By Diamond Ruled OK
September 20 2006

Diamond's final swan song of the season ended up in wintessing double bottom relagation for Middlesex. The result from Old Trafford meant survival was an impossibilty. But once again failure to take advantage of a winning position resulted in a humiliating defeat.

The mystery tour.

Up bright and early for the journey to Northampton via Bicester. The first bit is easy, all motorway. The journey from Bicester to the ground in the dozen times we have done it has never been the same twice, either they keep moving the ground or our sense of direction is rubbish. A tour of Northampton town centre (closed) later we found the ground before the pub on the corner opened. In the good old days of 40 overs a side, 2pm starts on a Sunday this used to serve as our lunch stop as well. These early starts must be costing the licensed trade a fortune. Had a nice pint in the ground in the Milburn room for £2.60 a pint, Lord's please note, Northampton is a lot further from Chiswick than you are, adjust your prices please.

 The cricket.

 No Styris,Wright or Morgan. Joyce,Compton and Peploe the replacements. Very little to comment on with the bowling except it seemed very end of term and as though we had nothing to play for. The spinners kept the score down well so what did Hutton do at the end of the innings? Bring back Louw for his three remaining overs which went for 31 runs, inspired work Ben, you had a spin option left and even being bashed around they wouldn't have gone for that many. Scoring was not easy Klusner's 45 not out came off 70 balls and Rogers  70 was from 75 balls. 198 was a well gettable target by Middlesex in a side loaded with batters.  

 Any chance of a last hurrah by Weekes disappeared with his stumps to the first ball of our innings. A shame but in many ways summed up our whole season, flattered to deceive. Smith's and Joyce's outs were both stupid ones but it left the stage clear for Shah and Dalrymple to carry us through to a win. No chance of that as we are treated to the "Zulu and Monty show".7 wickets between them, Zulu 5-33, Monty 2-32 showed a gulf in difference between the two bowling attacks, also Nicholson had chipped in with 2-23 off 6 overs. When the fourth wicket fell at 144 the procession started of batsmen entering to leave almost as quickly.144-4 to 170 all out was a very poor show but no more than some of us have come to expect this season. Highlight of our innings the 127 partnership of Ace and JD.

 

Conclusions

 A nice day out at one of the most friendly grounds in the country with excellent catering facilities and a good bar. A good journey up as we had allowed time to get past Silverstone where the Bike races were on, I only wish that I had gone to watch them rather than the cricket. A very poor season in the one day format was over for us before our game was resolved, other results in by 17.30hrs meaning we were relegated without the need of a playoff. I just hope we improve next year and sign some quality overseas players.

For those of the Sunday persuasion, winter well. For those heading for Canterbury , bon chance mon ami. I'm done for the season now as I have things to do next Saturday.