Middlesex CCC
Play It Again Sam
There's Only One Robbo
By Beefy
May 24 2011
Beefy Roberts takes us through an excellent day for Middlesex. From not so polite treatment from Essex fans, to a dodgy position at lunch, to an excellent fightback giving us many reasons to be cheerful.
I had a nice, easy journey
to Chelmsford from Uxbridge until I get a coffee from the market near
ground and take wrong turn and find I'm on wrong side of the river, turn
round and cross road and find the right entrance after being shown where
to go.
Two changes for us, Robson for Newman and Ireland for TRJ, the pitch
is very brown and like a dust bowel, but the wicket table a nice green
colour, we win the toss and decide to bat.
I am in my seat waiting for Kev and Lower Pav (LP) to arrive when some
Essex people turn up, push past me and sit one seat away, then start to
put bags, coats and anything else they can get on all the seats around
me, hmmmm i must be in THEIR SEATS although none are reserved, so I decide
to move away before I get pushed out. Welcome to Essex! Kev turns
up, telling me he got short changed from his £20 note by £3 by the ticket seller, he quized
the change which was corrected only to be told sorry, I thought it was Sunday where charge was £19 not £16 for CB40 game!
Rogers and Robson come out to bat, Rogers Hayes Close End (HCE)
Robson River End (RE) 1st over is a maiden by Phillips as we get
comfortable in the seats, soon our first gasp of breath as Rogers edges
on just above the slips any lower and would of been out, then a quick
single and Robson dives to make sure he is home,and does easily, Topley
takes an over from HCE and Rogers seems to lose the ball and ducks, only
to be hit on the helmet but recovers all well. Rogers sends a square cut to the pavilion for 4 and at 11.30 Lower
Pav said that's the shot of the morning. Next ball is sent in the same
place for 4 and LP said that's an even better shot of the morning, make
your mind up we say to him!
Phillips to Robson from HCE and whole Essex go up for a catch, only
problem is it has to hit the pad first not the bat,it was a mile away to
be honest, shut up we shout.
Kev comment " we have survived the first hour, its 44-0 " 16 overs
we are on 52-0 and looking comfortable when bad news is told, I need my
first tactical I announce, Kev " no,can't you wet yourself for Middlesex "
before I make my move we lose 1st wicket 52-1 as Rogers goes for 34 b
Bopara. Housego comes in and he soon settles into his stride until we
reach 82 and he goes for 15 LBW Napier. Malan comes in another Kev quote "
he really needs a good innings " . Oh no we shout Malan goes for a second ball
duck c Foster B Napier playing no shot, 82-3, the ball clipped the side of
the bat (I missed it as I was sending a text to Diamond and Kimmy with
score) poor Malan was unlucky and walks off looking a bit peed
off. Captain Dext comes in, we all say at same time didn't want to see him
this early, Dext didn't last long as it's 90-4 and he goes back also for a
duck, caught at gully with only 28 overs gone. Kev and myself decide a
drink is needed as JD comes out just before lunch, as we get to lunch Kev
said can't we have tea or close of play instead, keep the faith mate! At
lunch we are 92-4 and Essex take the first session easily.
Get back slightly late from a visit to the nearest pub, not much
happened we are 100-4 as I take a tactical before getting to seats a
nice Essex fan slams the door in my face in the toilet, it really is a
lovely place Chelmsford, NOT!
Some Middle cheers as Robbo reaches 50, 36 overs gone and 108-4, at
41 overs gone I say its only 1 extra given so far, some Essex bloke heard
me and said it's because they have such a good wicketkeeper, I just
laugh! Then us 3 all decide the seats are the most uncomfortable ever
sat in, yea, I know moan, moan, moan you all say. Another Essex fan Question
of Sport book (can tell they are losing interest in the game) and starts
to ask Kev questions, he gets everyone correct, who's the clever one
then? (Editors note- I got Proctor as getting two CC hatricks , but not that they were all LBW, subject for anther thread)
Score moves on to 134-4 off 45 overs both Robbo and JD looking
settled in, we say no daft shots lads. 50 partnership arrives with Robbo
on 70 and JD 22 a ripple of applause from the Middle support, rest of
ground stays silent 164-4 and JD is facing the spinner Wheater and sends
the ball over his head into the RE for a superb 6 we cheer, rest stay
silent again. Bopara tries to change his luck and switches to the HCE to
try for a wicket but to no avail, on 170-4 Kev says 3 milestones coming
up(shh!). First two arrive safely it's JD on 50 and 100 partnership as we move
onto 192-4, then we lose a wicket JD goes for 52 c Walker b Napier caught
in slip Simmo comes in as JD is given a standing ovation from the
Middle few and the team, well batted that man. The ground is so dry every
time the ball hits the deck, a huge amount of dust kicks up. LP and Kev
both say Essex have fielded well today.
200-5 and our first point is in the bag. We applaud the point
silence everywhere else, LP asks if the game has been even so far, we say
yep as it's 3 overs to tea and we claim the second session. Robbo is on 97
and Essex bring the field in to stop the 3 runs needed,he gets 2 and a
Middle fan to our left hasn't even noticed what's going on, all he does is
talk about football with back to the game. We are nervous for Robbo, bet
he is as well so near to the ton, get the runs needed we stand,players
stand and applaud the ton, we sing 'Robbo, there's only 1 Robbo'.
At tea we
are 216-5 and Robbo walks off to a standing ovation, we take a
perambulation around the ground and get back to our seats to see Robbo
reach 111,beating his previous best of 110 which was against Essex in
2009.
MOMENT OF THE DAY. It's 16:30 and I kid you not, but Owais Shah
touches the ball for what could be the first time as he drops Simmo, we
cheer that and Shah looks up, and waves, maybe he didn't see the Middle
shirts on view! 243-5 and the 50 partnership comes up for Robbo and
Simmo,250-5 and we secure 2nd point we carry on putting runs on the
board as Simmo is dropped by Wheater with score on 272-5, 81 overs gone
at they take new ball and give to slow bowler Tubby Matt Walker, can't work out why that was
done. 283-5 and Simmo reaches 50, then scoreboard goes back to 48 our
scoreboard at Lords may stop , but when working its correct! Simmo does
eventually reach 50 to cheers and he played well for the score on 291-5
and with 7 overs left,a mass exodus by the Essex mob starts have we
driven them out with our voices getting louder and singing a bit? 295-5
and another partnership,this time 100, Robbo 123 and Simmo 55 ,we reach
our 3rd batting point as we get to 300-5 at 315-5 we lose a wicket as
Simmo is bowled by Napier for 65, this brings Ireland in as
nightwatchman,we don't like this Bergie should of come in.
At Stumps we are 316-6 and after a nervy first session, the Middle
claim both the other sessions and well deserved to.Roll on tomorrow
build a good 1st innings lead and see what we can do, weather on Thursday
looks a bit manky.
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Discussion started by Middlesex till we die , 24/05/2011 22:15
Middlesex till we die
24/05/2011 22:15
24/05/2011 22:15
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:05:30:12:14:48 by BarmierKev.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:05:30:12:14:48 by BarmierKev.
Thanks for report Beefy , brilliant stuff.
One of my memories from today was Robbo when on 97 then 99 and finally made ton in extreme tension. In this period, one of our fans had his back to game discussing football with guy in West Ham shirt behind him. I don't advocate watching every ball, but found this behaviour very odd.
For the record 99-100, 3 balls before tea was a very rushed single. Phew. Well done Robbo
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
One of my memories from today was Robbo when on 97 then 99 and finally made ton in extreme tension. In this period, one of our fans had his back to game discussing football with guy in West Ham shirt behind him. I don't advocate watching every ball, but found this behaviour very odd.
For the record 99-100, 3 balls before tea was a very rushed single. Phew. Well done Robbo
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
It seems like Essex supporters are like me, in that they have their favourite area of their ground, and hate it when others sit there. I enjoyed reading this report.
Beefy.
As usual a great report.I can also say the detail was absolutely correct.
By the way I can confirm without fear of contradiction the seats were extremely uncomfortable and as a result i am suffering with my back as I type out this posting.
However despite this I am really looking foreward to tomorrow.
As usual a great report.I can also say the detail was absolutely correct.
By the way I can confirm without fear of contradiction the seats were extremely uncomfortable and as a result i am suffering with my back as I type out this posting.
However despite this I am really looking foreward to tomorrow.
Forgot to put that Sam's ton was one of the best i had seen,well built from the start and supported by JD and Simmo.
Thanks Beefy!!
The nervy 90's eh?? Always a worry, but I'm glad he got through it!!
Well done to him... I was an internet fan yesterday and today.. I was worried early on, but the coaching staff were absolutly right in selecting Robbo!! Well done to him! A certain headache for the selectors I think (but in a good way!!)
Kimmy
The nervy 90's eh?? Always a worry, but I'm glad he got through it!!
Well done to him... I was an internet fan yesterday and today.. I was worried early on, but the coaching staff were absolutly right in selecting Robbo!! Well done to him! A certain headache for the selectors I think (but in a good way!!)
Kimmy
Yes a great performance by a young player. Sam has now shown with his 2oos against Oxford Uni. and Lancashire 2s - and his 149 against Sussex 2s and then his innings yesterday that he has the ability to bat for long periods. This is a crucial ingredient for a successful long term opener in county cricket. Well done Sam.
Excellent read Beefy at approx 9.15am Wednesday.
Hope we can push on 2day.
16 quid seems a lot for a spot of barracking.
Hope we can push on 2day.
16 quid seems a lot for a spot of barracking.
Just loving the all-aussie opening pair for the best county in the land! And with a ton each now in the past week, long may it continue!!
The best thing about this opening pair is that Sam Robson is very young and can learn off Chris ROGERS whilst he is out in the middle. Rogers seems to be getting better every innings and Robson has all the features of a fine opener. They should be very successful this year and in future seasons. How long has Rogers been signed for?
According to the article about his arrival, Chris Rogers will be at Middlesex until the end of the 2012 season.
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