Solid.Found his shirt

By London Leprechaun and Barmy Kev
May 26 2012

The London Leprechaun and Barmy Kev describe thier remote views of todays play. This includes intermittent reception, distractions elsewhere and maybe a mange trois. Like the game not the most captivating of stuff , but this captures the spirit of die hard Middx fans who were unable to make the game.    Actually this may be worth a read. 

London Leprechaun Starts Off

The plan was to have the Test on pictures, and Middlesex commentary on the radio.  But BBC technical problems, yet again, mean no commentary until well into the first hour.  So Cricinfo commentary has to substitute. Which to start

which is mainly "bowler to batsman no run."  and occasionally "bowler to batsman one run"  Which is fine, because it is not saying "bowler to batsman OUT"  Seems as if Middlesex openers are making steady progress. When the commentary comes back on it reinforces this feeling. Batsmen sound settled, a few boundaries keep the score board ticking over, and radio conversation turns to breakfast, the match tomorrow, weather in Washington and other things including of course the Surrey result. Nice to know that radio commentators can drift like us ordinary spectators. 

The serene progress even gets Kevin thinking about the possibility of the W word, and whether Lancashire were over defensive in their declaration.  A slight hiccup just before lunch when Sam Robson is given out, but it does not feel worrying and the pace continues after lunch.  There seems to be no alarms in the pitch or in  the bowling and as long as this continues maybe there will be a chance to try something daring after lunch? Is there a hint that maybe this is in their minds when Chris Rogers gets very cross with the groundstaff who are slow to move a sightscreen.

At this point the torch is handed over to Kev for the rest of the match. Please don't drop it with a clatter of wickets!

BARMY KEV TAKES OVER

As London Leprechaun hands over the torch, I'm about to go out at 3pm for routine domestics. I'm reliant on I phone for updates. 1 wicket down and hadn't even thought about the run rate. In the 1/2 hour gap till I next had chance to look at phone as I was in impatiently waiting in a queue we were 170-1 afer 70 overs. I calculated with 40+ overs remaining at something like 6 an over an unlikely victory could still be be possible. In 1 day game this is gettable, but fielding restrictions etc not really likely. My next look at phone another 16 runs in 6 overs convinced me this was just batting practise.

Arrived home. Mrs Barmy is going to get more attention than normal when we are in, Middlesex are playing and Kevin Hand is in background ( Wifey has on occasions to compete with 2 Kevs).  His first comment I heard was Middlesex are "going through the motions". Indeed the commentators seemed to do that with lots of killing time random comments. There were relevant references to the test match and if Middlesex lost a wicket would Morgan be "promoted" to give him much needed practise in the middle for the Middle.

The only other note of interest was an email read out from a Derek Britton. Thought this our moderator Diamond Ruled OK. I texted him with a comment and he said it was not him but his message was to follow. Indeed a Middlesex Till We die representative had an E mail read out in Derek's name. I forget content of this, but was memorable. Then there was an Email from Derek from Brighton,hence possibly the confusion. It doesn't get much more exciting than this.

So as match peters out and Mrs Barmy is getting privelege of half of my attention. DT mentions if we get 6 6's off this over it maybe interesting again. Kevin Hand out of character says "umpires get on with it" and there is a massive cheer of relief from the commentary box as match is over delared as a draw.

Then he reflects on a good game of cricket. Could have Lanky made it more interesting with a more challenging declaration? And in very hot conditions well done to our 3 batsmen especially Bucko who carried his bat right through. DT's final comment I heard was Middlesex certainly look like a competive side in this league. That'll do for me.