By Barmy Kev
May 2 2013

Barmy Kev reports on a day that started full of optimism , but kind of ended as Pointless. Read on to make sense of this.

I woke up with a positive spring in my step. The sun is shining, suddenly the " reliable" weather forecast is now (guessing) a sunny 5 days ahead, all of which I can potentially use for watching the Mighty Middle at the Home of Cricket.  Before I leave, a quick check of the league table we are still top, Sorry not doing to well, which helped boost my mood even more. True to form I arrive 10 mins late, but had a good excuse- had to pick TRJ MTWD April Player of Month Trophy.

Start of report in my absence is a text from Fozzie. “Sorry won the toss, batting Rats”.  

It was heartening as arriving at ground to see a queue of people to buy tickets (as per report cover picture). I arrived in Upper Compton joining Fozzie in a sun-drenched stand.  I had not missed much, no wickets down with overs beating runs. I was focussed on the cricket for first few non-eventful overs with little happening. End of 5th over I showed Fozzie the framed photo of TRJ hat-trick ball and by the time it was out of package Smith was out evidently caught at first slip by AC, we missed it.  Thanks to JW for link that enabled me and many others to see the wicket at lunch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6d75Dn50ABQ

 
The score rate continued at a Godlemanesque rate. I was also mindful of Burns/Harinath partnership at Hoval last year. Burns was looking very comfortable on what liked a flat track with occasional elegant driving that took run rate to a lightening 1 1/2 runs an over. 

There is really little more to comment on from this session.  At lunch the score was 45-1. Rarely could one say a full session belonged to the team that took just one wicket,

 
 At lunch Robbo was presented with his County Cap.

Congratulations Robbo. Well deserved.

After lunch there was not an immediate acceleration. In fact between 2:00-2:30 I had a private meeting at ground not in view of play but within earshot. In this time I heard one round of applause,

 
Back at game Harinath accelerated a touch and overtook Burns and both their 50’s were reached at similar times and greeted with muted applause. During this session there were two possible difficult chances from potential nicks not taken by Simmo, one off a top and other bottom edge.   There was a LBW appeal from Corey that looked plumb and this was not from a one-eyed square leg view, not given- Fozzie thought maybe an edge on to pads as couldn’t work out what it was missing.   There was the occasional good shot but lots of runs were bisecting the slip cordon.  The run rate was under two an over for most of the session, but a late cameo took score to 144-1 after 62 overs, There was a general feeling Sorry are playing for a draw that would suit us.

Straight after tea Harinath chased a wide one for four and next over tried the same shot, but edged for a routine catch behind off of Finn and I saw my first live wicket of the day.  Solanki was next in. This became a start of conversation point on how many over 35’s in the Sorry squad and consequently there is another name for them "The Sorry Pensioners".  Solanki needed time to settle in and it became attritional. Meanwhile Fozzie and me were discussing many off topic matters.   We discussed how Manchester Uni won University Challenge when UCL were clear favourites and how many P's there are in Papalippopopoulos. There was also discussion from Pointless quiz show on a question naming a pointless West Indies Captain since 1960. I had 3 guesses and got 2 pointless answers and 1 low scored one. Feel free on this thread to have a go without cheating.  There were a beer-fuelled group in front of us cheering leg byes and random happenings as they were having various sweepstakes.  There were many overheard conversations about the fate and demise of QPR.  It was that kind of day when people can be forgiven for concentrating on other issues.

 
To be fair, once settled Solanki had a spate of attacking intent and played a series of quality shots that re-engaged the reasonably sized crowd (My guess 3,000).  Burns reached his ton with a pushed single off Dext off 251 balls. There was a succession of Solanki boundaries before he was routinely caught behind off of Corey for a wicket he well deserved for his efforts.  Burns started to open up, then on 114 played on to Dial M.

 
 Davies and De Bruyn safely played the day out.  There was a debate on how do we pronounce De Bruyn’s name to keep us going at the end. It really was that kind of day.

Sorry close on 265-4 and yikes we are -4 on over rate. There was a feeling of disappointment of entertainment being bereft on day when we have a reasonable crowd, However, for me it was good to enjoy the sun in enjoyable company. 

 
 On the way home I learn Durham win and we are no longer top.   This is a long season and there are going to be days like this, I am certainly not despairing by today's events.    More punishment tomorrow? Yes please.