Cricket365

Middlesex In Sight Of Victory

Friday 9th May 2008

Middlesex put themselves in sight of a first LV County Championship win of the season after reducing Essex to 123 for five in pursuit of 299 at Chelmsford.

The home side had made a strong start in their chase with Alastair Cook playing with increasing fluency to score 31 out of a first-wicket stand of 70 with Jason Gallian.

But Middlesex began to hit back as the England opener was pinned lbw by Vernon Philander.

A three-wicket burst in the space of seven deliveries then saw the visitors seize the initiative in the Second Division encounter.

Gallian, having reached 40, was adjudged caught at first slip although the ball from Tim Murtagh appeared to have come off his arm guard.

Former Hampshire spinner Shaun Udal then struck twice in the same over to have Tom Westley caught at silly point and captain Mark Pettini - bagging a pair - at short leg.

Coincidentally, Pettini's opposite number Ed Smith also fell twice in the match without scoring.

With the score 84 for four, Ryan ten Doeschate attempted to repair the damage and struck a couple of confident boundaries.

Yet he had reached only 18 when Udal intervened to induce a poor shot from the Holland World Cup player, who clubbed direct to cover point.

Nightwatchman Tony Palladino joined Varun Chopra to play out the remaining four overs of the day but the odds remain heavily against Essex on a pitch that offers bounce and turn.

Earlier Middlesex had eased their parlous overnight position of 19 for three with a mid-order revival.

David Nash led the way an unbeaten 50 from the 124 runs that were added while he was at the crease.

The Middlesex wicketkeeper arrived in the middle after James Middlebrook had taken his tally to seven for the match with the wickets of Billy Godleman and Eoin Morgan.

Despite using Andrew Strauss as a runner because of hamstring strain, Nash stood firm against the five-man Essex attack, although he did enjoy one piece of good fortune off Ten Doeschate.

He had reached 30 when he was seemingly bowled - but umpire Vanburn Holder quashed the bowler's enthusiastic celebrations by calling a no-ball.

Capitalising on the let-off, Nash, who was forced to give the gloves to Joyce when Essex batted, proved a doughty opponent and was well-supported in partnerships of 49 with Philander for the seventh wicket and 70 for the eighth with Murtagh.

Nash reached his half-century from 82 balls that included seven boundaries but he ran put of partners as Palladino brought about a rapid conclusion to the innings with three wickets in five deliveries.

He finished with four for 29 as Middlesex were bowled out for 203 at tea.