Middlesex CCC
Up Against It - Day 2 at Uxbridge
London Waiting
By Beefy Roberts
September 11 2009
Many thanks to Beefy for this superb report on the events of Day 2 at Uxbridge. Not pretty reading cricketwise for the Middlesex fan, yet somehow when events are described by Beefy such concerns ebb away, albeit temporarily. Photographs are also by Beefy. Unquestionably a report from a devoted fan; Beefy, you are truly MTWD.
Its a lovely,sunny start to the 2nd day of the top v bottom clash,but obviously not the way round we would want it.
After Kent posted a daunting 390-4 yesterday i make the short journey to the ground for the 10 o'clock opening and the " crowd" slowly make their way in probably all wondering how many will Kent make,when or if they will declare.
Murts takes the first over from the pavilion end and his first ball goes for 4 off Kemp,3rd ball a mediocer appeal for LBW but the umpire is unmoved.
Next over is Finn from Gatting Way end,to Stevens,the Middle all go up for a runout,but oddly the umpire was looking at the pavilion,why?no idea.Next the 400 and max batting points for Kent,and Finn/Shaggy having a discussion on how to remove one of these two who are looking very comfortable and 600 to declare is mentioned by the Middle faithful.
Stevens reaches 153 and the runs just keep on coming but it is Uxbridge so its not surprising,Stevens went to leave a shot but his just clips the ball Dexter and Simpson leave it and its another 4.The score reaches 449-4 and the 100 partnership and Kent look to be in a rush,declaration maybe on the minds?
First bowling change sees Shaggy from the pavilion Murts and Finn bowled from the first 50 mins,need the rest i think to myself,Simpson dropped Kemp it bounced off his gloves and Malan also missed the chance.
I go for a quick tactical move and also get a coffee returning to my seat as Kemp gets his 50,its now 464-4.
Silvers from the Gatting way end,ball hits helmet and its 5 runs,with the 2 run makes 7 but the scoreboard only gives them 5,score on 484-4 we claim those two runs,cheers Kent!The conversation then goes to how many if hit helmet 5 for helmet 4 for boundary and a no ball thats 10,then mentioned 5 for helmet ball balloons up over boundary for 6 and no ball is 12 it goes from bad to worse,or boardam watching the Kent batting show?
The disaster,my pen runs out of ink is that the end of reporting for the day? sadly for you all it wasnt as i manage to borrow a pen for the day.
Iceman from the Gatting Road,will he try for the helmet we ask?thankfully he didnt and the 500 comes up,still no wickets yet today.Suddenly two policemen arrive at the ground,Oh no,Middx have been reported for nicking those two runs earlier,they are here to try and find who took them!
Its lunch,and Kent have crawled along to 536-4,Kemp on 91 Stevens on 187.
Fancy a bat on that, son?
After lunch,with Iceman fielding he stops the ball with his knee,goes down in a heap in pain thats all we need,another injury but he slowly gets up,he probably was asking himself "Wheres my Kimmy to rub it better?"
Kemp reaches 100 off 141 balls as he launches the ball into the car park and further as its a lost ball,that brings up the 200 partnership,Stevens gets to 202 no and is closing in on his career best of 208.Then it happens been waiting all day and its a WICKET Stevens b Malan 208 equaling his best,good innings.
Rob Key seen on pavilion is the declaration due the score is 592-5 but its not happened and we have Iceman still looking in pain as he exercises the knee.
Kent reach 601-5 and another WICKET 608-6 Tredwell c Dexter b Shaggy 19.Its getting slow now 629-6 grumbles of when will they let us bat etc are heard
Drinks are called and the Kent 12th man is out with the towel and gloves its message time,after drinks Mahmood sends the ball into the Gatting Way as a car is going by,luckily enough it just hits the tyre ,driver gets out chucks the ball back and goes on his way.The ball is sent all over the place and finally its here the declaration on 652-7 with Mahmood on 29 and Kemp on 138 no.
Its a ground record score by Kent,and we wait to see how we reply on this run getting pitch.
Score is 13-0 when Kent appeal for London LBW,umpire is unmoved,over at the tented area Finn is with the radio commentary with Shaggy and Richo in the beer tent( hospitality tent)
It's a glorious day at Uxbridge
Middle are 25-0 and Kent are using spin both ends chasing those bowling points.
Tea is taken and we return to face the bowlers hungry for bowling points,then its 29-1 London LBW by Tredwell but he hadnt looked comfortable all his innings,Housego in An appeal for LBW on Housego Holder un moved.
Another wicket Compo bowled by Mahmood for 30 his off stump goes flying its 57-2 Malan comes in and yet another appeal for Malan caught in the slips,again not given its 66-2 then the score moves on to 68-3 appeal for LBW on Malan this time its given and Dexter comes in,its 72-4 another appeal and its Housego LBW Mahmood,we are in heaps of trouble now with the follow-on looking very possible,Simpson comes in ,two boundaries each by Dexter and Simpson and we are steaming along now its 81-4,yet another appeal for LBW Dexter this time and Holder doesnt give it,from his actions he wasnt sure.Then,we make it to 100 for the loss of just 4 wickets. A final appeal of the day for LBW on Dexter Holder again not moved.
Stumps its 109-4 and lets hope( and pray) we can get a decent score on Friday,im sure Iceman will as number 1 fan will be there to lend her support.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:09:14:20:11:54 by Ged.
After i panicked thinking i got report wrong,i asked a couple of people who saw same incident and said it was Gareth,i could sit back,relax and watch the lads carry on playing.
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
