Defeated but Hopeful:

Inspired by the bowling of Huw Waters 4 for 39 from 21.1 overs, Glamorgan completed a 76 run victory over Middlesex – their first at Lord’s for fifty-six years – in just over a session on the final day. Following a 111 runs defeat by Worcestershire in their first match and a total of just six points – all from bowling – Middlesex were left looking for positives to take from the match. There were some, but not many.

Chasing 375 in the final innings to record an unlikely win, Middlesex got half way there for the loss of four wickets before caving in during the morning session, although 298 all out in the final innings on a pitch that had worn sufficiently for a divot or two to produce the odd delivery that misbehaved was a creditable effort. “That was always going to be a stiff task to chase down that 380 odd on the last day,” said England captain, Andrew Strauss, playing for Middlesex before joining up with England for the series against Bangladesh and then Pakistan, “but I think there’s still some good signs there.”

Strauss had more to add. “We’ve played some good cricket in bits,” he said, “but I think we’ve not been in enough of the game so far this season, so we’ve definitely got some things to improve on in the coming games. I’m here with Middlesex for six games. I see my role to contribute as much as I can in those six games and if I do that then my preparation is going to take care of itself for the international stuff. It is to a certain extent a different game and the wickets are different. The types of bowling is different, so you’ve got to adjust your technique, but that’s a good thing. Come the start of the international season you’ve got to get a certain number of runs, which hopefully will happen for me from now on.”

Damage Done:

Steven Finn will bowl far worse with greater luck, but Gareth Berg at least received some reward for his. He was Middlesex’s most successful bowler in both innings, taking 3 for 59 from 17 overs in the first innings and 4 for 72 from 18 in the second. “Last season against Gloucester I got a fiver and that was by far the best,” said Berg. “It was the most enjoyable. Today [third day] was a bit unlucky because of a dropped catch. In terms of effort it was probably the same.”

He followed that up with a quickfire 28 – 24 of which came in boundaries – in the second innings. Berg is a quandary for Middlesex. At the moment he is a bowler who can bat a bit. Nevertheless, he has the potential to become an all-rounder, but that would require more time in the middle and promotion in the batting order. But Middlesex clearly need more runs from their established batsmen. With the notable exceptions of Strauss and Dawid Malan, Middlesex’s top order failed twice in this match.

Malan completed a deserved century, despite playing and missing Jim Harris on 99. A boundary through gully brought it up. “Unbelievably satisfied,” Malan said about reaching the milestone. “I’ve worked hard. I struggled last season, so it was good for me on the personal side to actually put all that hard work into practice and into play. I’m over the moon at the moment and I’m extremely happy with my own performance, but obviously disappointed that we lost as a team.”

He went on to make 115. Glamorgan captain Jamie Dalrymple is an occasional bowler – he didn’t turn his arm over in the first innings at all, yet claimed both of the vital Middlesex wickets, bowling Strauss and Malan, who was caught by wicketkeeper Mark Wallace after 232 balls. Malan hit sixteen boundaries in just the second first class century of his career. “I think what we did in the second innings is a bit of a step forward and given us all a bit of confidence,” Malan told us.

Wallace was impressed. “I'll probably say that the way the two Middlesex lads, Andrew Strauss and Dawid Malan played exceptionally well on that pitch – probably the best batting of the entire game – so you know you’ve got to doff your caps to them really,” said Wallace.

Legend:

Malan’s performance was the major positive that Middlesex could take from what was still a convincing defeat – the second century of his career. “I think he’s got all the shots,” said Strauss of Malan. “He’s a very capable player and I think he’s a very determined player as well, so there’s a lot there to work with. It’s more him getting to know his game better and better which he’s showing signs of doing and getting consistent scores and getting heavy scores over a period of time, If he does that then there’s no reason why he can’t go on to achieve higher selection at higher levels.”

And Malan appreciated the opportunity of batting with Strauss. “It’s always helpful having Straussy,” said Malan. “He’s a legend at Middlesex; he’s a legend at England. It’s aways good to bat with someone like that, so it’s good fun. Hopefully we can have a few more partnerships before he goes off to England. You learn odd things like how to get through the difficult parts, just by watching players who have been there, done that, and it’s something that I needed to see someone doing. I think I got a lot watching him at the same period in my innings that he was going through to see what he was doing to get through it.”