Middlesex CCC
CONFRONTATIONS, MISSED WICKETS, AND MAGICAL BATTING
Well Done Bucko
By Lower Pavilion
June 6 2012
Lower Pav reports on a day that started disasterously and ended up being one of the best cricket days of his life.
I woke up early to grey unwelcoming skies. Oh well you never know. I set off early in what I thought was good time. I delivered something in my nearby village, then disaster. I was waiting at the kerbside to cross the road to get to my car when some young idiot roared past and went through a big puddle and soaked me. I had to go back and change. Some idiot's have their brains so deep up a part of their anatomy that only complex surgery would help.
I arrived at Stanmore , got on the train and then was told there were delays because of a faulty train at Green Park. I arrived at The North Gate at Lord's in a dreadful mood and about 5 minutes late. I rushed to get a glimpse of the scoreboard. Last night it was 130 for 4. I stared in disbelief, it was now 130 for 6. I rushed round to The Taven Stand, saw simultaneously Beefy, Dingy Bags and Phil The Power Taylor. and at the same time the scoreboard showing 130 for 7. This is not possible. I am doing the wretched report, I am just 5 minutes late and I have misseds 3 wickets all because of an idiot in a car.
After they had stopped laughing, Dingy Bags told me the following. Kieswetter chasing a wide one, caught Simpson bowled Berg 48. Butler bowled Murtagh for 0 and next ball Overton caught Simpson bowled Murtagh 0. They had lost three wickets in 5 balls for 0 runs. Make that 4 wickets in 10 balls as Thomas was bowled by Berg, I saw that one, for 0. Somerset were now reduced to 133 for 8. There was then a mini revival whereupon Beefy announced we had better get on with it if we wanted the final bowling point,which made us all giggle. First change of the morning saw Roland Jones come on at the Pavilion End. It then began to rain and play was suspended incredibly for the only time in the day at about 12.10 pm. An early lunch was taken and play resumed at about 1.25pm. I should say at this point Collymore was fielding and seemed to have recovered from going off early yesterday.
Berg bowled to Dockrell and Rayner unusually for him dropped a catch at slip. It did not matter as he was out soon afterwards for 5 caught Simpson bowled Roland Jones and they were 164 for 9 and Beefy had his 3rd bowling point. Shortly afterwards they were all out for 173 as Trego was out for 38 caught Morgan bowled Roland Jones.
Were we on top at this stage? I thought we were, but of course one must never judge a wicket until both sides have batted on it.
During the interval I mentioned that we were surrounded, as we were for the whole game, by revolting pigeons. They are flying rats and as the Major used to say in Fawlty Towers to Basil. Vermin Fawlty, Vermin.
Under grey skies Rogers and Robson opened the batting. We started well and in particular Rogers looked in fine form. There was a lovely off drive for 4 and a square cut for 4, same bowler Hussain and batsman Rogers. There soon followed in another over two more great boundaries, once again same bowler and batsman. Then a wicket Robson LBW off the bowling of Thomas for 9 and we were 40 for 1.
What then followed for the rest of the day was truly wonderful. Denly announced his arrival with a lovely on drive for 4 followed by a lovely off drive by Rogers for 4 both off Thomas. Rogers then arrived at 51 off just 62 balls and we were 69 for1. Rogers continued to dominate and play superbly supported by the impressive Denly. A lovely pull shot by Rogers for 4 and we were 90 for 1. There then followed a Hussain over when Rogers I think hit him for 4 boundaries in the same over. At this point I think we all began to realise we were watching something very special unfold in front of us. At tea we were 114 for 1
After tea we continued to dominate. Rogers and Denly both hitting boundaries and we progressed to 150 for 1. Denly hit two lovely boundaries to bring up his 50. Rogers was seeing the ball like a football and reached his 100 with a single through the slips and we were 176 for1. The 150 parnership then followed. and we arrived at 196 for 1. It then begain to rain boundaries. Too numerous to mention, but amongst them was a wonderful straight drive by Denly for 4 followed by a wonderful slog by Rogers for 6 off the unfortunate Suppiah who was receiving some fearful punishment and then another 6 same batsman and bowler. We were now 222 for 1 and completely dominant. Another boundary by Rogers. The Tavern boundary was taking a battering. Then a change of direction. A wonderful blow by Rogers off the bowling of Trego saw the ball this time disappear into the top of the Tavern rather than the bottom part of it. Then a wonderful moment. Rogers hit the ball for 2 to secure his 150 and at the same time saw us reach 250. This was Rogers highest score for us. Another pull shot for 6 saw Rogers go to 156. Another boundary by Rogers off Trego and then two wonderful boundaries by that man Rogers off Hussain but this time into The Grand Stand. We now reached a milestone. We arrived at 283 for 1 and this saw the highest second wicket partnership by Middlesex against Somerset. Completely and utterly glorious.
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end. Rogers was then out attempting another 6 and was caught by Suppiah on the Tavern boundary off the bowling of Trego for a truly magical and wonderful 173 which of course equalled Somerset's entire 1st innings score. Everyone rose to acclaim him and we were 285 for 2.
Malan announced his arrival with a boundary. Meanwhile Denly was moving into the nineties. Under normal circumstances his innings wouuld have been the talk of the day but nevertheless his innings was wonderful in its own right.
We then secured our 3rd batting bonus point when Malan hit another 4 and we were 302 for2. Denly was now on 99 whereupon he hit a glorious 4, yes you guessed it into the Tavern Stand for a wonderful 103
At close of play we were 321 for 2. Denly 105 not out and Malan 24 not out. We had spent the entire day in The Tavern Stand dodging 4's and 6's and it was wonderful.
Finally a special thank you to that man Rogers who I was lucky enough to sponsor for this years championship. Sir, your innings was truly wonderful to watch and I am sure will be remembered by all of us fortunate enough to witness it, for a very long time to come.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:06:11:23:53:01 by BarmierKev.
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
Rogers was just superb and electric batting from him,As LP said,Joe Denly had a terrific innings himself and it was pure distruction of the Somerset bowling,not a single person left early.
Just a shame the summer rainy season is going to ruin todays play,but who knows what could happen in this remarkable game tomorrow??
Well done LP on getting it all down!!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:06:07:08:53:59 by BeefyRoberts.
One that will live long in the memory, sending out a very positive message to everyone else in the division.
Rogers and Denly battered brillantly. Rogers batted very postively. It seems this has an impact on the other players as they tryed to score quickly as well. Rogers 173 was simply outstanding. Seen rogers score 98 and 173 at lords so being captain has affected his form-it has got better.
Overall I cannot remember a day as good as this for middlesex.Made more special with almost a full days play which i didn't beleive we would get with the weather report eailer that morning
There are Somersetians there who are posting but only on the forum of Grockles so thanks for the match reports and the links.
It's good to be fighting with you again.
Summed up the day just right!!
Kimmy
Always look on the bright side of life... de dum de dum de dum de dum dum
