Bailey Creams off the runs

After three amazing cricket winning experiences at Scarborough, Taunton and Arundel on so many levels, I can't say I was looking forward to this fixture. The thought of being amongst an unknowledgeable crowd with hassles I don't suffer from with normal cricket nearly put me off. However, this is a crucial game, I am Middlesex till I die and have had a whole week without any live cricket. So here I am reporting. 

Towards end of day at work I find out Chiltern Railways, Jubilee and Met Line have severe delays all for different reasons affecting the Wembley area where I work. I am close to finding the best way home to spare me, but opt for the slow running Jubilee Line train from Wembley Park heading for St John’s Wood. There are loads of spivvy touts outside station shouting “buy or sell”, there are longer than usual queues to enter ground, searches which were understandable and well handled. However, all of this were were reminders on why I don't like these fixtures.  The match started with ground half full. It did fill up and attendance was a record 27,000 + for a domestic game.   

I took my seat and realised a schoolboy error. I bought wine that had a cork, and had no corkscrew. Ex moderator 3 seats behind Ged came to the rescue, but uncorking was hard work and took the whole of first over to complete this process to bigger applause from this area than for any of the 13 runs Sorry scored off Murts over.

As Sorry were accelerating further, I see on screen kids wearing Middlesex bandanas wildly cheering first Sorry six from Finch. I really should have stayed at home. 7 overs no wickets 87 runs, we are looking at 300+ score.   Some relief, Franco first ball had Roy out for 50 spectacularly caught by Bailey in the deep. Davies soon followed perhaps target now maybe 250.

Then followed the pivotal spell of game, you won't get from a Ceefax view. Our 2nd X1 heroes Higgins and Sowter slowed things down and picked up wicket of Burns. Finch world class IPL wherever the money is 20/20 batsman was struggling to get ball off square from unplayable Higgins. He was surprisingly taken off after 3 tidy overs for 16. Podmore who replaced him was struggling and was judged on 1st ball too high no ball and replaced on free hit by Higgins  then at end of over he was ridiculously adjudged a wide when batsmen made plenty of room from straight one, this all ruined his figures. No worries we engineered a mini collapse. There was explosive final over from Fuller who was previously expensive with 2-2 net result, death bowling at it's best.  A 196 total seemed a mini victory, when I would have settled for anything less than 200, in fact 300 after 7 overs position.   On saying that I was still less than optimistic of a win

What I learnt from Sorry’s innings the Power Play is crucial here. I was happy with 16 off of first over. Next over a dot and wicket off Dernbach. Very soon after Moggy had lucky escape where a high one bisected 3 fielders. Then Dernbach no ball, free hit which Moggy reached the upper tier of Grandstand with. At this moment I felt this could be our day. Stirlo out going for another big shot but his 34 off 16 gave us some momentum. Not sure if 64-2 end of power play whether this is enough, but we are in game. I predicted WASP would give us 40%.

Moggy/ Bailey consolidation with some brutal hitting. 112-2 after 10 overs one more than Sorry at this stage it looks good especially given how badly they did in their last 10. Next ball it's the part time bowler Sibley that broke the 64 partnership and suddenly feel my optimism is unfounded. WASP now 50/50. 

I again forget we now have fighting spirit. Simmo and Gorgeous George Bailey were unfazed. No rash shots just hitting bad ball for a boundary and pushing for well run 2's from what looked like singles. They put on valuable partnership that took us close to victory. Good to see Derbach losing it mentally. I was dreaming of another Simmo 6 to take us over the line. He was out yorked by Mahmood who by the way bowled most unintelligently thanks to 2 brainless way over the head clear no balls.

We need 7 off of 2 overs, disco music was played from tannoy, young kids around the ground were having a boogie, while the suits were still discussing office politics with their backs to game. Bailey now out for a superb chanceless 54, the music continued, I had a sway of my hips.  Franco and Higgins nothing rash they took us to victory in final over with plenty to spare. Our record 20/20 run chase is achieved in front of a record crowd. 

I enjoyed it, but felt some parts were an endurance. But for now who cares “ We beat the Mexicans.”