Wooden bench view

By Barmy Kev
July 20 2014

At close of play Barmy Kev reports on a classics roller coaster ride for our team

Would you believe I get lost trying to find ground from hotel as I arrive 5 minutes late to news half an hour delayed start due to bowlers run ups being damp from overnight rain which I missed. The Vermin take a new position on wooden seats which are surprisingly comfortable. 

211-6 honours even looking for early wickets.  As the stand started to border on irritating a quick one by Hi Fi Rashid could not get out of way of led to a simple slip catch. Pattison soon  out Saggers taking an age before giving Dial M a well deserved first wicket.  Sidebum was caught there was no celebration so assumed bump ball another one for Dial M. With no further runs added Bresnan out caught at 3rd man. 253 all out. Remember Yorkies were 204-3 at one stage. 

Our reply. After two worrying maidens Bucko is caught behind, Our first runs were bought up in 5th over with a boundary to the biggest cheer of the day. Now I'm worried as Gubbins out for duck for 0. I've been banned from using the f o words (103 by the way). Was relieved at lunch with score 8-2. Straight after lunch more cheer as we scored a 3. Next ball Moggy caught behind for our 3rd successive duck.  An even bigger ovation as Stirlo cover drive for 4 takes us into double figures pushing run rate to marginally above 1 an over. Mightily relieved spared 11-4 as Mala drop at 2nd slip. Could this be our turning point? Perhaps  not Stirlo caught it is 11-4 force of habit announcer said for a duck. A single cheered followed by edged 4 through slips. The ball by ball commentary from me now stops as 4 and single takes us to 20 equalling our worst ever score. 

Next landmark the 50 partnership with shine off ball batting suddenly easier.  Follow on saved ,then 100 partnership more cheers. Simmo brings 50 up with 6.  Now we are talking bonus points and Kev a declaration. We are 122 4 at tea although announcer said 122 6. 

Momentum continuing after tea. Scoreboard has Simmo 98. Scores 2 I stand up and applaud on my own as mistake as Simmo actually on 88. Mala eventually out for a crucial 78. To think he was dropped at 11-3.  Simmo officially  gets a ton . Sidebum has his 5fer as Ollieis plum LBW.  Here we go again TRJ caught in slips, Simmo run himself out 110, Murts gets 2 , a usefulish last wicket stand. 232 all out. Sidebum 7-44. Would have settled for that at 11-4 or nearly 5.

13 overs left of day.  Happy Lyth had no lives and caught by Mala,  interesting day ahead tomorrow. As days of County Cricket go this certainly no matter who you support or even as a neutral an absolute classic.