7^th May 2008

LVCC2 Essex v Middlesex

Chelmsford

The day starts well when I oversleep, and have to fight for the bathroom with my brother who’s also running late for work. Perfect. And then I miss my train to Chelmsford from Liverpool Street as my Dad has decided to take the long way round to the station. Excellent work. But I’m on the next one at 10.30, and arrive at 11.10 safe and sound to find us batting in the glorious sunshine.

Billy G and Straussy seem to be going well, although how Billy can bat in his jumper I can’t fathom, seeing as I’m dying of heat in just a T-Shirt, and seem to be applying sun cream every half an hour. The openers put on 85 before all too soon Godleman was caught behind for 29 and the Captain’s reign at the crease was short lived, caught in the slips for a duck.

So it was up to Strauss and Joyce, and they attacked the Essex bowlers with aplomb, Strauss making an excellent 88 before Middlebrook had Strauss caught behind. This seemed to invite something of a collapse, Joyce was lbw to ten Doeschate for 66, while Morgan and Nash didn’t hang around, making 18 and 5 respectively, while Murtagh could only muster four. Philander put in a good slog, socking a six out of the ground, and he remains 23 no at the close of play with Udal 2 no, leaving Middlesex 263-7. Middlebrook was the pick of the bowlers with 5-59 from 32 overs.

Disappointing to lose so many wickets after being 192-2, was hoping we’d be able to breeze past 300 easily. However the weather was fabulous and I didn’t get sunburned while my friend did, and I did enjoy seeing the fruit loop that is Andre Nel running around jumping on people’s backs. Only sour point was losing so many wickets after being in such a good position.

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