By Beefy Roberts
August 23 2012

BEEFY REPORTS ON DAY 2 FROM EDGBASTON, A HARD DAY TO STAY AWAKE AND GETTING THE NEEDLE KEEPS HIM GOING EARLY ON AND ENDS UP WITH A PAIN IN THE BUM.  FORTUNATELY HE STAYS AWAKE ( INBETWEEN SNOOZES) LONG ENOUGH TO REPORT ON A DAY'S PLAY THAT HAS A VITAL SAY ON OUTCOME OF MATCH. 

OLYMPIC SPRINT START TO MARATHON DAY

This is going to be a long day, only 10 hrs sleep since Sunday morning so, if I miss some play today I apologise now!  An early start as I reach my local bus stop and have to run for the bus, last thing I wanted! As I get on the bus, I am greeted by the driver who gives a clenched fist and says 'Come on the mighty Middle!’ so we have a good chat all the way to Uxbridge about the season. At Uxbridge I get all confused when I see an Olympic games volunteer heading home, is she the last passed the finish post?

 After a good doze on the train from Marylebone, and a hunt for the bus stop, I reach my destination with time on my hands, so I take a walk around the shop, noticing a book called 'Warwickshire CCC on this day’, wonder where they got the idea? Is this edition as big a seller as our very popular edition?

I take a seat in the newly built pavilion with a very impressive view, a booming PA system wakes up Birmingham and startles me so much I nearly hit the roof!

I’m Beefy-no-mates today as I’m sitting all alone, nobody to talk to.

I'M GETTING THE NEEDLE

 TRJ starts by finishing off the over from yesterday at the pavilion end with 4 runs off the 4th ball, Dexter is on for a catch above head but the ball has to much pace on it.

Murts from the Birmingham end, not much of an inventive idea with that name! With some dark clouds about I think rain is on the way, and with good tight bowling so far, last thing we want.

 We get a few late arrivals, as members turn up and decide to stand behind the bowlers are until one of our players shouts to 'sit down please' followed by 'take your jacket off please' and 'Remove your cap please'. 

 17 overs gone, and Bergie is on for Toby, TRJ has had a couple of LBW appeals but nothing came from them. Bergie has a nightmare couple of balls as the first 2 are no-balls but glad to say he finds his mark after.

 Chopra has an edge, which goes through Dext hands above his head again for 4 runs, hmmmm typical I think.

Our over-rate is on -1. Crook is on for Murts and I soon noted the over-rate has gone to -3 (not due to Crook, I would like to add), this has happened to often this season, we will get caught out one day. 81-0 and it looks bad, as these two take singles where needed and the odd boundary when the chance turns up.

 A Warwickshire member is knitting a cable & rib vest, in Brown but I'm not sure about the colour myself (God, am I that bored?) its 3.13 runs an over.

Westwood reaches 50,then gets a ball on his right elbow, forgot to add we have given away 4 over throws, fielding needs to wake up.

Ravi Patel comes on for his debut bowling in County Cricket for Crook, bowling round the wicket and has 5 runs off his first over, my first impressions he looks good and not over-awed by the occasion.

Crook comes on Berg at the pavilion end and the run rate is 3.20 an over, the knitting is coming along nicely and we have a needle change from a 5 to a 6 in needle size.

At lunch, I decide to hunt down the local chippy, which was very nice I'm pleased to report, and take my seat after dining only to find the knitting lady had moved!

AFTER LUNCH  OUR HOPES GOING WESTWOOD 

With no wicket still these two look in full command of everything we bowl at them and I can see a big score coming up, Patel has stopped over-throws, run rate is now 4 an over as Denly stops yet another chance of over-throws. That’s at least 3 times now.

 Chopra reaches 50 and the PA drops the mike to a round of laugher and a big thud.

Westwood gets his ton, 102 not out and Beefy thinks 'if only I can get an earlier train home’. Bad light? Rain? No chance at all.

At long last we get a wicket as Chopra goes for 56 c Robbo b Berg diving to his left its 175-1. Rogers soon drops Porterfield and the over-rate has hit -4 now, we need to get that sorted out.

Patel comes on for Crook to get the over-rate down?? Breakthrough, a wicket goes as Porterfield is c Dexter b Patel for 13, the umpires are not sure and get together to discuss but the batsman walks. That is Patel's first county wicket, well done to him on that, its 15:00 and we still have 49 overs left, going to be a late finish!

WAKE ME UP BEFORE MIDDLESEX GO GO

Tired Beefy is so, so tired!! 200-2 and the run-rate is 3.32 per over and yet more over throws and 4 runs given. Over-rate is -3 and Dext is on aid the pavilion end, he sends down a wide ball. Westwood finally departs for 120 was slow but he played some nice shots but he is caught by Dexter off Patel, its 223-3 and a priceless bonus point.

The Birmingham skyline is now shrouded by rain, is it heading our way? Nope it stays dry and we carry on. At tea its 236-3 and 3.2 runs an over.

Myself, I feel like chucking the towel in at 17:30 as my tiredness starts to take over me. A wicket goes 247-4, as Maddy is c Crook b Dexter for 16,a great diving catch to his left and its 6 overs to the new ball and the over-rate is level.

New ball is taken my Murts and the over-rate has now gone to +2, which is pleasing to the eye. Along comes another wicket and its 273-5 as TRJ strikes Clarke c Rosso for 6. Then TRJ strikes again and they are struggling now on 275-6 as Ambrose is caught by Rosso for just less than 1and joins the duck pond. So, we get another bowling point. I do like this new ball!

Am I asleep? It’s another wicket and Tubby Blackwell is plum LBW by demon bowler TRJ for 8 uns, Toby is having a field day, the most improved player of the year for us (just my own thoughts)

Its now 17:30 and I do decide to make a move and I miss the 8th wicket fall.

There is rain in the air as I reach the bus stop, and then the heavens open and rain is bouncing all over, crowds leave the ground as it looks like play finished for the day.

Must admit, the ground re-development has been done really well and the view is great, apart from one thing..................the seats must be the most uncomfortable I have ever sat in!