We haven't a prayer

By Phil The Power
September 25 2015

On a day of struggle for the Middle, Phil the Power tries his best to stay awake and report for MTWD. Shall we say this was not one of our greatest performances, so you are best advised to skip the cricket bits and hear of Worcester wildlife , local choices for lunch  refreshments cakes in the Ladies Pavilion with random trivia thrown in and desperate dietary attempts to take a wicket.

 The Longest Day

The MTWD group of Motley characters arrived at New Road suitably refreshed after sampling the delights of various Worcester pubs and hotels the night before.With Middlesex in a dodgy position after an ordinary display on day 1,we needed a good day today.

As usual, before the start of play, our conversation takes in some odd subjects. Today it’s wildlife (nothing to do with events of night before) . We were plagued by crane-flies yesterday and buzzed regularly by dozy wasps, which kept us on our toes. Also a woodpecker was seen on the outfield before play started, and a buzzard flew over during the afternoon. 

Moving on to cricket. Do I have to? Dex opens up from the Diglis End with a no-ball. Hopefully that's not a sign of things to come! On the last ball of the first over D'Oliveira toe-ends a slog and is caught by Franco at mid-on, Worcs 81-2 and a good start for us.

Murts begins from the New Road End and Joe Clarke is the new batsman. After 2 overs from Dex, Toby comes on at the Diglis End and there is a huge shout for caught behind against Fell - but Mr Umpire ain't having it. A delay occurred when Fell took a painful blow in the groin area, but he had a 'count up' and everything was ok.

A nice cover drive from Clarke off Murts brings up the Worcester 100 and they lead by 2 runs. Later in the over, Tom Fell repeats the dose to bring up his 50. Clarke is then brilliantly caught at slip off the last ball of an eventful Murts over, 110-3 and a bowling point for the Middle. That was about it for the morning session. Despite lots of bowling changes, Worcester batted on happily until lunch and ended the session on 191-3. With the two Toms( Fell and Kohler-Cadmore) not out on 94 and 38 respectfully.

At lunchtime, Beefy, Seaxe Man and myself strolled into town. The other two visited a pasty shop called 'Cornish Bakehouse',I went somewhat up-market and chose Greggs.

With the over rate on a friendly-2, we started with Toby and Murts. A Kohler-Cadmore boundary brings up the Worcestershire 200, gets them another point, and we are over 100 behind. It begins to look ominous. Tom Fell chops Toby to the backward point boundary, then scampers a sharp single to bring up a well-deserved century. Following his 143 in the reverse fixture at Uxbridge, he clearly likes batting against us. 

A streaky four through the vacant 3rd slip area brings up a 50 for Kohler-Cadmore. As usual, there is no third man in position, enough said. Half hour into the session and it’s time for Ollie to have his first bowl. Worcestershire 235-3 and the over rate is -3.

On the balcony above and behind us there is movement. The Middlesex committee have returned from lunch and we get a wave from our president, Harry Latchman. The committee are housed in the superbly named Perks Room. At 242-3,our skipper comes on for a bowl. The runs aren't exactly flowing, but we are struggling for a break-through. Drastic measures are called for, so Beefy ate an orange and Seaxe Man and myself went for an ice cream. It didn't work. Our bowling seems to have flat-lined! At 279-3,Murts takes the new ball, with Toby from the other end. That didn't work either. 

As tea approached we were reduced to talking about the cakes in the Ladies Pavilion, pre-war batting feats and even a game of I-spy.

At 297-3,Tom Fell passes his previous career best (143 at Uxbridge) and goes to 146.Two career bests against Middlesex.......by a Hillingdon born player!! Two overs later and the 300 comes up and 150 to Tom Fell, (and our over rate is at -4). It’s tea, Worcs are 322-3

A couple of overs after tea, the umpires decided that the light was too poor to continue. 329-3 at that point with Fell 167 not out and Kohler-Cadmore 97 not out.

At 5.30pm,in the worsening gloom, the umpires called things off for the day. Can I go home now? Please!!!