Harry leads team off

By Way Out West - Pictures by Fozzie
May 5 2015

Way Out West has an unusual report from him. It covers all the cricket of the day. We hear of how in the space of 90 minutes Harry destroys Durham. Fozzie provides a few snaps to boot. 

HARRY BLITZ ENSURES EARLY FINN-ISH/GONE IN 90 MINUTES

The overnight forecast had implied a late start and as such I had planned to arrive at the ground at approx. 11.30am. A change of heart had seen my Dad and I set off earlier, arriving as the bell rang and the players walked on. This was the first good bit of luck as this report would have been even shorter otherwise.

I rated our chances of victory at 60%, these surely would have been 75% or higher if Murts had been available. There was a reasonable smattering of spectators as we took our place side on to the wicket closest to the Pavilion. Conditions could best be described as changeable as they varied wildly second by second from quite fierce sunshine to very dark clouds and strong winds.

The overnight score stood Durham 24/2 from 8 overs requiring 258 runs in total to win. Harris (Nursery) and Finn (Pavilion) both started brightly with the ball beating the bat once apiece from their respective ends. A tactical comment of “the ball hasn`t done a great deal yet” from my dad Allan and hey presto, Richardson is bowled offering no shot, 30/3.

Harris seemed a good two yards faster than the last time I witnessed him live in 2014 and his fluent run up, movement, and extra pace was causing more problems than the greater height and shorter ball of Hi Fi from the opposite end.

The first ball of the 12^th over saw a very loud appeal for LBW successfully upheld and MacLeod was gone for 0, Harris strikes again. The key moment of the whole innings then followed as Collingwood came to the crease with a respectful round of applause. He took his guard well outside the crease, a decision that made me loudly wonder what he was doing. 30 seconds later with his wickets scattered all around NW8, maybe Collingwood himself was questioning his own judgement. Harris was on fire and his victory sprint took him across the turf. The importance of the moment wasn`t lost on anybody as Durham were in massive trouble at 34/5.

Hatrick ( not quite) ball

Mustard was the next batsman/walking victim to join the proceedings, he soon found a very nice sounding edge and Franklin gobbled the chance up. 38/6 became 39/7 as three balls later Voges wasn`t quite as convincing, juggling the ball before safely pouching it at the second attempt, Borthwick gone.

Despite only seven overs having been completed it was now apparent it was only a matter of time before the inevitable Middlesex victory. The fielders were buoyant and there were many loud shouts proclaiming that Harris could go through the card so to speak, and take all ten wickets.

A relative barren period of four overs followed before Arshad became the next man to go, Finn and fielders appealing loudly for a LBW shout. Amidst the unsuccessful appealing Robbo quickly reacted and realising the ball had taken an edge, took an excellent catch diving forwards having made up a fair amount of distance very quickly.

The giant John Hastings arrived at the crease and displayed a very surprising lack of confidence against the short ball. He survived a few close calls before giving Harris an eight wicket, LBW for 0.

Coughlin and Rushworth made hay with some positive batting as the sun came out and conditions eased noticeably under the now bright blue sky. Nothing could hold Harris too long in this mood though and an edge was gratefully accepted by Simmo and the celebrations started.

The time was not quite 12:30pm but Middlesex had completed an excellent victory, Durham all out for 71. All that was left was for Jimmy to lead the players off the pitch to a standing ovation, a pub lunch and a very early train home.

King Harry leads players off

Positives:

Harris: 12.1-2-34-9. Great pace, movement and aggression. The best pace bowling display I have seen live by some margin.

Fielding: Very sharp, positive and vocal. The effect of so many leaders on the pitch in the shape of Voges, Franklin, Compton etc. was very clear.

The pitch: I was not present for any of the preceding play but any pitch that can produce positive cricket has to be applauded. The umpiring team in particular seemed very keen to shake the hand of Mr Hunt at the end of play.

Negatives:

8 wickets and victory in 90 minutes, there can`t be any.