Middlesex CCC
Rain spoils a Grand Day Out
In fine Fettle
By Masters
August 13 2010
Our newest reporter Masters reports from Lord's on an exciting day's play ruined at the end by the rain. She follows the day closely and it makes a good read.
Not sure how I got into this. I rang comebackgatt to ask if he was coming up for the last day’s play and he said he couldn’t. Then on the train in from Frimley I get a text asking if I could report on the day’s play. How could I say no! Anyway at Waterloo dashed into Smith’s to buy a pad and pencil so raring to go. My man is a keen Kent fan (no one’s perfect) but I have followed Middlesex for awhile. Have not got to see much live cricket over the last few years as working but now, as we actors say, I am “resting” ( nudge nudge agent!!) so have seen a few days play.
Anyway enough about me. I arrived at Lord’s in good time, weather overcast but hopefully will stay dry, could be a good day’s play (or all over before tea) I took my place in the Warner stand.Overnight we are 168-4, a lead of 105 runs with Shah not out 25 and night-watchman Roland – Jones on one.
Leicestershire’s skipper Hoggard starts with his spinners Henderson and Naik who by all accounts got some turn late yesterday. Steady start but at 187 Roland-Jones is out, Hendo finding the edge of the bat, it flashed to Taylor at short leg who could not hold on it and but it rebounded to Boyce who held on. TRJ gone for 13. As Gareth Beg made his way to the wicket, the visitor’s 12th man came out with drinks...at11.20! Crucial partnership this.
Couple of landmarks reached first the 200, then Shah’s 50, well deserved applause from the small crowd. However, he added only another five before giving Du Toit his third catch of the innings off the bowling of Naik and we were in trouble at 226-6 a lead of just 163. That was the last ball of the 80th over and as the new batsman made his way out I pondered whether Hoggard would take the new ball. He did.
Josh Davey was the new man, the first time I have had a look at him. Sadly, it turned out to be a short look as he was quickly on his way back to the hutch without scoring edging Buck with unnerving accuracy to Du Toit at slip. That started a period where our boys seemed intent on giving catching practice to those behind and in the slips. Gareth Berg, after a couple of fours, went for 21 caught behind by New for 21, Udal also behind off Buck for 9 and finally Collins to a catch in the deep off Hoggard for one, leaving Murtagh not out 8 and we were 255 all out.
The last five wickets falling for just 29 runs.Leicestershire need 192 to win.
Two overs before lunch but it was quickly punch the air time as Smith was bowled by Dial M first ball. Lunch arrived at 10-1
Texted CBG with the details (he knew as it seems he has Sky text on in the corner of his office, do some work man). He texted me back scores from Derby and Guildford, important if we are going to finish above Derby and that team from South of the River. Yes, I know I live in that county.
Delved into large bag to find sandwiches and some light liquid refreshment. Mulled in my mind whether many MTWD’s were in the ground, not that I have a clue what they look like. I read the board quite a bit and feel I know a lot of you.
Lunch consumed went for relaxing stroll around the whole ground. Passed the museum, never been in there, and the pavilion, never been in there although CBG has promised me that for day of Worcester game (if not working). Returned to seat as five minute bell sounded. What will the afternoon session bring I thought, a nice early clatter of wickets?
Boyce and Du Toit get after Pedro after lunch but Tim is much more difficult to get away, move the odd ball away from the batsmen finally finding the edge of Du Toit’s bat caught by the cute looking Dawid Malan and it’s 28-2. Enter one of our Nemesis, James Taylor, who scored a hundred in the first innings and a double hundred at Leicester early this season. Can’t control myself as I shout “YES” as Pedro gets one to swing in late and Taylor is lbw for nought...29-3 game on.
How I love the sound of crashing wickets in the early afternoon.
Damn I need a pee, I ask the guy sitting nearby if he would keep an eye on my stuff and he politely says yes. On the way back I hear a big appeal but haven’t missed anything, the guy tells me Pedro had a loud appeal turned down. Dexter changed the bowling, interesting figures Pedro 8 overs 1-38, Tim 2-7 from 8. TRJ and Udal come on. Boyce and Nixon chipping away at the total and I’m getting nervous, texted CBG for encouragement, got some, two more before tea he says. Almost straight away Ace is brought on and with his 10th ball has Nixon caught by Newman and it's
84-4
Tea arrives at 85-4, Boyce the danger man, he is 48 no, 108 to win.Really glad I came, searched in bag for large piece of bread pudding I had bought on the way in and something to swig it down with.
Worryingly there are some dark clouds coming from behind the pavilion, Boyce goes through to a good fifty but as the cloud cover the ground Shaggy clean bowls him and it’s 92-5. Naik comes out, faces one ball and then troops off with everyone else as it starts to rain, how very frustrating. Back on again, 97 to win for the visitors 5 wkts for us.
Text hubby to say will not be doing any retail therapy, game too exciting. To my surprise Dex brings on Pedro, who immediately concedes 10 from his over, I would have thought Tim or Dex himself a better bet with 80 needed. New hits 16 off 9 balls 2x4 from Pedro and then 2x4 from next over from Udal. The game shifting slightly to the visitors before it rained again with 67 to win.
I reckon that is it but thought I would hang around. Well got two more very short periods of play before match declared a draw with the score 139-5, Leics finishing 54 short, with New 41no. What an anti climax to a really good days play, although the visitors will feel they could have won, Middlesex were still in with an outside chance of victory as the batsmen would have had to chance their arm a bit.
Are well, back to the hustle and bustle of Waterloo and my train home.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon13/08/2010 10:20
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:08:20:19:20:41 by Ged.
Whenever I go to cricket, I also wonder whether I am unknowingly sitting near any MTWD users or am walking past any of them at intervals. There are a few MTWD users who I know what they look like, but there are others who I don't know. I don't know whether anyone has any great desire to know what I look like, but if they do then they probably also unknowingly either sit near me or walk past me.
It is coincidental that someone called Masters should do a report for a match involving Leicestershire as the Essex fast bowler David Masters used to play for them and his brother Daniel (according to Cricinfo they are brothers, yet this is not mentioned on Cricket Archive, although further evidence that they are related is that both as well as father Kevin were born in Chatham) has played three 40-over matches for Leicestershire, two in 2010 and one in 2009.
Click here to read why I sensationally sacrificed the big bucks of Chelsea for the adventure of Watford
(image on left not representative of how relative my support of Watford is to my support of Middlesex)
I saw you with your father at Uxbridge, the day after he did his report, so that's how I know what you look like.
