Early pressure

By Barmy Kev
August 19 2018

Barmy Kev reports on a difficult day for Middlesex , some slip ups but a late fightback.  

After our dismal 20 20 campaign, don’t ask about my football teams, it was with hope and relief to turn up for some proper cricket.  Due to no trains from Euston West Ham Tony kindly game me a lift. The journey was spent moaning about our many sporting woes. As passing Bedford on M1 I said playing a struggling Northants side couldn’t be a better opportunity for us to turn our season round.  

At ground most mystifying to hear Rayner not playing.  I did worry about how this would reflect on our slip fielding. Also, a universal challenge for Bamber lies ahead.

1st over ball swinging all over the place Murts beats Duckett 3 times with no joy. Harry who was less dangerous gets early wicket bowling Duckett. A second wicket stand was becoming irritating especially when Moggie dropped Vasconleos in his 20s a dolly at slip. Soon after Proctor is plum LBW playing across the line. There was another missed chance in the slips. 107-2 at lunch but feeling this is not good. With early conditions was expecting at least 4 down. 

After lunch what seemed too long to wait for a wicket, Wakeley caught behind 133-3. Someone shouted glad it wasn’t edged to slips. Levi looked good (it’s in his genes) until he was out not for 501 but 41 in one day mode giving Mala catching practice from a baseball shot. Meanwhile Vasco made his ton and obvious references to that dropped catch. 235-4 at tea this still looking bad. 

Vasco on his career best score 140 not relying on catches is clean bowled by Bamber, his starter for 1. The new ball is taken we are wondering why Harry is not taking it. He is eventually given it and straight away takes two in two balls giving him a Michelle.

While I was disappointed we did not take a further wicket I was relieved we did not have to bat tonight and in our favour the runs dried up . Ollie replacing Moggie who had injured finger missing a harder one in the slips   

332-8 at close. Honours even. Here’s hoping our batsmen fulfil their potential tomorrow.