two to Division One challenging. Notts have to make sure they have an overseas batsman in place for all 14 games in 2024, instead of the three we had this season. The performance at champions Surrey with Will Young in the line-up, in my view, was Notts’ best of the season. MAG

Day 3

SLATER SEASON'S BEST TURNS THE PRESSURE UP ON MIDDLESEX

Going into the final day of the season, Notts lead Middlesex by eight runs after the visitors closed on 10 for 0 in their second innings, bad light stopping play at 17:09 with 19 overs still remaining.

On a cool and cloudy day, a four through point during the first over of the day by Slater off Bamber (Radcliffe Road End) brought him his 50 off 83 balls. Notts reached 100 in the 31st over with a four through point once again by Slater off Bamber. In the 39th over, an offside two through backward point by Clarke off Bamber took him past 1,000 championship runs for the season for the first time since 2016 during his Worcestershire days. There was a double bowling change for the 41st and 42nd overs with Yadav and Roland-Jones respectively coming on to bowl. The hundred partnership between Slater and Clarke came up 203 balls, both batsmen looking comfortable. A whipped mid-wicket boundary for Clarke off Roland-Jones saw him to 50 off 114 balls. Clarke hit Yadav for a straight six in the 45th over. In his following over, Clarke hit the off spinner for six over mid-wicket. Clarke (70 off 158 balls, 7 x 4, 3 x 6) trying to work the ball on the legside was leg before to a Yadav delivery that kept low, 169 for 3 in the 53rd over. The third wicket had added 134 runs in 44 overs. Sam Robson came on for the 54th over in preference to De Caires. Robson conceded 11 off his third over including 2 boundaries for Montgomery. Notts got to lunch on 200 for 3 off 61 overs with Slater on 82 and Montgomery on 21. They had added 108 runs during the session for the loss of Clarke.

De Caires replaced Robson from the Radcliffe Road End straight after lunch. The follow on was avoided via a reverse swept four by Montgomery off Yadav. Montgomery, employing sweep shots against the spinners to excellent effect raced to 50 off 48 balls with a single off De Caires in the 68th over. His first 50 in 11 championship innings, since his career best 177 versus Essex in May. Tom Helm returned for the 69th over. In the following over, Montgomery (52) disappointedly threw his wicket away, walking down the pitch to De Caires missing a straight one and being stumped by Simpson, 239 for 4 in the 70th over. Moores recorded his third successive duck, out in a familiar fashion, swiping at a ball from Helm to keeper Simpson without any foot movement, 240 for 5 in the 71st over. 

STAT CHECK

Moores has scored 2,651 runs @24.10 in his first-class career including 408 runs @29.14 in 2023. 

A four through backward point by Slater off De Caires steered Notts passed 250 in the 74th over. A pulled legside single by Slater off Helm saw him to three figures off 208 balls. His second ton of 2023, having scored 100 in the previous home game at Trent Bridge against Kent in late July, James (19) attempting a cut shot bottom edged a turning delivery from Yadav, in his second over of his new spell, on to his stumps, 274 for 6 in the 79th over. The new ball was taken by Helm and Bamber with Notts 280 for 6 off 81 overs. Harrison found the square leg ropes off Helm to take Notts to their second batting point in the 86th over. Yadav was brought back into the attack in the 87th over. Roland-Jones returned for the 90th over. In the last over before tea, Harrison (27) who batted for 15 overs was strangled down the leg side caught by keeper Simpson off Roland-Jones. Notts going to the second break on 319 for 7 off 93.4 overs with Slater on 118.

In the 97th over, Hutton hit Yadav for six over mid-wicket. A pulled four to square leg by Slater off Roland-Jones saw Notts to 350 in the 100th over. De Caires came on once again for the 102nd over. Slater (140 off 284 balls, 20 x 4) fell in the 107th over caught at deep square leg by Yadav off the returning Helm, 367 for 8. Slater’s 422-minute innings was his best innings of the season and was the glue that held the Notts innings together. He currently has scored 776 runs @32.33 in the 2023 championship. Hutton (26) going for his shots was well caught at deep mid-off by Roland-Jones off De Caires, 375 for 9 in the 107th over. Ball (11) reverse swept De Caires for four but fell next ball excellently caught by Robson diving low to his left on the cover ropes off De Caires. Notts 384 all out (Paterson 4 not out, De Caires 3-56) and led by 18 runs after the first innings. The pitch had played well throughout with the odd delivery from the Radcliffe Road keeping low. Despite the cloudy conditions, the ball did not really swing much during the day. Middlesex though who were well placed overnight had lost their upper hand in this vital contest for them.

Middlesex had 22 overs to bat. Hutton (Radcliffe Road End) and Ball shared the new ball with Middlesex reaching 10 for 0 off 3 overs when bad light stopped play at 17:09. Play was called off at 17:50. With relegations rivals Kent having picked up sufficient bonus points against Lancashire at Canterbury and unlikely to lose, Middlesex have to win this fixture. A fascinating final day awaits with a sunny day expected, Middlesex have to put runs on the board and quickly. MAG

Day 2

HIGGINS TON KEEPS MIDDLESEX IN THE ASCENDANCY

Notts closed Day 2 with a deficit of 274 runs with eight first innings wicket standing. On a predominantly cloudy day, 25 overs were lost out of the days 104 over ration to a combination of light rain and bad light.

Simpson (26) was out to the fourth delivery of the day lbw to a full and straight delivery from Hutton, 163 for 4 in the 43rd over. Eskinazi had no after effects from his blow to head yesterday and returned to the crease. Paterson replaced Ball for the 52nd over with Middlesex reaching 200. James replaced Hutton for the following over. A cover driven boundary by Eskinazi off Paterson saw him to his 50 off 83 balls in the 56th over. In the 60th over, Eskinazi (58) was leg before to Paterson that came back in, 224 for 5. The 5th wicket stand was worth 61 in 17 overs. Hutton returned for the 65th over and in his second over of his new spell he had De Caires (12) caught low to his right by Moores, 241 for 6 in the 67th over. A four through third man by Yadav off Hutton saw Middlesex to 250 in the 69th over. Mullaney replaced Paterson from the Pavilion End in the 70th over. Calvin Harrison bowled the last over before lunch, Middlesex 274 for 6 off 73 overs at the interval with Higgins on 99 and Yadav on 24.

A four through long on by Higgins off Paterson saw to him to his chanceless ton off 150 balls in the first over after lunch. James replaced Harrison from the Radcliffe Road End with Harrison switching to the Pavilion End. Montgomery was given the 79th over and conceded seven with Middlesex reaching their second batting point. Harrison conceded 14 runs in the 80th over including three boundaries, two for Yadav and one from Higgins. The new ball was taken with Middlesex standing on 315 for 6 off 80 overs. Yadav reached his attacking 50 off 58 balls. Hutton conceded 13 off the 85th over including five wides as the 100 partnership for the 7th wicket was achieved in 110 balls. Yadav, playing across the line, fell lbw to Ball for 56 (off 72 balls, 8x4), 349 for 7 in the 86th over. The 7th wicket stand between Higgins and Yadav had accumulated 108 runs in 19 overs.

Roland-Jones shuffling across his crease was lbw to Hutton for 2, 352 for 8 in the 87th over. Ryan Higgins went for a quick offside single with Jake Ball stopping the ball in his follow through with his left boot. He picked the ball up and aimed and fired with Higgins short of his ground when Balls’s direct throw shattered the stumps. Higgins run out 137 off 182 balls (15x4), 354 for 9 in the 88th over. Bamber was the last man to fall caught at second slip by Harrison off Hutton for 2. Middlesex 366 all out off 91 overs. Helm 8 not out. Hutton (5 for 94) outstanding once more with sixth five wicket bag of a season in which he has taken 60 wickets @21.48. Middlesex seasonal batting point haul had increased by 150% over one innings!

The light was deteriorating when Notts replied in the late September afternoon gloom. Slater hit two cover driven boundaries off the opening over bowled by Bamber (Radcliffe Road End). His new ball partner was Roland-Jones. Hameed (4) fell in the third over caught behind by his ankles by Simpson off Bamber, 13 for 1. In the 9th over, Mullaney was lbw to Bamber for 4, 35 for 2. Rain stopped play at 1528 with Notts 38 for 2 off 10 overs with Slater on 27 and Clarke on 2.

During the tea interval a large crowd gathered, including the players' families, in the front of the pavilion to see special presentations to England internationals and Notts legends Samit Patel (22 years’ service) and Jake Ball (15 years’ service) who are moving to pastures new at the end of the season.

Play resumed at 1654 with 17 overs lost. A single for Slater off Roland-Jones saw Notts to 50 in the 16th over. Bamber and Roland-Jones bowled unchanged for the first 19 overs, Helm replacing Roland-Jones for the 20th over and Yadav coming on for the 21st over. His opening over costing 11 runs including two no balls and a six over wide long on by Clarke. Slater was hit on the hip from a delivery from Helm and he was clearly having difficulty running between the wickets, but following two trips to the middle from physio Kanwar Bansil he carried on with his innings. The 50 partnership for the third wicket took 87 balls. With dusk approaching Middlesex had no option but introduce de Caires for the 28th over but with the light fading fast stumps were drawn at 1810 at the completion of his over with Notts 92 for 2 off 28 overs with Slater 49 not out and Clarke 25 not out.

With another cloudy day promised tomorrow which should aid swing bowling, Middlesex remain well placed for victory on the same somnolent deck which provided a run fest on Saturday between England and Ireland. With Kent seemingly at least matching Middlesex’s batting bonus point haul, the pressure is now on Middlesex to complete a victory to retain their first division status. MAG

Day 1

MIDDLESEX FINISH SHORT DAY IN A STRONG POSITION

Middlesex with only two batting points all season finished a rain truncated first day in a strong position closing on 162 for 3 off 42 overs, looking well placed to treble their batting points for the season.

A 40-minute torrential rain storm hit Nottingham at 845 this morning, leaving puddles on the outfield. It meant that play did not start until 1500 with 54 overs lost. Middlesex one point behind Kent in 9th place in the table elected to bat and what looked like a good pitch. With Jake Ball's departure announced prior to the game, he returned to the Eleven for one last Notts appearance, the unlucky Asitha Fernando making way.

Hutton (Radcliffe Road End) and Ball shared the new ball. Robson and Stoneman tucked into some pretty friendly bowling. Then Robson (17) edged Ball to Moores who took the catch low to his right, 33 for 1 in the 8th over. Two balls later, Stoneman (14) was plumb leg before to Hutton, 33 for 2. In the 12th over Eskinazi on 4 was dropped at first slip by Clarke off Ball, an easy chance missed. The Middlesex 50 came up in the 13th over. Next over, Paterson replaced Ball from the Pavilion End and conceded 11 runs in a loose opening over. Lyndon James replaced Hutton and removed Holden's (15) middle stump with his first delivery, 62 for 3 in the 15th over. This turned out to be the last wicket of the day. Middlesex got to tea, which was taken at 1615, on 72 for 3 off 18 overs with Eskinazi on 21 and Higgins on 1.

With Middlesex on 93 for 3 off 22.2 overs, Eskinazi with 23 to his name had to retire hurt after being hit on the side of the head off a short ball from James that reared up. Two leg glanced boundaries by Simpson off James saw Middlesex passed 100 in the 25th over. Jake Ball returned for the 26th over. With the light deteriorating, Hutton replaced James for the 29th over. Rain stopped play at 1729 with Middlesex on 117 for 3 off 30.4 overs with Higgins on 29 and Simpson on 13.

Play restarted five minutes later with Hutton completing his over but somewhat bizarrely Match Referee Peter Such did not deduct any further overs from the days ration.

Mullaney damaged his left shoulder slipping over trying to stop a ball and went off the field briefly for running repairs. Harrison replaced Ball for the 34th over. Mullaney returned to the field and elected to reintroduce Paterson for the 37th over and a four through point by Higgins brought up the 50 stand between Simpson and himself off 84 balls. Higgins reached his 50 off 63 balls with a leg side single off Harrison. Stumps were drawn at 1815 with Middlesex 162 for 3 with Higgins on 60 and Simpson on 26. 

It had been very much the Londoners' day against a distinctly lackadaisical Notts team whose ground fielding throughout was somewhat disappointing.MAG

25/09

Same squad as for the Old Trafford game:

Ben Slater, Haseeb Hameed, Steven Mullaney c, Joe Clarke, Matt Montgomery, Tom Moores w, Lyndon James, Calvin Harrison, Brett Hutton, Asitha Fernando, Dane Paterson, Matt Carter, Jake Ball

Both Dill Pennington and Jackie Haynes are in the Pears' squad to clinch promotion at Headingley.

Middlesex have named the following fourteen-man squad:

• Toby Roland-Jones (Captain)
• Ethan Bamber
• Joe Cracknell
• Jack Davies
• Josh De Caires
• Stephen Eskinazi
• Tom Helm
• Ryan Higgins
• Max Holden
• Tim Murtagh
• Sam Robson
• John Simpson (Wicket-keeper)
• Mark Stoneman
• Jayant Yadav

24/09

Did you hear that noise last week? You may have thought it was the wind, one of those former hurricanes that passed over the East Midlands, and elsewhere all last week, dumping moisture as it did. But, you were mistaken! That noise, on either Thursday or Friday, was the collective sound of relief from three cricketers in the West Midlands, in the shadow of an iconic cathedral on the banks of the River Severn; at their realisation that their future employers for next season will be playing in the top division of the county championship in 2024. Phew!


Phew, no eggs were washed of their faces either as their current employers look certain to be playing in the top division in 2024 too.


Few would have been expecting Notts to be relegation fodder when the player pathway from New Road to Trent Bridge was announced, but the lack of form and consistency by most of the batsmen has plagued Notts' 2023 season and safety has only been achieved into the second half of September. Retention of Division One status would have been a target at the beginning of the season and that has now been achieved. Well done.


On Tuesday Notts will start their last match of 2023 and it will also be their first game at Trent Bridge for sixty days.

60 DAYS

In what way is that sensible management of a venue, a venue that already largely sits idle for half of the year. Yes it's been used to host ECB events in those 60 days, but that only accounts for 7 of those days. It's as though Trent Bridge has lost the summer! Wouldn't you want to use your venue at the prime time of the year?

So there's little wonder that NCCC want members to renew their memberships long before the current season has ended, they are lacking the cash (debit card) flow.


Our opponents Middlesex will be hoping to capitalise of Notts' unfamiliarity with their surroundings and their end of term euphoria. They need a result!


Remember, Notts have already gifted Middlesex one win this season...