The Ballance of Power Shifts. Headlingley Part 1

We hear of the Headingley 7 journey to Leeds with much amusement provided by Lower Pav. Then we find out about Kimmy's and " The  Power's" take on the mixed fortunes of Yorkshire Innings. Pictures are provided by Kimmy and Beefy.

It was decided at Kings X that in interest of squad rotation all the Headingley 7 will contribute to the report of the day. Beefy starts with summary of journey and build up to the start to the eventual start of play.

The Headingley 7 arrive very early for the departure of our train. So early that 5 of us were there before a Headingley 3 who's train left an hour before us.

All on first class, due to special offer through advanced booking and Barmy Kev's compensation for 9 1/2 delay on a journey back from Leeds QPR in freezing December. We have a carriage to ourselves just as well as we are vocal as we take our seats from word go.

Lower Pav seems to be having fun on his posh seat trying to read the Torygraph, folding it as if he was making a hat. Lower Pav says" lovely cup of tea" and then spills some down his Panther's shirt." His next drink was an orange juice that was in mouth and spat out on table due to an amusing tale that made him laugh. You had to be there to appreciate how funny it was at the time.

Wake up you are meant to be reporting

Looking out the train window there was a shower. It subsided. Seaxe Man says "| don’t worry rain going South." It stopped. Kev comments " that's the rain finished for the day" Two seconds later there was monsoon like shower. Again you had to be there.

As we approached Wakefield looking out of window one of our party who wishes to be anonymous but his initials are LP says, " It's very Northern looking here". A profound comment we think.

We arrive at Leeds Station and meet Kevin Hand and his ticket not initially accepted at ticket barrier. He got through eventually. We heard the booked journey back ticket time was touch and go. So much for BBC class travel. I heard the moderators are considering in a desperate attempt for more MTWD hits whether it's worth hacking into his phone for his complaints to BBC.

We arrive at ground at. 12:35. It was unrecognisable since last visit. A friendly Yorkie fan explains the Pavilion has been moved since then. It is not raining but the covers are on. Phil "The Power" Taylor perambulates bumps into Mark O'Neill .who says rain intermittent throughout day. At 1:30 with no rain it was announced there was a pitch inspection a 1:45, which was scheduled start of play time. At 1:45 it was raining so no pitch inspection. Next inspection due at 2:15 but is raining then. Meanwhile there was a beer spillage involving Kimmy and "The Power". The seats we planned to sit at were out of bounds due to being " Corporate Only". Rains stops covers off at 2:45 and a 31 over game on starting at 3:15. It rained again, but bowler run ups are being marked up-game on. This was a great relief to me, as I can hand over reporting duties to Kimmy as we settle into an alternative vantage point.

Look at our no. 6

Over to Kimmy.

Hi Kimmy here. 3:15 Players are out. Looks like Corey opening the bowling, can't be sure what with blowing a gale with my hair over my eyes. OMG I can see clearly now 5th ball caught between 1st and 2nd slip a wicket a juggling act between Dexter and AC I think. After 2 overs 5 for 1.

There's a massive roar at Headingley. It's a plane to Leeds/ Bradford Airport going further sideways with wind blowing harder. The game is a bit stale, at this point

At 14-1 after 4 overs rubbish I think. We're fielding well. I look up again pooh balls gone for 4,

We were discussing the new Carniegie Pavilion there was green around the edges is it either mould or midlrew we wonder?

I am watching cricket, I am honestly, there’s another boundary chipped over everyone’s head after 8 overs Yorkies are 34-1.

Change of bowling "C'mon Crookie" shout the MTWD faithful. Barmy Kev says he is either really good or really bad. Got him caught and bowled a skier in air for ages and Crook is under it then makes a diving catch. Kev he's really good.

42-3. I missed the run out by Crook, because I was still writing notes about the previous wicket.  So there Kev, told you he's always good.

Hip Hip Hooray. Yorkie reach 50 after 15 overs. The MTWD faithful stand up and applaud it. Woo Hoo.

Kev is now complimenting Crook's bowling.

Time to hand over at the halfway stage to "The Power" after 15.3 overs.

More drizzle in the air. Stirling stops a certain 4. Locals are reminded that the ball needs to go over the boundary and “you can't whack Middx fielding”. I think that's what Lower Pavillion said.

17 overs gone. Dext on to bowl. A local tells Kimmy that Crook is " good enough to bowl for England". We don't mention that he is an Aussie. At this stage he is 4-0-9-1.

After 19 overs there was a boundary first for 11 over.s The MTWD faithful chant "4 runs after all this time." Yorkies are 69-3. JD comes out to bowl according to announcer. No!!! It's Dexter.

JD does bowl 1 over later for 11.

Dexter changes to the Kirkstall Lane/ or the New Monostrosity Pavillion end if you think about it.  Yorkies 100 up in 23rd over . A buoyant Yorkie chanted to us " Where's Your Singing Gone?

Monstrosity?

Crook returns to bowl. Ballance brings up his 50 with a 6. Yorkies are cutting loose in Power Play. Crook ends up 6-0-37-1, 22 off his last over. He's now really bad.

It's raining heavily, but play continues. The Ballance of Power is changing until its Off Ballance a skier into the swerving wind the ball going in all directions caught by Scott (safe hands) Newman.

Lyth holes out to Dext, Then Shazzad bowled by Dext. Looks like 160-170 score until at death Collymore bowling from the New Monostrosity Pavillion End hit for 3 successive 6's by Bairstow. Goes for 4th well caught on boundary edge by Rogers even though he slipped while trying to catch it. Yorkies finish on 196-7, which is gettable but certainly 40 more than expected, but of course we are good at chasing down these targets. Are we?

We all know what happens with our reply. Tomorrow MTWD will be privileged with Lower Pav and Womble's debut reporting efforts on our run chase, which will be worth a read. This will be followed by our experienced reporter Seaxe Man's truncated version from his ball-by-ball commentary of our journey home.