The weather was iffy and on journey down this was a mixture of glorious sunshine and torrential showers. However, after a downpour an hour before the start, the sun came out. Quite ridiculously, play started 20 mins late and was reduced to 43 overs a side.

After 20 runs Francis who hit an edged 6 and 4 off Clark went for a risky run. A superb pick up and throw by Betts ran him out. This went to 3rd umpire, but Francis was already walking off before the decsion was made. This set the tone for flurry of wickets, but Cox was looking dangerous and the score was approaching 5 an over with field restrictions on. Having made 42, I made a tatical decision to go to bar and came back to news that 'Rymple had bowled him through gate.

At 94-5 we were in the box seat. Wood made a patient 44 to give score respectability, but the highlight was 'Rymple's superb diving catch to get Dutch -Middlesex till he dies- out for 17. In the 40th over, the last wicket was afortutious deflection by Clark off his own bowling to achieve a run out. 179 was certainly a gettable score. But, this is Middlesex under lights.

A distarous start, with Hutton out in first over. Then my nerves were steadied by a brilliant chanceless 143 partnership between Strauss and Weekes. Weekes guided us home with an unbeaten 76 while England opener Strauss weighed in with 68. We were always above D/L and when the heavens opened up we were clear and won by 57 runs having reached 153-2.

The only bad news was update from Worser indicated Scotland were going to win, but for a miracolous collapse meant a 1 run defeat and championship party is on hold.

Finally, me and Paul Gilderserve were outnumbered in the rowdiest part of ground, but it has to be said that the banter was jovial and good natured. They didn't mind my chant "if it was wasn't for the Saltaires you'd be last". I decided against singing "can we play you every week".

So one more defeat for Worser or victory at Sussex and we are champions. For now all together, "I say were r top of the league, say we r top of league".

Please click here for a scorecard for this match

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