Lovely ground

By Beefy Roberts
June 10 2017

Beefy sets the scene . Then reports on  a day of lots of leg side catches and Lanky moans

Birkdale nice little ground houses at both ends, the pavilion side on and other side is railway line tennis courts in the corner.

Middlesex won toss and elect to bat. Warm and sunny for now. The outfield is slow due to earlier rain. Gubbins first out 18 -1 a very slight edge. It's 30-2 Robbo caught down leg side. Mala out hooking fielder didn't move. it's 35 3 . Someone shouts "bring back Compo "Batting not easy here.

There is slight recovery. Eski out for 30 it's 70 4. Simmo dropped behind early on which proves to be crucial. Luckily it's still warm as I remember I forgot to pack coat. Shopping trip needed having seen the weekend forecast . I blame Kev. An edged 4 brings 100 up at lunch. The locals reckon 102 4 is par score for here.

17 off the first over after lunch as conversation drifts to Carry on Films. I experience something strange at cricket ground service with a smile at the bar. Take note Lord's. We achieve a much needed 50 partnership. Then Stirlo caught behind and Tank and Harry soon follow. 166 7 with 5 caught down the leg side wickets. TRJ out you guessed caught down leg side. Murts done by a snorter of a short pitched one. Simmo reaches 50 off 79 balls. He is left stranded as Ravi is caught at square leg. All out 180 not even a batting point. 45 overs left.

Some ball by ball commentary. Lanky reply. Marts bowling 1st ball a dot. 2nd Davies having caught 6 is caught behind. 3rd ball Livingstone I presume also caught behind. "Really pathetic " I hear from Lanky corner. 4th ball no hat trick.

3 successive maidens. The first runs in 4th over loudest cheer of day. 2nd loudest at 36 follow on saved. Hameed out, again catch behind down leg side with score 50. When Croft is well caught by Ravi 74 4 shout from Lanky fan is "gormless bugger".

Chanderpaul and Dane Vilas sees Lanky to close with last over Stirlo bowling pies. Interesting days cricket.