Cheers

By Barmy Kev
July 6 2021

Kev reports on his first day back at cricket and how some things never change.

After many false hopes I am finally at a first class cricket match for the first time since Sept 2019. I don’t care the weather forecast is dodgy and Middlesex are shit. I am just glad cricket is happening.

I decided this should be a whinge free occasion under the circumstances. I arrived at the ground at lunch I was most disappointed there was only one wicket down at lunch. Early conversations were moaning about Middlesex season. “Normality “ has returned.

The  first session I witnessed was hard work to watch and we only prised two wickets. However, It was a great feeling being there enjoying the banter. Annie Chave a Somerset fan was with us. She is author of County Cricket Matters magazine. https://www.countycricketmatters.com. I was given a free copy. I offered to be her agent on 10% to encourage people to suscribe. Rod Ed thought this was start of a takeover bid from me.

Heated debate on whether it is sexist using term batsman for woman’s cricket. Should we be gender neutral and all be called batters. Beefy remarked batters should only be referred to what is put on fish. 

This is not a whinge but it was disappointing the usual Churchdown  tent we reside in was taken down. It was normal seating which took the edge of the usual Cheltenham atmosphere.

The final session was more productive for The Middle. Handscomb took a brilliant catch and suddenly he was our hero. The Price brothers were batting together. I said we should get two for the price of one. I received a text stating the same. Their wickets fell a Price reduction and a Priceless wicket. 4 overs to go 9 wickets down.  Should they declare to have a go at Josh De Caires overnight with Mike Atherton present?Would we use a night watchman? I was relieved they batted through to two overs left and we bowled Glous out for 248. Hackneyshire pointed out this was against a Glous 2nd X1.

Plenty of rain forecasted for next three games. Welcome back to cricket.