Middlesex CCC
Halfway There. Living on a Prayer.
Saw us home
By Barmy Kev
May 8 2010
Barmy Kev reports on Middlesex first LVCC victory from best view imaginable a day at work at call centre. While trying to provide first class customer service he was on edge of seat as tension mounts to achieve an improbable win. This report carries a BK health warning.
Today I was scheduled to go into work 10:30-15:30. When I realised I would be doing this shift I really wasn’t bothered that it clashed with day 4 of Sussex v Middlesex as I was expecting it to be one of those dead days of cricket.
So this morning, with score 122-5 requiring 121 more, I was humming song by Bon Jovi, “Wo Oh halfway there, wo oh living on a prayer“. Except I thought we hadn’t a prayer. In fact I was resigned to defeat and if I had chance I would send Kevin Hand an email commenting on his quote day 1 at beginning that he feels these are best two teams in the division-well half right I would say.
I work in a call centre and Saturday’s tend not to be overly busy and usually have scope to do some personal stuff. I’m also unsupervised which is a massive bonus. I was able to deal with messages, some essential tasks and take inbound calls that took me to 11:10. Now one of the tools of my role is headphones which I use for call monitoring purposes and of course the internet for research. I put on the commentary and check MTWD with equal trepidation. I hear Kevin Hand’s dulcet tones stating Berg and Malan still there , “there must have been a 10 minute delayed start” I was thinking. No, 14 runs from 4 overs both players showing “positive intent”. I check MTWD reading an anti Scott Newman comment with regard to his fielding, at same time Kevin Hand was referring to Scott Newman dropping Prior when on 12 first innings as potential turning point. In fact he was reading an email about at what point did Middlesex let this game slip, mentioning several other incidents, Shah dropping Monty that costs us around 24 runs. But as more runs scored, we were reminded us we haven’t actually lost. A call to answer - a 5 minute gap , back to commentary still no wickets down. A few more calls and still coming back to score of Middlesex something more for 5.
At work, I had a call back and 2 escalations to deal with. These will wait till 1pm .Then Kevin Hand goes oh no, a needless run out, phew somehow Naved botched it up. Soon after two close LBW appeals that commentators indicated may be given, no, further phew. From my perfect viewpoint good decisions. This report that needed to be finalised for work really was suffering as well as was my blood pressure. The BBC Sussex commentator not impressed. I answer another call return to Monty bowling with Kevin Hand saying how well Berg was playing him. Must be kiss of death. A noise from commentator what’s happened a six, there were some more boundaries a no ball and few overs later a 5 as ball hits helmet. Hang on this could be our day!
It all seemed too easy and I forgot we are talking about Middlesex here. Then Ice Man out just as I had to take call. Another 10 minute gap. Music to my ears on return as I hear Tom Smith still there and even more so soon after Dawid. No idea of score. At this time rain clouds were mentioned and Tom Smith innings sounded very dodgy. Then Kevin Hand reads out an e mail from Ged. Evidently Daisy can’t bear it and has locked herself in car, Barmy Kev not you but MTWD one will ban me from holidays again if Middlesex win and some other ramblings ( Ged help me out). I acknowledged Ged’s message by text, to which Ged replied “ I can’t breathe” to which I replied “don’t”. Ged felt it was worthwhile sharing this exchange to Kevin Hand and I sent e mail to Kevin Hand and I quote
Hi Kev,
I am listening to this at work, from call centre. I'm using my call monitoring device to listen in. Luckily not busy and all my customer service skills have gone while hearing your rantings in background.
Tell Ged he is banned from holidays once we get winning runs.
aaaaagh!
Kev
I completely forget the e mail I originally intended to send.
At some point during this exchange Tom Smith was out, Then while taking call I heard after Anyon missed Malan a caught and bowled, My e mail was read out at 1pm and then realised we require 9 with 3 wickets left and its lunch. Can’t lose, can we? Had to put something on MTWD, then my work call backs. First 2 went smoothly 3rd one went to voice mail and I had to offer our “valued” customer to ring me back. He does, ballocks, at 1.35pm with a rambling long drawn out get a life whinge. As I was thanking him for providing vital feedback for our company I receive a text from Ged “ yes“. Something similar from Beefy just after. I guess we've won. I’m back to commentary- Kevin Hand is about to summarise, phone goes again take call. Catch Kevin Hand’s final words at 2PM saying it was one of best county games he has ever commentated on.
Back to work, catching up on lost time, but I was on a great high.
All together now . “Wo Oh halfway there, wo oh living on a prayer“.
Kev
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:16:21:05:20 by Ged.
It's awful when you can't watch/hear when you want too....
I got called away at 1pm and forgot it's only a 40 minute break..... I came back to a beefy text too and Whoopy round the office..... Luckily my colleagues know me by now and just tuted and rolled their eyes.....
Thanks Kev
Kimmy
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
Click here to read why I sensationally sacrificed the big bucks of Chelsea for the adventure of Watford
(image on left not representative of how relative my support of Watford is to my support of Middlesex)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:05:09:10:27:56 by Jonathan Winsky.
It used to be much harder, of course.
For myself, I tuned into Kevin Hand - rather reluctantly since all the other occasions I've done this this season have coincided with a clatter of our wickets.
Thanks for this Kev and hope you got some work done!
Adelaide
