That kind of day

By Seaxe Man
September 20 2013

Seaxe Man fills in a frustrating cricket day with weather reports, catering information and news of a special Yorkshire presentation. And a bit of cricket as well. Get your teeth into this,

Travel/Weather.
 
The forecast promised armageddon for this day, so kept a watchful eye as the 7.35 ex Kings Cross headed towards Leeds with stops at Stevenage, Grantham, Doncaster,Wakefield Westagate and finally Leeds. The platforms were dry at the first two, though the sky remained cloudy throughout. However at Grantham it was damp and was so at the remaining stops.
 
Typically, when leaving Leeds on the connecting train to Burley Park, the windows were being splashed with a drop of Radlett. On alightment at BP, it became a persistent drip but joined by the Power and later Barmy Kev, we made up the Headingley Trio.
 
Rain delay 10.30 until 3pm.
 
Paid 10 quid for the old git's concession ticket. Noticed that the Yorkies were using up their quota of Scarborough Festival tickets, as the ticket claimed I had just entered Scarborough Cricket Club.
 
Fortunately on arriving in the Members Long Room, Power and I discovered that an opening ceremony was taking place: this was to commerate the erection of a board displaying the names of all Yorkshire players who were selected among the Five Wisden Cricketers of the Year over the years.. Something we ought to follow suit on methinks.
 
This ceremony was attended by a fair number of famous old Yorkshire players amongst whom  Geoff Boycott and Ray Illingworth were noted. Dickie Bird was also in attendance.
 
We saw and spoke to ex President Geoff Norris and Alvan Seth-Smith who also were present. Including Phil and I, there were probably around a dozen Middlesex away regulars in the Room.
 
The pre lunch session was washed out with persistent drizzle with the groundstaff off and on. Had a chat with Yorkie Dave, who is a friend (for those who know her) of Posh Margaret. When lunch was served, it turned out to be a speciality, 'Bangers and Mash' topped up with Apple Pie and Custard in jugs which you could pour out yourself. For nine quid, I thought a very decent deal.
 
As I tucked into the B and M, could'nt help thinking of the line from the Peter Sellars/Sophie Loren song, ' Give us a bash at the Bangers and Mash me Muvver used to make'.
 
Barmy Kev had by now joined the group from his later train. Fairly clear that he had already been on the sauce.

I'm only here for the sauce
 
After lunch, some optimistic start times were delayed due to further Radletting, but eventually a 3pm start was on the cards. On the way round to the Trueman Enclosure beneath the Monstrosity Pavilion, we fell into step with Dickie Bird and chatted on the way.
 
Reminded him of the time I saw him eating fish and chips in Jack's at Uxbridge when umpiring there. Said he remembered umpiring at that venue but not the fish and chips. We bade him farewell and continued to the FT Enclosure. 
 
The cricket.
 
Bergie and Corey said hallo as they entered the field of play saying 'it did'nt look too good'. A previous start of 2.40 had been delayed due to further murk and drizzle. But finally at 3.00 clock the players took the field. After the magic rope went round. Initially it was claimed that 48 overs remained. This actually proved to be 30 overs. Overnight. Yorkshire 4 for 0 after 5 overs. Tea was to be at 4.30 regardless. This became 4pm as a further bout of Radletting brought that forward.
 
Corey opened from the Rugby Stand End and Murts from the Pavilion End. In Corey's first over Lyth shoulders arms and departs lbw for 0. 4 for 1. This was his 4th ball. Williamson entered. He took 2 off his first ball from Murts but departed to the same bowler for 2. 7 for 2 and Kev does a quick Middle Middle Middle, his face wreathed in smiles... he managed to miss the first wicket..
 
The overhead murk was making batting far from easy. Optimistic runout attempt by Joe went for overthrows. With Buck setting attacking fields, opportunities for boundaries and or/ quickly run twos, where the damp outfield slowed the ball, were there. So the runrate was always fast as the batsmen looked to accelerate. 31 for 2.
 
A lifting delivery by Murts was top edged by Jaques but  evaded a run back and attempted catch by the slip fielder, just. Lucky man. However, Murts claimed his wicket soon after. Caught by Mala in the slips for 21. 40 for 3. Wicket due to MTWD pressure!!!The skies were once again darkening.  

That's dark for you
 
Gale straight drove Murts for 4. Good shot. Bairstow was then bowled by Corey for 3. 50 for 4. The lead then 132 runs. The players then left the field at 3.55 and tea was called for for 4'o'clock. Covers coming on. Weather, sun fleetingly coming out amidst dark clouds. The crowd as you could expect was pretty much a smattering around the stands.
 
Play resumed at 4.25. Berg came on at RSE. Runs came at a pace, 4's and fast run two's. A fairly rapid stand  between Gale and Ballance. Ollie had joined the attack from PE with the score at 98 for 4. Gale 31, Ballance 32. The 100 came up at 5 'o'clock. A square cut off Helm for 4 brought Ballance his 50. The next wicket to fall that of Gale I did not see. This was due to the need to leave to get our connecting train back to Leeds for the 1815 service to KX.
 
However, luckily, Yorkshire Dave caught us up at Burley Park and updated us. The wicket fell at 129, Gale 40 lbw to Helm. 129 for 5.The players left the field for badlight and rain shortly after. Close of play. Yorks 130 for 5 off 35 overs. Ballance 53 not out Rashid 0 not out. This was Phil and I's final Middlesex cricket for 2013.
 
PS
 
The debate of whether the hosts had enough runs continued on the way home. With a lead of 212 overnight, it was thought, Yorks would bat on for awhile. Bowling conditions likely to remain good on day 4. The Middle punters were not overly optimistic. 
 
Tom Helm. A tall bowler made an interesting debut . Not a lot of detail in Playfair. But I guess at the mo, medium fast. Anyway, 3 wickets so far in this match, not a bad start. Born in the adjoining county of Buckinghamshire, at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.