Middlesex CCC
Toby Roland No Moans
Closing in on a wicket
By BarmyKev
May 18 2014
Barmy Kev reports on a mixed day for Middlesex. We do hear about some Powerful comments that might have led to the wicket, observations from a close by wedding and perhaps some play on words. Most importantly a return to form of one of our key players in difficult conditions.
When the fixture list comes out my first objective is to check what games clash with my pre booked events. 17th May Bog Bash happened to clash with an all day concert I arranged last October. I was delighted I was free 18th May I could make at least just the first day (grr I hate these Sunday starts) of Northants game. I like going to Wantage Road as is a manageable day journey, there are good vantage points and always a welcoming atmosphere. I envisaged an exciting 20/20 style last minute finish to catch the Harrow and Wealdstone 9:39 train in 30 seconds get my return ticket run up the stairs and slide bat in to catch this train otherwise a late start, but the 340 bus whizzed through the empty streets and I made it to the station with ease. On arrival at Northampton Station 1045 I caught cab to ground. This reminded me of when I first met the late great Terry Abbott RIP when 12 years ago at a similar time I pushed in a queue to share a cab with him to the ground to just make start. Life goes on, I caught a shared cab straight away and arrived at ground at 11:05 meeting up with usual suspects score 0-0. Straight away there was a unanimous sense of feeling today is what we feel is what cricket days are all about.
Northants are batting and it’s a steady start on what looked like a lifeless wicket. There is really nothing to comment on for first hour cricket wise, no wickets, few attacking shots, with boundaries streaky ones behind the wicket. There was a wedding going on at Pavilion End opposite to us and some of guests passed us on way round the ground to the function suited and booted accordingly. Middlebrook hit one of few attacking shots of morning a glorious pull for 4. Phil the Power commented "this looks ominous". This was followed by the impressive TRJ clean bowling Middlebrook for a Middle wicket through and through with score 37. There were few incidents up to lunch, boundaries with inside edges just missing stumps as found way to long leg but mainly sound defence prevailed. Ravi was given a few overs before lunch and couldn't manage much out of the wicket either. There was an increase in run rate as Peters made 50 off 100 balls last over before lunch with score 87-1. This looks like a tough day ahead for us.
After lunch there was more positive intent from Northants and little threat of a wicket. Phil the Power commented "this is slipping away from us". I reminded him the last time he made such a comment it bought a wicket and next ball Peters fell for square leg boundary trap caught out hooking 114-2. He was given a muted send off chant of Peters and Lee song "Welcome Home". Spriegel arrived to a la la la la la Mexican chant. Sales is looking comfortable, no comments from Phil the Power as he was having a call of nature while caught by Rogers at cover point led to the closing of the Sales. There were some more cheers and excitement heard from the wedding function as I guess this was the point where the ale was flowing and speeches made unless, they were ecstatic for a prolonged period about our 1st bonus point. It was interesting observing some of the wedding guests on the way back passing our way back just before tea and it was easy spot the one who had a seemingly good time and who was the designated driver. The Spriegel Newton partnership meanders on. At tea the score is an unpromising for us 181 for 3.
A good start after tea with no Phil the Power prompting Ravi had Spriegel caught behind. Followed in same over a loud LBW shout not given against Hall. Not to worry Newton next out for 31 off to TRJ, which was good news for Middx but messed up my potential headline about forces and defying gravity. With Duckett next in and soon out various headlines available for report; you can pick your own as he didn't leave a bouncer, out for 2, as was caught in the deep and he appeared not happy. At 189-6 now status of game changed and runs dry up and suddenly every ball looks like a wicket. Murphy's Law one wicket leads to another and he’s out for 5 caught round the corner by Robbo well bowled Ravi. They are now 208 7 an hour left and we contemplating us batting for a few nervous overs before close. Hall and Butler put on one of those irritating partnerships that look to serve them to close , but Hall out trying to make room was LBW giving TRJ a Michelle. Chambers last in who maid a single to see Northants to close.
To conclude I enjoyed the day even when there was little excitement on the pitch, which was helped by a lovely sunny day in good company. From a Middlesex point of view when we were struggling for a wicket we never let Northants get on top, We pulled it back well in final session and feel we are in a strong position. Final mention to Toby Roland Jones who has found his zip and radar again, which has to be good news for us.
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2014:05:23:17:48:38 by BarmierKev.
Excellent report Kev,it's like I was sat next to you all day .....ah hang on a minute !!
