Second XI Friendly
Venue: Radlett Cricket Club
Duration: 4 days
CLOSE OF PLAY - DAY FOUR
MATCH RESULT - LANCASHIRE WIN BY 5 WICKETS
Middlesex 242 all out & 203/4 dec
Lancashire 152/3 dec & 297/5
After two of the first three days were called off due to a wet outfield, Lancashire decided to declare on 152/3, still trailing Middlesex by 90 runs.
Middlesex batted aggressively from the off, and despite losing Davies early on, were able to push the score forwards at quite a rate.
George Scott and John Simpson both celebrated pacey half-centuries, and moved Middlesex’s total on to 157 before Simpson eventually fell for 71.
Joe Cracknell joined the crease and hit the ground running as well, hitting a lightning quick 33 from just 14 deliveries.
George Scott was dismissed with the score on 175/3, after hitting 81 and a run-a-ball.
Middlesex then boldly declared having scored 203/4, leading by 293.
Lancashire were left with 2 sessions to reach their total, but went about it in the right way.
An opening partnership of 98 from 20 overs gave them a fighting chance of chasing down the total set, but wickets from Sowter, Walallawita and Patel left the visitors on 139/3 after 34 overs with another 155 to chase.
However, a brilliant partnership of 131 between Lavelle and Guest put Lancashire within touching distance, and despite Walallawita claiming Lavelle for 82, they were able to chase down the total with 5 wickets remaining.
CLOSE OF PLAY - DAY THREE
Sadly no play was possible on day three of our Second Eleven friendly against Lancashire due to a damp outfield.
CLOSE OF PLAY - DAY TWO
Middlesex 242 all out
Lancashire 152/3
After no toss being possible on Day One, Lancashire were able to win the toss at the beginning of day two and put Middlesex in to bat first.
After getting off to a positive start, Middlesex lost two wickets in 8 overs and found themselves on 78-2, after a quickfire 47 from George Scott.
Wickets seemed to fall in batches throughout the day, with another 2 coming just 16 runs apart, leaving the hosts on 137-4.
Again, a partnership of over 50 between Sowter and Davies saw Middlesex almost past 200 before the next man fell, but Lancashire were able to take advantage after this.
A patient 62 from Davies was Middlesex’x top individual score of the day, but Lancashire were able to finish off the tail once he departed on 237-7 for just another 5 runs.
Lancashire were a man down after just 5 overs, with Winterbottom finding the wicket.
However, a partnership of 95 between Balderson & Guest saw the visitors move past 100 comfortably.
Two wickets in quick succession seemed to swing the tide back in Middlesex’s favour somewhat, however Lancashire continued to bat well throughout the afternoon, and moved on to 152/3 before the close, trailing by 90 runs going in to day three.
Sowter took 2-37 on the day, whilst Winterbottom had figures of 1-29.
CLOSE OF PLAY - DAY ONE
Sadly no play was possible on day one of our Second Eleven friendly against Lancashire due to a damp outfield.
