DAY THREE - RESULT
MIDDLESEX WIN BY AN INNINGS AND 285 RUNS
ESSEX 1ST INNS: 159 a/o
ESSEX 2ND INNS: 128 a/o
MIDDLESEX 1ST INNS: 572/8 dec
Middlesex wrapped up a fantastic win against Essex early in the afternoon on the third day at Billericay as the spin of Ravi Patel and Nathan Sowter proved decisive as the wicket deteriorated and took spin. Patel finished with figures of 18-6-33-5 and Sowter 7.5-1-25-4 to dismiss their hosts for just 128 in their second innings, to secure an emphatic victory with over four sessions to spare!
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DAY THREE - LUNCH
ESSEX 1ST INNS: 159 a/o
ESSEX 2ND INNS: 108/6
MIDDLESEX 1ST INNS: 572/8 dec
Whilst Essex would have had plenty to celebrate last night, after they had secured promotion into the top flight of the Specsavers County Championship yesterday, it was Middlesex's morning to enjoy at Billericay, as the visitors offered their hosts no respite from an onslaught that began on the very first morning of this friendly encounter. Resuming overnight on 8 for 1, having been forced to follow on in their second innings, Essex needed to bat long and hard to rescue themselves, although the Middlesex attack were in no mood to take their foot off the pedal as they quickly got into the hosts batting line up. With the pitch now taking spin, Ravi Patel featured heavily in the Middlesex attack on the third morning and bowled beautifully for his four wickets, going in at lunch with figures of 12-6-23-4. Spin also accounted for the other Essex scalp, as the leg spin of Nathan Sowter picked up the wicket of Taylor. Essex will resume after lunch trailing by 305 runs with only four second innings wickets remaining, meaning that they'll need to mount something of a Houdini style escape act if they're to even make Middlesex bat again to avoid an innings defeat inside three days.
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DAY TWO - CLOSE OF PLAY
ESSEX 159 a/o & 8-1
MIDDLESEX 572-8 dec
Essex were rolled for just 157 in their first innings and asked to follow on trailing Middlesex by 413 runs. Patel continued to impress on his return from injury and closed the innings with figures of 17-4-53-4. Scott and Sowter also picked up a wicket a piece to focus the Essex innings off.
Harris, in the 3rd over of the Essex 2nd innings trapped Ali for 0 to leave the hosts 8-1 at the close, trailing Middlesex by 405 runs.
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TEA
MIDDLESEX 1ST INNS: 572 for 8 dec
ESSEX 1ST INNS: 54 for 5
Middlesex declared shortly after lunch with a mammoth 572 first innings runs in the bank and set about their challenge with the ball. Essex were immediately on the back foot as the pace of James Harris picked up the early wicket of Prabashakar with the hosts score on just 8. After a brief period of consolidation Essex lost their second wicket with the score on 30 as Arthur Godsal picked up the first of his three wickets in the session, which saw him finish with figures of 3 for 14. The introduction of spin from Middlesex saw Ravi Patel strike early to put Essex Seconds in further trouble, as they went in for tea on 54 for 5, trailing by a huge 518 runs with five first innings wickets remaining.
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LUNCH - DAY TWO
MIDDLESEX 536 for 7
Middlesex Seconds continued their impressive start to this match by piling on more runs in the morning session of day two as they built a huge first innings total. Don Manuwelge and James Harris resumed this morning on 387 for 5 overnight and Harris brought up his half century before falling for 60 as Middlesex's sixth wicket went down. Manuwelge continued to build, eventually falling for 92 from 153 balls. Max Holden, batting down the order, has reached 41 not out, and went in for lunch with Nathan Sowter on 5 not out and the total on 536/7.
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CLOSE OF PLAY - DAY TWO
MIDDLESEX 387-5
Middlesex moved to 387-5 at the close, with Paul Stirling making 166 from 216 balls. Martin Andersson made 57. James Harris (23*) and Don Manuwelge (28*) will resume in the morning.
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TEA - DAY ONE
MIDDLESEX 298 for 2
After a dominant display with the bat this morning Middlesex Seconds continued in the same manner after lunch as they dispatched the hosts’ attack to all parts of rural Essex to take their first innings score on to 298 for 2 at the tea interval. Having hit a patient half century in the morning session, opener Paul Stirling opened up after lunch and brought up his one hundred and fifty, smashing nineteen fours and six maximums in a beautiful innings of 157*. George Scott’s dismissal for 20 brought Martin Andersson to the crease, and the number four has since joined Stirling in the runs, going in to tea unbeaten on 49* from 56 deliveries.
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LUNCH - DAY ONE
MIDDLESEX 146 for 1
After winning the toss this morning, Middlesex's Second XI Captain, James Harris, had no hesitation in electing to bat first against Essex Second XI on a hard, good looking wicket in the bright sunshine at Billericay. His openers, Paul Stirling and Anshuman Rath got the side off to a terrific start on the opening morning, as they proceeded to put on 136 for the opening wicket. Rath eventually fell for 65, caught by Potticary off the bowling of Thompson. Stirling remained firm however to see it through to lunch with George Scott. Middlesex will resume after lunch on 146 for 1 with Stirling on 70* and Scott on 5*.
