Solid innings

By Beefy Roberts
September 3 2016

Beefy reports on a what should be a pivotal day in the match but where happenings elsewhere are almost as significant. And of course weather plays its part.

Leaving Uxbridge in bright sunshine, I wonder what today will bring.  Meeting up with Phil at Euston, we have a good journey to Birmingham, except for a text from Viveca saying its raining, I reply with its OK, by 11am it will be all clear.  . It was wet in the city, but few miles away, Edgbaston dry.

11 o'clock start under lights and a humid feel in the air.

1st over of the day with Gubbo facing Barker from the pavilion end, we have a lead of 139.

We are in the members area to start with, its one of the best on the circuit in my eyes with a good view point, better than the new stand built with no roof, and needing a Gurkha to take you to the top.

As we are chatting, we miss Compo going, but having his middle peg on the floor was a good indication he was clean bowled by Barker.

At this point, we decide to move to the Middlesex stand, we were mostly congregated in the Orange seats that looked a bit yellow as well, and it was here that cricket history was made. . . .  at 11. 35am, on this date, i actually agreed with a comment made by our own LP.

Anyway, back to the game, as Mala is now the next victim as he was caught off a glove, bowler Patel and we are 99-3, lead of 169.

There is now rain in the air, very little thankfully and the wicket is still taking spin, with the odd ball keeping very low as well, our run rate is 2. 5 per over, wonder when we will declare?

Not much really happening to be honest, as the bores are living up to their names! Fielding positions taken slowly, bowlers having a stroll.

At lunch we are 129-3, a lead of 199 off 29 overs.

The second session, and Wright is bowling to Eski, alarm bells ring as he is hit on the head, concern all around as players all rush to his aid, we watch, but thankfully Eski is fine to carry on.

There seems no urgency with our batting, and we all discuss the declaration, will it be soon we ask?

Robbo soon reaches a well deserved 50, off 175 balls with four 4's.

Bad light at Southampton (we are all keeping a check down there) and the Bores take a drinks break. . more time wasting, we ask? Umpire goes missing as he needs a comfort break and heads towards the away dressing rooms.

We have a lead of 253, Robson 65 off 204 balls, Eski 42 off 95 balls.

Robson is next to go: at 196 we lose our 4th wicket c Chopra b Patel 74.

Eski 50, 103 balls with 5x fours he is soon out, bowled for 53 by Poysden. . . The wicket was encouraged by our own Colin Strange, who commented just before that 'The wicket is flattening out and spin doing nothing'.

Toby comes in. . . quick runs maybe?

Toby was bowled by Poysdn for 21. . . I missed the wicket. I know, very poor reporting by myself, i should be on the naughty step for 5 minutes.

The General goes next, he was caught by Clarke, a soft gentle lob.

The Complete Package is now in, and at tea we are 267-7, a lead of 337. . . Will we declare now?. . . Yes was the answer as the very clear PA informs us.

Now, 3rd session and the bores need 338 to win, Toby at the Birmingham end, Podders pavilion end, who is soon replaced by Ravi.

A wicket soon falls, as Chopra in caught by Robbo off Toby for 9, a comment is made. . one brings two. . . . .

Its soon Package time, as he replaces Toby and his favourite end.

Trott is next to slowly leave the field as there was definatly no gallop by him he was given out lbw Ravi for 8, althought Trott showed he hit the ball, oh well, never mind.

At 55, the next bores wicket falls, as Westwood is judged lbw by the Package, it looked very leg-side, but in all honesty, we don't care!

Chris Wright, night watchman comes in, very early for him, and we have a very, very attacking field, 6 fielders around the batsman.

Toby has the last over of the day to Bell, the bores finish on 74-3, needing 264 to win.

Everyone is questioning now. . who is coming tomorrow?. . . . Not many said yes, with the dodgy forcast, but one diehard is heading to Edgbaston for day 4.

So, will we get to play for the win?

Will the rain beat us?

What will happen down The Rose Bowel?

Isn’t county cricket so good, so much to play for.

BATTLE