Mascot's Eye View - Middlesex v Glos 6 May 2007

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By Jonnyboy
May 7 2007

Jonnyboy provides a unique perspective of the game, as he fulfils the role of mascot in the morning and MTWD cub reporter at night. Join our mascot/reporter on the rollercoaster ride that was Middlesex v Gloucs at Lord's.

Mascot's-Eye View.  Middlesex v Gloucs 6 May 2007 at Lord's.

Today I Am a Mascot

I arrive at 9.45 as the gates open on an overcast morning. We head to the Middlesex shop as I collect my Crusader shirt and cap. 10.15 strikes and I am lead out for the toss, I am greeted by Straussy and then the two captains, Smith and Gidman.

As the coin goes up Gidman calls tails and I hope for heads. Gidman guessed right and elected to bat. Bad decision.

I have my photo taken then with the captains and am led off the pitch and we take our seats in the Warner Stand.

Usually I like to sit in the Compton Upper right behind the bowler and sometimes the Grand Stand. I am disappointed with the selection of Chris Wright (bowling average over 75 last season), but perhaps he will prove me wrong today, I wondered.

Let the Game Commence

I give my Mum a quick reminder of the fielding restrictions during the first 15 overs. As per last week, Murto and Jonno opening the bowling. As the first ball is delivered you could hear a pin drop.

Soon the first strike is made, a biggie as Craig Spearman is beaten by a nice Murtagh inswinger and promptly caught behind. Kadeer Ali follows just five balls later for a duck. A fantastic start by Middlesex.

Mr Wright Proves Mascot Wrong

Early pressure but could Middlesex keep it up? Frustratingly, Aussie Marcus North stepped up to the plate for 40 minutes, but amazingly Chris Wright had him caught behind. I pinched myself and yes, Chris Wright took a big wicket.

Middlesex soon gain a huge advantage, as 3 more wickets are taken in fairly quick succession, to leave the Gloucester boys reeling on 86 for 6.

Glous Reeling but Not Rolling

Mark Hardinges and Stephen Adshead simply had to forge a partnership to give their team a glimmer of hope.

They started furtively, ensuring no rash shots and leaving virtually anything wide.

Eventually the 2 spinners were brought on.  Could they break the partnership?  Not quickly - the pair began to get the scoreboard ticking and JD began to get frustrated. Kartik failed to find any sort of a rhythm and he was hit to the boundary early on. However, he persisted and eventually wickie Adshead returned to the pavilion bowled Kartik.  164/7.

Mascot With Munchies 

At this point, I got peckish and opened my first Grodzinski's sandwich. 

I sensed that the team now wanted urgently to wrap the innings up (perhaps they also had the munchies).  Indeed, an early lunch looked likely when Irish international Eoin Morgan took a fairly comfortable catch off JD.  Soon after, Murtagh completed the same formalities after Fisher spooned a JD delivery up into the air.

A couple of perhaps sarcastic cheers as former Middlesex boy Ashley Noffke steps on to the hallowed turf. The tailenders refused to bow down (Noffke assisted by a missed stumping off Kartik when on 0) and undoubtedly the Gloucs MOM Steven Kirby's late blitz gave his team something to defend.

221 all out off the very last ball - an opportunity missed, surely, by Middlesex.

Luncheon and I polish off the 2nd Grodzinski's sandwich, stretch my legs and prepare for (what ought to be) a nice and easy run chase.

Middlesex Chase

The openers start dodgily; Ed's first ball is enough to dismiss him and he is caught behind.  Perhaps a bad flashback of the numerous ducks he unfortunately picked up last season.

Joyce settled himself and played some fine shots ably supported by Straussy, but both Joyce  and Owais failed to make imposing scores.

Nashie steadied the ship, whilst Strauss latched on to any wide balls with the odd magnificent pull or drive. After Strauss departed, JD continued the charge and looked set to cruise Middlesex to victory.

However, JD and Morgan were both dismissed, and catastrophe struck as one of last season's familiar collapses occurred once again. 4 wickets fell in the space of less than 10 minutes.  207-5 with plenty of balls to score the 15 runs needed became 209/9.

Suddenly Gloucs seemed about to wrap up the game; Middlesex were hanging on by a thread.  But once again Murto had nerves of steel and creamed Mark Hardinges for 2 sensational boundaries and a delighted Tim raised his bat to salute his teammates and fans.

An unnecessary finish to say the least, but fair play to Kirby for some surprisingly good bowling.  5/36 off 10.

Mascot On the Move - Not

Unfortunately now I will not be making the trip to Canterbury as my father states "showers forecast in Canterbury".

Deary me.