Championship v Lancs 10-13 September 2023

[Mitchy68]

Robson
Stoneman
De Caires
Eskinazi
Holden
Simpson
Higgins
TRJ
Jayant
Helm
Bamber

Balanced and experienced.

[Paul W]

I can't agree with picking Holden.

One hundred in about 60 championship matches for Middlesex is not the kind of 'experience' we need.

Either give Cracknell another go, or White (who has twice as many championship hundreds for Middlesex as Holden).

[Sillypoint]

Assume same team with Eski for Davies and Yadav for Hollman....

[Erskine]

Can not play Hollman with 5 wickets in 8 county games at an average of 80 and going at 4 an over.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

Assume same team with Eski for Davies and Yadav for Hollman....


May one assume that #2-4 are all responses to #1?

[Paul W]

There are forums out there (including some I look at) that specifically tell you NOT to needlessly quote the post immediately above.

It wastes space, and it's pretty obvious everything is in response to post 1.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

There are forums out there (including some I look at) that specifically tell you NOT to needlessly quote the post immediately above.

It wastes space, and it's pretty obvious everything is in response to post 1.


THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM ... AND NEVER HAS BEEN ... AS I AM SURE JAMES MITCHELL WILL CONFIRM ...

However, you might have noted that, rather than repeat the entire message to which I am replying, I often edit it down to the parts to which I am referring, with the use of "..." - and many others do similar.

Further,more if you look in particular at the MCC posts, quite often the message to which someone is responding is no longer the one immediately above, owing to others having posted in the meantime.

It would be appreciated if people would follow our long-established conventions.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

No need to shout!

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

No need to shout!


Every need on appropriate occasions - if only to try and get through to the deaf ...

PS: Please explain why your sign-on identity is also being shouted at us all.

[Jonathan Winsky]

I would have thought that Middlesex’s management approached our final four County Championship matches of the season with the intention of selecting a similar line-up across these matches, aside from perhaps rotating the fast bowlers or having to select Luke Hollman instead of Jayant Yadav v Essex at Chelmsford. However, as that match at Chelmsford left more questions than answers, maybe we will reactively make a few changes to our line-up.

It is often said in football that when you are in a relegation battle, you need your experienced players to guide you through. However, about our only domestic players who didn’t play at Chelmsford who could probably be considered to be experienced would be Stevie Eskinazi, Tom Helm and Tim Murtagh, and I am not sure how likely it is that Murtagh will be brought into this match.

The forecast for Old Trafford on Sunday and Monday is currently not looking too good, although it is looking better for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Only 1 of our 11 matches this season have been drawn, whereas Lancashire have recorded 7 draws in 11 matches, so something will have to give.

[Pindarus]

There is a good reason why we don't draw many games. It begins with b.

[Sillypoint]

Let's not argue about random stuff. Keep it on topic please.

Rocky, robbo, Eski, Cracknell, Holden, Simpson, Higgins, Yadav, JDC, TRJ, Bamber

I don't think Murtagh will play until Lords for his retirement swansong

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Every need on appropriate occasions - if only to try and get through to the deaf ...

PS: Please explain why your sign-on identity is also being shouted at us all.

No danger of not hearing you Fingers, quite loud enough.I apologize for my big letters, just careless of me, and I'd like to change it but don't know how can anyone help.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

No danger of not hearing you Fingers, quite loud enough.I apologize for my big letters, just careless of me, and I'd like to change it but don't know how can anyone help.


But I thought you knew everything ...

Carelessness precedes you.

Is an apology from you a record?

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Is an apology from you a record?
Not all. I'm forever apologizing when I get it wrong. Can we stop this nonsense it's becoming boring.?

[Jonathan Winsky]

Lancashire have named a 14-man squad for this match (https://cricket.lancashirecricket.co.uk/news/2023-news/wood-returns-to-14-man-squad-named-to-face-middlesex/) consisting of Keaton Jennings (c), Tom Bailey, George Balderson, George Bell, Josh Bohannon, Steven Croft, Tom Hartley, Rob Jones, Danny Lamb, Phil Salt, Dane Vilas, Luke Wells, Will Williams and Luke Wood.

[Paul W]

Bowling wise, Will Williams likely to be the danger man.

[adelaide]

Bowling wise, Will Williams likely to be the danger man.

Judging from Chelmsford, whoever takes the ball will be a danger man.

Sorry, can't help gallows humour.

[Paul W]

13 man Squad named-

https://www.middlesexccc.com/news/2023/09/squad-preview-lancashire-v-middlesex-county-championship

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

No surprises. Only room for maneuevre might be Eskinazi for Davies. (edit to add- and obviousuly Yadav for Hollman)

As expected, no room for White, or Walallawita in the squad.

Hell would need to freeze over for Johnson to pick them- and thanks to global warming, that's not likely any time soon.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Well, I'd agree with that selection probably could possibly go with an extra bowler considering the weather conditions, but why on earth take the two blokes you mention who have no chance of selection?

[Paul W]

But they've got no chance of selection, because they've been frozen out all season, thus reducing potential options by two (as in they might as well not be on the staff).

I'd still like to see de Caires in the top 5. He can't possibly sore less than anyone else in the top 5, and it would allow Helm back in to the side.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

I've no intention of repeating myself, suffice it to say I don't go along with your conspiracy theories They have both been in previous squads so not correct to claim of total freezeout.

[Paul W]

Best stick with what we've got then.

Which is one hundred (Sam Robson) in eleven matches.

[wembleylion]

Davies should be nowhere near the squad, what an insult to those left out.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

I've no intention of repeating myself, suffice it to say I don't go along with your conspiracy theories They have both been in previous squads so not correct to claim of total freezeout.

"Your": Whose???

[MIDDLE EXILE]

#21

[Paul W]

There may be enough rain around for this game to end in a draw-

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcw2hzs1u#?date=2023-09-10

although, at the time of posting, a lot of the rain is 50% chance, meaning some of the potential disruption might miss the ground altogether.

To be clear- I would be absolutely delighted if Max Holden, or Jack Davies (although I suspect the latter will be relegated to twelfth man duties) scored a hundred. I'd much, much sooner be proved wrong- so we actually put a score on the board, and get some batting points, than be proved right.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

So let me get this right unless Max and/or Jack get a first-inning hundred, you'll be proved right about the non-selection of Robbie?:confused:

[Paul W]

I've already stated in another thread that Max Holden has scored just one, solitary hundred in 60 championship matches for Middlesex, which is clearly nowhere near good enough.

I would be delighted if he could make it two championship hundreds in about 60 matches. Still nowhere near good enough- but given that he seems certain to play, of course I want him to succeed. We need the points. I thought my point was quite clearly made- If one, or both of them play, of course I want them to do well- even if their averages to date don't fill me with much confidence.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Yes you've told us about a dozen times how many hundreds Max has scored, how could we forget But surely we want all of them to do well whether we think they should be playing or not, What would be interesting to know is you hope will do the best of all? This debate is even more tedious than trying to communicate with Fingers, sending my best wishes to all playing or attending. Thanks for the weather forecast. Can you confirm The tram from Picadilly to Altrincham will be operating in the morning?

[Jonathan Winsky]

The Met Office's forecast is that there won't be much rain until this afternoon, but BBC's forecast seems to differ, as it says that rain is likely for much of the day.

Therefore, it felt that if there was going to be much play today, then it could have happened early on. However, with the start is delayed, I am not sure when play would start today, if at all. Lancashire have written on X (https://twitter.com/lancscricket/status/1700796495685931459) that there is "forecast of worse [rain] to come".

Middlesex have posted an interview with Tim Murtagh (https://twitter.com/Middlesex_CCC/status/1700795045786386532) (presumably speaking in a coaching capacity) in which he says that it would be an advantage for whoever bats first in this match. As the club have posted this interview, I bet that if we win the toss, we will put Lancashire in!

[Paul W]

Thanks for the link, Jonathan.

For those of us who choose not to do twitter (x) or Facebook, it is becoming increasingly difficult to access the information therein, as they always want you to create an account first (which I won't).

Forecast I'm looking at suggests maybe half a days play today.

The view that a draw would help us only holds good if Kent lose!

Edit-and play to start at 10.45.

We have chosen to bat first.

We stick with Jack Davies, rather than Stevie Eskinazi.

As Sgt Wilson would say, 'Do you think that's wise, Sir?'

[MIDDLE EXILE]

We're off now and batting, with just the one change on the field with Jayant in for Luke. But off the field, we're missing our iconic scorer the legendary Don Shelley who is taking a well-deserved break from cricket and enjoying The Rugby World Cup in France, Have a great time Don.However, the best news of all is the welcome return of yet another legend, none other than veteran broadcaster DT himself, standing in for Kevin Hand on comms. Welcome back, Dave.

[Sillypoint]

Match thread. Won toss and batted.... One down in third over.

[Paul W]

For anyone trying to find the live link, I've found it (but not until after Rocky was out)-

https://www.youtube.com/@LancashireCricketTV/live

[Sillypoint]

Arrogant to pick same top order

[Sillypoint]

Two down. Cracknell for 1. Massive expansive wafting drive with no footwork.... Edged on

[Sillypoint]

For anyone trying to find the live link, I've found it (but not until after Rocky was out)-

https://www.youtube.com/@LancashireCricketTV/live

Bumble on commentary. Brilliant

[Paul W]

Lloyd and Allott are astounded we opted to bat first.

So am I.

[Mitchy68]

Embarrassing Jack Davies

[Paul W]

He's just a product of the modern game.

Doesn't know how to construct a four day innings.

Sooner or later he was going to have a go at something he could have left (did it several times before he was dismissed as well).

Bring back Clive Radley!

[Paul W]

18-4

Clearly a batting morning NOT.

[Sillypoint]

Five down. Looks like a close game

[Paul W]

Can we all stick to one thread?

[Paul W]

The annoying thing is we won the toss.

WE should be doing this to THEM.

I'm not saying we would have had them 20-5, because they've got a better batting line up. But maybe 40-3.

Already looks like we're done for this match.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

We're far from done, dreadful start admittedly but a long way to go. All things are relative, too early to write us off yet. Keep battling lads.

[Jonathan Winsky]

Tim Murtagh had better be proven correct in saying that the best time to bat is in the first innings of the match and that it might get harder to bat as the match goes on. However, it is looking doubtful that Middlesex will have many runs to defend in the fourth innings, or even that there will be a fourth innings. Or that this will be a high-scoring draw, which Dave Townsend suggested to Murtagh that such a result might suit us.

It is difficult for me to comment on how the morning session went, as I let my mum watch TV for most of the morning, although I briefly turned on at about 12:30pm, so I saw the last 15 minutes of the session.

I anticipated that despite the lack of positives from the match v Essex at Chelmsford, our line-up for this match would be similar, and so it has proven. In fact, it is identical to the line-up we would have probably selected at Chelmsford had Jayant Yadav’s visa arrived in time. I am not sure whether the lack of changes is because our management have faith in these players or if it is because the management don’t want to be seen as having little idea what our best line-up is (although our recent form does little to suggest that our management are sure of our best line-up!). We will have to see whether our top-order do anything in our second innings to support their retention in our side, or whether failure to do well in the second innings will result in some changes when we play Warwickshire at Lord’s next week.

At least the runs from Sam Robson and Ryan Higgins means that the amount of positives from this morning (two) actually exceeds the amount of positives from the match at Chelmsford (one). I would bite someone's hand off if one or two is the amount of batting points we can take from this match!

[Sillypoint]

? There is only one?

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Why does listening to Bumble, make me think I'm back in the 1970s ?

[Paul W]

Well played Sam Robson.

Kent 209-1 so bound to pick up some batting points.

[Erskine]

Davies is clearly club standard only and Cracknell a one day slogger and with Holden unable to build an innings we simply have no middle order batting and every match is the same

[Paul W]

If we're lucky, there might be enough rain around over the next few days that we manage to scramble out of town with a draw.

[Sillypoint]

It's really nice! Shame about the cricket tbh! Kevin Hand tomorrow. I reckon him n Bumble might riff off each other quite well!

[Sillypoint]

They even have a chat show whilst it's raining! It's so so so good! V impressed

[Paul W]

Please stop bumping this thread to the top.

Why not join the rest of us on the thread that was started several days ago.

[Sillypoint]

The one about the selection? You not watching the stream. It's very good. Coming back on soon

[Sillypoint]

Comms just said Middx top 5 average is 19.6 which is the lowest in Championship since...... 1961

[Paul W]

A damning statistic just now from Paul Allot.

Over the entire season, our top 5 (whoever they have been as the personnel can change from match to match), average 19.58 each- the worst by any county since 1961 (and that was in the era of uncovered wickets).

[Mitchy68]

Even Yadav looks better than Cracknell and Davies

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Do we really need reminding every few minutes how poor the batting has been,I think we've got the message by now, extremely tedious.

[Paul W]

I think the statistic needed sharing for anyone who might come home from a day out and didn't hear it on the live stream.

Add up all the runs scored this season by whoever occupied places 1-5 in the order- divide by the number of times out and you end up with 19.58

Our opponents always look better prepared and drilled than us. Our preparation and practice must be light years behind the others.

Maybe all our coaches have been promoted at least one level higher than their capabilities. Coleman and Coutts- good Academy head and assistant head for a few years- Johnson good bowling coach- but maybe that was the level they should have stayed at.

Feel a bit sorry for Jack Davies- It's not his fault he keeps being selected.

[Sillypoint]

Don't feel sorry for Davies. Feel for the blokes who can't get in. They must be reevaluating life choices. If its the worst top five in the modern era and you don't get a go. That's pretty terrible

[MIDDLE EXILE]

We can do the sums thankyou.I never heard any criticism of the coaches when they were appointed or last year when we won promotion. This is only the fourth time Jack has been selected, not an unreasonable number of games to make an impression. I believe you wanted the same amount for Robbie White. So that's most of the players and the coaches slagged off, Who's next to take the blame?

[Erskine]

Surely White deserves a chance as he as least scored a couple of first class centuries but if we end up getting relegated we have no excuses

[Paul W]

It's probably just as well that Facebook seem to have changed their rules in the last couple of days, so people like me who don't have an account can no longer read it.

I daresay there is far harsher criticism on the club's Facebook page than anything I have written on here.

Kent look well set to achieve full 5 batting points.

[Paul W]

Surely White deserves a chance as he as least scored a couple of first class centuries but if we end up getting relegated we have no excuses

You would think so.

And at least Eskinazi has done it in past (although he is having as wretched a time of it as everyone else), but I think he would be more likely to find a way to tough it out than the others.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Close of play.

[wembleylion]

I make it that Davies has had 16 career first class innings with an average hovering around 10, yet there are people suggesting we give him more chances. We are becoming a laughing stock.

[Jonathan Winsky]

The fact that Middlesex’s tally of batting points for the season is highly unlikely to increase in this match is made worse by the fact that Kent are well-placed to take all five points from their match v Nottinghamshire at Canterbury, as they have 14 overs and six wickets remaining to add 13 runs for a fourth point and 63 for a fifth. Northamptonshire are also set to increase the one-point lead they had over us prior to the match in regards to batting points. A look at the division 2 table does not satisfy my quest to find any teams with a similarly as low a tally of batting points as us, with every team there having entered this round of matches with at least 16 points.

For me, it feels psychologically important that we batted out the (albeit shortened) day, but that is probably clutching at straws.

You never know, maybe Sam Robson, Toby Roland-Jones and Ethan Bamber (oh, and don’t forget about the usually-reliable Mr Extras) can add 118 more runs tomorrow.

[Paul W]

Kent have settled for 4 batting points against Nottinghamshire.

430-6 at 110 overs.

I wish we had someone quick enough to knock Wood's block off when he comes in to bat.

[Paul W]

Max Holden received a knock on the head in warm ups and has concussion- so Stevie Eskinazi will replace him.

[Paul W]

Note to Kevin Hand-

It's Daniel O'Driscoll sub fielding.

[wembleylion]

Max Holden received a knock on the head in warm ups and has concussion- so Stevie Eskinazi will replace him.
Forces a sensible decision on our so called management. Pity we wouldn't be allowed another change if by some accident it happened to another player.

[Paul W]

Provided it's for concussion, you can have as many replacements as you need.

I wonder if someone 'deliberately' gave Maxi a bump on the head.

Eski drove down south yesterday to play for our 2's v Essex. Now has to drive back north to be able to replace Holden from tomorrow.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Could not Eski stay at Northwood till the close of play and then come up as he'll not be required to bat today? Then perhaps a leisurely train journey to Manchester and a lift back, don't know if they all went on a bus or took their cars,Of course, they could have just replaced Max with Dan who is on the field now. Dan got a good hundred for Stanmore last Saturday and having not been retained for next season would not be under much pressure,whilst Eski might have been better off getting some runs for The Dinkies and regaining a bit of confidence, Just speculating!

[Sillypoint]

Max Holden received a knock on the head in warm ups and has concussion- so Stevie Eskinazi will replace him.

That's wild! They even get a sub if it's not during the actual match. Not sure that should be OK. We should only bat with ten....

[Sillypoint]

Golden arm got two. Spinners on fire. Yadav rags it....

[Paul W]

Could not Eski stay at Northwood till the close of play and then come up as he'll not be required to bat today? Then perhaps a leisurely train journey to Manchester and a lift back, don't know if they all went on a bus or took their cars,Of course, they could have just replaced Max with Dan who is on the field now. Dan got a good hundred for Stanmore last Saturday and having not been retained for next season would not be under much pressure,whilst Eski might have been better off getting some runs for The Dinkies and regaining a bit of confidence, Just speculating!

No way would Richard Johnson have run the risk of Daniel O'Driscoll embarrassing him by making a 50 in the second innings.

The plan was obviously all contracted (and not about to be released) players to get some match time for the 2nd XI. As Dan has been told he's leaving, he can then do the fetching and carrying at Old Trafford.

A shame Kevin Hand didn't even know who Doddy was till he took his sweater off!

Now- Can we get back in this game? At least Notts are doing okay in their first innings-158-2 in reply to Kent 446.

[Paul W]

And Eski has arrived, and taking the field for the final session.

[Paul W]

That's probably it for the day.

In the other game, Kent are in a very strong position, with Notts closing on 219-8.

[Jonathan Winsky]

I have not given up on Middlesex’s chances of winning this match, although it would surely require us to prevent Lancashire from gaining a large first innings lead and then us batting uncharacteristically well.

After the match v Essex at Chelmsford saw our seam bowlers take 2 wickets in 51 overs in the first innings and 3 wickets in 33 overs in the second innings, they are yet to take a wicket in 21 overs in this match. If Josh de Caires and Jayant Yadav are going to be our only bowlers capable of taking wickets, maybe I will give up on our chances of winning.

Hopefully, Stevie Eskinazi will make use of his return to the side. If Max Holden is cleared to play v Warwickshire at Lord’s in eight days’ time (it would depend on how severe his concussion is, as I would have thought that concussion at the lower end of the severity would clear by then), then as much as Richard Johnson may disagree with this, it is not exactly ideal if team selection becomes simple as a result of a lack of players deemed worthy of selection. I am sure that I recently read a quote from Jos Buttler about it being a good thing if competition for places results in some tough selection decisions having to be made, although I can’t find the quote.

[Paul W]

The weather forecast has deteriorated significantly this morning, making 3+5=8 points for the match far more likely.

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/forecast/gcw2hzs1u#?date=2023-09-12

It looks like no play until at least 3 pm today- but clear after that, and dry tomorrow.

[Mitchy68]

Assuming Kent win, that would be a 10 point deficit going into next week which then becomes a must win, but at some point we will need some batting points

[Paul W]

The game isn't far enough advanced to know if it will feel like a lucky escape (5 more points than we really deserve) or if we'll end up feeling like we've lost out on an extra 11 points.

I suppose de Caires and Yadav might quickly run through the Lanky line up- restricting them to a first innings lead of about 50-80, but far from certain. Then would our batters really make a better fist of it second time around, to set Lanky a tricky 150-180 in the last innings.

At this stage a draw would feel like an escape rather than a disappointment, but we'll see what develops.

I'm fairly certain (95%+) that Noah Cornwell was the other player sitting on the subs bench yesterday. That's interesting, because he's in our EPG (academy) group, and was sub fielder in a first team match earlier this season. He's a fast medium seamer (I don't think he's fast enough to be described as a genuine 'quick') but he's barely played for the U 18's and 2nd XI this season, suggesting he has an injury that has allowed him to bat and field, but not bowl. I would say he's a number 10 or 11 batter, so it's interesting we have played him purely as a batter in the games he has played. Also- his mugshot has been updated on the official sites EPG squad page. I think that might be significant, baring in mind that nothing else on that page has been updated. There are players on there that left our academy at the end of 2021, let alone 2022- so to me I think there is a very strong possibility he has been awarded a pro deal, which will be announced in November. That will have to be based on 2021/22 performances, as he hasn't bowled this year, but he has impressed in the past.

Watch this space!

Also (as mentioned on 2's thread) we appear to be giving a trial to left arm seamer Michael Cohen- South African born, but english qualified- may explain why Max Harris and Toby Greatwood have been replaced- to create room for the newcomers.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Returning to cricket, play is due to start at 2 p.m. at OT.

[Sillypoint]

Not a great session. Feel they'll accelerate until close and try to bowl us out in a day. Rojo injured?

[Sillypoint]

Off for light. Hand making a good point about floodlights. Frustrating

[Erskine]

They will not need a whole day to bowl us out!

[Sillypoint]

North Middx Michael Hogan is doing well for Kent.... Impact overseas signing. 5 wickets so far across both innings for 50 runs....

Meanwhile at OT.

[Paul W]

Sadly we've reached the point where a Middlesex win is no longer part of the equation.

Just a case of whether we'll be able to bat for a large part of tomorrow to salvage a draw.

.....and as I type- Oh good- It's raining!

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Praying for precipitation in both the south and north tomorrow, Whilst thankful to Notts for showing some fight at Canterbury our own position has worsened today. Next week at Lord's is crucial to our immediate future and hopefully, as many of you as possible will show your support and not be deterred or distracted by events off the field.

[Jonathan Winsky]

Today was a bad day for both Middlesex’s chances of avoiding defeat and our chances of achieving maximum bowling points. As Lancashire have a first innings lead of 136 and counting, they have ensured that it would become a disadvantage rather than an advantage to us if (as Tim Murtagh said before the match could happen) batting conditions become difficult on day four. As Lancs probably intend to declare at some point tomorrow morning (maybe when they reach 350 or 400, or maybe even overnight), it is doubtful that they will allow us to bowl a further 21.5 overs to take four further wickets for three bowling points (it is not even certain that we will have time to achieve our second bowling point), although we could take matters into our own hands by taking wickets early tomorrow, possibly helped by Lancs hitting out.

At least we dismissed Dane Vilas at around the point I walked into the front door this afternoon. And the wicket was taken by a seamer!

[Pindarus]

I would much rather see us displaying fight rather than hoping the weather will save us.

Praying for rain is an admission of failure.

[wembleylion]

Lancs must surely declare overnight and not faff around for the odd bonus point, they could wipe the floor with our batting and get the big prize. I think the weather will favour them.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Covers off at Canters,start 11.20

[wembleylion]

So Lancs bat on, hope that costs them.

[Paul W]

At least we've got our third bowling point.

Good of Lanky not to declare.

[Paul W]

Notts have lost another wicket.

6 down and just a couple of runs ahead.

Edit- and within a second of me typing that.... 7 down.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

But no more wickets since and now 134 ahead, could we be moving into miracle territory?

[Paul W]

Notts 348-8 at tea.

A lead of 167 with 35 overs remaining.

Allow 2 and a bit overs for change of innings and Kent already need 5 an over.

Notts aren't safe yet. We need them to cling on for a little longer.

In our game this is the most secure I've seen Jack Davies look.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

And all out 168 ln 32, game on

[MIDDLE EXILE]

At 54-4 after 10, just been watching and Kent now seem content to settle for a draw which would see us still slightly ahead of them as we draw our match at OT and take 8 points.If Kent hold out I think they take 12 leaving us still a couple of points clear,

[Sillypoint]

That's quite a turnaround! Kent bottling it. Davies doing well! Stokes hitting it.... Good day so far

[MIDDLE EXILE]

A win for The Outlaws could make it even better. Not out of the question, Kent 62-5. Well played The Middle and top effort from Jack. Meanwhile, Northants lose narrowly and are almost certainly doomed.

[Sillypoint]

Lancashire really fluffed it. If they'd dangled the carrot it would've been good

[MIDDLE EXILE]

Kent draw Middlesex 12-95. Kent12-93.

[John (Fingers) Fingleton]

It would seem that - somehow - Middlesex can breathe again. Let off the hook by Lancs, it makes next week and the week after rather more meaningful, presumably.

[Paul W]

Well, I didn't expect us to still have our noses in front of Kent at the start of the day.

https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=c_points-table#c7218e5ad-c6d3-4646-85d9-bf8a0ffd3b71

Watched the last hour of Kent game. Two fixed cameras-one each end- and no commentary (not even provided by the BBC, so maybe it was meant to be a joint production that went wrong).

Crackers 33, Davies 65* and Eski 26* will presumably keep their places, so Holden ought to be the one to miss out next week.

Battle!

[MIDDLE EXILE]

I'd presume nothing at the moment, of the top five, only Robbo is sure to be selected, and perhaps an extra bowler to be included. After runs at OMT I'd expect Tom and Luke to be under consideration and sentiment may play a part in a last hoorah for Uncle Tim.

[adelaide]

That is one heck of a get out of jail last day. Not so much us saving it but Kent messing up what looked like an easy chase, even after the heroics of Hutton and Clarke. They must be disconsolate at missing out. Getting the extra bowling points helps too.

I imagine that Lancs thought they didn't have enough runs overnight to exert scoreboard pressure. I haven't been able to watch more than a few overs but I presume batting conditions were more benign than on the first morning.

[MIDDLE EXILE]

The pitch and weather offered no assistance to the bowlers. We survived with little problem.Lancashire fans have been complaining all season as to the blandness of the pitches at Ol Traffotd and most express a preference for Liverpool. Sedbergh, Southport, or Blackpool where definite results are far more likely

[Jonathan Winsky]

As I started the day fearful that Middlesex would record a defeat with one or two bowling points, I am delighted about us recording a draw with three bowling points considering that the latter scenario is worth six or seven more points (a precious six or seven more points) than the former.

If I was in Lancashire’s shoes, I wouldn’t have thought that I would feel greatly disappointed about what looked like an attempt to achieve five batting points and what was certainly an attempt to maximise their lead in order to reduce the risk that they might have had to come out in the fourth innings in pursuit of tricky runs. Even had Middlesex ended the match nine wickets down, I wouldn’t have necessarily seen Lancs’ decision to bat on as a mistake.

As I am in Middlesex’s shoes, I am very happy that Lancs didn’t declare at their overnight 330-5 or when they reached 350 still five wickets down!

Well done to Mark Stoneman, Joe Cracknell, Jack Davies and Stevie Eskinazi on going big in the only column that mattered: balls faced! And, of course, well done to Jayant Yadav on taking five wickets.

For me, the second biggest surprise of today was that our attempt to bat the match out didn’t cause me as much anxiety as I anticipated, while the biggest surprise was that Lancs seemed (according to my scorecard view) to give up on bowling us out a lot earlier than they could have. Weren’t Lancs aware that there is every chance that with Middlesex, one wicket can quickly become seven? Now, that is something that I would have been disappointed about had I supported Lancs.

[Sillypoint]

Wonder what coach hit Max in the head in the warm up. Atherton mentioned it at the ODI

[Paul W]

I don't know who it was, but he deserves a vote of thanks.

(Joke in case anyone thinks I really mean it)