I was England till Half Past Five  

Middlesex on the Beech 

Despite 3 defeats the spirit amongst Middx players around pool and beech area good.  Two close ones that could have gone either way against the " might" of England and a good club side, followed by a heavy defeat to a world class international side: nothing to be ashamed of.  While our team were chilling out, there was lots of talk of the England team whinging left right and centre about “distractions”.  

 Meanwhile, the MTWD’ers witnessed from “Haynes’s Hill” our Dessie represent W Indies legends against England legends at beech cricket.  The chant of match from “Howzat” travelling army to Goughie was “He can dance, he can’t bowl, he’s having the time of his life.  Darren Gough, Dancing Queen, nearly 70 "

England till Half Past Five.  (Local time) 

Moving on to the mega bucks game the following day, the richest game in cricket history.  I went to this one with the sole view of cheering for England and any thoughts of Middx firmly vanished from my mind.  I was fully kitted up with England colours and even considered a red, white and blue face painting option.  Posh Margaret was in a posh seat and Beefy somehow sponged an even posher one in VIP box.  The Howzat party arrive three hours early and savoured the atmosphere, which I appreciated despite the Middlesex hardcore deserting me.  As ground filling up there were a few sporadic chants of “ Ingerland, Ingerland” led by the Howzat Army at Murtagh’s Mount.   This was building up to be something special and I was really excited. Then it was all spoilt at half past five… the game started. 

 Who wants to be a millionaire? England don’t. 

England had a further unfair “distraction”, by way of a quality SSS cricket side.  They had bowlers who varied pace and put it on the spot. They had fielders who put pressure on and took their catches.  They had batsman that were looking to take charge and when bad ball arrived punished it.  England did not hit a 6 or take a wicket.  Our fielders heads dropped early on. From the start until the finish this was not a contest. The only consolation was England made Middlesex look very very good. 

 More Songs of Praise from Murtagh’s Mount. 

Due to dreadful showing it was difficult for England fan base to get excited.  Even if there was a hint of a performance, it would have been difficult to create noise for England in a tightly packed ground with their fans scattered all over.

I really thought I was finished with cheering for Middlesex here, but as matters were getting progressively worse a group of locals shouted. “How you doing Mr Middle” and "No Sex tonight for Mr Middle”.   I waved but didn’t want to join in.    I then bumped into a gent who each time he saw me, just would chant “dot ball, dot ball, dot ball dot ball,” in my direction Once Flintoff out, with all England in despair I had to do it on my own.  A loud “Middle Middle Middle”.  With the Caribbean chorus in response “No Sex Tonight” and then a cheer and ecstatic laughter. As SSS were piling on runs with ease and Ace fielding at notorious position in front of Murtagh’s Mount, I couldn’t resist an “Ur sposed to be in Pink”, which was semi acknowledged.    As game ended, with the backing up of Sorry fan next to me was chant to England team “R u Surrey in disguise?”  And that was it.  Oh no time for one more at end “We all agree, Middlesex, are better than England.”  

The Circus is over.  Final thoughts. 

On journey home the Howzat crew all agreed the highlight of the match was the awesome firework display that followed game.  This said it all, the whole series was one big jamboree, in the name of cricket.  Mistakes were made, but this was first time an event of this nature was held and lessons will be learnt.  This will never replace proper cricket, but as a showpiece this was a fantastically enjoyable  experience. and  I’m grateful for Middlesex giving me the opportunity to witness it. 

All together now.                                                                                  “ Can we play there every year    Can we play there every year”    

.        

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Songs of Praise from Murtagh's Mount
• We Ain't Gonna Stanford It - Middx v Trinidad & T.
• Sofa So Good - England v Middx @ Anitigua
• Kev? I'm Only Dancing, England v Middx in Antigua