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Jones the history boy makes Middlesex toil for the upper hand
- Updated: September 14, 2016
Middlesex 327 (Robson 77, Gubbins 69, Compton 56, Kerrigan 4-80, Jarvis 3-70) and 72 for 4 lead Lancashire 259 (Jones 106*, Livingstone 56, Bailey 53, Roland-Jones 4-54, Finn 4-71) by 140 runsScorecard
On the day when a group of probably well-intentioned executives pondered changes which might push the County Championship to the back of domestic cricket’s broom cupboard, a 20-year-old batsman with a sound technique and guts to share showed why it should occupy a precious place on the game’s mantelpiece.
It is doubtful whether many of those meeting at Lord’s this dreamily perfect Wednesday had a clue who Rob Jones was when they commenced their discussions. However, by the time they broke up in early afternoon at least four chief execs were surely keen to discover more about the 20-year-old makeshift opener whose maiden first-class century had frustrated Middlesex’s title ambitions and given a major fillip to Lancashire’s hopes of avoiding yet another demotion to the Second Division.
Those hopes may yet be smashed. Having conceded a first-innings lead of 68, Middlesex’s curiously dozy batting in the evening session left them with a lead of just 140 and only six wickets in hand. Their best chance of winning the game – we can forget about a challenging declaration – may rest in their being bowled out for a modest score and Lancashire messing up a run chase when trapped between boldness and restraint. Such an outcome would leave James Franklin’s side at least 20 points clear of their two rivals.
Faced with vague threats, the blessed County Championship is producing a climax to cherish, one which illustrates both its complexity and fascination. If Middlesex lose, the top three teams in Division One would be covered by five points going into a final week of the season when two of them meet and the other wonders if this might be the best September anyone in Somerset can remember. We may find that we can place a value on a city franchise but you cannot put a price on the Championship.
And as if to demonstrate cricket’s gloriously …
