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Cometh the Hour , Cometh the Iceman


Great knock

By Beefy Roberts
June 21 2020

As part of our lockdown specials we are onto day 2 of a promotion decider at grace road. Another nerve racking day. 

Myself, Kev and Phil (The Power) took a morning 35 minute walk from the Travel Lodge to the ground by the canal. We arrived at the ground with the sun out and a chilly wind. There was a chat about our objectives far too many to mention. We take our seats in the 20/20 dug out, now christened the Paul Allott Interview Stand. Strauss facing Buck from the Bell End (no idea why as no bell there). We applaud his 8 to achieve his 1000 first class runs for the season. We are concerned as grey manky clouds are rolling in. Wyatt to Straussy from Pav end replies with lovely drive for 4 to the boundary. Next ball square cut for 4.

 50 partnership reached easily. Strauss 22 Robbo 27. 56 without loss after 40 minutes play, then it rained and the players were off. We hear Northants 343 all out, good news, word goes round we need 350 rather then 400 with a draw. At the same time the covers are being removed 30 minutes later and players are back on.

Some Lower Pavilisms. " I'm getting frustrated, all it does is rain here" . He tells the clouds to "bugger off". " I'm getting fed up".

 Bowler Wyatt to Robbo from Bell End, lovely straight drive for 4 the shot of the morning. White from Pav End to Strauss huge LBW appeal, too high , to our relief. But 1st wicket of Strauss did fall on 75. Slight edge caught by Flipping Eckersley bowled Wyatt.for 32. Rogers in , Buck didn't bowl to him. 2nd wicket falls as Robson again caught by Flaming Eckersley bowled Wyatt for 46. He stood his ground for a bit didn't like the decision, nor did we. I decided to go to Tesco's for food before lunch as I was having a hissy fit under pressure. I was informed on my return at lunch 86-2 with a nervous 15 minutes, which for the sake of my blood pressure was just as well I missed.

 My lunch journey helped me calm down. As the Middlesex faitfhul returned from the Cricketers Pub we were 102-2 then quickly moved to 122-2 through lots of quick singles and twos. One hesitation and a wild swipe play and miss by Rogers got me shaking. 50 partenership now up it's 134-2 all looks well even better at 150-2.

 WKT- Rogers out caught by Bloody' Eckersley bowled Naik. Very soon after that, JD out to that pain in the Naik. I mutter loudly "we can't play spin" ( minus the expletives)

 AC reaches 50 and the Paul Allott Interview Stand erupts with his song. We, well mainly Kimmy, then spent ages trying to explain to a lady  why Dawid is nicknamed AC, after a while we give up as she doesn't know her football.

 The next conversation was what if? maybe? what are the other scores?. Kev got told off for continuing refreshing his Cricket info page on his phone. The updates elsewhere weren't positive for us and tension was filling in our area.

201-4 our first batting point was celebrated. LP texted the score to someone needing updates, but announced he accidently sent this to his doctor. At 209-4 another 50 partnership to applaud, as it's now tea.

 Back in play after tea,. Kev announces " Our whole season depends on this session" as he checks other scores on his phone, that did not help our cause- it's down to us. At 250-4 a Middlesex la la la chant becomes very vocal. On 97 AC plays suicidal swipe caught by behind by Blimming 'Eck. Lower Pav now leaves as he has tickets for Mickey Mouse Champions League game at Stamford Bridge, with our whole season in the balance.

 Simmo holes out to mid off bowled Taylor caught Taylor for 55. WTF Oliie LBW for 13 313-7, all my fault as had a leak when it happened. Crook out at 320-8. I'm hating doing this report and not taking any more notes.

 I've changed my mind. Its now 348-8, thanks to a Berg 6 on 342 that just cleared the fielder at long off. We are now clapping balls that are left alone or anything that doesn't cost a wicket. Dial M clips a 4 throgh mid on, wild celebrations. Kev does a few cartwheels, not pretty. Singing gets louder. Ball lost as Bergie hits 6, now 368-8. Close 401-8 last five overs worth 51. Needless to say we were very happy, but can't take much more of this tension.

 We returned to hotel and me and Kev booked an extra night at Travel Lodge. We have a feeling we may just need it.

 

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Cometh the Hour , Cometh the Iceman
Discussion started by Middlesex till we die , 21/06/2020 19:43
Middlesex till we die
21/06/2020 19:43
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:07:24:20:57:25 by BarmierKev.

BeefyRoberts
21/06/2020 21:32
Blimey, I forgot all this!
The dug-out...loved how Leicestershire said we could move in for the game, and take it over, funny how nobody came near our temporary home!
Except one person..puerile and stupid!

We wombled every day, clearing any mess that was turning up, and leaving it tidy.
Even a club official came to us, asking if all was ok and thanking us for leaving our home tidy.

This must be the game we all went for a curry, unable to find the entrance, we just walked through a door, it was into the kitchen. A waiter kindly took us upto the restaurant and got few looks as we all just walked in!

Those were the days!

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