A damp squib of a day
Shelter Needed
By Seaxe Man
April 19 2012
Only Seaxe Man as designated reporter can find plenty of material from a damp squib of a day where there was no play. This report is longer than some from days where we have 90 +overs of action.
April 19th Thursday. Day 1 Middlesex v Durham 4day LVCC match at Lord's
Made my way through the drizzle to Eastcote Station at around 9.45.
Play didn't look likely, but as I was doing my stint as liason officer for this match, I had reason to go and hope for the best.
I dropped anchor in the Middlesex Room to fullfil this duty. This was handy, as the table made writing the report easier.
After reporting to the Middlesex Office, play was announced to commence at 11.15 due to the last shower.
Purchased score card and a prog. Incidentally A4 sized scorecard. The teams as listed on the scorecard in batting order were thus:
Middlesex: A.J.Strauss, J.L.Denly, S.D.Robson, C.J.L.Rogers (capt), D.J.Malan, N.J.Dexter, J.A.Simpson (wk), G.K.Berg, T.J.Murtagh,
T.S.Roland-Jones, S.T.Finn
Gareth Berg had recovered from his chest infection.
Durham: M.J.Di Venuto, W.R.Smith, S.G.Borthwick, P.D.Collingwood, B.A.Stokes, D.M.Benkenstein, I.D.Blackwell, P.Mustard (capt,wk), C.D.Thorp, M.E.Claydon, G.Onions.
It was announced that Borthwick had replaced M.D.Stoneman at 3. Whether he will bat in that position remains to be seen.
Durham won the toss and unsurprisingly invited Middlesex to bat.
Pre lunch session.
The many Middlesex aficionados were congregated expectantly in the Middlesex Room awaiting the 11.15 start. A further shower banjaxed that hope. The brief sunny spell losing out to further cloud and rain.
Further attempts to start were frustrated by showers following patches of blue sky. Truly, real April weather, sunshine and showers, though rather more of the latter.
Lunch taken early, with an inspection at 1.10.
Post lunch session.
A further shower postponed the 1.10 inspection back to 1.20. Just as the covers were coming off, a further shower intervened. A further inspection wa set for 4pm with tea at the usual time of 3.40.
Optimistically, the covers disappeared by 3.20. There was even bright sun and shadows.
Mick Hunt's radar in his office suggested further heavy rain was on the way. The groundstaff fully recovered the pitch. Shortly after, the heavens opened.
Play was officially abandoned at 4.10.
So down to a three day match which should ensure play on Sunday. Batting tomorrow will be tricky should the weather allow.
Postscript: in his programme notes Vinny Codrington stated ' that in his opinion, the debate over Andrew Strauss's place in the England side was ridiculous'. Couldn't agree more VC. He also mentioned that last winter a Middlesex Past Players Association was formed. Sound idea IMHO.
A damp squib of a day
Posted by: Middlesex till we die (IP Logged)
Date: 19/04/2012 23:27
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:23:06:52:35 by The Diamond ruled ok.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:23:06:52:35 by The Diamond ruled ok.
Re: A damp squib of a day
Posted by: lower pavilion (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2012 09:13
Seaxe Man
Well done. It must have been a rather frustrating day for all concerned. Here is hoping for a better day today.
Well done. It must have been a rather frustrating day for all concerned. Here is hoping for a better day today.
Re: A damp squib of a day
Posted by: Jonathan Winsky (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2012 09:22
The thought crossed my mind that I could have taken my studying to Lord's and do it at a table in the Middlesex Room if there was no play, but I was uncertain as to whether I would find a table, as they were all taken when I went in there during a rain break in last week's match. It wasn't all that important that I did studying, as I have done a lot recently, and it was only because of there being no play yesterday that the opportunity created itself to do some studying.
I tend to only go into the Middlesex Room if Lower Mound is with me, although I know it is a warmer and dryer place to spend rain breaks compared to the back of a stand.
I tend to only go into the Middlesex Room if Lower Mound is with me, although I know it is a warmer and dryer place to spend rain breaks compared to the back of a stand.
Re: A damp squib of a day
Posted by: pantherlike (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2012 11:09
Well reported Seaxeman. Good to see you're still doing the LO duties.
VC is dead right. Thought, we aussies don't mind anything that could start unsettling the pommie apple cart as we run up to the 2013 Ashes...!
VC is dead right. Thought, we aussies don't mind anything that could start unsettling the pommie apple cart as we run up to the 2013 Ashes...!
Re: A damp squib of a day
Posted by: The Diamond ruled ok (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2012 17:32
Nice one SM, had a few of those to do in the past myself,they are not easy.
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