Great Scott

By Barmy Kev
April 20 2019

Kev reports on a great victory for Middlesex, the major turning points and an entertaining day.

I chose to wear my George Scott shirt. Rogers and Out advised there was a bag search and you are allowed four cans or a bottle of wine. The bottle I bought was told no glass allowed and they cannot look after it.  The steward kindly decantered into two full plastic pint glasses.  

The first ball I saw with two pints of wine in my hand was Stirlo caught behind.  Simmo promoted to 3 had a useful knock until also caught behind 72 -2 from 12. Bring on Eoin who is my prediction selection made 20 before skying one. Throughout useful partnerships were built and run rate was moving close to 7 an over with Mala in full flow. He made a chanceless 95 when at non striking end went for single run out with ball right on stumps.

Four more to Mala in front of packed Chelmsford crowd

Gubbo and Scott provided necessary acceleration. Scott was particularly brutal benefiting from 2 no balls 14 off of one. Our disjointed batting order seem to pay off. Our score of 366 was 2^ndhighest for List A games one short of our record. There was a feeling this may not be enough. Our loanee Robbie White was involved in 5 of the wickets but let quite a few byes through and missed a stumping. 

Are they trying to say something?

Their reply Murtagh bowled tightly first 5 overs went for 11. TRJ and Helm were expensive. Cook wicket was followed by a massive stand of 150+ and game was running away from us.  Then, I was trying to think of Varun Chopra headline, came match-changing moment right by where I sat.  What looked like a 6 Morgan held before he went over the ropes lobbed ball in the air and ran back juggled catch on his return inside. It was strange that Stirlo, who was very economical, then Mala both bowled before Sowter. In fact we were wondering whether the “Rabbit” would bowl at all.   He came on eventually and took a spectacular caught and bowled to get rid of the dangerous Westley. This triggered an amazing collapse. He took 6 wickets and caused a run out. This spell the game quickly drifting away from Essex. TRJ took 2 including the hapless Bopara in one over with Simmo standing up to the stumps. There were some Middle. Middle Chants. The full ground was emptying with 5 overs to go to the chant “is there a fire drill”. When 40 needed of final over I felt we were safe and ended up with a brilliant 35 run win. 

Evacuation in Tom Pearce stand

We were celebrating at the local Orange Tree pub where we were told Graham Gooch would be present and huge buffet was laid out. I was trying to spot him only to find out he left very early not in best of moods. Rogers and Out Chelsea friends happily joined in the merriment and a few of them were converted to the Middle. What a day.