Attack. Attack.

By Barmy Kev
June 1 2016

Barmy Kev reports on an eventual successful day for Middlesex . There are details of inevitable struggles with weather that might deny us and the cold while achieving win, with some quirky moments added.  Pictures added by Darren Gosling. Enjoy.   

Day 3 

We had no day 3 reporter as none of three there were willing. So here's my take on the day.  

I was in good spirits from previous day, which from a personal holistic cricket perspective could not have gone any better, despite the extreme cold. I realised lots of rain predicted for next day, which I tried not to let dampen my spirits. 

12.30 at Wembley, it was torrentially peeing it down, having been persistently so for 4 hours. I gave up any hope of play not only for this day but was re planning my day off tomorrow with a depressing thought a travesty of a draw. Despite forecasts rain would stop at 3pm, I assumed like 2 years ago the outfield wouldn't dry out. I was going about by normal business and was pleasantly amazed to hear play to start at 4.00. Getting a wicket was a bonus. Ok there was only 1-hour play, but at least wet outfield now not an issue. Checking the forecast for the umpteenth time for day 4, indicated bad light and rain still could scupper our hopes.  I'm still dreading one of the greatest injustices of modern history a Hants draw. 

Day 4 

As much as Carol Kirkwood has her advantages to wake up to regardless of what weather news she presents, I couldn't face her this morning.  Instead a text to a less easy on the eye but reliable source at MTS states "It's not raining, not forecast to rain, the ground staff are removing the covers as we speak and it's overcast but defo bright enough to play! Basically unless the weather changes we'll be underway on time and should get a game on.  

MTS here I come. I leave home wearing two jumpers and 3rd one packed in bag and it’s raining heavily.  I arrive at Moor Park station right on 11.00. It’s not raining but seemed dark. I receive text at that point game has started, early, phew. Time to forget about weather and concentrate on the little matter of 6 wickets.  

I joined birthday boy Fozzie just behind the side screen. We are well placed to directly see early wicket TRJ clean bowled Weatherley for not best debut game for him career average so far 4.5. It was even colder than expected, warm drinks required but coffee facility was not there, (they did return after lunch)  the ice cream van was present, one for the  oxymoron thread.  

We moved to Latchman Lounge, I ordered two teas one as Fozzies birthday present, to discover we needed to wait for the kettle to boil to serve us. Not to miss too much play, we gave it ten minutes and returned to be told no tea available as there was a "tripped fused", perhaps a shock to their system of me ordering a non alcoholic drink from a bar area. There was another matter of a request for a gazebo to keep their young family warm  to be taken down due to "health and safety" reasons.  All, not a problem in scheme of events. We were served our tea, the staff in the ground were very obliging and genuinely apologetic. The kids found refuge under the tent of the deserted club shop and enjoyed their ice cream doubling the vans profit for the week.   

Meanwhile, there are 5 wickets left to take and apart from the odd edge through slip cordon, for close to an hour a wicket did not look very likely. Seaxe Man turns up late from close to Uxbridge, his excuse due to "shopping duties". On his arrival Franco found the edge a couple of times, in same over has danger man Adams out LBW, the crucial one, for his first wicket of the season, claimed by Seaxe Man. One leads to two, next over Wheater is caught at slip off of bowling of Fuller (who we hear has nickname of Fozzie, so our Fozzie's nickname is now Fuller).

Tino now comes in desperately trying to make up for the massive deficit on his own, he is on borrowed time. I was wondering if it is case of whether we will need extra 1/2 hour for lunch and the light is improving. Then there was a heavy shower from nowhere. I was advised by many sources in and out of ground this is 1/2 hr passing shower so don’t worry. An early lunch is taken little play lost. Thanks umpires, who did everything to guarantee as much play as possible for this game,

During break I spoke with a Hampshire fan, who paid to see all four days of this wearing shorts. Hope you enjoyed your pint, I salute you. 

Loyal supporter

At 1:25 we are on again, Tino's still determined for quick fire runs to hopefully make him bowl again. He is comically playing and missing so he tries identical shot that got him out first innings and out for a pair. He took ages again to make it to pavilion. Anyone fancy asking him questions about the wicket?

Tomlinson and Crane offered decent support to McLaren. It was all a matter of time and fortunately for a while the weather was not going to be an issue but it was f.f.f ing freezing.  2 wickets to go , the inevitable was delayed from a rare sign of sensible Hants batting. I loved it when there was 8 slips (see photo ) to Crane.

 8 slips

Fuller picked up a “Michelle” , Ollie Ollie Ollie who was unplayable at end finished it off.

24 pts clinched

We win by an innings (and 3 wickets down for us) and 116 runs. There was a chant led by meof  "Can we play you (or was it here) every week?   Of course you can, but at Radlett next Tuesday. A "Middlesex la la la" was well supported from those still there.  Everyone was leaving when I wanted back up for "We are Middlesex Till We Dry" offering.

Sadly for them, I hear Hants have been deducted 2 of their Best points. Overall score -1 for their visit to MTS. " You're going down with the Surrey"  

Finally, a hearty congratulations for the day to Fozzie or should I say Fuller