Middlesex CCC
Gowers Powers Lanky to the Peninsula for a 4th Day
MT
By BarmyKev
July 18 2014
Barmy Kev reports on how he tried to keep up with 2s game yesterday. This report would have been uploaded straight after close of play if it was not for a Sportnetwork fault now rectified.
What a bit of luck I have today off mainly to catch up with chores which I can't do over weekend due to a Scarborough commitment and it's the hottest day of year with an opportunity to see the dinkies at MT. The chores were fast tracked and I merrily made it to ground by 2.30. There was also a feeling of sadness on route in blazing sunshine on why we could not have had more of the same for the aborted county fixture.
The match is well poised in our favour as Lanky 2s with no players familiar to me apart from Proctor are 189-5 a check of Total Cricket scorecard tells me a lead of 60 with Proctor in. I count of crowd circa 40. We are missing Ollie,Rayner that is, and of course Harry.
Woo hoo no not a Middle wicket but booked accommodation online for Scarborough. This was not easy as most places were fully booked although were stated as available when I made initial search. Perseverance paid off for Middle 2s too as wicket I missed checking confirmstion details put Lanky 2s 214 6. This bloke came in with no name on shirt and I was envisaging a 3 day finish.
A passing opinion by me. International Dan Christian shouldn't be playing in a game like this. I'm sure an academy player would benefit more and it makes contest uneven. Didn't we criticise Sorry for doing something similar?
I got some fielding practise as 2 fours to 3rd man came in my direction well stopped and I save legs of fielder as thrown straight back.
The sun was intense which was fine for me but there was little shade for those who needed it. I have heard similar comment about lack of protection on very cold days here . While all this happening I caught up with some personal admin, finished a killer suduko and Lanky 2s batted to tea comfortably . Mr No Name is called Gowers and he virtually overtakes Proctor in the 60s as scores is 300 6 at tea.
After tea Ryan Higgins bowled the dangerous Proctor. Ouch Hurt next out for a painful nine. No Name Gowers makes his ton. We are fielding like a 2nd XI side oh yeah we are. There was a useful 40 from another No Name tail-ender . Eventually all out for 415. Refresh Total Scorecard we need 286.
Our reply starts well as i'm about to leave we are on 15 0, a quick chat with Joe Denly takes me to close 31-0 from 6 overs. Could be interesting day 4. Any chores to put off tomorrow?
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:07:19:23:07:32 by BarmierKev.
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
Overseas players, particularly those signed for T20, regularly get slagged off for being mercenaries who don't care about the club they play for, so if Dan is able to give a bit back by helping the development of our young reserves I'm not complaining.
More pragmatically, it may also be that with the strung-out format of T20 this season he needs the occasional extra game just to keep his eye in.
On a docile pitch I feel the presence of Christian would make this virtually a no contest. My opinion is the benefits of an academy player playing outweighs the benefit of academy players being up against an international.
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
Quote:chunkyinargyll
I too like the idea of one or two internationals playing in the seconds. Hopefully they pass on their experience to their team mates. Also- if you get one of them out it is a real feather in your cap- the sort of thing the coaches will take notice of.
I can remember one of the boys at school being whisked off to play for Middlesex Seconds against Hampshire. Next day, big announcement in assembly that he had taken three wickets - including Barry Richards! Looking at Cricket Archive it might have been 1969, as the great man was playing. Full teams and scores not available though.
I don't think he made it to the first team.
Adelaide
I think this was a friendly- but even if it was a 2nd XI championship match I wouldn't mind if the opposition (or us) had a couple of 'standout' first teamers playing. The only time 18 year old academy players get tested is if they are up against somebody seriously good. If they score runs off that players bowling- or take his wicket- (or even just manage to tie him down a bit) then that must be more of an achievement than playing against another 18 year old.
The lads on a contract to play cricket,if he's not playing in the ones in the cc due to Bucks availability he needs to be playing in the two's.
Just because the Mexicans did it a year or two ago (and we have subsequently namely against then) doesn't make it wrong.
Good show from the guys with a few pushing for first team action still which is great and a win to boot.
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
Our overseas T20 always seems to cop it, whoever they are. The one player the MTWD faithful don't bother to get to know (he's just passing through, and won't be back again) so- if he plays, he is denying someone a place- and if he doesn't, he's just here for the money.
Can't win really.
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
However, it certainly seemed Middlesex 2nd XI were stronger, as it contained two players who had played international cricket, as well as James Harris, whose involvement a couple of years ago with England earned his Twitter account verified status (a blue tick) which Dan Christian also enjoys.
At the last few forums, Angus Fraser has spoken about the benefits of a strong 2nd XI. Considering the quality of the players who can't get into our first-team, it is unsurprising our 2nd XI is so strong. If a first-team player becomes unavailable or loses form, there is no shortage of potential replacements, especially in the fast bowling department.
They are used to access young talent and give it a chance to improve to first team selection level, to check out players fitness after injury and to help those who are out of nick regain form.
All the gym work and coaching in the world is no replacement for match experience so a blend of all three groups will often be found.Hopefully in our case not to many of the out of form trying to find a way back group in there.
I think our twos have a nice mix at the moment with a couple of more senior pros about to help the younger members of our squad.
