Match report day 1: Kent v Lancs in Championship 2003 by Neil Adams

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Scorecard:

Kent v Lancashire

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Summary for Day 1

The Red Rose Roller-coaster performers came to Canterbury on the hottest day of the season so far, and truly tested the emotion of every supporter present (Of which there were plenty). Just 81 runs in the first session, just 77 runs in the final session, and sandwiched in between 189 runs in an exhilarating afternoons' play. Lancashire won the toss and elected to bat - an obvious choice on such a glorious day, but the pitch still possessed a degree of dew and offered some assistance early on to the bowlers. Mark Chilton failed to score a run for nearly 45 minutes as Lancashire's innings started very slowly. Three wickets fell with the score on 43 and for the first time this season, Lancashire were on course for no batting points. Enter Andrew Flintoff and the lower order batsmen. With the sometimes low and very unpredictable bounce from the Pavilion End, the visitors total of 347 might yet prove to be very challenging.

 

Bowling Performance of the Day

Mark Ealham ripped the heart out of the Lancashire upper order. He finished with 5 for 54 and was ably assisted by some poor strokes in the second hour of the day.

 

Batting Performance of the Day

Where would Lancashire have ended up without the services of Andrew Flintoff? He came to the crease with the score on 43 for 4. Two overs later, the score was 52 for 5. What followed was simply sensational. He started with a straight six from Ealham's bowling, and never looked back. His innings was one of the best combinations of power and patience I have seen. True, he did survive two drop chances on 78 and 131, but he deserved a bit of luck. He smashed 20 runs off the first over after the lunch interval, and regularly cleared the boundary ropes - including one fantastic pulled six to the longest boundary - off a no-ball! He narrowly failed to beat his highest championship score for Lancashire (Previous best 160 v Yorkshire 1999) - perhaps that would explain his disappointed walk as he departed the scene. (Flintoff 154 runs from 158 balls 8 x 6 & 17 x 4)

 

Fielding Performance of the Day

Michael Carberry was particularly impressive in the Kent outfield. He was very agile and restricted the number of runs on offer. James Tredwell also held a couple of excellent catches and was involved in the run out of Glen Chapple.

 

Highlights of the Day

• Other than Flintoff's innings, the most pleasing aspect of the day was the contribution of Glen Chapple (66), Warren Hegg (37 not out) and Sajid Mahmood 34. They all played gritty determined innings, and supported the mainline batsman.
• Kent dropped 5 catches during the day!

 

Lowlights of the Day

• The very poor showing by the upper order batsmen. Both overseas players were dismissed for 0. This was particularly disappointing for Carl Hooper on his return to Canterbury. At 52 for 5 the game was dead and buried.
• The run out of Glen Chapple - with the partnership on 179 and Kent's bowlers totally unable to make a break through, Flintoff and Chapple exchanged some mixed calling and almost ended up in the middle of the wicket together. All credit to Chapple for sacrificing his wicket to keep Flintoff at the crease.
• Missing the fourth batting point by just 3 runs.

 

Contentious Discussion Point of the Day

Did the ball really carry to James Tredwell to dismiss Andrew Flintoff? Neither umpire gave Flintoff out and he rightfully stood his ground for some considerable time. After double checking with the fielder, Flintoff headed back to the dressing room.

 

Key Notes of the Day

• Lancashire won the toss and elected to bat
• Swann lbw bowled Saggers 8 - 8 for 1 in the 5th over - Chilton 0*
• Chilton scores his first run after 44 minutes play - 21 for 1 in the 11th over
• Chilton caught Tredwell bowled Ealham 10 - 43 for 2 in the 17th over - Loye 24*
• Law caught Jones bowled Ealham 0 - 43 for 3 in the 19th over - Loye 24*
• Hooper - lbw bowled Ealham 0 - 43 for 3 in the 23rd over - Loye 24*
• 51 for 4 in the 24th over - Loye 26* Flintoff 6*
• Loye caught Jones bowled Ealham 27 - 52 for 5 in the 25th over - Flintoff 6*
• Lunch - 81 for 5 from 32 overs - Flintoff 21* Chapple 14*
• 101 for 5 in the 33rd over (20 from first over after lunch) - Flintoff 41*
• 50 partnership - 105 for 5 in the 45th over - Flintoff 45*
• 53 Flintoff - 121 for 5 in the 39th over - Chapple 22*
• 151 for 5 in the 45th over - Flintoff 76* Chapple 29*
• 100 partnership - 153 for 5 in the 45th over - Flintoff 78* dropped by
• Tredwell at second slip at the same time
• Chapple 35 dropped first slip - 167 for 5 in the 48th over - Flintoff 85*
• Chapple 52 - 188 for 5 in the 53rd over - Flintoff 90*
• 201 for 5 in the 56th over - Flintoff 99* Chapple 56*
• 150 partnership - 202 for 5 in the 56th over - Chapple 57*
• 103 for Flintoff - 207 for 5 in the 57th over - Chapple 58*
• Chapple run out 66 - 231 for 6 in the 62nd over - Flintoff 117*
• Flintoff 131 dropped by Saggers at mid-off - 246 for 6 - Hegg 1*
• 250 for 6 in the 66th over - Flintoff 135* Hegg 1*
• Tea - 270 for 6 in the 72nd over - Flintoff 149* Hegg 7* - Session 189 for 1
• Flintoff 150 - 273 for 6 in the 75th over - Hegg 9*
• 50 partnership - 281 for 6 in the 77th over - Flintoff 153* Hegg 14*
• Flintoff caught Tredwell bowled Ealham 154 - 284 for 7 in the 79th over 158 balls (17 x 4 & 8 x 6)
• Martin caught & bowled Tredwell 2 - 295 for 8 in the 83rd over - Hegg 22*
• 302 for 8 in the 84th over - Mahmood 6* Hegg 23*
• Mahmood 12 dropped first slip by Ealham - 309 for 8 in the 86th over - Hegg 24*
• New ball taken at the beginning of the 91st over
• Mahmood 15 dropped second slip by Tredwell - 320 for 8 in the 91st over - Hegg 29*
• 50 partnership - 347 for 8 in the 97th over - Hegg 37* Mahmood 34*
• Mahmood lbw bowled Sheriyar 34 - 347 for 9 in the 98th over - Hegg 37*
• Keedy caught Blewett bowled Sheriyar (first ball) - 347 all out - Hegg 37* 4 overs remaining of the day
• Close of play - Kent 12 for 0 - Fulton 7* Carberry 4* - 6.50pm
• Lancashire 3 points - Kent 3 points

 

(Article: Copyright © 2004 Neil Adams http://www.cricketimages.co.uk/adams-report/intro.html)