Championship v Northants 10-13 July 2023

[Paul W]

Starting the thread a little early, as there's not a lot going on.

Weather forecast not looking great, with showers forecast on and off on all four days (but hopefully the forecast improves).

A must win game. A rain affected draw won't help us make up much ground on those above us.

Joe Cracknell got a hundred for the seconds yesterday. Is there any chance he might bat at 5 if Richard Johnson decides it's time to give Max Holden a rest?

I realise Stephen Eskinazi and Pieter Malan haven't done any better- but at least they can point to previous seasons when they have performed- and we haven't got enough people performing well in the 2's to side line more than one of the top 5. Robbie White not having a great season in the second XI. I make it two 50's (20 over and championship combined) with a top score of 55, so I don't think he has done enough to be in contention. Other contenders for a top 5 spot, Josh De Caires (mainly as another bowling option, as he only has one 2nd team 50 this year, although he looked okay batting lower in the order against Hampshire). Or Jack Davies (2 second XI 50's).And it won't happen-but worth pointing out Dan O'Driscoll has three 2nd XI 50's this season. No-one smashing the door down for inclusion, but how do we stick with a line up that has managed one batting point in seven games? And yes, I know Eski missedt he last game- with De Caires replacing him in a round about way (Simpson, Higgins and Hollman moving up one in the order, with De Caires at 8.)

But who knows- Richard Johnson moves in a mysterious way.

Edit-all that hard work and I've just realised I've posted on the wrong section of the forum

Grrrr!!!!!

[Paul W]

Thanks to James for moving my post to the correct section (it looks like edits can't be made after a certain length of time).

To expand a bit on my first post, clearly those who have made a few first team appearances have had fewer second team innings to make runs, but I keep a good old fashioned pen and paper note of second XI performances (friendly, T20 and 4 day combined) so among the batting contenders, I make it-

Fernandes, 8 innings, 2 50's highest 67, De Caires 9 innings, 1 50 (68), Davies 9 innings, 2 50's highest 87* White 15 innings, 2 50's highest 55, Cracknell 3 innings, highest 103 and O'Driscoll 11 innings, 3 50's highest 84.

[Jonathan Winsky]

If this match produces a result, then the winning team would have less of a mountain to climb in order to avoid relegation compared to the losing team.

Middlesex can ill afford to have a home-and-away double inflicted by Northamptonshire. If that was to happen, then we would have to see whether that would have as big an impact on our finishing position in 2023 as the double we inflicted over Glamorgan had on our finishing position in 2022, when we were promoted at Glamorgan’s expense. It would come down to whether the swing of points enables Northants to survive at our expense, or whether the 32 points we would have gained for having done the double ourselves would have enabled us to survive.

Josh de Caires deserves to retain his place after taking seven wickets and being one of our better batters v Hampshire at the Rose Bowl. If we only feel the need for one spinner, maybe it would be at the expense of Luke Hollman, especially if we wish to fit in another specialist batter or another seam bowler.

This would be a great occasion for Max Holden, if selected, to score his fourth first-class century, against the side for whom he played two such innings. Then again, is there such a thing as a bad occasion for him to score a century?

Maybe 4 or a slightly higher figure could also be our tally of season batting points after this match. Or am I just being greedy?

[Paul W]

14 man squad named-

https://www.middlesexccc.com/news/2023/07/squad-preview-middlesex-v-northants-county-championship

Roland-Jones (c), Bamber, Davies, De Caires, Eskinazi, Helm, Higgins, Holden, Hollman, Malan, Murtagh, Robson, Simpson (wk), Stoneman.

[James Mitchell]

Thanks to James for moving my post to the correct section (it looks like edits can't be made after a certain length of time)That's correct - members have two hours within which edits can be made. The reason is to prevent a change after other members have responded to the original post.

If you need to make a change after 2 hours, you can ask a moderator to do it for you.

[Paul W]

In a way it's a pity we took that last wicket so quickly, as we've now got five tricky overs to negotiate.

Looks like a typical MT wicket- not too difficult to stay in on- but difficult to score.

I think Eski may have to wait two hours before he can bat (or 7 which ever comes soonest) as he was off the field for the last session.

And Bamber sent in as opening night watcher (not a night watchman these days!)

[Paul W]

Well, those last five overs went better than I dared hope!

Overnight rain forecast. Hopefully on time start tomorrow.

[Jonathan Winsky]

It seems like it was a good day for Middlesex. Hopefully, we will proceed to make a high first innings score in order to get a big first innings lead, reduce our likely fourth innings target, and pick up some rare batting points.

I foresaw that Josh de Caires would retain his place and that it would come at the expense of Luke Hollman’s place in the side, as they perform similar roles, although de Caires seems to be in better form, which is presumably why he got the nod.

By bowling Northamptonshire out for 219, not only have we hopefully got ourselves in a good position in the match (we will have to see what happens in the coming days to be really sure of whether it is as much on the low side as I would like it to be), but the fact that we prevented them from picking up any batting points could make a difference to us if we reach the latter stages of the season on a similar number of points.

I thought that one duty of a nightwatcher is to reduce the amount of balls their partner has to face before the close by taking as much of the strike as possible. However, 14 of the first 15 balls of Mark Stoneman and Ethan Bamber’s opening partnership were faced by Stoneman! Then again, the laws of probability said that there would be more risk of a wicket falling had Bamber faced than Stoneman, so giving a lot of the strike to Stoneman arguably increased the achievement of a nightwatcher’s other duty, which is to prevent anyone else from having to bat before the close. Thankfully, they both survived to the close.

I was not aware of Stevie Eskinazi spending time off the field. If he has to come in lower down the order, then the fact that Bamber opened the batting would reduce the amount of main batters that Eski would have to come in after.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Higgo to the fore once more, best bowler, best batter, talented player, and future skipper.

[Jonathan Winsky]

I was hopeful that Middlesex would achieve a large first innings lead and a few batting points, especially as we reached 103 for the loss of only Ethan Bamber. However, when we found ourselves 127-5 about 10 overs later, a lead of 58 and one batting point would have exceeded my aspirations!

Hopefully we will not be left with a fourth innings target that we find difficult.

I imagine that Stevie Eskinazi will once again be neither allowed nor deemed fit enough to bat higher than 7 in the second innings, as he batted at 9 in the first innings due to a finger injury. Hopefully his batting will not be required. However, he is more than capable of scoring second innings runs at Merchant Taylors’ School without being totally fit, as he scored an important 66 not out v Leicestershire in 2021 (https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-championship-2021-1244186/middlesex-vs-leicestershire-group-2-1244301/full-scorecard), when I think he had a hamstring injury and batted with a runner. On that occasion, he came in at 55-5 and took us to 196 to set a target of 293, and we won by 121 runs.

[adelaide]

I was unconvinced by Holden's lbw decision. I suspect both he and the umpire were surprised by Keogh actually bowling anywhere near the stumps to the left handers. To be fair to him, he bowled better after taking that wicket.

I wonder whether De Caires will be able to bowl. We might need that if the over rate is a problem, as commentary suggested it was.

[Paul W]

In its own way, this turning in to a quite gripping and entertaining match.

But there is no denying this feels very much like 9th v 10th.

That's to say no-one with real pace on either side, no spinner of the quality of Liam Dawson or Simon Harmer, no stand out batter who is head and shoulders above the rest.

Just 22 honest triers all doing their best to get their team over the winning line.

So, very watchable, but a feeling that it's all a bit low octane.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Most unwarranted criticism, to label all 22 as just a bunch of honest triers is grossly unfair to some very talented cricketers performing in difficult circumstances. To throw out the names of only two stand-out cricketers, amongst the eighteen first-class counties only serves to empathize the general lack of exceptional match-winning players around the game at present. Your patronizing. verging on insulting comments is unwanted and unnecessary and you should seriously consider removing them.

[Paul W]

Absolutely not. I stand by it.

Some players on both sides are absolutely up to the required standard, because no county side can expect to field eleven world beaters. But you do need something special to lift us out of a side of 80 mph seamers. Many (not just me) have said how 'samey' our attack is- so nothing wrong with TRJ and Bamber- but they need to be topped up with someone like Shaheen Shah Afridi as we were briefly able to do last summer. His ability to remove Northeast and Labushagne in successive deliveries against Glamorgan last April was the sort of firepower all the top teams have- and we don't. Consequently it is all very samey- the sort of attack that will do well in certain conditions (April) but will struggle on a good pitch- and I wouldn't say this is a good pitch, because as Higgins said, he thinks it's two paced, so batters have to be a little cautious. Not too difficult to stay in on- but try to attack a bit and you might nick off.

This doesn't have the same feeling of intensity as a game against one of the top sides would. And so far, it looks like ourselves and Northants are equal ability wise.

We are 9th, they are 10th, and we don't look significantly better than them, which sums up why we are were we are in the table.

Sign a couple of high achievers (one batter, one bowler) then the others can play around them, but there is no-one stand out (Higgins very consistent, but should we be relying on our number 7 to keep making face saving 50's) so we are lacking the star quality performers the top sides have.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

You called them all 'honest triers', don't you think most are a bit better than that? No, we haven't got any superstars but there are not any available, and the one we did sign got injured.So who exactly are these 'world beaters' performing elsewhere? Certainly, no reason to belittle those appearing in this game on either side.

[Paul W]

Well, I don't consider 'honest triers' to be a particularly insulting description.

It means they are doing their best, but our attack will only do well in certain conditions, and it's limitations will on occasions be exposed.

[Erskine]

I do not understand why Murtagh was not selected ahead of Helm for this match as he has taken 21 wickets average of 20 against Helm 9 wickets average 50
With his experience I am sure he could have given us a better chance of bowling them out in a vital match

[MIDDLE EXILE]

It's demeaning and belittling and applied to professional cricketers rude and insulting, and at the least most uncomplimentary and ill-deserved.That they are doing their best goes without saying, Are you still completing that list of world-beaters possessed of all counties including those in the second division we don't have? All I'm saying is you need to consider your terminology before posting less offend anyone,

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Easy to be wise after the event Erskine,Helm is the only bowler who possesses the extra pace that sometimes makes all the difference, together with his superior batting and fielding ability he was considered to be able to add a better balance to the attack rather than the sameness some on here complain about.

[Paul W]

Well, I was sincerely hoping we would trample Northants underfoot in this game, to prove we are significantly better than them.

But, on the evidence of this match, we are not significantly better them, we are the same as them, so more disappointing than our performances against the other teams.

Our 9th place unfortunately seems to accurately reflect our ability.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

I honestly think there is little between about half a dozen sides in this division on any given day any of those are capable of defeating another. Our current position does not reflect our ability but more our disappointment and underachievement rather than an inferior ability to those sides ahead of us. Fortunes can change quickly and a couple of wins can see positions change dramatically. I suggest we wait till the seasons end before making any firm judgment,

[Jonathan Winsky]

The thought occurred to me that I should write that Northamptonshire will be feeling the more Gay of the sides about how today went. I was hopeful that Middlesex would take a lot of wickets after I had that brainwave in order to make me consider using different terminology to avoid offending anyone, but those wickets didn’t really happen at the speed I was hopeful they would have.

At least we ended the day on a high by breaking Emilio Gay and Rob Keogh’s partnership of 80 for the seventh wicket with a run out off what turned out to be the final ball of the day.

The fact we at least took five wickets with the second new ball enabled me to reconsider another thought I had, which was that Northants may find themselves having to decide when to declare. That would be a situation that I doubt that either team envisaged would happen and could potentially make Northants feel a bit nervous. However, if we take the final three wickets early tomorrow, then those who had assumed that their second innings would end with them being all out would be proven correct after all.

This match brings me in mind of the meeting between the two sides at Lord’s in 2009 (https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-championship-division-two-2009-382415/middlesex-vs-northamptonshire-383024/full-scorecard), when it looked likely that Middlesex would win inside three days, only for Northants to win inside four days. On that occasion, we achieved a first innings lead of 72 and reduced Northants to 79-5 in their second innings, only for Northants to reach 293 and bowl us out for 186 to win by 35 runs. I remember that I had been asked to write a report for MTWD on day four in the event of the match going that far, but I didn’t write a report much to Ged’s disappointment, as I think that I went into a state of denial due to a combination of feeling anxious about being expected to write a report and having heard many people comment that we looked set to win without a fourth day being required.

We will have to see whether the meeting in 2023 goes the same way as in 2009, or whether we will achieve what we are set. Northants will surely feel confident that they can defend 315 + what runs they add on tomorrow, especially as we have had difficulties in the batting department this season, although I would like to think that the fact that Northants have so far reached 372-7 suggests that batting last on day four will not be as difficult as this activity can often be.

With Northants needing a win as much as we do, it would be a big surprise if they are happy to continue batting as long as they can in order to increase their chances of avoiding defeat. And it would also be a bit of a surprise if we make no effort whatsoever to go for our target.

[Paul W]

Warwickshire have defeated Kent in three days, leaving Kent on 74 points after 9 completed matches.

If we win tomorrow, we will be on 71 points from 8 matches, so hope of climbing to eighth place at some point is possible as we still have a game in hand, but winning tomorrow won't be easy. If we don't take the last three wickets quickly, I don't think any Northants declaration will be particularly generous. Yes, they need the points as much as we do, but they might feel less inclined to risk handing points to the team immediately above them than if they were playing a side higher up the table. They only started losing wickets when they tried to up the scoring rate- so survival is possible, but scoring runs quickly isn't.

[Paul W]

Weather forecast currently suggesting rain between 11 am and 1 pm, but only about a 50% probability, but it does seem likely some time will be lost, increasing the chance of a draw, which would get us up to 60 points.

Still within touching distance of 8th placed Kent, but the problem is every time we lose a match we tend to walk away with about 3 points, and it's Surrey next.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcptwusdp#?date=2023-07-13

[Paul W]

.... and the weather forecast has magically improved, and it looks like we'll be starting on time.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

A most encouraging start, and just 322 to chase. It won't be easy but quite doable. Go well, my brave boys!

[adelaide]

A most encouraging start, and just 322 to chase. It won't be easy but quite doable. Go well, my brave boys!

Was Eski fielding yesterday? If not, he surely would not have been allowed to open. Not good timing for him with his Hundred gig coming up.

I suspect that many sportsmen are eventually happy to accept the label "honest trier", even if they started off with much grander aspirations. It's better than "dishonest slacker" anyway. But however you paint it, fact is that neither side has been producing players who look likely (except to Kevin Hand) to push their way into an England team for some years - and that predates our financial mess. Very few, if any, of either team would seriously trouble the Surrey selectors - though admittedly they do pick Cameron Steel sometimes.

That's not being insulting, just realistic. If we were really on a par with the majority of the CC1 counties we would not have had such a struggle to get out of CC2 and only Higgins has come in to strengthen the team since last season. Finances obviously prevent significant investment in the team. We can stay up but it is going to be tight and (I would say) two from three.


Adelaide

[Paul W]

A delivery and a half to get Malan first ball.

This must be the worst run of form in his career. I keep picking him in the prediction game because his career record suggests that he must come good sometime, but I might have to be unfaithful to him next match, because I need the points.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Almost halfway there and on schedule for victory at teatime, fearful the weather may yet intervene,

[Paul W]

Kevin Hand was wrong on his commentary (I thought he was) NV play has put us on 63 points, so we got 8 points for a tie (not 5 for a draw).

A small consolation- but better than nothing.

[Paul W]

and the BBC agree!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/county-championship-division-one/table

[adelaide]

Kevin Hand was wrong on his commentary (I thought he was) NV play has put us on 63 points, so we got 8 points for a tie (not 5 for a draw).

A small consolation- but better than nothing.

What was more surprising was that Gus did not correct him either.

Yesterday morning before play started I thought it was more likely than not to end on day 3, never mind go to the wire on day 4. Unfortunately Sam and Josh were probably not the batsmen we wanted in right at the end.

Strictly speaking it is 8 points for a draw with the scores level, not for a tie, because it wasn't. Northants only get the normal 5 points for a draw plus bonus points.

Hindsight is wonderful but those two hooked sixes by Zaib off Tom Helm on day one look even more important now.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

It's not a tie, but still a draw,however, Hand and Gus should both have known that poor show, misleading most people,know the playing regulations at least if you call yourself a commentator Kevin, ignorance is no excuse.

[Pindarus]

Ignorant couple, but at least at long last somebody has scored a century. Well done Robson.
Why did Eskinazi retire?

[Paul W]

Yes- the obvious fallacy was that for Kevin Hand to be right, we would have been better off to have been 322 all out, rather than 322-6.

Still- that would have added an extra dimension if four people had to deliberately get themselves out to get three extra points!

[Paul W]

Ignorant couple, but at least at long last somebody has scored a century. Well done Robson.
Why did Eskinazi retire?

Eski broke the skin above the top of his thumb taking a catch in the first innings.

I guess that would be very painful if you got hit there whilst batting- which he was within about five minutes.

Don't know if he'll be fit for Surrey game.

[Jonathan Winsky]

I will probably regret writing this if Middlesex fall 8 points (the difference between winning a match and being the side batting last in a match in which the scores finished level) short of survival, but I feel excited about the fact that we have been involved this type of draw, not only because it is rare (I think it might take a bit of trawling around previous seasons’ tables to confirm how rare it is in the County Championship), but also because there was a thread on this messageboard two months ago about this very subject (https://mccolp.net/forum/showthread.php?3844-Points-awarded-in-County-Cricket)!

Had both teams received the standard 5 points for a draw, it would have meant that it would have been better for Middlesex to be all out for 322 and the match finishes in a tie than to finish on 322-6. Had both teams received the standard 8 points for a tie, it would have meant that it would have been better for Northamptonshire to see us get up to 322-6 than to see us finish on something like 270-4, in which case both teams would have received 5 points for a draw. Therefore, the match gets treated like a tie for Middlesex and a draw for Northamptonshire, although officially it is a draw.

At least this means that unless either team has been deducted points for a slow over rate or any other reason, we will take 4 more points from the match than Northants. We will have to see how important or not this becomes come the end of the season. Of course, a win would have earned us 17 more points than Northants. One fewer run for us would have been a 3-point swing in Northants’ favour, but one more run for us would have been a 13-point swing in our favour.


As our score and particularly our boundaries tally appeared not to be going up as quickly as I would have liked for much of today according to my scorecard view (then again, Northants’ maiden overs tally didn’t seem to be increasing much either), it feels like an achievement that we got anywhere near our target. It was a bit like much of the time Northants batted across their two innings, as there were periods when wickets weren’t falling, but nor were runs being scored quickly, so I suppose that was a sign of things to come.

We spent much of the match on the front foot, although Northants arguably seized the initiative by batting all of yesterday and giving themselves 322 runs to defend. Therefore, perhaps a draw with the scores level is a fair result.

[Paul W]

At least this means that unless either team has been deducted points for a slow over rate or any other reason, we will take 4 more points from the match than Northants. We will have to see how important or not this becomes come the end of the season. Of course, a win would have earned us 17 more points than Northants. One fewer run for us would have been a 3-point swing in Northants’ favour, but one more run for us would have been a 13-point swing in our favour.


.

Jonathan-

They should put you in charge of the swingometer on election night!

Those 3 extra points might make all the difference at the end of the season.

[wembleylion]

A remarkable match, 2 short of 1,200 runs scored and scores equal. It looked for part of the day that it would peter out into a dullish draw, well it was a draw but certainly not dull.
I was at three days of the game including today, on the other day I watched the live stream, I had to mute it as I find KH so annoying - and Selvey droning on just as bad.

[Barmy Kev]

I managed most of all 4 days of this match. So many if onlys. Today at the MTS the 14 dot balls after tea with 3 wickets down was painful. Then there was TRJ cameo that nearly took us there. Lots to process Glad i do not have to write a match report.

PS. Be nice to each other.

[wembleylion]

I watched the last few overs on You Tube to see if the criticism of KH and Gus was fair. Gus corrected KH during play by saying that level scores would be a draw not a tie, to which KH concurred. It was right at the end of the broadcast that KH got it wrong by saying that the draw was worth five points, I suspect at that point that Gus was on his way out of the box and not able to correct him. Gus is innocent in my book.

[Paul W]

In the post match interview Toby said he hadn't realised scores level meant 8 points, rather than 5, which is a bit of a worry.

Did Sam and Josh know the significance of making sure they ran two off the last delivery? If not, if the second run had looked tighter than it was, they might have settled for one run, rather than risking a run out going for the second.

Kevin Hand often gets basic things wrong, like working out the revised timings for lunch and tea intervals if there have been delays. I do think he is better than most of the county commentators though. I'd sooner listen to someone who is upbeat, but he does sometimes carry his optimism to excess. A pity he's not better known, because his over praising of some of our players is just asking to be parodied by an impressionist.

[adelaide]

I watched the last few overs on You Tube to see if the criticism of KH and Gus was fair. Gus corrected KH during play by saying that level scores would be a draw not a tie, to which KH concurred. It was right at the end of the broadcast that KH got it wrong by saying that the draw was worth five points, I suspect at that point that Gus was on his way out of the box and not able to correct him. Gus is innocent in my book.

You are right that Gus corrected him about it not being a tie but when he said that I was expecting "...and it would be 8 rather than 5 points" because it was highly relevant to every Middlesex supporter listening, not all of whom would have been aware of the rules in such an unusual situation. Indeed the failure to mention it led to me googling the rules at the end of the match, just in case they had changed without my noticing.

As Northants lost no points as a result, it made sense that they were more concerned about getting the throw in safely than trying to prevent the two off the last ball. Yes, it increased the gap to Middlesex but they need to be above someone else as well in order to survive.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Kevin's vague familiarity with the laws and playing regulations are legendary, but whilst may find his ignorance somewhat endearing, constant misinformation and misunderstanding can become a bit tedious and irritating to many of us. All commentators, journalists, and affiliated press are issued full copies of the laws, updated playing regulations, and any other information relevant to the conduct of the game including rules relating to disciplinary procedures,penalties, etc. Kev would be well advised to spend some time familiarising himself with those laws and playing regulations if he is to be taken seriously and come across as a professional broadcaster rather than an enthusiastic poorly informed amateur. Yesterday's error was more than embarrassing.