MATCH DRAWN
MIDDLESEX 459/3 & 84/4
ESSEX 185/4 & 305/7
Resuming on 172/4, Essex decided to continue batting for a further 2 overs before taking the surprising decision to declare on 185/4.
In response, Middlesex started their second innings brightly as a useful 38 run partnership between Reingold and De Caires helped strengthen the visitors commanding lead, before the latter was caught and bowled by Melton. Despite a further 3 wickets falling within the next 4 overs, the visitors were still in the ascendancy and declared on 84/4.
Trailing by 358 runs, Essex knew that a strong start was required in order to salvage their chances in the match. However, the hosts got off to a poor start as Patel was caught by Reingold off the bowling of Duke with just 6 runs on the scorecard. Despite a further 2 wickets falling with 65 runs on the scoreboard, a superb 122 run partnership from Sheemar and Pepper helped strengthen the hosts position in the game. Despite the former falling shortly after, his replacement at the crease, Buttleman, was able to forge another solid partnership with Pepper as the pair put on 79, which left Essex on 266/5. The hosts were able to gain momentum thereafter and although they lost a further 2 wickets later in the day, Essex ended the day on 305/7, as both teams shook hands on a well fought out draw.
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DAY TWO - CLOSE OF PLAY
MIDDLESEX 459/3
ESSEX 172/4
After a disappointing start to their innings on Day One, Essex resumed on 32/2 at Coggeshall, trailing Middlesex by 427 runs. With Patel and Khushi at the crease, the pair were able to put on a useful partnership of 67 runs to help strengthen the Essex innings. However, in the 28th over, the former was caught by White off the bowling of Walallawita, with the hosts on 78/3. However, after the dismissal, a brilliant 94 run partnership from Sheemar and Khushi helped strengthen the visitors position in the game, before Sheemar was caught by Reingold off the bowling of Murtagh for 36.
The wicket of Sheemar was virtually the last ball of the day, as the players were brought off the field due to heavy rain and the game was called off for the day.
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DAY ONE - CLOSE OF PLAY
MIDDLESEX 459/3
ESSEX 32/2
Essex won the toss and inserted Middlesex on Day One at Billericay CC. The visitors got off to a superb start with the bat, reaching 151 before losing the first wicket, Lace with a brilliant 99 off 114 balls. Andersson then joined Perera at the crease, as the pair put on a useful 32 before the latter was caught by Buttleman off the bowling of Booking. White was the new man at the crease and the visitors went into overdrive, as White 101* and Andersson 192 put on a dazzling 276 run partnership as Middlesex declared on 459/3.
In response Essex got off to a poor start as Ali was caught by Lace off the bowling of Bamber with the hosts on 4/1. Things got worse for Essex shortly after as Pepper was trapped LBW by Murtagh for 5. Khushi then joined Patel at the crease and the pair put on a parternship of 21 as the hosts closed the day on 32/2.
