His frustration was understandable,as the umpires Steele and Mallender (just voted umpire of the year) brought the players off in accordance with new playing regulations introduced this year giving them sole control of weather conditions.

Previously the light would have been offered to the batters,and declined with play continuing until it had worsened,and the batsmen asked to go off.

A bad rule introduced more with regard to possible litigation from players,umpires or spectators in case of injury when play continues in less than reasonable conditions.  Daft, badly thought out,and all suffer.

But to the start of the day,and an early start from home at 6.a.m.coach to Milton Keynes, hearty breakfast in the bus station and on to Hampton North, arrived with the score already past 50,and ex-Yorkshire,Derbyshire and England batsman John Hampshire (only name to be dropped today)filled me in on the early goings-on.  John, an ex-umpire, is now an Umpire's Moderator,and reported wayward bowling together with some playing and missing,and aggressive batting from the openers.

A depleted Northants attack looked distinctly unimpressive as the 100 partnership was quickly posted, before Billy attempted an unwise paddle shot to Monty Pannesar and was stumped.  The dejected batsman has yet much to learn.

Meanwhile Andy was in prime form,displaying his trademark pull shot,driving powerfully on both sides of the wicket and the score advanced rapidly.

My lunch came courtesy of a press voucher for a fiver courtesy of the Telegraph Cricket corrspondent, most welcome.

After lunch Ace was content to give his partner most of the strike as he stuggled at first with his timing. 

Andy reached a magnificent century,and Ace finding his form aided him in taking advantage of sonme poorly directed bowling.

We had been put in by Nicky Boje this morning,perhaps he knew that light would bring early relieve for his struggling side.

The 200 came up,Aces 50,and Tea was taken at 273-1.  Soon after the umpires convered and the result was inevitable as Northants players rushed for the dressing room whilst the batsmen made their feelings known.

Andy had been seeing it like a football all day and he was not a happy man coming off.

One thing was for sure; when you come off for light on September 24th, there certainly aint no going back.
Play was called off just after 5, and Andy was seeing it like a football once more, only bigger, as we indulged in a game of six-aside soccer on the outfield.

It was under 30s v. over 30s with jumpers for goalposts, and the oldsters immediately came under heavy pressure,five minutes had gone when classy midfielder Billy sent Adam clear through on goal,and the flaxen-haired striker slotted home past the deapairing Shaggy, it looke like there was more to come as further gloom descended and I went off for my tea.

A good day for us but with a bit of common sense applied it could have been better still.