Day 3 Updates
An early wicket for Martin Andersson down at Billericay as he bowls Lawrence in the first over of the day. Essex 2s are currently 80-3 in their second innings, leading by 109 runs on the final day of this 2nd XI Championship match. Tom Lace, Martin Andersson & George Scott have come in as replacements for Nick Gubbins, Dawid Malan & Harry Podmore who are heading down to the Ageas Bowl with the 1sts for our NatWest T20 Blast encounter this evening.
Essex 2s 122-4 off 42 overs - Velani run out by Childs (direct hit) from cover.
Two quick wickets for Freddie Fairhead as he has Taylor stumped by White and Topley ct by Mohammad in the same over - 142-6
Gough caught and bowled by Childs - 152-7 off 52 overs
Laraman ct Mohammad b Fairhead - Essex 2s 165-8 leading by 194
Mohammad takes the last two wickets in quick succession and Essex 2s are all out for 207. Middx 2s require 237 off a minimum of 68 overs - Well bowled lads, come on the batsmen!
We're 18-2 in reply as Holden & Scott are both out in the space of 2 balls.
65-2 off 20 overs, Eskinazi 30* and Felton 21* - 172 needed to win off a minimum of 48 overs.
Middx 2s: 87-3 - Felton ct at gully. Eskinazi is 48* - 150 more needed to win.
151-4 as Eskinazi is bowled for 72 - 86 needed with 29 overs remaining.
158-5 as Lace is out lbw for 1 - 79 required.
176-6 as Andersson is out lbw for 14 - 61 needed to win off 23 overs.
189-8 - Fairhead out lbw and Mohammad ct behind - 48 needed.
197-9 as Kulkarni is bowled - 41 to win...come on the final pair!
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Stumps on Day 2: Essex 291 & 76-2; Middlesex 262-5d
For those of us who are subjected to the company of Harry Podmore for any length of time, the refrain, “Why am I batting at 10, I’m an all-rounder?” is a familiar one.
Well today was the day when all the sceptics (actually that was everyone here), stood up and saluted Harry William Podmore PCC (Professional Cricket Centurion).
Sent in at the end of the first day, and resuming his role of night-watchman, Harry looked, every inch of his six and a half foot frame, a proper batter. Gone were the days of wild swooshes outside off stump (well nearly gone), banished are the awkward attempts at Dilshans, scoops, ramps and reverses (well nearly banished). Here was Harry William, batting through the morning session. Oh and batting through the afternoon session as well. Carrying his bat to an unbeaten 116 in just shy of 5 hours at the crease.
The match goes on. There will be a win draw or loss for one team or the other. But today will always be the day our ‘Arry can begin to legitimately ask “Why am I batting at 10, Jaques Kallis doesn’t".
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Day 2 Updates
Eskinazi out lbw to Topley for 6 - 22-2
Two quick wickets, with Malan out, caught for 19 & Felton out lbw for 0 - 47-4 from 24 overs.
88-4 at lunch with Podmore 34* & Holden 14*
Middx 2s: 191-5 off 70 overs with Podmore 77* and White 41*
Nightwatchman Harry Podmore brings up his century in the Middlesex 2s match (101* off 198 balls). Middlesex 2s are currently 223-5 with White 48*
We've declared on 262-5, trailing by 29 runs with Podmore 116* & White 71*. 30 overs left in the day.
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Middlesex 2s v Essex 2s Championship Day 1
When we got to the ground at Billericay CC, the thought of playing cricket couldn’t have been further from everyone’s thoughts. Drizzle filled the air, the light levels were those that could be expected at around 3am, and there were clouds that looked like the Horesmen of the Apocalypse had ridden them in.
In short there were more issues that Vogue! Imagine our surprise then when Umpire David Milne informed us that we would be starting on time! As usual though, the Umpire was right (I know a few batters won’t necessarily agree with that) and the full 104 over were completed in the day.
Essex batted first and batted nicely, with Sterland making a nicely crafted 100, and most others contributing to their eventual total of 291 with a tricky 12 overs left for the Middlesex men.
Gubbins nicked off for very few after a couple of overs and Harry Podmore was sent in to shore up the innings till close.
Stumps Day 1: Essex 2s 291; Middlesex 2s 19-1
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Day 1 Updates
Essex 2s 244 for 7 from 76 overs. 7th wicket Ct and bowled Mohammad
At tea Essex 2s are 231-6 from their 72 overs.
208 for 6 from 64 overs. 6th wicket Ct Eskinazi bowled Podmore.
193 for 5 from 62 overs, Wicket takers are Podmore 2, Kulkarni 1, Mohammad 2
31 overs: Lunch and Essex are 89-4 (Podmore 8-2-15-1; Childs 9-3-24-0; Kulkarni 7-2-26-1; Mohammed 8-0-22-2)
6 overs: 12-1 - Podmore taking the wicket
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Squad Announcement
Middlesex 2s will take on Essex 2s in a three-day Championship match starting today, Tuesday 2 June, at Billericay.
Essex 2s have won the toss and will bat first, with play due to start at 11am.
Due to limited internet signal at Billericay, there will be no live scoring. We'll bring you updates throughout the match though here, and via our social media channels.
The Middlesex 2s squad is as follows: Nick Gubbins, Stephen Eskinazi, Dawid Malan, Felton, Max Holden, Robbie White, Freddie Fairhead, Harry Podmore, Marwan Mohammed, Abishake Kulkarni, Childs.
