July 2008 Archives

Warwickshire 29 for 1 (9 overs). Poonia 8, Powell 8.

Maddy leaned forward to a Murtagh in-ducker and was adjudged lbw. He didn't like the decision, probably because he was quite well forward and there also appeared to be a bit of inside-edge.

Richardson delivering a testing spell at the other end.

Warwickshire (Maddy, Poonia, Powell, Trott, Troughton, Frost, Botha, Carter, Woakes, Salisbury, Martin) won the toss and will bat.

Middlesex include former Bears seamer Alan Richardson while further up their order is attacking batsman Dawid Malan, for whom Warwickshire have issued Middlesex formal 28 days notice of an approach.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. It is bright and breezy in north London and a full day's play is in prospect.

Both teams are on the outfield, Warwickshire playing handball and Middlesex playing football, and a man with extraordinary red and white checked trousers has just wandered past the press tent carrying a bucket of flowers.

Close: Gloucestershire 36 for 0 (10 overs). Ali 7, Porterfield 27.

Few alarms for Gloucestershire's openers, highlighting that it is a good batting track and the Bears will have their work cut out to take ten wickets quickly tomorrow.

On that note, as I am attending Wimbers tmrw, this blog will disappear into the same mysterious void into which that rogue 'd' on the scoreboard vanished forever the other day.

Take care, all.

Warwickshire 528 for 8 declared. Trott 164no, Woakes 17no.

A lead of 192.

In the last hour Gloucestershire looked shot through - utterly demoralised by a chastening day and a bit in the field.

Gloucestershire have ten overs to bat tonight. With thunderstorms forecast for tomorrow, a wicket or two for the Bears tonight could be priceless.

Warwickshire, including Troughton, are now taking the field.

Warwickshire 496 for 8. Trott 149, Woakes 0.

Salisbury delivered a lovely cameo, just what the Bears needed. He scored 48 from 28 balls with two sixes, pulled off Kirby and Lewis, and seven fours.

Looking good to get Gloucestershire in for a few overs tonight when their batsmen, having fielded in the hot sunshine all day, would hardly be in pristine batting mood.

Warwickshire 436 for 7 (116 balls). Trott 131, Salisbury 8.

Carter charges at Taylor and is stumped by yards. Salisbury thumps his first two balls from the spinner to the cover boundary to take the lead to 100 and then whacks the third into the leg of Kadeer Ali who promptly, and wisely, retreats to point.

Warwickshire 425 for 6 (115 overs). Trott 130, Carter 15.

Kirby gains well-deserved reward for his day's work as Frost misses a straight one and is bowled then Botha bat-pads to short-leg.

No detectable urgency in the batting since tea until Carter arrives - and pulls his ninth and tenth ball, from Kirby, for top-edged sixes over fne leg.

Tea: Warwickshire 402 for 4 (109 overs). Trott 125, Frost 0.

Troughton gloves a pull at Wigley to the wicket-keeper and departs for 20.

Warwickshire have 32 overs left in the day to pile on the pressure.

Estimated close of play score: 529 for 6.

Warwickshire 381 for 3 (102 overs). Trott 105, Troughton 19.

Trott has reached an untroubled century from 175 balls with 15 fours. Troughton lashed Wigley high over extra cover for four to move to a brilliant 18. A masterpiece in the making, methinks.

Gloucestershire look a bit like Richard Gasquet in the final set last night. (Though what a truly magnificent sporting gesture it was from Gasquet to applaud the crowd, who had been baying for his defeat, as he left the court).