Monday 22nd August 2011
by PAUL FISHER

Derbyshire  v Middlesex P40 game at Queens Park

Have you heard the one about the Irishman, Englishman and a Scotsman?

Well if only there was a Scotsman to talk about then the analogy may have worked!

Paul Stirling (the Irishman) scored a brilliant 109 to help Middlesex to what was in the end, a comfortable victory.

Steven Finn (the Englishman) bowled a super spell of fast bowling to help towards victory for the Lords based side.

Despite some hard hitting from Chesney Hughes (left) and a personal best from Tom Poynton, Derbyshire were always behind the run rate and eventually were bowled out for 219, some 39 runs short.

Derbyshire won the toss and chose to field.

Derbyshire gave a debut to 17 year old England U19 all rounder Peter Burgoyne and brought Tony Palladino into the 40 over side, they left out Jon Clare who picked up a knock in the recent County Championship defeat to Northamptonshire, and also rested Tim Groenewald.

Luke Sutton continues to rest his injured finger, so once again Wayne Madsen captained the side.

It was Middlesex's first appearance at Chesterfield's Queen's Park since 1983. The Falcons had to wait till the sixth over for their first breakthrough, when Dawid Malan (16) was caught by Mark Footitt in the deep off from the bowling of Wes Durston.  Some wayward bowling by Mark Fottitt set Middlesex on their way with 17 coming off the former Notts players first over.

Stirling hit Footitt for two big sixes in his next over, and he and Robson brought up their 50 partnership in the 11th over. Stirling was dropped when on 51 by stand in skipper Wayne Madsen at mid wicket from the bowling of Chesney Hughes and this was to prove costly. Hughes managed to get Robson LBW a couple of overs later.

Former Derbyshire Captain Chris Rodgers was caught by Burgoyne at deep midwicket, so not a welcome return to Chesterfield for him. Scott Newman and Paul Stirling raced ahead and put on 52 in ten overs, before Newman was LBW to Burgoyne for his maiden wicket in Derbyshire colours. The 17 year old, then bagged John Simpson also leg before.

Stirling brought up his hundred in the 34th over and celebrated it by straight hitting Tom Knight into the cafe at the lake end. Stirling's marvellous innings was ended two balls later, when he was caught in the deep by Martin Guptill for a wonderful 109 off 81 balls. His innings included six fours and six sixes.

Middlesex lost a further two wickets and closed their innings with a competitive 253-8 after 40 overs.

Derbyshire hopes were dashed within the first over, when England international Finn, who had endured some banter from the supporters nearest the beer tent, managed to get Guptill caught behind. It was rather fortuitous as Malan dropped the ball before Simpson caught the rebound and the New Zealander was gone in the first over.

Finn put in a rather elementary bowling display and managed to remove the off stump of Wes Durston (12) with a ball that kept low. Hughes, meanwhile, was trying to keep the scoreboard ticking over and Derbyshire brought their 100 up in the 18th over. Hughes was eventually out at backward square for a brisk 66 from 69 balls, which included five fours and two sixes.

Greg Smith's disappointing form continued when he was caught and bowled by Tom Smith for 0. Derbyshire lost Ross Whiteley (9) and Peter Burgoyne (0) in rapid fashion. Wayne Madsen (left) brought up his 50 in the 30th over but sadly was out an over later to Steven Crook.

Tom Poynton, took this opportunity to make a career best score for the Falcons, with some big hitting especially two consecutive sixes off the bowling of Smith. Poynton hit 39 before being caught at long off by Sam Robson.

Mark Footitt managed to squeeze a four before being bowled by Toby Roland-Jones the very next ball.

Karl Krikken, (left) the Derbyshire Head Coach was in philosophical mood following the match, "We thought we did well to keep them to their score. I was pleased for the young bowlers at the end. Stirling's innings was superb, and it really killed the game."

Krikken was full of praise for England bowler Finn though "His quality always shines through, it was nice to get after him though towards the end, but he is a quality bowler".

The head coach was also full of praise for Burgoyne and Poynton, "Burgy deserved a chance he has played well for England Under 19's and we felt it was good for him. TP played well, he's one for the future and I'm glad he got his score today".

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