The Farewell:

When Owais Shah takes to the field tomorrow a chapter in Middlesex’s history will close. It will be the talented batsman’s last appearance for the only county that he has ever played for to date. His contract ends at the close of the season, which for Middlesex is tomorrow. He has no shortage of offers and perhaps a change of scenery will help.

Middlesex chose not to renew his contract, which ends his sixteen year stay in their first team. Shah’s natural talent could never be denied, but his application has been questioned, especially his running between the wickets. Kept on an incremental contract with England he never got the sustained opportunity at international level that his talent deserved and he scored just one first class century in his final season at Lord’s until today.

Shah broke through into their first team in limited overs cricket in 1994 and became a fixture in their first class side for a decade and a half the following season. He was determined to go out in style. It was pre-ordained that he would.

Determined:

By his own high standards the season has been ordinary. Shah was determined to put that right and treat the sparse crowd at Lord’s today to an exhibition of application and a reminder of the talent they were bidding a fond farewell to. Nothing less than his second first class century of the season would do – the script had been written already. However, Moeen Ali was also determined. He wanted to rewrite the script.

Resuming on 70 not out Shah was determined to leave the county with a flourish. He had only scored one first class century prior to that this season. That had to change. He was treated royally by the sparse crowd and his team-mates. In his last match for Middlesex Shah was determined to remind the county of what they would be missing.

Shah got his century with a boundary through extra-cover. He ran past captain Neil Dexter, arms raised and acknowledged the generous applause of the crowd. He celebrated the mark he had set his sights on – few begrudged him. He then raised his bat, although some claim he ignored the pavilion to make a point after years of service.

His 261-ball vigil was ended by Moeen Ali, turning in a virtuoso performance. Shah made 117, before he was caught in the slips by the visitors’ captain Darcy Mitchell. He had hit twelve fours and six. “He batted really well,” said Ali. “He’s a very good player and he showed everybody today.

He’s a proper batsman. He’ll get proper runs. He’s a very good player. I actually feel sorry for him that he’s leaving. He’s been here all his life and I hope he has success in the future.”

Shah contributed with the ball too, dismissing Vikram Solanki, leg before wicket for 2 to the last ball before tea. The visitors were 49 for 2, setting the stage for Toby Roland-Jones and Pedro Collins to reduce Worcestershire to 148 for 7 before Gareth Andrew provided support for Ali who added an unbeaten 70 to his 5 for 36 and 66 in the first innings. Sympathy aside Ali remains determined to spoil Shah’s farewell. “What a place to be honest to get my first 5-for,” he said. “Hopefully tomorrow I can get a ton here as well.”