Timely wickets today

By barmy Kev
May 12 2015

barmy Kev as substtute reporters describes another Middlesex win, this time with contributions from all the bowlers. We hear about many batsman in the 30s; some nervy moments with Sussex batsmen and more over rate magic from Don Shelley. And some timely in every sense wickets from Neil Dexter.  Feel the tension of the last few hours. And not a mention of events in London!

As our designated reporter Big Harvey had an emergency I  have stepped in as replacement reporter. 

It was only yesterday morning I saw there was an opportunity on our work rota for a day off. There was a promising weather forecast and game seemed to be going our way for a day 3 victory. So I'm on my way to Hove as the chance of seeing an LVCC away win was irresistible. Despite many days travelling watching Middlesex the last LVCC  win I witnessed at the end  was Grace Road promotion. First negative, on journey I payed considerably more than Seaxe Man's £3 Old Git's rate. 

At Hove now.  First aim is to try to get the target around 250 which on this wicket should be more than enough. Sun out I'm in my MTWD t shirt. First boundary of day gets Simmo off the mark with an uppish cover drive, I shouted "he's out" but just cleared cover who luckily wasn't tall. It was not heartbreaking when Ollie R bowled by Ollie R was out for 23 caught at slip by Yardy again because there were signs of movement in the pitch. Every ball that kept low or found a crack was good news for us. Just as I was wondering about our 50 partnership another wicket in 30s: Simmo cleaned bowled from one that kept low; more  good news me thinks. Harris not quite 30 was caught behind soon after. Who really cares when Finn holes out? We are 209 all out.

Target 287 which looks very tricky and there's 20 minutes before lunch. A good start when over rate from overnight is now "level" according to the scoreboard . Well played Don I think, until in space of the first over by Hifi it shows -2 and that over wasn't slow. After 3 overs Over rate crisis is now -3 Sussex are 20/0, so my obsession with that was reasonably greeted with who the f cares about over rate, we need to win this game first. 

I'm very nervous after lunch. Especially as opening partnership cruising to 40s with the odd alarm. A Sussex fan comments Nash is always out in 20s and I mentioned the prospect of an elusive 50 partnership which leads to Ollie superb slip catch off TRJ: 46 1. Next ball loud LBW shout turned down. Suddenly momentum back then going away from us with another 46 partnership another batsman out for 29. 

Game changing moment Dext was used as, in my words, an reduce the over rate bowler. He takes the dangerous Jock Machan giving TRJ catching practise. The crucial one Joyce then caught behind off another Dext slower one.  Hi Fi is becoming expensive; Posh Margaret complains about his long hair and short bowling which leads to Cachopa off stump being flattened. It's 123/4. The first 50 of the match is Yardy, forgive me for not applauding. Dext then clean bowled Luke Wright for 12. 137/5. Just before tea danger man Yardy, caught behind again off Dext.  He now has 4-28  and score 147/6. Oh and over rate now -2. I'm sure over tea Don Shelley can do some magic. 

He did, over rate now -1. I wasn't nervous anymore until two overs after tea produced 18 runs for no wickets and squeaky bum 34 from 5.  It's going to finish tonight.  Another wild slog by Ben Brown in the air for ages in the sun and wind. Where's the ball? Ollie picked it up and dived although the ball landed close to where he was fielding. The 7th wicket stand was becoming 20/20 style that was getting hard to take. Voges who had earlier missed a tough one at first slip caught Robinson comfortably. I suggested not for over rate bring Ollie on to take pace off of ball.  Macgoffin then had a  leading edge that actually found a fielder. 206/9. 207 all out. It was  just a matter of time; result never in doubt. Our victory margin of 79 was more than extras first innings that made it more genuine. 

Definitely reason to celebrate

During celebrations I mentioned that's 4 day cricket for you with a dig at cricket's Graves digger. I forgot it was over in 3 days. 

3 negatives

 Big Harvey couldn't attend today

I pad more than £3 for train fare

Our over rate scenario really was hard to follow. 

3 positives

Dext crucial destructive spell of bowling when all Middlesex fans had every reason to be worried

Very good company today. 

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