I Was There....On The Train......Part Two
Shaggy In Deep Thought
By Barmy Kev
March 18 2009
Barmy Kev was there at the Rose Bowl to witness Middlesex's triumph in the Twenty20 Cup. But how did the final look in the cold light of day on the souvenir DVD? And more importantly, did the rail network let Kev down sufficiently to enable him to see the whole of the final on his portable DVD player between Leeds and London? Only one way to find out.........
The Final Journey- Leeds to Kings Cross Even knowing result, watching this again was eagerly waited. I caught on screen a bit of Karaoke before the start of play, but from my seat on the train, I chose not join in or dance to the “Do you know the way to Amarillo (Clap! Clap!) song. My performance at the Bowl surprisingly was not captured on screen. So on to viewing of game. The atmosphere came across much more vocal, no doubt due to excitement of final and a fair state of inebriation amongst the masses. The “Middle” chants were clearly heard despite the wide spreading of our fans in a very open stadium. Having lost Billy G early on there was an audible buzz as Hendo came in as number 3. I was eagerly awaiting re-watching his second slog fest. What I was reminded of from the recording was how he struggled in the first few overs and (absolutely crucially) Azhar Mahmood dropped a dolly off Hendo before he got going. Nasser wondered, “could this be the defining moment?” I wonder too. Indeed it was defining, as big sixes hit all over place during Bumble’s commentary. I did not mind the monotony of him saying for each six, “I’ve never seen one as a big as that before” or requesting the crowd “get their hard hats on”. When Paul (not) Allot took over, the pace and excitement of commentary was comparatively underwhelming. What was fascinating to witness again was, before Hendo’s dismissal, Ace being content to take back a seat role. But as soon as he was out he took over. Interestingly, Mr Not a Lot thought the spinners would slow things down which was followed by an over of 3 successive sixes by Ace off Tredwell. Priceless. # One area where I was proved to be mistaken at time were three (what I thought were) clear leg-side wides not being given to us. The TV showed excellent bowling at the toes as the batsmen were making room. Apologies to umpires if you heard my cursing. Given the known closeness of game, I was looking out for marginal incidents that at the time I may have missed or forgotten, but ultimately could prove crucial. One in our innings that stood out were 4 byes that could have been easily prevented through keeper’s legs. Thank you very much Mr Errant Jones. As our score was going close to 200, there were talks of Kent needing to break different kinds of records to win. Even so, 180+ was considered as a tall order and all pundits were favouring Middlesex. If I heard that at time would have taken that as kiss of death. As Kent’s reply started and built up early momentum it just bought back memories of that feeling please get a wicket and the relief when it happened. It was noticeable how the volume amongst the Middx posse was getting quieter as tension was mounting and building up to a crescendo once 2 quick wickets fell. After this, the match ebbed and flowed after each over. Each ball fascinated me and I was behind run rate of completing match by the time I arrived at Kings Cross. I arrived there with Kent 136-3 after 15 overs and on screen it announced Middlesex score was exactly the same at the same stage. I was kindly reminded by the commentator “it couldn’t be closer”; I wouldn’t have been able to work that out for myself. The final agony and ecstasy revisited The next day at home I watched the final 5 overs; at the Bowl many details were a virtual blank apart from recalling Joyce dropped a catch off Kemp. I saw that again andfrom a TV view really couldn’t understand how he missed it. While Bumble commentated on how this might being costly, I thought then we’d blown it and this was moment I was on edge of my seat not enjoying occasion. Different feeling on DVD coverage and was able to absorb some turning points in our favour, even before that final over. With 27 off 3 still required, Dial M bowled a tight over for 5 runs, which included a spectacular save on boundary edge by Ace saving two vital runs. At time in ground I was still ruing dropped catch to appreciate anything. More significantly, what most at the match would have missed was, with Stevens out in penultimate over caught by Joyce, Kemp was desperately trying to cross to gain strike, while Stevens was looking at the fielder and they didn’t cross. This was pointed out by Bumble and new batsman Mahmood faced 2 dot balls which in context of game was highly significant. So that last over. 16 needed. Kemp on strike. Bumble had us favourites, but kept saying “anything could happen”. A 2 off 1st was a result for us, 4 off next made it off close. Then madness, I couldn’t believe it at the time and having seen it again still can’t. An easy 2 and Malan for some reason under no pressure made a wild throw. What I appreciate now and couldn’t then was our fielders scurrying for ball and Nannes stopping the ball at boundary edge and only 2 rather than 4 overthrows. The next ball a 2 that should have been a 1. At this point at Rose Bowl my head was in my hands until Barmy Paul told me we won. I was able to watch those last two properly for first time with Bumble saying “all he needs is to get bat on ball with a decent connection”. Well given Hendo was our most expensive bowler and Kemp had little problems connecting, I watched in admiration 2 perfect balls Kemp couldn’t get hold of. I then witnessed the elation without needing convincing we won. The presentation with “The R u watching Ramprakash” chant was loud and then muted thanks to SKY. But the euphoria was clearly heard and the player’s reactions in the interviews were mixture of elation and emotion. The funniest comment was Shaggy saying that his wife “is probably planning on how to spend his winnings”. It was satisfying just watching general delight from fans and players. As mentioned at the beginning, I really felt that it needed more effort from the club to enhance the DVD. At the end it would have added to the enjoyment further with some afterthoughts a few weeks after event. On saying that, I was grateful for the opportunity to watch how we actually won the trophy feeling relaxed and these added extras would have been a small bit of icing on a large tasty cake. I will watch the DVD again. I guess it will be like watching a classic film or play over and over again. You witness the same plot with the happy ending, but each time you see it there is a different slant to all the twists and turns to enthral you.