Loudon clears path to victory
Middlesex 323 and 330 Warwicks 272 and 383-7 (Warwickshire win by 3 wickets)
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.More importantly, they had Alex Loudon at the crease. He was a picture of determination and application as he patiently inched Warwickshire towards their historic triumph. Back in 1951, the Midland county had set the previous mark for the highest fourth innings total against Middlesex. This outdid that by some margin.
Loudon, a former Kent batsman, has begun to blossom since quitting the Garden of England. While he has yet to score a Championship hundred, he got extremely close yesterday and at least had the satisfaction of making his highest score in the competition and easily his highest for Warwickshire. Oddly, his previous best (92) had been made against Warwickshire last season.
Loudon's value rests not just with his batting, though. He has also proved himself a competent off-spinner, as his 21 wickets this summer bear witness. He will make someone a wonderful all-rounder one of these days.
His captain, Nick Knight, said: "We signed him because we thought he was a pretty special talent." Yesterday, Loudon applied that talent to making Middlesex miserable.
His chanceless innings encompassed two significant partnerships. The first, of 41 with Dougie Brown for the sixth wicket, lifted Warwickshire clear of some troubled water after three men had departed, including Knight, on whom had rested serious hopes for victory. Two of those wickets fell to fine catches in the deep by Ed Smith, Loudon's friend who also left Kent last season and is thriving in pastures new.
Brown's breezy innings upped the pressure on the fielding side, but just when he was looking settled he pushed uncertainly at a delivery from slow left-armer Chris Peploe and Ed Joyce snapped up the catch at silly mid-off.
Thankfully, another newcomer this season steadied the ship. Luke Parker, still a student, revealed some touches of batting class as he stoutly supported Loudon for more than an hour. Their eighth-wicket stand was worth 63, by which time Loudon had been out in the middle for three and a half hours.
In all, he faced 148 balls and hit a dozen boundaries. More importantly, he hit the right note for Warwickshire and hauled them away from the dropping zone.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments