Leaving my trusty Girl Friday Kirsten in charge of the office I loaded up the car (including Tara the dog) and set off to stay at my brother’s overnight in Thornbury. He has just retired so was coming with me, the first time he has seem Middx “live” in 20 years.

The M4 was a nightmare, even at 8’o clock up to the Airport then it became clear. I know how much you are interested in my musical tastes so my drive was accompanied by Nigel Kennedy bashing out “The Four Seasons”, through Glenn Miller to The Idle Race and Donna Summer…Phew…steady the buffs old chap! Next morning my sister in law presented us with two big hampers full of lovely Vegan food and the odd bottle of something; don’t know how long she thought we were going to away. Sadly the rain was falling and we decided there was not point setting off yet. We got word from a friend of my brother who was working as a steward at the ground that the Umps. were looking at 1.30pm, although he didn’t sound too hopeful, then again at 2.45pm. We decided to give it a go and set off for the ground at 1.55pm.

 On arrival we discovered there was another inspection at 3.30pm, but then good news play would start at 4.00pm. Unsurprisingly there was a sparse crowd inside the County Ground. I hoped we would win the toss and field first but Jon Lewis called correctly and put us in.

 CRICKET AT LAST 

The home side who had announced they were releasing four players at the end of the season brought in Ali and Ian Saxelby for his first game of the season. As expected Danny Evans got the nod for us. Our two young Blades Billy and Dawid marched to the wicket as, amazingly, the sun came out. Not for long true. Jon Lewis & Steve Kirby opened the bowling; it could be a tricky afternoon/eve session. And so it turned out to be, good steady probing bowling meant the first 4 overs were maidens, then a blow, Billy the Kid was adjudged leg before to Lewis. 0 – 1!! Ace came out and he and Dawid had a chat before Ace took guard.

 Finally in the sixth over we got the scoreboard turning with a four from Shah.  After about half an hour I left my seat to phone in. Asked how she was getting on Kirsten replied “No Probs. Boss” ah the confidence of youth. On my way back I was accompanied by loud clapping and shouts of “come on Tango”. By brother told me that Kirby had beaten Malan’s bat with two successive deliveries. “We will be lucky to make 200” he announced. No confidence there then.

 First change brought Ireland onto bowl. Tango was bowling really quick now and hit Ace, after some treatment he had to retire hurt and was replaced by the skipper. We could do with some rain here!!!  Help it is all going wrong now, Kirby has finally dismissed Malan, caught in the slips for 8 and we are 18-2. With a longish tail I told my brother he might have been a bit over optimistic with 200. All the bowlers were getting movement and it was tough going for Joycie and Morgan. Lewis then returned and straight away the skipper was trapped in front for 13 and it’s 46-3. Good news was that Ace return to the crease. Things improved slightly until a short rain shower sent the players off the field.

We decided to hang around and consume the remainder of the baskets, well shame to waste eh? It was very short break thankfully, although I mentioned I didn’t think we would make it to the close. To be honest I felt another wicket could fall at any moment and at 64, Ireland got one to move away finding the edge of Shah’s bat and Snell took a regulation catch behind the stumps. Morgan and Scott saw us through to 73-4 when the rain returned and that was that for the day.

 Weather forecast not too good for the next couple of days, and it looks like a low scoring game, If we could get to 200, I reckon that would be a pretty good score.  

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