Lancs v Middx Day One: Back To the Sewer

Back to the sewer

 

Frustration

 

I have just spent 20 minutes trying to get the ‘real player’ connection. Thanks to a rain break in the test I kept up to date with the match courtesy of Ceefax. TG I now have the connection.

 

My plans for today was to have test on TV and this match on computer, and, settle down to follow both while making something for David Nash’s baby, Sophie.

 

Just had a text from my daughter that despite her various ‘problems’ she has passed both of her exams. Well done her.

 

First obstacle is cat (Bonks) in my place on settee, but a quick tummy tickle moves her, and the heavy rain that has started. There she goes, squeezing her fat self under the bookcase to hide from the rain. My other cat is asleep on my bed with her paws over her eyes (to shut out the light).

 

 

Drat!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Smith out lbw after negotiating the first few overs. I see from the official site that Silverwood now has a diagnosis of Achilles tendon problem (a bit different from hamstring then), and Dalrymple still not fit.  The commentary has just said that Dalrymple is 80% fit, and both should be fit for our next match. I must admit that the bowling really looks ‘light’ without them.

 

 

To coffee or not to coffee

 

Shall I have another cup of coffee or not? England 12/0 so both county and country taking things slowly then. Where has the time gone, noon already and Strauss has scored another boundary at the Oval.  Right coffee brewed, England 22/0 and no further disasters at OT. Raining again at Oval.

 

 

Paul Weekes

 

Interesting discussion about Paul Weekes on the commentary. Apparently he WILL not get a Middlesex contract next year. The commentary reckons he’ll look elsewhere, especially for one day games, however every time that I see his father I am assured that Paul is definitely retiring at the end of this season.

 

 

Slowly ,slowly

 

No further disasters as the scoreboard moves on to 34/1. Just seen some criticism from Sussex fan on BBC MB, he’s obviously forgotten their slow start at Southgate. Bonks now wants a fuss as she is purring round me (of course it might be cupboard love and she wants feeding, although the next ‘feeding time at the zoo’ is 6.00pm). She’s gone, doesn’t like being brushed (tough as she looks really tatty and needs the loose fur removed).

 

Still scoring very slowly. Is this going to cost us a batting point or two? Hope not! Oooooops Shah has just hit a 6. Is this the acceleration, just before tea (according to the commentary)!

 

 

Decisions, decisions

 

Lunchtime. What shall I eat given that I have a sore throat and find swallowing difficult? I’m not really hungry, but I’d better eat something (some on the MB would advocate a liquid lunch, but I do not have that kind of liquid in the house). Problem solved, with a pot of ‘fromage frais’. Cat still prowling round (she’s supposed to sleep all day) so I’ve given her the ‘whiskas milk’ that she likes.

 

 

Lbw again!

 

Compton just out lbw. Again he was a long way forward. Commentary thought that it was missing leg stump, Compton unlucky again? He’s still only got 959 runs in the CC. Joyce now has a good chance of being Middlesex’s first batsman to 1000 runs in the CC this season.

 

 

Rumours?

 

Just heard on the commentary that we will be signing Yasir Arafat next season. What do people think of that? He certainly is a strike bowler.

 

 

Shall I, shan’t I?

 

Another hot drink? Now decision is what will it be? Coffee, tea with soya milk or drinking chocolate using coffee whitener instead of milk (I’m allergic to milk). Chocolate it is then! TG Cat has exhausted herself with her ‘mad half hour’. She’s keeping a wary eye on me as she does NOT want to be brushed again.

 

 

Dalrymple and Silverwood to the commentary box

 

Those two are now in the commentary box. Jamie and Silvo now answering questions and giving some commentary. Another disaster, Joyce gone for 32, still no 1000 runs for him either (this innings) and Lancs have a bowling point. Cricinfo seems to have gone mad. Sussex hasn’t had an innings according to them, yet credit Sussex with 5 points. England now 5 wickets down. Shah’s just been dropped on 73, phwew, how much we needed that. Jamie and Silvo are justifying Compo’s innings, even though it was dire and slow (as Shah scored slowly also). Silvo reckons that he’s got a hamstring twinge (I wish they’d make up their minds!). They’ve now gone off for bad light, still there is still play at the Test match and according to Cricinfo Durham are 62/4 (yet Arafat has 1 wicket and Mushie 4!), furthermore I’m sure it said 5 or 6 a few moments ago. It now says 5, and it is raining at OT. England have lost another wicket (112/6).

 

Commentator is now saying that it is a ‘sticky wicket’ which makes it difficult to score runs and take wickets on.

 

Cat has given up and gone to sleep, but, the other one has now got up and is ‘bird watching’ from the back of an armchair. Now it seems I joined them, and missed 3 of the last 4 England wickets.

 

I see from Cricinfo that the stumps have been drawn on 148/3 and Durham have been bowled out for 150.