Middlesex v Surrey Match Thread

[guildfordbat]

First topic message reminder :

Where is JimBobGooner when you need him?

Anyway, Surrey have named a 13 man squad for their trip to Lord's - same as last time out apart from Davies replacing Burns behind the stumps.

Lovely morning here now although forecast is not encouraging.

I'll be back this afternoon.

[HappierSurreyFan]

BBC has a dry weekend shown though a bit chilly again!!

[guildfordbat]

148-3.

Ramps falls to wibbly wobbler Dexter for just 17 off 90 balls.

I do wonder if we might have been better off playing Roy. Apparently, there is a very short boundary one side [Shelsey - correct? Any views.] Jonny Barran referred on the radio to it being like an under elevens game.

I appreciate Roy was in poor pre season form but feel if he'd lasted, say, 40 balls he would probably have scored a fifty.

Latest: 149-4. Feeling a bit anxious now ....

[Carrotdude]

161/5 overnight. Very bad end to a promising day. Tomorrow morning is crucial.

[chichestersurryfan]

a hard slog by all accounts.. we may well be struggling a bit but I for one was happy to see a bit of grit and determination! (whether I 'd say that if I'd been spectating is another thing!
we may end of losing but I guess tomorrow morning will be crucial in determining the outcome.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

I do fear that while Ramps is desperate to succeed much of the old magic has faded...

Slightly odd that we have an opener stumped for second match in a row. I wonder whether Reindeer came prancing down the pitch.

Well no - one can accuse Surrey of a flippant batting performance today....

[guildfordbat]

A long hard day. Less than 200 runs and only 6 wickets. Sounds like Shelsey chose the most entertaining of the first two days.

Match is at a very interesting and tight stage. Highly disappointing for Surrey to go from 148-2 to 161-5 at close. That probably puts Middlesex on top or makes them feel they are which is half the battle.

Not totally with hindsight, I wonder if we picked the right eleven ....

[thegooch7]

A better day today at Aintree! Saw the Surrey reply and thought we'd lost time to rain with that score, but then saw we've had 79 overs.............for 161! After a decent platform we appear to be imploding, I can see us conceding a 1st inns lead now. they were 129-7 and they doubled their score..............I reckon we'll roll over for about 200 now

[Corporalhumblebucket]

With the new ball due we have a chance to try out our reserve opening partnership - Hyphen and River. A reasonable bet that IF they are still together after another 15 overs we will be going along at a good deal more than two an over...

[chichestersurryfan]

I'm thinking from the current position, anything over 220 won't be that bad an effort.. however a lead of 40+ for Middx and they really will be in a strong position... just hoping that we can improved on last season's effort at Lords and don't implode!

If the weather is anything like in Chichester, anyone going today is a very brave and hardy soul!! Good Luck! - however they will probably see a lot more runs (& wickets than yesterday!)

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Hi Chichester. I don't have a good feeling about today. Middlesex start with the upper hand psychologically. We managed to turn it round with the Hyphen/Maynard partnership against Sussex, but it will be a very good effort today if we can get our score up to level.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Batting conditions very difficult - going along at about 1 run an over.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

206 - 7 stop start batting. Jordan eventually falls, followed quickly by Batty , but Hyphen and Lewis take 15 off one over from Colleymore... Deficit down to 50 - but every run counts....

[guildfordbat]

Deficit down to 50 - but every run counts....

Deficit on first innings ended up being 34. Very disappointing given how on top we were at times during the first two days.

Middlesex have increased their lead by 29 for the loss of Denly. He fell to the Brain, opening the bowling! Probably just as well that Carrot is feeding the monkeys!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

The Brain takes a second wicket Dismissing Rogers.

[guildfordbat]

Well done the Brain!

This certainly raises an issue though. If we're going to use the Brain as a front line bowler, do we need four other seamers (Lewis, Linley, Dernbach and Jordan in this match) in the team?

As previously mentioned, our use of Brain's bowling this season has been rather odd. He's either opened or come on first change but hasn't then reappeared with the ball. Minds need to be made up whether he's a regular or occasional bowler - he seems to be in no man's land currently!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

76 - 5 Decent fightback..... Two more wickets for Dernbach and one for Lewis

[guildfordbat]

76 - 5 Decent fightback..... Two more wickets for Dernbach and one for Lewis

Corporal - agreed, very decent fightback.

The game has swung once more and we are now probably just on top. Time to make it count. Don't want to be chasing over 200 ....

[guildfordbat]

6 down!

Never Knowingly Underbowled gets another!

[guildfordbat]

Simpson on his bike (that's for older readers! ) as he's run out in the unluckiest way. Rayner drives Lewis back, ball flicks Lewis's fingertips, you know the story.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

90 - 7

[Tibor]

This certainly raises an issue though. If we're going to use the Brain as a front line bowler, do we need four other seamers (Lewis, Linley, Dernbach and Jordan in this match) in the team?

Do you have a certain in mind?

[Corporalhumblebucket]

100 for 8 Another wicket for Lewis.

[guildfordbat]

This certainly raises an issue though. If we're going to use the Brain as a front line bowler, do we need four other seamers (Lewis, Linley, Dernbach and Jordan in this match) in the team?

Do you have a certain in mind?

I just might, Tibor. I just might.

Meanwhile, Lewis gets a third wicket and reduces Middlesex to 100-8, a lead of 134. Dial M and the Middlesex Hyphen currently batting. Come on boys - let's wrap this up!

[chichestersurryfan]

unbelievable!!

I'm going to be very nervous listening to Surrey's last innings whatever they are chasing its obviously a very tricky wicket.

Money still on Middx just... oh and The Hammers winning 3-0...

[jbd349]

From how we've played so far this season, might our best side not be 7 batsmen followed by Meaker, Lewis, Linley and Dernbach, as the seamers have done well, the spinner has had little to do and the batsmen have struggled. The Brain and RHB can make up the overs.

[chichestersurryfan]

106-9 - Lewis got another!

[Tibor]

Clinical from Lewis.

Middlesex all out for 106

five-for for Mr Lewis

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Last 7 wickets for 41 We have a big chance now. But will be crucial that we neither get becalmed nor take big risks....

[guildfordbat]

Wonderful!

Middlesex 106 all out. A fivefer for Never Knowingly Underbowled as he gets the Middlesex Hyphen and Collymore in the same over leaving Dial M unconnected!

141 to win.

We're back as clear favourites. I was hoping it would be under 180 and 200 at max. We're well below that.

If we do lose this, expect a lot of whinging - not least about the wides and no balls from us. However, I think we'll be ok - a 5 wicket win.

[Tibor]

141 to win.

No stumpings please.

[guildfordbat]

.... crucial that we neither get becalmed ....

You're a Corporal not an Admiral!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

.... crucial that we neither get becalmed ....

You're a Corporal not an Admiral!

Must have been a couple of slips at the keyboard. Should have said "crucial that we neither mark time ...."

[guildfordbat]

That's fine, Corporal.

Now to watch the National.

Woking winning 1-0 as well ....

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Reindeer struck on the hoof - LBW

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Davies out as well.... 14 - 2.

[chichestersurryfan]

not feeling confident at all!

that small Middx lead is going to be crucial I fear

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Ramps out: 22 - 3

[guildfordbat]

15 wickets lost in the first two days.

18 so far on the third.

[chichestersurryfan]

given how difficult the pitch is, and how good the bowling is, I guess there is little point just hanging around and poking and prodding?

Another 100 seems such a long way off at present!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Hyphen taking that advice - 13 off 12 balls so far....

[guildfordbat]

Pity we don't have another young attack minded batsman ....

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Could well be looking at Third Degree or Le Roi replacing Ramps before too long.....

[Corporalhumblebucket]

The Brain falls just as a decent partnership was devolping 68 - 4. Great deal depending on the next partnership. The game is in Middlesex's favour now - but if we can get through to close with no more wickets we are not out of it.....

[guildfordbat]

68-4.

Brain dead!

Not half way yet to target ....

[chichestersurryfan]

for second match running looks like a very short 4th day!

nail biting stuff...starting listening to commentary then de Brain got out... so best if I don't do that!

I wonder if they will employ the extra 1/2 hour tonight?

I still feel the odds favour Middx

[guildfordbat]

86-4.

50 to the Surrey Hyphen! Tremendous, particularly in the context of today's play.

Chichester - we're going to be ok, trust me.

[chichestersurryfan]

I've stopped listening to the radio so maybe we will

[guildfordbat]

I wonder if they will employ the extra 1/2 hour tonight?

Churchy reckons the light won't be good enough.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Maynard takes 8 off a Dexter over.

Very well played Hyphen...

46 more to win.....

[guildfordbat]

95-4.

Maynard dropped by the IceMan off his own bowling.

Bad light stops play. Probably it for today.

''What a day it's been'' - Churchy. Says it all.