Warwickshire take the game to Essex
Sep 18 2008 by Brian Halford, Birmingham Mail
CRICKET
WARWICKSHIRE and Essex are swapping blows in entertaining fashion at Chelmsford although all the evidence suggests the First Division would have little to fear from either of these sides next season.
Essex, needing victory to retain any hope of pipping the Bears to the second promotion spot, were all out for 341 this morning.
They then struck an immediate blow when Warwickshire replied, Darren Maddy edging the second ball of the innings – a real snorter from David Masters – to the wicketkeeper.
But Navdeep Poonia and Tony Frost batted with good judgement against a moving ball to see the Bears through to 71 at lunch.
Warwickshire’s promotion fate is in their own hands. If they bat properly here they will be all but be up.
With three bowling points bagged, five batting points plus four for a draw would just about guarantee First Division cricket next season.
At last, for this crucial game, the weather in this soggy season has been dry and the teams have responded with some positive cricket.
Essex closed the first day on 333 for eight after three sessions of cricket as entertaining as it was error-strewn.
All day the home batsmen combined handsome strokes which wicket-gifting ones. Warwickshire’s bowlers, meanwhile, blended fine deliveries with dross. The Bears’ curate’s egg display was summed up by debutant Rikki Clarke.
He became the first player since Makhaya Ntini to take a wicket with his first ball for Warwickshire – courtesy of a long hop.
Clarke duly served up plenty more loose fare, interspersed with some good ‘uns. It was that sort of day.
Essex’s main contribution was a sparkling 72 by 18-year-old Jaik Mickleburgh but although Ian Salisbury pinned him lbw with a googly to have Essex wobbling at 169 for five, the Bears bowling was too erratic to turn one wicket into a cluster. Ryan Ten Doeschate (72, 133 balls, nine fours) added 71 with James Foster and 64 with James Middlebrook.
Boyd Rankin and Chris Martin each ended with three wickets after taking one apiece early this morning to trim the Essex tail.
All good stuff for the spectators – although one ended yesterday chastened and stinging with shame for a bad error of judgment.
“I understand,” the P.A. boomed, just after tea, in a tone of contempt which suggested he had just spotted Gary Glitter in the Tom Pearce Stand, “that a spectator in the pavilion has just used a mobile telephone.”
Disgusting.
Contemptible.
These people should be strung up.
