Middlesex CCC
Scarbaro produces Fair Draw
Legend must stay
By Seaxe Man
September 4 2006
Seaxe Man produces a comprehensive report from the Scarboro fair and his trainspotting build up. A match that swung more than Silverwood's bowling and quality performances from a Yorkie reject, a legend and a convalescing captain. Sadly, but maybe a relief, rain had the final say.
The Scarboro Prelude. Trainspotting
Came up Monday compliments of LUL/GNER/1ST TRANSPENNINE. Left The Cross at
9.00am and arrived in Scarboro at 12.30. This included a tarnsit change at
York. So not bad. Sunny on arrival so sat watching the harbour traffic.
Suddenly a rain squall arrived, so forced into the hotel pdq. A spell of
rain followed but on cessation it remained dry for the rest of the day.
Tues - spent the day on The North Yorkshire Moores Railway. An interesting
trip and a tribute to the Victorian engineers who built this, when Midd-x
were still a gleam in the eye of the Walker Bros of Southgate.
(Editors note- please no anorak comments addressed to our intrepid reporter)
Day 1 Kruis strikes while our legend evades the missiles
Wed - awoken at 5.30 to the sound of screaming gulls. Sky cloudy. Made my
way to the ground where I linked up with the rest of the Midd-x Barmy Army
and also had a chat at the gate with Peter (The Ice Cream Man of Southgate
and Shenley fame ) with his good lady Ivy. We reminisced over his trip to
India and he also (as a 'watching member' of Midd-x ) expressed
disappointment and concern over the events of this season. A view I must
say, shared by many others including your scribe.
Saw on Ceefax that Hoggard was released to replace Gillespie ( in a boot
camp somewhere in Queensland). We on the other hand were short of JD and Ed
J. - replaced by BH(capt) and Silverwood. Morgan was replaced by Peploe. As
they say in politics - a week is a long time in cricket. The ground which is
the largest outground in England (capacity 12,000) looked about half full. A
lot more than I would have expected at Headingley. This apparently was their
best opening day crowd at this ground for 5 years. What an attraction Midd-x
and relegation are.
1st session - we lost the toss and were asked to bat in very bowler friendly
conditions after overnight rain. BH and Compo opened. Smithie at 4. 1st over
from Hoggard produced a single. Kruis who has impressed me in the past -
removed Compo for 1. Hutton was bowled by a no ball from Hoggy and Shah then
departed LBW for 0. Again to Kruis. 10 for 2 and not looking good. Ed S then
came in at 4 and got off the mark with a 4 to 3rd man. A couple of 4's from
Smithie raised the score to 39 before Hutton was then ct at the wkt off that
man Kruis. 39 for 3. Kruis 3 for 10 at this juncture. The Walrus then joined
Smithie and a restorative stand developed. 50 was raised in the 18th over
with a superb off driven 4 by Ed. A single by Scott S brought up the 50
stand in the 31st over. The overhead conditions were now murky and had been
so for an hour or so. The 100 came up in the 34th over so the scoring rate
was not bad. Smith brought up his own 50 with an on driven 4 in the over
before lunch and we lunched at 113 for 3. Smith 50 - Walrus 31.
2nd session - The sun returned and so did Krius who produced an excellent
ball which swung late to get Smith ct low down at the wkt. Truly Ed had no
chance with this one and ended a battling innings by him for 56. Bowling
conditions remained excellent but Styris and Weeksey square cut and drove
three excellent boundaries which brought up the 150. In the 49th over Scott
S brought up his own 50 with a superb off drive which he stood and admired.
The stand of 71 with Weeksey was entertaining and interspersed with powerful
cuts and drives, ended when Styris edged Hoggard to slip for an entertaining
64 which went along way to stabilising the innings. 186 for 4. The 200 and
a batting point was raised when Nashie swept Rashid for 2. There followed a
dogged stand between the Legends taking the score at tea to 225 for 4.
Weeksey 48 Nashie 18. They faced a combination of Kruis/Rashid/Lawson with
spin finishing the session.
3rd session - Weeksey promptly moved to 50 in the 1st over. The stand ended
in the next Kruis over when Nash was bowled for 19. 231 -6. Peploe found
Rashid difficult to fathom and departed for 5. 246 - 7. Chad then joined
Weeksey who raised the 250 off Lawson. The pitch had been helpful to all
bowlers throughout the day. Weekes brought up the 50 partnership with a
glance to 3rd man and then brought up the 300 with a shot through midwicket.
This useful stand ended at 301 when Chad was fortunately caught at the
wicket when the keeper dropped the ball which subsequently lodged in his
pads. Weeksey then completed a superb 100 to wild acclaim from the
travelling Midd-x Barmy Army. Which he acknowledged. A stand of 47 finally
ended when Jolow departed for a handy 16. 348 for 9. Weekes facing. Can we
get the 2 runs for a 3rd batting point? Spoons answered the question by
thumping the 1st ball he received from Hoggy straight for 4. Close 354 for
9. Weekes 124 Spoons 4.
Note:- Paul Weekes - this was a superb knock in the conditions and led an
excellent fightback. I was amazed to hear that 'The Committee' are not
offering him a new contract for next year. In the light of the probable
England calls we will get next year and the need to have experienced cover.
ie investment in a competitive 1st eleven. This sounds typically boneheaded
and replicates the decision to force Tufnell into retirement prematurely.
The Tufnell decision which was equally boneheaded, as they were well aware
that there was no replacement of a similar calibre avalable to us, and has
left us without a cutting edge in the spin department ever since. Or did
they know? Maybe not.
Editors note-. Feeling are running high regarding this issue. I am trying to campaign for Weekesey getting an extension to his contract. Watch this space for developments.
Day 2- Hi Ho we have a Silverwood lining but Yorksire have last Sayers
2nd day - there was another respectable crowd of 2 to 3 thousand. Morning
cloudy after overnight rain. Overnight 354 for 9.
1st session - Weeksey and Silvers resumed. Kruis resumed for the home side
and Weekes took a single off the first ball. The bowler friendly conditions
of the previous day were not so marked.A quick 23 runs were added before
Silvers was LBW to Hoggy for a useful 20. Leaving Weekes on 128no - a great
effort. These runs were added in 4 overs. 376 ao just left us wistfully
thinking of the other 24 runs that got away. Thus far Weekes was our star
and Kruis with 5 for 65 was theirs. On resumption Silvers opened at the
Trafalgar Square End while Chad started at the Pav End with the sun
attempting to break through. Spoons removed White LBW for 10 after Robinson
gave it some thought. 20 for 1.Another rising delivery in the same over was
just avoided by McGrath. This marked a testing spell by Silvers against his
former employers. There then followed a longish stand of 94 between Sayers
and McGrath. A concerted appeal for a catch by Nash off Chad was rejected by
Willey. Benficiary Sayers.Styris replaced Silverwood in the 11th over. A
period of watchful play by both sides ensued.Jolow (our stock bowler)
replaced Chad at the Pav End. A couple of meaty blows by McGrath off Styris
broke the quiet period.The ball was still beating the bat but not with the
frequency of the 1st day, regrettably for Middx. Pepsi came on for the pre
lunch over. Lunch 85 -1 Sayers 25 McGrath 36 - McGrath the more aggressive,
as the scores would suggest.
2nd session - 1st ball after lunch was hit for 4 through the offside by
Sayers. Chad was cut by McGrath but Peploe made an excellent stop in the
gully saving 4. The sun at this point was shining strongly, making batting
conditions much easier. An edge by McGrath off Louw through the vacant 3rd
slip area brought up the home side's 100. At 114 after a stand of 94,
McGrath was trapped by Jolow for 49 LBW. Next over a strong shout for LBW
against Sayers was rejected by Robinson. Louw and Chad in harness had slowed
the scoring rate in this spell. Silvers and Walrus then took over for the
next spell. A great stop by Hutton at mid off prevented a 4 off Silvers. Few
runs were scored and Pepsi was brought back at the Pav End. A 4 and some
good stops by Chad at mid wicket were the features of this over.Walrus who
had bowled very steadily made the next breakthrough, removing Love for 17
and gaining the 1st bowling point. 145 for 3. The fall of this wicket
brought Chad back into the attack. Lehmann edged his 1st ball for 4 to 3rd
man but he then unfurlrd 3 crunching square cuts off the 2nd/3rd and 5th
balls. 17 off the over, so that did not pan out too well. The entrance of
Lehmann gave the home side's scoring rate a boost, though later we did slow
this down again. Silverwood then replaced Styris who had bowled a steady
spell from the top end. He did not re-appear after tea as he had a back
spasm in the lower back? Weekes replaced Peploe and was immediately more
successful conceding 2 only from his 1st over. Tea 210 for 3. Sayers 60
Lehmann 42.
3rd session - Chad also did not re-appear after the interval - problem - a
re-occurrence of back trouble. Louw/Weekes continued the attack though it
has to be said, batting conditions today looked far easier. On 212 The
Legend dismissed the dangerous Lehmann for 43 LBW. Well done him. Hutton
then dropped an absolute sitter at 3rd slip off Louw - but unbelievably
Rashid edged the next ball to 4th slip where Morgan, on as sub, gobbled up
the catch. Whelan was the other sub. 213 for 5. Weekes also mentioned while
signing autographs that Walrus had strained a hamstring (left leg) and
Chad's back had gone. He also as an aside - said that he would like a new
contract. Due to failing light - Peps came on to form an all spin attack. A
slight improvement in the light pressaged the return of Jolow. Sayers
eventually reached his 100 in the 86th over with a misfield off Weekes. The
light was deteriorating and the ploy of bringing back Jolow at 6.00pm meant
the players leaving the field. Overnight Yorks 273 for 5 Sayers 102 Guy 27.
( Editors note I was intrigued when heard Ben put JoLo on as light was fading and subsequently went off)
Day 3- Bend it like Hutton and then collapse
had ceased by 8.00am. At 8.30 the sun came out. Walked around the sea front
to the ground. Very breezy. A healthy crowd, probably in excess of 3,000 was
in attendance.
1st session - after the team huddle Louw opened the bowling to complete his
over from the previous evening. The new ball was taken promptly at 90 overs.
At 280 Louw trapped Guy LBW for 33. 2 bowling points. Silvers then dismissed
Shahzad ct at 4th slip. 267 for 7. Yorks 300 came up in the 96th over.
Single off Spoons. The sun by now was shining brightly. Factor 25 time. At
305 Lawson was taken at coverpoint by Compo off Silvers. 8 down. Hutton then
replaced Louw in the search for the 9th wicket. At 318 Hoggy was pouched by
Hutton at 3rd slip . 3 bowling points. The innings closed on 326 when Kruis
was taken behind by Nash to give Silvers a five wicket haul against his ex
employers. Silvers 5 for 63. Leaving Sayers not out on 122 having carried
his bat. Hutton kicked off the Midd-x innings with an off driven 4 off
Hoggy. Just before lunch Compo made a suicidal charge down the wicket to
Lawson and was stumped. 38 for 1. Compo 17. Lunch 41 for 1. Hutton 21 Shah
1. A goodish session for Midd-x.
2nd session - a feature of this session was that the remainder of the Midd-x
innings was bowled by Lawson and Rashid who both extracted turn and bounce
from the wicket. Hutton brought up 50 for Midd-x in the 18th over with a
square cut for 4. The wicket now seemed to assist the spinners to an
increasing degree. BH reached his own 50 with a six off Lawson over mid
wicket. Shah brought up the 100 with a placed shot through mid wicket.
Midd-x 150 ahead. Ace then misjudged and padded up to straight ball. 104 for
2. Ace 22. After a struggle with the spinners, Smith came forward and in
frustration missed - LBW to Rashid for 15. 187 for 3. Hutton meanwhile was
going well at the other end. An edge by BH brought up the 150 in the 44th
over. Middx 200 ahead. Weeksey was eventually LBW playing back to Rashid for
5. 159 for 4. It had been an absorbing session with the spinners extracting
turn from the wicket. Middx batters were having to graft for runs,
interspersed with occasional heavy blows from Hutton. Hutton reached a
superb 100 on a track helping the spinners in the 58th over. (10 4's 2 6's)
his 17th first class hundred. Nashie was snared in the next over for 14 at
slip. 182 for 5. The first of our injured players emerged at 7 - Styris. He
was taken at the wicket when Rashid got one to bounce and take the glove.
189 for 6 and wickets tumbling quickly. In an odd sort of way it parallelled
the Yorks innings at Southgate on the 3rd day middle session. So tea at 189
for 6. Hutton 105no. Stars Hutton and Silverwood for Midd-x - Sayers, Lawson
and Rashid for Yorks. A good session for the home team.
3rd session - this turned out to be the last session of the match. Peploe
joined Hutton which did'nt auger well, given his struggles of the 1st
innings. However this time around he went on to make a handy 20no. Hutton
was taken immediately after tea without addition to his score. 191 for 7.
Pepsi and Jolow now in partnership. A misfield by Hoggard brought up the 200
and a fortuituous 4 for Peploe. Louw was then bowled by Lawson for 7. 203
for 8. Chad appeared with Compo as a runner and lasted 2 balls LBW. Last man
Silvers joined Pepsi for the last wicket which added a handy 21, before
Silverwood was bowled for 7 by Rashid. 224ao. So target was 275. All the
wickets were taken by the spinners who bowled all but the opening 11 overs.
a very commendable perforformance. Yorks came out with 23 overs remaining
and with Midd-x incommoded with 2 injured bowlers. Jolow opened the bowling
with a number of wide balls one of which was called. Scoring was slow though
there were not too many deliveries that needed to be played. At one stage
Midd-x briefly had 3 subs as Embers came on for Hutton. Score 11 off 10
overs. Peploe came on in the 15th over with a slip and short square leg. He
was unable though to extract the help from the wicket that the home spinners
had. Close 39-0. In an odd sort of way - well as the Yorkshire spinners
bowled some injudicious shot selection by the Midd-x top order assisted in
their downfall.
Awoke at 7.00am to a grey sky but as yet no rain. Made way to the ground.
This was a very accurate forecast as it started spitting with rain at about
10.50. Went in and although the rain was light, it was persistent.
The covers came on and we hung around until around 11,30 when we decided to
go to a cafe for tea/coffee. On talking to the locals they said that it
would set in for the day. On hearing this news we decided to cut our losses
and head for home. I headed for the train station and it was a wet journey
all the way from Scarboro to Pinner arriving back at 5.45pm. Match abandoned
as a draw.
many for them - so I will take their word for that. Can't play slow bowling
they said - except for Lehmann. On the other hand we were 2 bowlers short.
We will never know now. Both sides played well at times. The breaks went
Yorks way - winning the toss on a murky day and the oppo suffering injuries
to 2 bowlers. Midd-x did well to recover from 39 for 3 and total 376 and
bowled well enough to gain a lead of 50. They came back at us to prevent us
getting an unassailable lead of 300plus. So it was a draw - not a result
much use to either side. An absorbing match though.
Editor's final note- Who knows what would have transpired if it wasn't for rain Sat. and our seasons could have been concluded by now. We are still in there, but from what I gathered from commentary and from Turkey's who made the journey, these were 2 week teams in an attritional battle and look like they will be locking horns next year in Div 2
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