DAY FOUR - CLOSE OF PLAY
MIDDLESEX 305 a/o & 249 a/o
LANCASHIRE 289 a/o & 266/4
LANCASHIRE WIN BY 6 WICKETS
Resuming the day on 26/0, the hosts knew that 239 runs were required to claim victory against Middlesex at Liverpool CC. The visitors got off to a flying start with the ball as Cornell was caught by Perera off the bowling of Barber for 11. The new man at the crease was Jones, who was able to forge a 25 run partnership with Turner before the former was caught by Sowter off the bowling of Bamber. Guest then joined Turner at the crease and a superb partnership followed, as the hosts went into lunch on 146/2. The partnership was eventually broken at 131 runs as top scorer Turner was caught by Perera off the bowling of Walallawita for an impressive 78. Oldham was the new man at the crease and another useful 59 run parternship between himself and Guest pushed Lancashire closer to the win, before the former was caught by Cracknell off Patel for 42. Bailey then joined Guest at the crease and the pair were able to drive Lancashire to victory, as the hosts claimed a 6 wicket win.
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DAY THREE - CLOSE OF PLAY
MIDDLESEX 305 a/o & 249 a/o
LANCASHIRE 289 a/o & 26/0
Resuming on 4/1 Middlesex's day didn't get off to the best of starts as the visitors lost 2 further wickets in the space of 22 runs. However, with Andersson and White the new batsmen at the crease, the pair enjoyed a superb 120 run partnership to strengthen the innings for the visitors, before the former was run out by Lilley. With Reingold the new man at the crease, another solid 53 run partnership kept the scoreboard ticking, before the batsman was bowled out by Hurt. With Middlesex on 226/5, White was finally dismissed for a superb 91, before a late innings collapse left Middlesex bowled out for 249.
In reply, with Turner and Cornell at the crease for Lancashire, the pair batted out the day on 26/0 going into the final days play.
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DAY TWO - CLOSE OF PLAY
Middlesex 305 a/o & 4/1
Lancashire 289 a/o
Resuming on 13/0, Lancashire got off to a poor start as opening batsman Turner was caught by Lace off the bowling of Bamber shortly after the restart. Jones then joined Cornell at the crease and the pair put on a well worked 72 run partnership, before the latter was dismissed by Patel for 44. The hosts looked to be in a solid position as they went into lunch on 93/2. Shortly after the restart, Jones was caught by White off the bowling of Barber, before Guest was sent back to the pavilion by the same bowler. Two further wickets fell shortly after as Lancashire found themselves on 146/6. However, a superb 72 run parternship from Bohannon and Bailey strengthened the hosts innings before the former was caught by Cracknell off the bowling of Reingold, whilst the latter was also dismissed with just a further run added to the scoreboard. Hurt and Mahmood were the new batsmen at the crease and the pair were able to put on an excellent ninth wicket partnership of 64, before the hosts were bowled out for 289.
In reply, Middlesex got off to a shakey start as opening batsman Lace was sent back to the pavilion early on as the visitors closed the day on 4/1.
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DAY ONE - CLOSE OF PLAY
MIDDLESEX 305 a/o
LANCASHIRE 13/0
After winning the toss and electing to bat against Lancashire, Middlesex got off to a tricky start, losing opening pair Perera and Lace with just 37 runs on the scoreboard. Scott and White were the new batsmen at the crease, and the pair lit up the innings with a superb 183 run partnership, which took Middlesex to 220/2. The partnership was ended by Woolley who trapped Scott on 84, before his replacement Andersson soon fell for 5. Reingold was the new man at the crease, and a useful 35 run partnership with dangerman White helped get the innings back on track for the visitors, before the former was caught and bowled by Lilley. White's incredible innings drew to a close shortly after when he was caught by Lilley off the bowling of Oldham for a superb 102. Wickets at the tail end of the innings were a feature for Middlesex, before the visitors were bowled out for 305 at Liverpool CC.
In response, with Turner and Cornall at the crease for the hosts, the pair batted out the day on 13/0 as Day Two promises to be an entertaining one.
