Thanks

By Masters
September 9 2010

Masters reports on a shortened days from Lord's. We hear about bread pudding, custard tarts, David Steele and what Owais Shah and Scott Newman said to her on the stairs in the Pavilion. Oh and there is cricket as well, great report, read on... .

Telephoned comebackgatt last night to ask, in view of the forecast he was still coming up. Why not he replied. So I arranged to meet him at St John’s Wood station at 10.00am, gave myself plenty of extra time in case of a “knock on” from the tube strike but arrived in good time. CBG was not there (typical) so I wandered off to a local baker and bought myself some bread pudding and custard tarts (he loves them).

On my return he was waiting so we strolled along to the ground. Isn't it great when you enter Lord’s via the Nursery end, suddenly the hub bub of St John’s Wood goes and you are in the peace and calm of headquarters.  As we walked around the ground we noticed all the lights blazing on the scoreboard, and we knew bad light would stop play. Very, very gloomy, more October than September and I mused whether we would get any play at all.

CBG had promised me he would take me in the Pavilion, and true to his word in we went, he signed me in as a guest. He showed me where to go for a toilet break and we went our separate ways. We then walked through the Long Room, oh the history; CBG told me he would show me around later. Up some more stairs, he pointed to a door and said that was the Middle dressing room, up one more to the top tier. We turned right into the turret and he showed me where he used to do reports on hospital radio and sometimes Middlesex Club Call (show off!”!).  We plonked ourselves down and chatted and waited. 

  Finally play underway after about half an hour break.  To be honest doesn’t look my brighter to me.0-0 with Finny and Newman at the crease, Finny having played out one over last night from Richardson.  17 for first wicket, then a comedy of errors Newman plays one on leg side, calls for run that was never there and Finny was run out by a direct hit from Alan Richardson. Enter Simpson; Newman has cracked a couple of boundaries. These two added 21 before Simmo attempted to flick Shantry down the leg side , seemingly forgetting that Moeen had been placed at leg slip to Moeen , Simmo gone for 9, 38-2.

A bit of rebuilding required I think, that brought Ace out to bat, in his last match for the Middle. He got a great reception from the small crowd; we both stood up and applauded. Andrew was brought into the attack and dispatched with ease by Scottie who smashed 4 x 4’s off his first over. 50 up.   Richo back in attack, second ball going for 4 leg byes and with lunch approaching we wondered whether Newman would get his fifty. He couldn’t seem to get the strike but with the last ball before the interval he took a single to go through to another fifty, what a fine end to the season he has had. Lunch 77-2, Newman 50, Shah 9

We decided we would save raiding our tuck bags and go down into the long room. As we were going down, Scottie and Ace were coming up, I say well done to Scotttie and good luck to Ace, both smiled and said thank you. CBG then took me on a tour of pavilion, really interesting and wonderful to be actually in the pavilion, probably everyday to most followers but a bit special for me. We discussed going into the museum, but time was moving on decided to skip it till maybe next season. We had a quick look in the shop and on our way back CBG said he had to ring the office. Didn’t hear the question, but he looked at me, smiled and said” you have that tour you went up for last week” I was over the moon (sorry footie term there), rang hubby to tell the good news and back we went to consume our lunch. Was CBG working out in his head the commission he will earn? (joke boss) 

We tucked in as the players came out, as, fleetingly did the sun. Heard the lunchtime scores, Essex determined to go down with a fight and still no play at Canters (hubby a Kent Member, although not there today). Newman kept up his fine knock but on 114, was caught by Shakib hooking for 78. Malan needing just 10 for his 1000 runs for the season got to 999 when he given out caught of his gloves by Cox off the bowling of Shakib , AC didn’t seem too impressed with that decision. 131-4, wobbling a bit.

Worcs fielders up now as they need every point they can get from this in case Glam or Glos slip up. That brought young Dan Housego to the wicket, first time I have ever seen him bat, although I know he has done well in the seconds. Played some nice shots, but the next landmark was Ace’s 50 from 115 balls including 5x4;s and one six

.Blow, comfort break required, CBG asked whether I knew where I was going, yes I can remember, so he tells me the story of David Steele in his first test at Lord’s v The Windies when he went down too many stairs and was ready to bat in the gents!!Mission accomplished, sun gone in again but cloud doesn’t look too bad, are we going to get a full play for the rest of the day? 

 Stand of 67 broken when The Estate Agent (thanks MTWD for these nicknames) was caught by Solanki off Moeen., another catch to leg slip, not a position you see too much these days according to CBG.198-5, enter the skipper. Safely through to tea with the score 210-5.

Out came, to CBG’s delight,  the bread pudding and custard tarts, go easy I told him I was treating him dinner at veggie restaurant at close of play. Now to be fair he doesn’t fill his face all the time but.... looked out and saw a few drops of rain falling but didn’t amount to much and the players returned on time. However clouds were circling Lord’s and after six more overs everyone trooped off due to bad light, score 244-5, Ace 70 Dexter26.

Rain started shortly afterwards, CBG looked out the back of the pavilion and said there were a lot of black clouds approaching, but fingers crossed. It would be great to see Ace get his 100.Sadly it was not to be the case, the rain got heavier, we stuck around for about half an hour and then called it a day, and set off for our early dinner.

That is it for me, and CBG, for this season although I didn’t get to see much due to work but hope to be back at Lord’s more next year,I even promised I would go to a away match or two.