Essex v Middlesex - Clydesdale Bank 40 - Group A – Middlesex win by nine wickets – Live Score and Update
Essex 146/7 (25/25 ov) v http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Middlesex-c817 148/1 (22.3/25 ov) - Middlesex won by 9 wickets (with 15 balls remaining)
July 18: Middlesex retained their second spot in Group A of the ongoing Clydesdale Bank 40 tournament, by winning their game against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Essex-c783 by nine wickets, in the match that was played at County Ground, Chelmsford.
Due to pre-match showers, the game was reduced to 25 overs and on winning the toss, Middlesex invited Essex to bat first, considering the fact that it would be harder for the batsmen to reach the boundaries on a wet outfield.
The plan almost worked like a charm as Essex had a disastrous start to their match, but came back later in the innings, and posted a decent total of 146 runs on the board for the loss of seven wickets in 25 overs.
Skipper, ML Pettini, who had come in as an opener played a captain’s knock, as he steadfast and smashed a belligerent innings of 44 runs off 43 deliveries with his batsmen losing wickets.
This brave innings from the skipper set the tone of the game as the fans realized that Essex were going to give their best in the reduced number of overs.
Meanwhile, for Middlesex it was imperative to bowl-out their opposition sooner than later, in order to stamp their position on the points table.
With the middle-order failing to create problems for their opposition, the late partnership between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jonathan-Clare-c1729 Mickleburgh gave the bowlers something to worry about as Wheater smashed a knock of 33 and his partner bulldozed an unbeaten innings of 22 runs.
Needing 147 runs to win the game, it was imperative for Middlesex to keep wickets in hand in order to reach the target without hassle.
On the other hand, Essex were counting on their bowlers to get them through in the match.
However, Essex were left in complete disarray as Middlesex openers CJL Rogers and DJ Malan piled an amazing first-wicket total of 136 runs, almost winning the game for their team on their own.
Rogers was the only wicket to fall from his side, as he met his demise after smashing an astounding innings of 64 runs.
While, Malan stayed unbeaten on 76 runs off 68 deliveries to steer his side to victory in 22.3 overs. He was later named as the Player of the Match.
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