Iran War (that has already been won about 38 times according to Donald Trump) keeping you awake? Bloated, overly commercial football (sorry, soccer) World Cup in what was once the Land of The Free already leaving you feeling empty and disillusioned? Petrol prices, cost of living and a government implosion at home meaning there is just no place to hide from relentless misery?
Take a breath, relax. The English County Cricket season and specifically New Road Worcester has the perfect antidote for you. A pleasant sunny day. A seat in the Graeme Hick Pavilion. The most idyllic of views across the River Seven to the magnificent Cathedral. You can feel all worldly worries and cares drift away. If you happened to have been there for the first morning of this Worcestershire vs Middlesex fixture, you could equally have marveled at Max Holden’s glacial twelve runs off 88 balls, cricket’s own ASMR therapy. Somehow it was an innings tailor made to set before a Cathedral that has itself stood firm for centuries. Alas there was to be no first innings century for Max, or indeed any player on either side, but Middlesex’s collective 339 was well earned and provided a lead of 74, thanks to the excellent bowling performance that followed, to which they had added five without loss last night, to carry into this third day.
Serenity interrupted by Allison
For the first seventeen overs of this morning, gentle progress continued despite a pitch that offered plenty to bowlers, as Sam Robson and Ben Geddes negotiated a probing Worcester attack to extend that lead. However, conscious that the game may have been in danger of slipping out of their reach, the home attack in the form of Ben Allison burst into life, disturbing the equanimous tranquility that had settled upon supporters of both sides. First Robson edged him to Henry Cullen at second slip for 23 and all to soon he trapped Geddes in front for 24. The Middlesex lead, still healthy at 134, suddenly looked more manageable with two weekets added to the score. Immediately after lunch, that was three as young Caleb Falconer fell lbw without scoring to Taylor. Worcestershire, who had won at Lords early in the season, had every reason to feel that they were pulling this return fixture round to an even contest. Falconer had batted well in the first innings. His time for a big red ball score will certainly come. But it wasn’t to be today.
Joe Cracknell has been out injured and his absence keenly felt in another relentlessly miserable Middlesex Blast campaign to date. Rustiness and a very decent Adam Finch delivery had accounted for him first ball in the first innings of his comeback here. On a pitch that demands constant vigilance, could he provide solid support to his captain Leus du Plooy? Together, they restored equilibrium and eased Middlesex past a 200 lead.
As they had in the first innings, Worcester turned to spin in the form of Brett D’Oliveira, the latest in the family dynasty that seems to have graced Worcester for almost as long as the Cathedral. His leggy variations constantly tested both batters, but did not prevent Leus du Plooy, once again leading from the front, moving past another fine fifty.
Darley’s devastating impact
Like for like replacements are barely worthy of note given their frequency this season, but in the 54th over, twenty one year old right armer Harry Darley was introduced by Worcestershire for the considerably more experienced but injured Adam Finch. Two long hops to start his first over did little to suggest his arrival was an upgrade but his third ball got James Cracknell in a tangle and Darley had his 2nd First Class wicket to add to Durham’s Ben McKinney. Middlesex in turn were 180 for 5 having extended the lead to 254.
Buoyed by his early success, Darley continued by ruffling the feathers of Eathan Bosch, but he survived along with du Plooy to take Middlesex to tea on 194/5 and a lead of 268.
Young Darley was not to be denied though and soon after tea, a slingy outswinger did account for Bosch who edged a drive behind for 16. The lead for the visitors a healthy 280, but still within achievable realms for the Pears with four Middlesex wickets left to take.
Middlesex will likely have recalled the big opening partnership of 112 between Lategan and Libby and then one of 67 between Libby and Kashif Ali at Lord’s that had powered the Pears to a lead of 262, beyond a total the home side could reach. With this in mind, du Plooy and Zafar Gohar upped the pace, clearly wanting to put as many on the board as they could before the new ball arrived. When it did, the score was 258 for 6 and the Middlesex lead an imposing 332.
The new ball proved to be the signal for du Plooy and Zafar Gohar to launch an assault and in just two overs with it, they added a further 25, Gohar smashed a towering six and most significantly, captain Leus du Plooy reached a superb hundred. At the end of that second over, with Gohar undefeated on 39 and du Plooy on 101, the declaration came, setting Worcestershire a target of 358 and some 16 overs to navigate before stumps. Worcestershire would doubtless rue the dropping of du Plooy on 26.
First over drama in Worcestershire chase
If the Pears were feeling hard done by after the dropping of du Plooy had cost 75, they were feeling a lot worse five balls into the first over of their second innings. Daniel Lategan struck the sweetest and straightest of drives off a slightly over pitched Roland-Jones delivery. A veteran of 38 with a history of back problems he may be, but Roland-Jones was sharp enough to thrust an arm down in his follow though and via his fingertips the ball smashed into and removed one of backing up Jake Libby’s stumps. The blameless Libby had to go without facing and Worcestershire were 0 for 1.
Lategan, remained however with wicket keeper Gareth Roderick a very capable partner at 3. Together they moved the score to 28 before Lategan got one that turned and bounced from Gohar and was taken sharply above his head at slip by Tom Helm. With their Lord’s tormentor gone and night watchman Ben Allison sent in, the Middlesex field closed in scenting further blood before the close. It was left to Roderick to negotiate the final over from Seb Morgan and he added a three, happy to leave Allison to deal with the final two deliveries safely enough.
At 33 for 2 and a further 325 needed, the odds are certainly heavily loaded in Middlesex’s favour, but a Worcester rally could still deny them vital points. A superb and entertaining day’s play. A historic vista to enjoy. Life at Worcester seems pretty good.
Middlesex today were wearing black arm bands to mark the sad passing of their and England disability player Jeffrey Kan following a long illness. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
