You Dexy Thing

By Barmy Kev
August 23 2015

Kev couldn't make it to Chester Le Street as planned thanks to believing the BCC weatherman, but gives an account of his radio induced view from home.

I was planning on attending the weekend’s play. To manage this would have involved a Saturday 7am departure from Kings X and a potential return at midnight next day at a cost of over £100 for travel and half as much for accommodation. I was prepared to do this but once saw BBC weather forecast of rain for both days at Chester Le Street and sunny weather in London I chose other options. Following Saturdays play involved phone updates in a middle of a depressing football match under dark clouds during a non-rain interrupted day at CLS. There were many times was thinking I had made the wrong decision. 

Sunday, I settled for BBC commentary. Early on there was talk time and again of Muchall’s dropped catch off of Mala's first ball. All commentators agreed pitch was improving and game seemed to be drifting away from Durham, except for DT. My first KH view of wicket was Mala's dismissal with disappointing edged hook for 63 and he mentioned was one less than Muchall's score, so he was in credit.  It's starting to rain as listening to commentary in garden and reporters say it is sunny at CLS. As I’m thinking what am I doing here, they mention that BBC have sacked the Met Office, which under my circumstances seems a good decision.

I really wished I was there when Dext got his ton and heard the applause from a sizeable Middx contingent by the sound of it.  I would have loved to be present to cheer a 6 soon after and clap him off as he was soon out. Then my head in my hands as Simmo was out immediately after off of a dreadful ball high full toss LBW. It was difficult listening when Ollie out and Durham had a 1-3 spell.  I still felt we were favourites, but DT continued to disagree.

KH after lunch was describing TRJ being caught in deep, except was a dolly drop from sub fielder Hammersmith born Sunbury team mate Stuart Poynter.  Somebody tweeted if my 6 year old daughter dropped that I would have been cross with her and someone asked about his singing sisters.  This was followed by some poyntless banter on name. 

I was doing valuable domestics I wouldn't have done had been at game and came back to radio to discover the target is 308, which DT thought was well within Durham's reach, 

DT still fancies Durham chances when they are 20-2 at tea. Especially as so far each innings have made it this far with 3 wickets down.  

There was temporary Internet crash at home and for a while I thought my life was over but service was promptly restored, massive phew. In between was doing other duties round the house Mrs Barmy asked why there was commentary blaring out from 2 computers yet I was in neither room. It would have been so much easier had I been at CLS 

Next heard they were 4 down and we were 4 down on over rate. WTF  here we go again. 5 down but still -4. I was not happy and apologise to my cats who were surrounding me for my language at the time.  

 It is now 17.45, if I was at game I imagine would be leaving for 18:15 train that would have arrived at Kings X  22:00.  

I would have rather have been there, but I found Martin Emerson most entertaining in fact my favourite radio commentator which well and truly compensated for attack of the DTs.