Story PlanetCricket Domination

[blake]

That wasn't actually Hooper's fault, reading back on a post like that it was just a matter of time before somebody said it.. :doh

 

[MaD]

Blake has a life too you know, unlike some people

 

[blake]

Welcome back for the second session of this County Championship Division 2 match with Middlesex taking on PlanetCricket. The first session started off well for Middlesex after a strong opening partnership but it was the skipper Hooper who masterminded their downfall, taking two wickets alongside Gary who also picked up two wickets, as Middlesex lost four in quick succession to fall to 4/110 at lunch. We resume play now, with Biggy Hoff and Brendon Hedger bowling at either end.

38.0 Overs
Middlesex: 4/110
N Compton 18* (48)
B Scott 6* (40)
B Hoff 0/23 (8.0)
B Hedger 0/6 (4.0)

It was slow going early for Middlesex as Compton and Scott batted as sensibly as possible - until finally, one came through that Scott couldn't keep out. It wasn't really the best of deliveries, but it was a quicker one and evidently too fast for Scott. Biggy Hoff picked up his first wicket with Scott's dismissal as his off-stump was pegged back, and now Middlesex were in a whole world of trouble. It was an excellent start to the session for PlanetCricket - finding the wicket just twenty minutes in.

B Scott b Hoff 14 (56)
Biggy Hoff 11.5-0-32-1

44.5 Overs
Middlesex: 5/122
N Compton 22* (73)
B Hoff 1/32 (11.5)
B Hedger 0/9 (7.0)

Despite Hoff's wicket, Hooper removed him from the attack after his next over was wicketless and brought himself into the attack to bowl his twelfth over. It was a bit selfish, sure, but he was in sensational form so there wasn't too much of a problem - and, what do you know, his introduction paid off.

On just his fourth delivery he managed a wicket - reminding everybody just how good he was. It was a woeful shot from Compton as he prodded it directly back to Hooper who took the simplest of catches but it was a huge wicket for Middlesex - they now had just two established batsmen remaining at the crease - Godleman and Murtagh. Middlesex were now in all sorts - largely thanks to the captain himself, Sir Hooper.

N Compton c & b Hooper 25 (80)
Hooper 11.4-2-26-3

46.4 Overs
Middlesex: 6/127
B Godleman 2* (4)
Hooper 3/26 (11.4)
Hedger 0/13 (8.0)

Hooper continued to bowl himself for a while - replacing the other spinner Hedger with Gary, which seemed to be a good captaining move after he had already two wickets in the innings. However, Middlesex were slowly building a partnership, with Murtagh and Godleman nudging it around for singles as Middlesex's total neared 150.

Just as Middlesex were looking comfortable again, the man himself struck. There was no stopping Hooper anymore - he was simply incredible. Murtagh never had a chance - it was a brilliant delivery which flighted through the air and then dropped abruptly before kicking off the pitch. Murtagh got some bat on it - enough for it to carry to McDonald at silly point who took a good catch lowdown. It was four for Hooper now, and he could easily get five with some tailenders still to come.

T Murtagh c McDonald b Hooper 11 (23)
Hooper 14.1-2-29-4

52.1 Overs
Middlesex: 7/147
B Godleman 5* (15)
Hooper 4/29 (14.1)
Gary 2/32 (11.0)

Now at the crease was Silverwood, who averaged 15.89 in FC with nine fifties to his name. He definitely knew how to bat - yet he was hardly a top-order batsman. However, he did his job well, surviving with Godleman who was adding the runs frequently.

This partnership was working well for Middlesex, and PlanetCricket needed a dismissal. Middlesex's total pushed past 175, and they were still looking comfortable. Hooper soon changed Gary out of the attack in favour of Covvy, but kept himself bowling in a hope to get the five wicket haul.

Match Summary
60.0 Overs
Middlesex: 7/172
B Godleman 21* (46)
C Silverwood 9* (20)
Hooper 4/39 (18.0)
Covvy 0/32 (8.0)

Finally, however, Hooper's attitude towards bowling himself paid off as he picked up his fifth wicket - the last remaining batsman in Godleman. He celebrated with a traditional 'Jesus' pose - how fitting. It was five for Hooper, and Middlesex would be lucky if they could reach 200 at this rate.

B Godleman c McDonald b Hooper 30 (54)
Hooper 19.4-3-43-5

62.4 Overs
Middlesex: 8/184
C Silverwood 10* (25)
Hooper 5/43 (19.4)
Covvy 0/40 (9.0)

Hooper had evidently had enough of Covvy and he dragged him out of the attack - bringing in fellow leg-spinner Brendon Hedger. He picked up the immediate wicket - on just the fourth ball of his spell, as he bowled Richardson with a superb delivery.

A Richardson b Hedger 1 (5)
Brendon Hedger 9.4-4-19-1

63.4 Overs
Middlesex: 9/185
C Silverwood 10* (26)
B Hedger 1/19 (9.4)
Hooper 5/44 (20.0)

Just two overs later, Middlesex's last wicket fell - this time it was courtesy of Biggy Hoff. Silverwood attempted to hit Hoff across the line with a nothing shot and he was trapped dead in front. The umpire had no hesitation in awarding the dismissal as Hoff picked up his second wicket - it had been a solid spell from him.

C Silverwood lbw b Hoff 10 (33)
Biggy Hoff 12.3-0-33-2

65.3 Overs
Middlesex: 10/190
D Evans 5* (4)
B Hoff 2/33 (12.3)
Hooper 5/44 (21.0)

So, that was the end of Middlesex, and what a shocking effort that had been. PlanetCricket were proving to be superb and now they were on target for an easy victory, trailing by just 190 runs. Hooper was again the star with his second consecutive five wicket haul - he now had ten wickets from his past two innings with the ball, but everyone contributed well to Middlesex's downfall. PlanetCricket would have about 20 minutes to bat before tea - it was going to be Blake and McDonald heading out to the middle to open up against Middlesex.

Summary
Middlesex: 10/190 (65.3 Overs)
E Morgan 34 (58)
A Strauss 34 (60)
Hooper 5/44 (21)
B Hoff 2/33 (12.3)

Now, we are ready to see PlanetCricket's innings. They trail by just 190 runs and are looking in good shape after an excellent effort with the ball. There is just 22 minutes left for Blake and McDonald to survive - ideally they won't lose a wicket in this short time, but we will see what happens. Silverwood is sharing the new ball with Richardson.

PlanetCricket got off to a slow start - they were in no hurry, that was for sure. After three overs just one run had been scored, but Blake soon lifted the run rate the next over with a cover drive off Richardson for four. He gave Silverwood the exact same treatment the next over and McDonald managed to survive the last over before tea. So, that was the end of the session - just six overs were bowled to PlanetCricket who looked very comfortable.

Match Summary
TEA Day 1

Middlesex 10/190
65.3 Overs

PlanetCricket 0/13
6.0 Overs
Blake 11* (23), 2 fours
J McDonald 2* (13)
C Silverwood 0/5 (3.0)
A Richardson 0/8 (3.0)

We're back now for the tea session. PlanetCricket would've definitely been in high spirits at the break after they dominated Middlesex before getting off to a solid start at 0/13 themselves. Now, we resume play with Blake and McDonald at the crease, facing up to Silverwood and Richardson who will continue to bowl in tandem.

Once more PlanetCricket started off the session cautiously, with McDonald and Blake getting their eyes in at the crease, before McDonald cracked a superb boundary down the ground to break the slow scoring. However, to Middlesex's credit, Richardson and Silverwood were bowling extremely tight lines and the scoring was tough. Blake and McDonald were being extremely careful and letting a lot go through to the keeper - there was plenty of time remaining so there was no need to rush.

Match Summary
15.0 Overs
PlanetCricket: 0/29
Blake 17* (46), 2 fours
J McDonald 10* (45), 1 four
C Silverwood 0/12 (8.0)
A Richardson 0/17 (7.0)

The next over, Richardson decided to stray from his line for a bit and offer a wide one to McDonald in the hope of getting a shot. This offer was graciously accepted by McDonald, who smacked it to the point boundary viciously, for his second boundary. Middlesex were starting to run out of ideas now as this opening partnership began to build.

Soon there came a bowling change, with Murtagh and Evans coming into the attack to try and beat the resistance of Blake and McDonald. But the partnership stood strong - these two openers were batting superbly and McDonald kept the runs flowing with a superb off drive down the ground.

Nothing was doing for Middlesex - their bowlers looked tired and began to bowl poor areas. Blake and McDonald were looking rock solid in the middle and wasted no time in dispatching the poor balls. The innings continued to build, as Middlesex sunk further and further into a rut.

Match Summary
30.0 Overs
PlanetCricket: 0/70
Blake 34* (89), 3 fours
J McDonald 30* (92), 4 fours
A Richardson 0/27 (9.0)
T Murtagh 0/15 (7.0)

There were now just eight overs remaining before the end of day one. One would feel now, if Middlesex did not pick up a wicket, they would have no chance at all of winning. Blake and McDonald wanted to make sure of this, and they batted slowly but steadily to finish off the day's play unbeaten. What an absolute flogging this was set to be.

Match Summary
STUMPS Day 1
Middlesex 10/190
65.3 Overs

PlanetCricket 0/98
38.0 Overs
Blake 43* (108), 4 fours
J McDonald 47* (122), 6 fours
C Silverwood 0/17 (12.0)
A Strauss 0/7 (2.0)

PlanetCricket trail by 92 runs

 

[OffCutters]

Great opening stand by Blake and McDonald, cant wait for me to come in and get a duck century.

 

[Amiya]

great bowling by hooper. Blake & Jake are having a solid partnership. waiting to get a century here.

 

[Gary123]

Just trailing by 92.
Good going PC.

 

[Hooper]

Wow, another 5-fer. Wheres the hate now, Troy?

Good captaining by me to keep myself on at that stage, any other halfwit would of done the team thing and give someone else a go... But this aint Have-A-Go Milo cricket is it? We are pros.

(Jesus pose)

 

[OffCutters]

Oh dear...next thing you know, Hooper`s gonna think his Benaud. Oh wait, he already does. You arrogant twit. Good for you, my friend.

 

[hedger_14]

Good captaining???

Bowl 1/3 of all the over's. I think we need a better captain.

 

[Hooper]

Did I get the wickets? Did I put us in a commanding position?

Thank you.

(Jesus pose)

 

[hedger_14]

Would someone else have got the wickets if you hadn't been an idiot?

Yes!

 

[OffCutters]

Brendon, nominate me as captain. I`m Bradman, I`m Waugh, I`m Ponting, I`m Martin. I`m the best online imaginary batsman in this bloody competition. I deserve captaincy, I deserve to overtake this little piece of- So, yeah man. Who wants the booze?

 

[MaD]

I think Blake should be captain since he's the simulator, like it's not Hooper's fault he bowled 1/3 of the overs, or is it

 

[Jakester1288]

Good start from us Blake, time for us both to pass our 50s then really press on for big scores. Hopefully we can knock off their score on our own.

 

[gutterman]

very good bowling by ours boys to restrict them to such a low total. great writing mate kutgw