Middlesex v Durham at Lord's (Day two)

Posted by Tony Hutton

Day two on Sunday dawned wet and drizzly but it soon stopped and play got under way only fifty minutes late. The persevering Hastings made two early breakthroughs and 329-4 overnight soon became 341-6. He first of all removed Franklin's off stump and then nightwatchman Harris edged to Mustard behind the stumps. Dexter and wicket keeper Simpson came together and batted sensibly to put the home side in a commanding position. Simpson in particular looked very confident and hit ten fours in his 58. He was last man out, after Hastings had Dexter caught on the boundary, and Hastings finished with the best figures of 4-87 in 33 overs. Middlesex all out 463.

Wet start on Sunday

The start of Durham's first innings soon produced bad news for Middlesex when opening bowler Tim Murtagh pulled up with a hamstring strain after only two balls and had to leave the field. Stoneman and Jennings made a confident start and it came as a surprise when Stoneman was caught at slip by Rayner off Harris for 21. Borthwick also looked to have settled in when he was caught behind in Franklin's first over. When Richardson was also caught behind the first three batsmen had all been out in the twenties. MacLeod only got to 13 before being bowled by Finn and suddenly Durham were 156-4 and sent in Rushworth as night watchman. Not a good day for the top order batsman, but Jennings was still there on 61 not out at the close and looking very confident.

View from the Grandstand

 

One intriguing moment during the day's play came from the public address announcer, who has a very precise way of pronouncing each batsman's name. When MacLeod came to the wicket he was introduced as Maclood or even Maclewd, whereas I would always say Macloud. However I am certain he would have done his research.