LIVE - Berkshire v Hertfordshire
Anthony Smith • Published 25 Aug 2011 09:30
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Herts 194-9. Berks need 195 to win from 36 overs.
34TH OVER.
33.2 - FOUR BYES. BERKSHIRE WIN!
33.1 - Mordt swings and misses.
Berks 192-4, needing three to win from three overs.
But the sub plot is that Roberts needs three more for his century - but Mordt is on strike!
33RD OVER. Jamie Hewitt is introduced to the Herts attack.
33.6 - dot ball.
33.5 - single to
33.4 - FOUR - Mordt slashes one over the top for a boundary.
33.3 - blocked by Mordt.
33.2 - single to Roberts.
33.2 - FOUR WIDES - rubbish ball from Hewitt. Gave the wicketkeeper no chance after Roberts hooked.
33.1 - blocked by Roberts.
Berks 180-4. Roberts 96, Mordt 7. 15 to win from four overs.
32ND OVER. Rudge back on for Herts.
31.6 - Single to Roberts.
31.5 - single to Mordt.
31.4 - single to Roberts.
31.3 - SIX. Wonderful shot by Roberts, smashing Rudge over the midwicket boundary to move on to 94. Relieves the pressure as well.
31.2 - blocked by Roberts.
31.1 - single to Mordt.
31ST OVER
30.6 - Single to Mordt. Berks 170-4. Needing 25 to win from five overs.
30.5 - no run.
30.4 - dot ball. Mordt swings and misses.
30.3 - Two for Mordt through midwicket.
30.2 - Or maybe not. Roberts single.
30.1 - single to Mordt. Happy to give Roberts the strike.
Berks 166-4 with six overs to go.
30TH OVER.
29.6 - FOUR. Roberts pulls Walker to the boundary. Lovely shot.
29.5 - dot ball.
29.4 - Skipper Bjorn Mordt off the mark with a single. Big innings needed for him.
29.3 - Single to Roberts to calm things down.
CRAIG CROWE follows brother Carl back to the pavilion after holing out in the deep off Walker. Poor shot. Berks 160-4 and in a serious wobble. Herts are really pumped up now.
29.2 - WICKET
29.1 Single to Roberts off Walker.
Berks are 159-3, needing 36 to win from seven overs. Roberts 81, Crowe 4.
29TH OVER.
28.6 - dot ball.
28.5 - dot ball.
28.4 - FOUR - Craig Crowe is off the mark straight away, glancing the ball through third man.
CARL CROWE lasts three balls and is stumped off Frazer's bowling. He needlessly left his crease and Greenall whipped off the bails. Berks lose another wicket and are now 155-3. Herts' tails are up!
28.4 - WICKET
28.3 - dot ball.
28.2 - wide - loose one from Frazer down leg. New batsman Carl Crowe blocks.
JONO MCLEAN is walking back to the pavilion after holing out to cover off Frazer's bowling. Berks 154-2 now. Surely it's too little, too late for Herts?
28.1 - WICKET
28TH OVER - Walker returns to the Nursery End.
27.6 SIX. Superb shot from Roberts, flicking Walker off his pads and into the stand. Berks 154-1 now. Victory in sight.
27.5 - dot ball.
27.4 - single to McLean.
27.3 - FOUR - McLean edges one for four. Lucky that.
27.2 - McLean drives, well fielded.
27.1 - dot ball.
27TH OVER - apologies, lost connection again. Berks are now 143-1, with Roberts 75 and McLean 7.
26TH OVER
25.6 - dot ball.
25.5 - single to new man, Jono McLean.
25.4 - WICKET. David Barnes has gone, bowled through the gate by Southgate for 52 off 67 balls.
25.3 - dot ball.
25.2 SIX - Roberts blasts Southgate into the stands. Brilliant shot.
25.1 - dot ball.
**** HUGE Apologies - connection lost for 10 minutes as so. Rather than go back ball-by-ball, a quick recap.
Berks are now 129-0 and cruising ***
Barnes and Roberts notch up their 100 partenership for the opening wicket, off 124 balls.
Roberts is 48, Barnes 45. Berks 102-0.
20TH OVER - Rudge back into the attack for Herts, who already look beaten.
19.6 - dot ball.
19.5 - SIX. Barnes rocks back on his heels and hooks Rudge all the way. Berks' first six, and a glorious stroke.
19.4 - blocked by Barnes, no run.
19.3 - dot ball.
19.2 - dot ball.
19.1 Lovely stroke through the cover for one from Roberts, who moves on to 48.
19.1 - Rudge starts where he finished off - with a wide.
19TH OVER
18.6 - dot ball. Berks 93-0. Roberts 47, Barnes 38. And the dream partnership continues.
18.5 - Quicker ball and well played by Roberts. One run.
18.4 - dot ball.
18.3 - Quick single, one run to Barnes. Good running.
18.2 - leg glance from Roberts, one run.
18.1 Barnes gets it wrong as he hits Frazer over the top. He gets three for it, but it was in the air a long time.
18TH OVER
17.6 - Single to Barnes through the covers. Berks 87-0.
17.5 - FOUR - Barnes finds the gap between the fielders on the leg side. White looks distraught.
17.4 - blocked by Barnes.
17.3 - Three runs to Roberts, hitting over the top.
17.2 - dot ball.
17.1 - dot ball.
17TH OVER - Change of attack as Herts turn to spin, with Ben Frazer comes on for Lamb..
16.6 - no run. Berks 79-0
16.5 - single to Roberts.
16.4 - dot ball.
16.3 - full toss, but Roberts finds the fielder. No run.
16.2 - dot ball.
16.1 - dot ball.
16TH OVER
15.6 - Single too Roberts. Berks 78-0. Roberts 41, Barnes 29.
15.5 - Roberets drives, well fielded by Herts.
15.4 - dot ball. Roberts thinks about the hook, then pulls out.
15.3 - dot ball.
15.2 - misfield gifts Roberts a single off White.
15.1 - dot ball.
BRILLIANT start to Berkshire's reply. The conditions are improving and they are cashing-in on the better batting wicket. They look in no trouble at all.
15TH OVER
14.6. Blocked by Barnes. Berks 75-0. Roberts 38, Barnes 29.
14.5 - dot ball.
14.4 - single to Roberts.
14.3 FOUR - the runs are flowing now. Roberts blasts Lamb over the top of cover.
14.2 - dot ball.
14.1 - FOUR - Roberts stroked Lamb through point. Right out of the middle of the bat. This is becoming too easy.
14.0 - One run to Barnes, leg glance off Lamb.
14TH OVER
13.6 - FOUR - Another boundary to Roberts, smashing White off his legs. Berks 65-0. Roberts 29, Barnes 28.
13.5 - Single to Barnes, punching through the covers.
13.4 - dot ball.
13.3 - Two runs to Barnes - but he was lucky there, skying one over the bowler but thankfully into space.
13.2 - dot ball. Blocked.
13.1 - FOUR - Superb from David Barnes as he smashes White through mid on for a boundary.
13TH OVER
12.6 - No run. Berks 54-0. Run rate 4.2 per over.
12.5 - dot ball.
12.4 - Roberts blocks. No run.
12.3 - Single to Barnes through the off side.
12.2 - single to Roberts, hooking Lamb to the deep.
12.1 - dot ball.
The 50 stand between Roberts and Barnes came off 72 balls.
12TH OVER - Change of Herts bowler as Simon White replaces Walker form the Nursery End.
11.6 - Two runs to Barnes, dabbing down to third man. Berks 52-0.
11.5 - dot ball.
11.4 - dot ball.
11.3 - dot ball.
11.2 - one run to Roberts. That's 50 up for Berks and a half-century opening stand between Roberts (24) and Barnes (18). Great start.
11.1 - blocked by Roberts, no run.
11TH OVER
10.6 - Misfield there, single to Roberts. Berks 49-0. Roberts 23, Barnes 18.
10.5 - Another single to Barnes off Lamb.
10.4 - One run to Roberts, leg glance.
10.3 - Roberts blocks.
10.2 - Single to Barnes off his hips.
10.1 - no run. Blocked by Barnes.
10TH OVER
9.6 - dot ball. Berks 45-0.
9.5 - dot ball.
9.4 - Barnes nearly run out after a smart bit of fielding. Close that.
9.3 - dot ball.
9.2 - Walker hits back with a great delivery that cuts Roberts in half.
9.1 - FOUR - Roberts effortlessly clips Walker for four off his legs. Brilliant stuff.
9TH OVER
8.6 - Great shot from Roberts, but smart fielding on the boundary means just one run. Berks 41-0.
8.5 - Roberts blocks. Solid.
8.4 - no run, Roberts leaves it.
8.3 - Roberts drives at mid off. No run.
8.2 - dot ball.
8.1 - Two leg byes. Superb running between the wickets, Roberts turning one into two.
8TH OVER
7.6 - dot ball. 9 off the over there. Berks 38-0.
7.5 - FOUR - again, beatifully times shot off his legs by Barnes, using all the pace of Walker's bowling. Superb.
7.4 - Barnes hits straight to fielder - no run.
7.4 - wide - has Walker been rattled by that four from Barnes?
7.3 - FOUR - delightful tickle down leg from Barnes goes all the way. Lovely stroke.
7.2 - Barnes blocks this time.
7.1 - snorter from Walker, goes straight through Barnes.
7TH OVER
6.6 - dot ball. Berks 29-0.
6.5 - FOUR. Roberts smacks Lamb through midwicket. Not very pretty, but runs all the same.
6.4 - shorter from Lamb, but Roberts mis-times his pull. No run.
6.3 - on-drive by Roberts straight at fielder. No run.
6.2 - ditto previous ball.
6.1 - Roberts blocks from Lamb. No run.
6TH OVER.
5.6 - dot ball. Berks 25-0. Run rate 4.2 per over.
5.5 - dot ball. Walker has played a bit for Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
5.4 - dodgy from Barnes there, wafting outside off. Luckily, no edge.
5.3 - Barnes blocks. No run.
5.2 - well left by Barnes.
5.1 - Walker beats Barnes outside off stump. Good delivery.
5TH OVER - change as Nick Lamb comes into the attack in place of Rudge, who went for 18 off his two overs.
4.6 - leg glance by Barnes for a single. Berks 25-0. Roberts 12, Barnes 10.
4.5 - slower ball, well defended by Barnes.
4.4 - dot ball.
4.3 - dot ball.
4.3 - wide ball.
4.2 - quick single to Roberts.
4.1 - dot ball.
4TH OVER
3.6 - Barnes leaves. Berks 22-0. Roberts 11, Barnes 9.
3.5 - defensive shot from Barnes. No run.
3.4 - Barnes leaves outside off stick. No run.
3.3 - quick single, one to Roberts.
3.2 - Straight at fielder from Roberts. No run.
3.1 - well left by Roberts. Dot ball.
3RD OVER
2.6 - FOUR - delightful cover drive from Barnes races to the ropes. Classic. Berks 21-0.
2.6 - wide - too far down leg from Rudge. Berks had a similar problem.
2.5 - dot ball.
2.4 - dot ball. Well left by Barnes.
2.3 - dot ball
2.2 dot ball.
2.1 FOUR. Superb leg glance from Barnes.
2ND OVER
1.6 - dot. Berks 11-0. Roberts 10, Barnes 1.
1.5 - two to Roberts.
1.4 - dot.
1.3 David Barnes off the mark.
1.2 - dot.
1.1 - dot off Nick Walker.
4.12pm. 1ST OVER
0.6 - dot ball. Berks 8-0. Good start.
0.5 - dot ball.
0.4 - dot ball.
0.3 - FOUR - and another slash from Roberts flies to the boundary off Rudge.
0.2 - FOUR - lovely shot by Michael Roberts, stoking the ball off his hip.
0.1 - dot ball.
4.10pm. Quick turn around for the teams. Only a 10 minute break as they have already had lunch doe to the rain-delayed start.
HERTFORDSHIRE finish on 194-9 from their 36 overs.
It was a great fightback from Berkshire, particularly in the last few overs when they stopped Herts scoring and the run rate actually came down to 5.4 per over.
Chris Peploe was the pick of the Berks overs with 3-38 from eight overs, hile Naylor (2-31), Udal (2-37), Mordt (1-30) and Lambert (1-28) taking the rest.
36TH OVER
35.6 - single to White. Tight over that from Udal.
35.5 - single to Greenall.
35.4 - dot ball.
35.3 - dot ball.
35.2 - Rubbish delivery from Udal. Leg-side full toss, but it only goes for one.
35.1dot ball from Udal.
35TH OVER - Lambert back on, this time from the Nursery End.
34.6 - dot ball. MAIDEN OVER for Lambert, and what a time to bowl one. That's the first of the match. Herts still 191-9.
34.5 - snorter from Lambert, just past the edge.
34.4 - dot ball.
34.3 - dot ball.
34.2 - dot ball. Just past the edge of Greenall's bat.
34.1 - dot ball
34TH OVER
33.6 dot ball. Herts 191-9.
33.5 - single to Greenall.
33.4 - dot ball.
33.3 - White off the mark with a single.
33.2 - dot ball.
This time Southgate has gone for 36. He top edged Udal straight to Jono McLean at long on. Herts 189-9.
33.1 - WICKET.
33RD OVER
32.6 - dot ball.
32.5 - dot ball.
32.4 - DROPPED CATCH - identical to Peploe's wicket ball. This time, Southgate smacks it right down Barnes' throat, but he spills what looked a simple catch and Southgate gets a single out of it.
32.3 - dot ball.
Rudge comes and goes quickly as PEPLOE strikes. To be fair, it wasn't a great ball, but Rudge skied it over midwicket and David Barnes held his nerve to take another excellent catch in the deep. Herts 188-8 now.
32.2 WICKET
32.1 - In the blockhole from Peploe, no run.
32ND OVER - Udal returns to the Pavilion End.
31-6 - Single for Rudge - and well fielded by Berks to keep it at one. Herts 188-7. Run rate 5.9.
31.5 - leg bye for one.
31.4 - wide delivery. Tsk, yet another one.
31.3 - Will Rudge off the mark immediately with a single.
SHAUN Udal strikes. He tempts Walker down the track, but the ball goes through him and hits the stumps. Walker out for 16. More importantly, Berks have broken up this dangerous partnership. Herts now 184-7.
31.2 - WICKET.
31.1 - Single to Southgate.
31ST OVERS
30.6 - dot ball. Herts 183-6.
30.5 - Single to Southgate.
30.4 - dot ball.
30.3 - FOUR - massive hoik from Southgate for four which brings up the 50 parternship between Southgate and Walker, off 50 balls.
30.2 - dot ball.
30.1 - Peploe returns to the Nursery End. Dot ball.
30TH OVER - Tom Lambert returns from the Pavilion End.
29.6 - dot ball. Unlucky there. Good shot by Walker but the ball hits the stumps and no run.
29.5 - dot ball. Herts swinging the bat now.
29.4 - single to Southgate.
29.3 - dot ball.
29.2 - dot ball.
29.1 - FOUR - Walker tickles one through the slips.
Big over for Herts there with 16 coming off it. Herts 172-6 now.
29TH OVER - big over for Herts there wit6 coming off it. Herts 172-6 now.
27.6 - SIX - first six of the game as Southgate hoists Naylor over long on and into the stands. First six of the day.
27.5 - FOUR - nothing wrong with that shot from Southgate, a lovely drive over the top of extra cover.
27.4 - FOUR to Southgate. He gets lucky there. Naylor was a fingernail away from taking a c&B there, then the ball splits the outfielders and races away.
27.3 - single to Walker, looking to slog.
27.2 - dot ball.
27.1 single to Southgate.
28TH OVER.
27.6 - dot ball. Good over that from Crowe. Just two runs off it. Herts 156-6. Run rate down to 5.6 per over.
27.5 - dot ball.
27.5 - wide ball from Crowe.
27.4 - Southgate single.
27.3 - dot ball.
27.2 - dot ball. Nearly a mix-up between Herts then. Southgate scampers home.
27.1 - dot ball.
27TH OVER
26.6 - Single to Southgate. Herts 154-6.
26.5 - dot ball.
26.4 - Single to Walker. Still, tight bowling from Naylor. By far Berkshire's best bowler today.
26.3 - dot ball.
26.2 - dot ball.
26.1 - dot ball.
26TH OVER.
25.6 - Single to Walker. Herts 152-6 now.
25.5 - dot.
25.4 - dot ball.
25.3 -FOUR to Walker - cheeky reverse sweep there.
25.2 - Single to Southgate through midwicket off Crowe.
25.1 - dot ball.
25TH OVER
24.6 - Single to Southgate, lucky though, off an outside edge. Good over again from Naylor. Herts 146-6.
24.5 - now Southgate swings and misses by a yard.
24.4 - single to Walker.
24.3 - dot ball, Walker swings and misses by a mile.
24.2 - single to Southgate.
24.1 - again Naylor looks dangerous. Walker with an inside edge for a single.
24TH OVER. Carl Crowe returns from the Pavilion End.
23.6 - dot. Herts 142-6.
23.5 - dot.
23.4 - dot.
23.3 - dot.
23.3 - wide.
23.2 - single to Walker.
23.1 - dot ball.
23RD OVER
22.5 - FOUR. Naylor strays on to leg stump and Southgates clips him through midwicket to the short boundary. Herts 140-6. Run rate 6.1.
22.4 - Naylor almost takes another wicket. Great line and length to Jamie Southgate who edges one between slip and wicketkeeper for four.
Excellent delivery from Naylor. The first two balls of the over drifted wide of off stump. Then his third was banged in on a length, middle of the stumps, forcing Lewis to play all around it.
A big shout for lbw went up from Berkshire and the umpire gives it. It was definitely plumb. Two wickets for Naylor now. Hets 132-6.
22.3 - WICKET.
22.2 - dot ball, though well wide.
22.1 dot ball.
22ND OVER
21-6 - Three runs to Lewis after a late cut. Herts 132-5. Run rate back up to 6 per over.
21.5 - dot ball.
21.4 - dot ball.
21.3 - Single to Walker who gets off the mark.
21.3 - wide ball.
21.2 - dot ball.
21.1 - Single to Lewis.
21ST OVER.
20.6 - dot ball. Superb over from Naylor. One run and one wicket from that.
20.5 - dot ball.
20.4 - dot ball. Walker wafting outside off stump.
20.3 - dot ball.
20.2 Single too Lewis.
A BOWLING change works a treat as Naylor takes a wicket with his first ball.
To be fair, it was a poor delivery, a waist-high full-toss. But it took Ben Frazer by surprise, he fails to middle it and Chris Peploe took a simple catch on the long off boundary. Frazer gone for 30. Herts 125-5 now.
20.1 WICKET
Another change from the Nursery End as Steve Naylor replaces Peploe.
20TH OVER
19.6 - FOUR - Another boundary there, this time Lewis with a leg glance to the boundary. 13 runs off that last Udal over.
19.5 - single to Frazer.
19.4 - FOUR - Another bad bad ball from Udal, this time Frazer with a late cut to the boundary.
19.3 - FOUR - Frazer cuts Udal for four. Lovely shot.
19.2 - dot ball.
19.1 - dot ball.
19TH OVER
18.6 - dot ball. Decent over that, apart from one loose ball.
18.5 - Single to Frazer.
18.4 - FOUR. Bad ball from Peploe gets what it deserves as Frazer cuts him for a boundary.
18.3 - dot ball.
18.2 - dot ball.
18.1 - dot ball
18TH OVER
17.6 - single to Frazer. Herts 107-4. Run rate has dropped to 5.9.
17.5 - dot ball.
17.4 - FOUR to Frazer off a bad ball from Udal, cutting the ball over the top of gully.
17.3 - dot ball.
17.2 - dot ball.
17.1 Herts skipper Andy Lewis comes to the crease. Straight off the mark with a single off Udal.
17TH OVER
ED BALLARD has given his wicket away. He looked settled, but he tried to hit Peploe back over his head for six, mis-timed the stoke and was caught by David Barnes at long off. Herts 101-4.
16.6 WICKET.
16.5 - FOUR runs to Ballard. Lovely square cut there off Peploe.
16.4 - Single too Frazer.
16.3 - dot ball.
16.2 - dot ball.
16.1 - dot ball.
16TH OVER. Change of bowler as Shaun Udal replaces Carl Crowe.
15.6 - dot ball. Herts 96-3.
15.5 - dot ball.
15.4 - dot ball - but then Herts scamper a single thanks to over throws.
15.3 Single to Ballard.
15.2 dot ball.
15.1 - single to Frazer.
BERKS are bowling too many wides - but it's understandable in a way with such a short boundary on one side.
15TH OVER
14.6 - dot ball.
14.6 - wide - poor from Peploe.
14.5 - dot ball.
14.4 - Single to Frazer.
14.3 - dot ball.
14.2 - Two more to Ballard, nice cover drive.
14.1 - dot ball.
14TH OVER
13.6 - Frazer tickles Crowe for two runs. Herts 88-3 now, run rate is 6.3 per over.
13.5 - single to Ballard who moves on to 27no.
13.4 - dot ball.
13.3 - Single to Fraser, cover drive.
13.2 - Single to Ballard down to long on.
13.1 - dot ball.
13TH OVER
12.6 - dot ball.
12.5 - Frazer to the crease - he got a big hundred in the semi-final against Cambridgeshire. He's immediately off the mark with a sweet FOUR. Herts 83-3.
Dangerman BLACKTOPP has gone. Caught deep midwicket by Craig Crowe off the bowling of Peploe.
Big wicket that as Blacktopp and Ballard were approaching their 50th partnership.
Herts now 79-3.
12.4 - WICKET.
12.3 - dot ball. Quicker delivery from Peploe.
12.2 - single to Ballard.
12.1 - dot ball.
12.1 - wide. And another poor ball. 10 extras now.
HERTS going along nicely now with Blacktopp and Ballard out there.
12TH OVER
11.6 - dot ball.
11.5 - single to Ballard.
11.4 - dot ball. Half-hearted lbw appeal comes to nothing.
11.3 - single to Blacktopp
11.2 - single to Ballard.
11.1 - FOUR more to Ballard. He smashes Crowe through the covers. Lovely shot.
11TH OVER
10.6 - single to Ballard. Herts 70-2.
10.5 - FOUR to Ballard. He hammers Peploe back down the gound.
10.3 - dot ball.
10.2 - SIngle to Blacktopp.
10.1 - dot ball.
10TH OVER
9.6 - Single to Ballard. Herts 64-2 with a run rate of 6.4 an over.
9.5 - Single to Blacktopp. Herts getting on top here.
9.4 - FOUR to Blacktopp who sweeps through midwicket.
9.3 - dot ball. Blacktopp looking to go after Crowe.
9.2 - Single to Ballard.
9.1 - Change of bowler at the Pavilion End as Carl Crowe comes on for Lambert. First ball is WIDE!
9TH OVER.
8.6. Single to Ballard. Herts 57-1.
8.5 - two runs to Blacktopp. Late cut through point.
8.4 - single to Ballard.
8.3 - single to Blacktopp.
8.2 - dot ball.
8.1 - Change of bowler as mordt (4-0-30-1) takes himself off. Peploe comes on. Dot ball.
8TH OVER.
7.6 - Long hop from Lambert nearly catches out Blacktopp who attempts to hook. Herts 52-2.
7.5 - Single to Ballard there as Herts pass the 50 mark.
7.4 - One run to Blacktopp. Dab through midwicket.
7.3 - dot ball. Good line from Lambert there.
7.2 - One run to Ballard.
7.1 - dot ball.
7TH OVER
6.6 Another FOUR to Blacktopp. An identical shot to the last, pulling the ball from off stump through midwicket. Ugly but effective. Herts 49-2.
6.5 - FOUR more to Blacktopp. Bit agricultural, but effective.
6.4 - FOUR runs to Blacktopp. Sweet square cut flies past the fielder to the boundary.
6.3 - dot ball.
6.2 - Blacktopp gets away with a thick top edge that flies up in the air, but lands safely.
6.1 - dot ball
6TH OVER.
5.6 - One run. Blacktopp hooks to deep midwicket. Easy single. Herts 35-2 off six overs.
5.5 - dot ball.
5.4 - dot ball.
5.4 - wide.
5.3 - dot ball.
5.2 - Single to Ballard, but a great stop by Peploe to save a boundary.
5.1 - One more to Blacktopp off Lambert.
5TH OVER.
4.6 - single to Blacktopp who is immediately off the mark. 31-2 now.
4.5 - WICKET. Superb ball from Mordt, just outside off stump. Lamb wafts at it and the ball flies to second slip where Shaun Udal takes a simple catch. Herts 30-2 now. Great comeback from Mordt.
4.4 - dot ball. Better line from Mordt.
4.3 - dot ball.
4.3 - and another wide from Mordt. These extras could be costly.
4.2 - quick single to Ballard there. Good running.
4.1 - dot ball for Mordt.
4TH OVER.
3.6 - dot ball. Herts 28-1 off 4 overs. 10 runs from Lambert's last over.
3.5. FOUR runs to Lamb. Nice tickle through gully for a boundary.
3.5. Wide ball.
3.4. Three runs to Ballard. This time Lambert strays down leg and Ballard clips it through midwicket. Good fielding from Berks to stop the four.
3.3 - Great bouncer from Lambert. tempted Ballard to hook. He missed, but no bat on it.
3.2 - two runs to Ballard, prodding through midwicket. 20-1.
3.1 - dot ball. Good pace from Lambert, Ballard leaves it go.
3RD OVER.
2.6 - dot ball. Herts 18-1 off 3 overs.
2.6 - wide - Mordt struggling to find his line here.
2.5 - dot ball.
2.4 - two more to Lamb, tickling one down the leg side.
2.3 - FOUR. Lamb strokes Mordt for a sweet boundary.
2.2 - dot ball.
2.1 - dot ball.
2ND OVER - to be bowled by Tom Lambert. Herts 5-0 after the first over.
1.6 - dot ball. Great opening over from Lambert.
1.5 - two runs as Lamb wafts outside off stick, the ball flying for the air for a couple. Lucky to get away with that.
1.4 - WICKET - Lambert gets immediate revenge with a snorter. Again, the delivery rears up, Hewitt gets an edge and wicketkeeper Stuart Davison takes a simple catch. Herts 9-1.
1.3 - FOUR - Lambert so close to a wicket. Left-hander Hewitt wafted at one, it bounced a bit and reared up, Hewitt gets a snick but the ball flies between first slip and wicketkeeper for a boundary. Herts 9-0.
1.2 - dot ball again. And a bit of bounce for Lambert. That one got up.
1.1 - dot ball. Bit of pace from Lambert there.
1ST OVER.
0.6 - two runs to Ballard. Nice shot through the covers.
0.5 - dot ball.
0.5 - wide ball from Mordt.
0.4 - dot ball again. Herts leaving it go through to keeper.
0.3 - dot ball. Bit of swing for Mordt.
0.2 - Hewitt off the mark for Herts with a single.
0.1 - dot ball from Mordt.
1.30pm. Looks like Berks skipper Bjorn Mordt will bowl the first over for Berks from the Nursery End.
1.27pm. And another change - Berkshire are actually FIELDING having won the toss themselves.
Apologies for that - we can't hear the announcements from the press box and the messenger got it wrong.
Anyway, play about to start in a couple of minutes.
1.25pm: Late change for Berks sees ex-Middlesex spinner Chris Peploe come in for Tom Parsons.
Seems as though Berks are going heavily with spin, with Udal and Carl Crowe the other tweakers.
1.20pm. Confirmation that Berkshire are indeed batting first.
With as short boundary on one side, we could see some big scores today.
1.10pm. Word is that Berkshire will bat first after Herts won the toss and elected to field.
1pm: Both teams are on the pitch going through their pre-match routines.
Toss should take place soon.
Time to give you the teams:
Berks: M.Roberts, D.Barnes, J.McLean, B.Mordt,(c), S.Naylor, Carl Crowe, Craig Crowe, S.Udal, S.Davidson, T.Parsons, T.Lambert.
Herts: J.Hewitt, E.Ballard, N.Lamb, D.Blacktopp, B.Frazer, A.Lewis (c), N.Walker, J.Southgate, W.Rudge, S.White, S.Greenall.
12.50pm: Quick discussion in the press box and the general opinion is that Berkshire are favourites today.
They have more players with first-class experience in Shaun Udal and Carle Crowe and have been to more finals than Herts in the past few year - winning this competition here in 2004 and losing in the 2008 final to Devon.
MAJOR NEWS - word has come through that play will now start at 1.30pm.
It will be reduced to 36 overs per side.
Credit to the groundstaff for making it possible.
12.45pm: Wow - what a transformatoin. Lord's is bathed in sunshine now - it's absolutely glorious.
All the covers have been taken off and they're marking out the wicket.
Think the teams will be tossing up soon.
12.30pm: Definitely much brighter now and the rain has stopped.
The teams could defiintely play in this weather. But the problem is the outfield, which is pretty drenched.
The sopper's doing its best to mop up the puddles.
Quick word on Lord's hospitality - marvellous. Just what you'd expect. So full, I couldn't eat another slither of smoked salmon.
12.15pm: Better news - it's brightened up and blue sky is beginning to apear above Lord's.
Not only that, some of the covers are coming off and there's much more activity on the pitch now. This is promising.
Still, play unlikely to start before 3pm.
11.50am: Bad news - the rain is coming down again now.
Just heard the plan is to start at 3pm, playing 32 overs per side.
That's a long wait for the Berkshire fans - and there's quite a few of them here, both in the stand and hospitality boxes.
They seem to be enjoying themselves, regardless of the weather.
11.33am: Good morning.
Firstly, apologies for being late. Train from Reading was delayed by an hour. No the best start.
Anyway, thanks for bearing wit h us.
Quick update - it's been hammering down at Lord's all morning, the covers are on and the outfield looks pretty drench.
The good news is, the forecast is for it to brighten up after lunch and the plan is to reduce the match to 35 overs per side, instead of 50 overs.
More to follow soon.
Welcome to Lord's where Berkshire take on Hertfordshire in the MCCA KO Cup final.
Berks will be desperate to make up for their disappointment earlier int he week when a poor performance handed the Minor Counties Championship Wester Division title to Devon.
Berks won this limited-overs competition in 2004, but also lost in the final against Devon four years later.
Wickets are pitching at 11am. Live reports will appear here..........
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 25 Aug 11
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