Derbyshire v Middlesex: Clydesdale Bank 40 – Derbyshire’s Innings Recap
Middlesex were guided into a very decent position against Derbyshire in a match of the Clydesdale Bank 40 at the Queen’s Park, Chesterfield in England on Sunday, August 21, 2011.
Ireland’s Paul Stirling scored a terrific century for his side, setting a target of 254 runs for the hosts.
The total proved to be too good for the Derbyshire team, as they were restricted to 219/10 in 35.4 overs, losing the match by 34 runs. There were a few good performances by the home team’s players, but they still ended up being on the losing side.
Opening batsman Chesney Hughes top scored the Derbyshire innings with 66 runs, but the effort went in vain in the end.
The pitch had remained good for batting, but it was a touch slower compared to first half of the match. Derbyshire’s skipper Wayne Madsen would have been a touch disappointed with his decision to field at the toss.
The hosts’ openers Martin Guptill and Hughes walked out in the middle to start the run chase. The former was unable to get going, as he was dismissed in the first over of the innings after scoring a duck.
Hughes and Wes Durston steadied the ship with a 40-run stand for the second wicket. The latter failed to make most of the start he got to his innings, as he was sent back to the pavilion after adding just 12 runs to the total.
However, the innings was put back on track with a solid stand between Hughes and Madsen. The pair collected 68 runs for the third wicket partnership, gaining very good momentum in the innings.
Hughes played very well, scoring 66 runs off 69 balls with the help of five fours and a couple of sixes, but failed to make a big one for his side. He was dismissed in the 20th over of the innings.
Just a couple of deliveries later, Greg Smith got out for a duck. He was followed by Ross Whiteley, who managed 9 runs in his short stay at the crease.
Debutant Peter Burgoyne was unable to make an impression, as he was dismissed for a duck. This put the hosts under immense pressure, as they were 138/6 at that stage of the innings.
Madsen also failed to bat until the end of the innings and was the seventh wicket to fall for Derbyshire. He played well though, collecting 50 runs off 57 balls with the help of four boundaries.
Wicketkeeper batsman Tom Poynton scored a quick fire 40 in the end, but lacked support from the other end, as the entire team was dismissed for 219 runs in less than 36 overs.
Middlesex’s Steven Finn did a fabulous job for his team, dismissing 3 batsmen in the match.