Saturday, 22nd April 2006

Maiden hundred for Compton

On a glorious spring day in The Parks, Middlesex opted for batting practise before setting the Oxford UCCE an unlikely target of 482 runs in 88 minutes plus 20 overs. Resuming the innings at 56-0, the Middlesex openers were rarely troubled before lunch, with Hutton reaching a half century off 72 balls and Compton his half century four overs later, off 75 balls. Hutton pulled Mali Richards for two successive sixes over mid-wicket (the second off a no ball) and reached his century before being bowled next ball. Hutton faced 134 balls scoring exactly 100 with 2 sixes and 11 fours. The opening partnership with Compton realised 192. Paul Weekes joined Compton and they saw Middlesex to 202-1 at lunch after 48 overs (Compton 92 not out). Weekes succumbed to the leg spin of Munday, who is on the Somerset staff, being bowled for 7, but Compton went on to make his maiden first class hundred (scored off 156 balls, 11 fours) before he departed to a fine catch having made 101. Ben Scott made 33 not out with Louw being out for 11 and Wright 11 (off 7 balls) as the Middlesex innings was closed on 271-5 after 82.3 overs. Munday finished with figures of 3-76 off 24 overs. The UCCE openers survived a testing 8 overs before tea, but Chris Silverwood had Oberoi caught behind in the first over after tea. Although Mohammad Ali struck twice before the start of the final twenty overs, a draw was always the likely outcome. Paul Weekes had Josh Knappett stumped by Ben Scott – his seventh victim behind the stumps – but the match was called off with 4 overs remaining. The Oxford UCCE innings finished on 99-4 after 36 overs. Chris Wright again impressed with the ball conceding only 4 runs off 5 overs, as did Mohammad Ali with 2-15 off 6 overs.

Back

---