We're Stirling in The Rain. We're Happy Again

Stirling Effort
By Beefy
June 25 2011

Beefy reports on a victory in the rain. There is a usual same old Middx problem that occurs if you've been to all our grounds. Most importantly we hear of a Stirling effort from our groundstaff and one of our batsman.

Welcome to Uxbridge, the home of cricket, for the first game of this year's festival. Before yesterday our last two games were against Kent in the T20 (won't even think about mentioning the result) and a County game v Kent ( that's worth a thought) . Today we are playing a T20 against our old friends Kent and looking for a good result in our faltering T20 season.

On arriving at the ground, a watery sun with a stiff breeze blowing welcomes me, then a rumour starts that Malan is missing after aggravating the injury from before with Adam Rossington take his place for his debut T20 game for the first team. People drift in for the game as the toss takes place, we win and decide to put Kent into bat, then we do find out that Malan is missing.

Play starts and first over is Crook from the Pavilion End to Denly and its a maiden over,a good start for us. Next over Ireland takes the ball at the Town End (now called the Gatting Road end, but for personal reasons I will use the original name. ) I said it's probably his only over as he has 4 runs taken off it, all in singles. The first wicket goes, as Ireland takes Key for 6 caught by Smth it was a lofted ball that went sky high and took ages to land in Smith's hands.

Mahmood comes in , his first ball from Ireland goes for 6. In the 4th over the first bowling change takes place, McLaren from the Pavilion End as light drizzle starts to fall at the end of the powerplay. Kent are 40-1 and Ireland is replaced by Smith at the Town End, who didnt take long in getting his first wicket as Mahmood goes with the score on 41-2, he is stumped by quick work from Simmo,bowled by Smith. Stevens comes in and the score is 48-2 as McLaren is replaced by Dexter at the pavilion end. With the score at 53, Stevens lofts a ball from Smith into the air, Smith runs for ages and was determined to take the catch at Deep Mid-On and he did with Kent on 53-3.

With 10 overs gone Kent are on 56-3 and the rain gets slightly heavier and we are using spin both ends with Smith and Dexter Kent are on 81-3. As Smith finishes his 4 overs with figures of 4 overs, 2 for 26 good bowling. Dalrymple takes over from Smith for his only over and Denly reaches 50 off 49 balls. Murts takes over from Dexter at the Pavilion End. The clouds are a yukkie grey colour, it looks grim and then the Middle jinx strikes again, the main scoreboard packs up. That's 3 grounds so far this season its happened at! We say we might need Vera tonight to get a result, Murts goes for at least a dozen in first over as we are watching the game and the clouds. It starts to really chuck it down as Mclaren takes over from Pavilion End, everyone decided to take shelter in the pavilion as the rain takes a grip and they are still playing. You will have to forgive me but,as the pavilion fills up, we cant see play and they carry on playing. We all say its madness why not bring them off. By the way the score is 140-3.

Thinking the rain has eased we venture outside, it's still heavy rain but amazingly they are still playing with Kent on 144-3. Somehow they finish 20 overs and reach 149-3 and Vic manages to get the covers on, only light rain and the covers stay off as Vic uses the light roller With the covers staying off, Kent start fielding practice so we presume the game is still going ahead.

Stirling and Rossington came out and Rossington faces ,soon the first wicket goes as Adam is out LBW, he appears to walk in front of the wicket and we are 2-1. Riaz is first bowling change (forgot who started, sorry) ,but his first ball to Stirlo is despatched for 6 into or near to the curry food outlet,afer 3 overs we are 27-1. Vera being 21, Stirlo is on a misson tonight as he easily gets to 36 no we are 451 vera is 33 afeter 4 overs, Stirlo launches a ball into Park Road ,although some of us lost the white ball against the grey sky. Still the summer rain comes down as we get to 54-1. Vera being 39 and the players both decide to go for a hit-out Newman sending 4's everywhere but it is just really raining heavy now and all you hear from the crowd is "this just can't carry on, it's crazy"

Then, there is a huge mix up as Newman and Stirlo are both at the Town end together, but Stirlo manages to scramble back to his end and survies a woeful Kent throw. Stirlo reaches 50 with another ball into Park Road, still lost the ball against the grey, grim sky.

Eventually the rain does stop play with the score on 79-1. Vera on 58,this off 8 overs.

Not sure why,but the umpires wanted to carry on, but looked like the players told them they are going off,and Vic manages to get the covers on.

20:00 the covers are still on,crowds slowly starts to leave a it looks like the game is over.The only people on the outfield are 2 green team protecting the outfield from invaders, why they stayed there, no one knows, but was funny watching them getting soaked!

Finally, at 20:25 the scoreboard is turned off(it did start to work after the earlier comment) so we presume the Middle have won a game at last in the T20.

Vera has got us a win by 28 runs.

So, it's a day off for everyone before the next game at Uxbridge v Gloucestershire on Sunday. It's going to be a lot warmer and dry so,come on along and give the lads(and vic) some support.

Beefy signing off,and going to get dry!!

We're Stirling in The Rain. We're Happy Again

Posted by: Middlesex till we die (IP Logged)

Date: 25/06/2011 02:02

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:06:28:00:07:21 by BarmierKev.