Notts resumed the final day with all 10 second innings wickets in tact and a lead of 80-odd on the board, giving them the chance to push on for a mid-afternoon declaration. However, slow scoring and tight Middlesex spin bowling threw all those plans out the window as Notts scored less than 90 runs before lunch for the loss of 2 wickets. Middlesex also seemed to have one eye on today's NCL game as they rested the two main pace bowlers and used the part timers instead.

The afternoon session was just as dull, with the 1st boundary taking 45 minutes to come (and I happened to be elsewhere when it did come)! There was also a period of around 13 overs when no scoring shot produced more than a single. Gallian reached his century before he was well held by Jamie Dalrymple when trying to pull Ed Joyce, who looked rather impressive with the ball. Pietersen then came in and hit a flurry of boundaries to liven things up.

After tea, Middlesex took the new ball with those more used to facing it- Ben Hutton and Andrew Strauss! As expected Pietersen dealt them some fearful clobber, but Strauss did eventually get his man as he bowled the South African round his legs for 68 to claim 1st first class wicket. The fun didn't stop there as Koenig and then Nash were given their chances with the ball, causing the scoreboard to run out of room for all the bowling figures. Koenig also took a wicket as he had promoted number 10 batsmen caught by Nash in the outfield for a career best 30. Whilst all this was going on, Middlesex also managed to find a new wicket keeper in Joe Dawes, who only spilt one catch (off Nash aswell)!

And if you thought that things couldn't get more bizarre, then you're wrong. The right arm fast bowler Chad Keegan bowled the last over of the match which you may think is very normal- apart from the fact that instead of right arm fast, he bowled left arm spinners! It was great fun to end an enjoyable season.


DAY 3:
Middlesex moved a step closer to saftey today, largely thanks to Warwickshire who were 456/7 at close in Chelmsford, a lead of 200. At Lord's Middlesex were 326 all out, Shah top scoring on 87. In reply Notts reached 48/0 inside 15 overs.


DAY 2:
Rain and bad light ruined the 2nd day's play at Lord's, but in the time available, Middlesex fought back after Nottinghamshire had reached 316-5 on day 1. Paul Weekes and Jamie Dalrymple produced some useful spin bowling as Notts lost 3 wickets for 4 runs before the final 2 pairs added 40.

After bowling Nottinghamshire out for 361, we then reached 9-0 before rain and bad light prevented any further resumption for the day.


DAY 1:
Notts emerged firmly on top in a rain affected day at Lord's. Having won the toss and choosing to bat first they ended on 316/5. Warren not out on 100.


SCORES:

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 1ST INNINGS:

Bicknell c Nash b Bloomfield 35
Gallian c Strauss b Dawes 73
Shafayat c Nash b Hutton 5
Warren lbw b Keegan 123
Pietersen c Joyce b Weekes 70
Cairns run out 1
Read st Nash b Dalrymple 16
Franks b Weekes 1
MacGill c Weekes b Dalrymple 0
McMahon b Keegan 7
Shreck not out 4


MIDDLESEX 1ST INNINGS:

Strauss c and b Cairns 15
Koenig lbw b Shreck 13
Hutton c Pietersen b MacGill 20
Shah c Warren b Franks 87
Joyce c Read b Cairns 14
Weekes c MacGill b Franks 38
Nash not out 53
Dalrymple c Pietersen b MacGill 26
Keegan lbw b MacGill 17
Dawes b Cairns 14
Bloomfield lbw b MacGill 0

Extras 29

Total (all out, 94 overs) 326


NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 2ND INNINGS:

Bicknell lbw b Dawes 42
Gallian c Dalrymple b Joyce 116
Shafayat c Sub b Weekes 6
Warren not out 113
Pietersen b Strauss 68
McMahon c Nash b Koenig 30
Read not out 3

Extras 29

Total (for 5 declared, 109 overs) 407

Did not bat: Cairns, Franks, MacGill and Shreck.

RESULT: MATCH DRAWN.

POINTS: MIDDLESEX 10, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 11.

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