Another blistering hot day is on the cards and after battling through the slow running underground services. Ii arrive in time for the start of play,noticing that the Mound Stand was again with children,all in good voice!

Berg takes the first over,from the pavilion end with Runsforcash (otherwise known as Jerry?)The Jerry thing was mentioned to Barmy Paul and myself by two guys on Tuesday evening,saying he doesn't like this,if anyone can shed some light on this,please do? Rrunsforcash ,being dropped on 1 yesterday  ( Ed note and plum LBW on 0) was on 64. During the second over a guy in the Edrich Upper who is probably a big cricket fan,gets up and decided to walk up to the back from the front, despite calls from the players and crowd to 'sit down' just carries on regardless( I thought more like clueless). Next over from the Nursery End, the same guy does the same from the top to front seats!!!!! At this point,a wicket and Butcher goes back to pavilion on 49 c Shaggy b Silvers- at last a breakthrough  I thought lets get more of our friends from South of the river out. Soon,a female steward is seen at the top of the stand by the scoreboard,looking like she is on a mission starts her move,coming towards me at the back,she goes down to the front for her target,there it is,a guy on his own,nobody near him,commiting the biggest sin at Lords.......on his phone being told to stop his conversation he sheepishly puts his phone into his bag.

The first hour of play produced 25 runs,with the overs being shared by Silverwood,Finn,Berg and Dexter,'Jerry' is still getting runs,up to 74 and the first drink break is called. Then the spin twins arrive, Kartik from the Nursery and Shaggy at the pavilion few good oveers from both then Finn comes back on,had a mare of an over, going for 14 ( maybe more).Sadly for me its getting to hot in the upper so I emigrate to Edrich Lower just before lunch. It's the Slurrey 50 partnership with "Jerry" and Afzaal still going along,next thing "Jerry" is dropped off Shaggy's bowling on 82 by Kartik,who,with disgust of himself for letting him go again,picks the ball up and throws it back onto the ground,I ask myself why has Malan only bowled 2 overs?

Finn takes the new ball from Pavilion end. At Lunch "Jerry" is on 87 with Afzall on 43 and while consuming a chilled beer I thought to myself that apart from the dropped catch these two don't look in much trouble. There was no offer to perambulate today, probably after the amount of school children yesterday when the offer was made turned the playing area into a playground! 1st over after lunch, Silverwood from Nursery End to "Jerry" LBW appeal, all fielders and Silvers go up in unison,umpire unmoved and with me being totally unbiased went up as well,it looked out to me "Jerry" moves into the nervous 90's and,facing Finn and being on 97 reaches his ton with another boundary,plenty of applause but i couldnt applaude I was to busy opening another can. Afzaal gets his 50 and these two also reach the 100 partnership the Middle just couldnt find a way through these two,then......another wicket (at last)Afzaal out for 58 c Berg b Finn great forward diving catch, but Afzaal stood his ground as he wasnt sure of the catch, I shout "the Pavilion is in front of you,off you go son".  Afternoon drinks,and Slurrey are on 326-4 a huge score looking on the cards. "Jerry" on 126,Walters 6. Its a Wicket, Walters LBW Kartik for 6,and now hopes are high as its the 3rd wicket of the day,a sudden cry of "Middle,Middle,Middle" from the direction of the Edrich stand,gets the "Sex,Sex,Sex reply from the Mound stand and Kartik turns and applauds.

Then at 15.25 "Jerry" finally goes for 136 lbw Kartik,and as I go and check the tennis score on my phone, I miss Tudor going for a duck,b Kartik c Berg and at tea its looking bit better with them on 357-7 with spin playing a big part.

Five Kar-tik 

During the tea interval,the only box in the grandstand try an attempt with a Mexican wave,but was more like a small ripple. After tea Shaggy to Murtaza a good appeal for a catch goes unnoticed by the umpire,Murtaza is caught by Shaggy off Kartik its 378-8, then Finn from Pavilion End to Nel, who dispatches the ball back over Finns head for 4,next ball goes for 4 as well. I'm thinking Finn needs a good rest when Comton catches Nel in front of the Mound Stand off Finn,well bowled Finn! Slurrey are finally all out for 392 with Kartik taking 5-65.

We come in to bat for our second innings,a cautious start with 1 run (an extra) from 4 overs and at 4.3 overs we get first runs on the board and we get 6 runs off 7 overs and with 11 overs left  I hope we get to double figures before the end of the days play,with 8 overs gone,we have 8 runs on the board 8.5 overs and 10 runs reached ,with 7 overs remaining. I decide to throw in the towel for the day,it was so slow going,so unfortunatly i can comment on the last few overs. On train home,was thinking shall I go or not on Friday,but then,if we get a good score upto and maybe after lunch,we could put them in and try for our first win of season,or we could bat the day out for a draw.So,all will be revealed tomorrow and i will probably be there just incase we do get the win, I wouldnt want to miss it.

A footnote,regarding Mondays game,anyone taking pink wigs to wear??

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