Janet's Last Write of the Summer

Well here I am raring to go for my last ‘report’ of the summer. Speakers set to ‘sewer pipe’ as I sip my first coffee of the day. I rushed out to get my papers early so that I can wash my hair before commentary begins. (All electronic and print papers perused and some Sudoku downloaded and printed off.)

 

On my sortie up Stamford Hill (yes that part is uphill) I saw someone I used to be quite friendly with. The woman has ‘Munchenhausen syndrome by proxy’ and has produced 5 damaged children (now adults) and I was not in the mood to be delayed by her. I carefully kept several paces behind her electric wheelchair.

 

Usual windows open on computer and until cricket comes on Sky, Sky sports news on. I’ll turn the volume on the TV down when the commentary starts. Despite wailing earlier, Lightening is flaked out on my bed and Connie (Bonks) on the chair next to the computer. They are cats, let’s hope they stay asleep.

 

I finished the baby garments last night so will be going over to my friend tonight to give them to her and my ‘prayer books’ for the forthcoming holidays (for her husband to take to synagogue for me). I will then sort out my knitting for my next project whilst listening to the commentary.

 

According to cricinfo yet another toss lost. Have we the record for the most tosses lost this season? It sure seems like it. Squad is up on cricinfo and Billy does not make the cut but Chris Wright does. Still no ‘audio’ link on the BBC site but there is 5 minutes or so to go. I’ve disturbed Connie by sorting out my knitting so she’s wandered off in disgust………….. She’s back. That didn’t last long. She is now squeaking for attention and now she’s having a mad half hour.

 

Still no commentary…………….. I’ll have to make do with cricinfo, BBC and ECB for updates. Where is that commentary……………… or have they decided not to bother as it’s the last match. I’m getting frustrated already as there is a time-lag before the score reaches cricinfo. Phwew got it!

 

Sussex have lost a wicket and they are 5/1 (good run out). Kent are 10/0 now.

 

Bad light has prevented play in a couple of matches, and now Sussex have been offered the light and gone off (after 13 deliveries)………….. now they’re back on.

 

Well I’ve sent a couple of e-mails to Kevin (commentary) and have had the first read out.

 

It certainly makes depressing listening as the Kent openers seem to be making mincemeat of our bowling. Well the comfort break did not bring us a wicket, and the kettle is on for my second cup of coffee of the day. I am now sipping my coffee, and been ‘naughty’ and had 2 chocolate digestives with the coffee. Bonks has now gone back to sleep having worn herself out with the ‘mad half hour’.

 

Commentary now says that Middlesex are ‘going through’ the motions. There is negative body language on field which is a shame. I really felt that they could go out on a high. We don’t even look like taking a wicket. I’ve now had my second e-mail read out. I’ve sorted my knitting out and have plenty of ‘projects’ to undertake over the winter.

 

I’m now going to ‘multi-task’ as I do my Sudoku, listen to the commentary, and watch the Sussex match. The commentary on the Sussex match has given Middlesex a (dishonourable) mention re their problems this season. One suggestion was that we get a new committee! They said that on one level Middlesex had been successful as they had produced 4 players for England. They also mentioned Middlesex ‘glory days’.

 

I’ve just sent my 3^rd e-mail mentioning a sports psychologist to deal with the negative body language.

 

How embarrassing………….. We are the ONLY ones NOT to take a wicket so far.

 

Just gone to my bedroom to tie my hair back and Lightening is ‘bird watching’ from my dressing table. What happened to cats sleeping all day? As it is 12.30pm I suppose I ought to think about lunch…………..decisions, decisions!

 

That’s my third e-mail read out now………….. Doing well! At last Silverwood takes a wicket as he bowls Denly for 66 (123/1). Maybe that’ll inspire Middlesex now. It is now lunch and Kent are 125/1.

 

Lunchtime

 

What shall I eat……………… decided on Matzos tea crackers, cheese and salad followed by yoghurt. I opened the Matzos to find that Tescos had been playing footie with the boxes as most are in crumbs. Lightening now on the prowl and ‘brr-ing’ at me. She’s hopeful………….feeding time at the zoo is 6.00pm about time she knew that.

 

I suspect that Bassie (my friend) will invite me to stay for supper as she knows that I’m on my own here so I don’t have to worry there.

 

Commentary on TV saying what shrewd signings Sussex O/S players was compared to Middlesex’s. You can say that again!

 

That is one Sudoku done, now for the other!

 

Peppie has got the prolific Van Jaarsveld caught by Joyce in the slips for 2 (138/2). Gosh one more wicket and a bowling point!

 

What else can go wrong…………….. Compo has just been hit on the head (despite the helmet)………. I think that sums up our season. Whelan on as sub and Compo to go for a scan?

 

This is getting depressing as Matthew Walker’s in blistering form. I hope Compo is O.K. How many have Middlesex taken to Canterbury as Godleman has been on the field for Joyce.

 

Lightening has given up begging and was sunbathing on the back of the chair while I took a comfort break, but now is spread-eagled on the floor.

 

Kent has now got a batting point, however Peppie has almost got wickets a few times……….. that 1^st bowling point cannot be that far away can it. I had a quick drink on my way back to the front room, but do I need something to eat or drink. My stomach says no my brain says yes! Maybe I should eat some fruit. I’ve had a tangerine that should do.

 

I’ve got stuck on the second Sudoku (level is ‘tough’ though). Now both cats are prowling about. All I need is for them to have a cat fight! Ooops I seem to have gone wrong in the Sudoku. I’ll have a break and try again.

 

Walker seems to have reached 50 rather quickly although a quick look on cricinfo shows his strike rate is only ~ 64%. Another century partnership in the offing…………. The commentator has just mentioned tea………….is it that time already. Doesn’t time fly when you are enjoying yourself (NOT)?  Apparently Compo still off the field and the 250 is up. Tea is now being taken 256/2.

 

What can I say …………… we seem to be making NO inroads whatsoever. Just been for a wander up and down my flat. No it hasn’t made the slightest bit of difference………… we’re still doing badly. Commentator says Middlesex boys look bored out of their minds……………… does this sum up our season. Too many tosses lost and fielding first!!!!!!!!

 

An aside

South Africa seem to be going well Boucher is 136 n.o with 10 sixes out of 405/5 with 7 balls to go.

Now there’s an idea…………………. Boucher for O/S player? Final score 418/5 in 50 overs.

 

Shah has now dropped Walker. I hope the Academy in Australia work on his fielding……… he does seem to have lapses.

 

Well that’s the second Sudoku done now. It sure wasted some time.

 

Now Fulton has hit his highest score of the season. It always happens doesn’t it? Batsmen choose our bowling for career/season bests!

 

Cats are now begging again, still it is almost feeding time (30 mins to go).

 

Silverwood takes the new ball and at last gets Fulton’s wicket. Fulton goes for 155 as Peppie takes the catch. That partnership was worth 196. Wow we’ve got a bowling point. Can we take a flurry of wickets? Now Walker has got a century. The agony goes on.

 

 

Commentator talking about who we should recruit next season. He reckons that we should sign Langer and Arafat (if not Arafat then bring Styris back) as O/S players. Close of Play  353/3.