AC Current Form Electrifies Middx

Diamond reports on day involving the Iceland and the Ice Man. The Middlesex innings erupts from standstill start to a flying recovery. But where was Diamond and Taff Dave at these crucial moments? More importantly we are hopeful by tomorrow afternoon our season will start to take off, rather then still being grounded!l

First home day of the season.

Having done the trip to Worcester last weekend today was my first day at Lord’s this season , a 4pm finish at work yesterday not being early enough to get up to town for any of the afternoons play.

Dawn broke clear and dewy over West London, a good start to the days proceedings , clear skies and little wind , no aircraft either thanks to the continued no fly zone over the UK due to an unpronounceable volcano in Iceland .

A quick check  of the tfl website to see which lines were running this weekend informed me I had a straight run on the Central and Jubilee to Lord’s .Just over the hour journey time in near empty carriages, where has everyone gone I thought, not on their way to the home of cricket it would seem.

I secured a programme from Eric in the shop who informed me he had wintered well and a scorecard from the steward in the little box below the Allen Stand who was wearing gloves, no bad idea in that wind tunnel between the brassiere and the stand.

While waiting for a text from my Welsh friend to say he had arrived at the ground I made my way out onto the lower Allen for the start of play, it was so quiet I heard the church clock strike 11 just as play began with Glamorgan 119-6 overnight.

The morning progressed with Wallace and Cosker adding to Glamorgan’s already sizeable lead until the Iceman had Wallace caught by Simpson for 37 with the score on 153 when the seventh wicket fell. He followed up in quick order with the wicket of the returning Cosgrove (who I am told Hi Fi hit really hard yesterday requiring medical attention and then retiring hurt) with no addition to the score, 152-8. Cosgrove out for 17.

The only other wicket to fall in the morning session was that of Harrison caught well in the deep by London off the bowling of Udal for 24 when the score was 207, (207 for 9), Lunch was taken with Glamorgan 218-9 Cosker 48 not out and Waters 1 not out.

Having met up with my Welsh friend and having had a couple of pints of rather “iffy” Pedigree in the Allen it was decided to go to the Duke of York for a spot of lunch. The steak pie proved most excellent and the sausage and mash looked good to. What with the walk and the wait for the food we were somewhat late back for the start of the afternoon session. Under normal circumstances your correspondent would not be too concerned by this but to peer under the Compton stand to see not only that we had missed the close of the Glamorgan Innings but also the first two Middlesex second innings wickets elicited an unprintable response from said correspondent, 1-2, you are having a laugh I thought. This was made somewhat worse (if that were possible) when Welsh Dave pointed out the one run we had was an extra!!!

No worries though AC and England’s Skipper proceed to do what Newman and Robson failed to do and pile on the runs during a wicket less post lunch session(for me anyway!). Both go to good solid 50’s and the 100 partnership comes up as well. Strauss is only removed when bowled by JD for 69.(144-3) Streets and AC move the score on to 184-4 when Streets is caught by Allenby off the bowling ofCosker for 13.

The close followed soon after with our doughty night watchman OB there again, a role I feel he will have to cover many times this season and AC undefeated. A win for either side is on the cards for tomorrow and if you can make it to the ground I think a good days play is in prospect, get along and enjoy some real cricket before all the “Mickey mouse” stuff starts. The application shown by the lads is to be remarked on, both AC and Strauss proved that batting with common sense and taking the opportunities to score where they presented themselves was the best way to play.

Further discussion of the days play, the volcano, the state of the Nation, andLeeds chances of promotion were held in the Star after the close of play. The small matter of Spurs beating Chelski adding to the fun evening (cheers Kimmy for the live match reports) and the evening broke up about 8:30pm with trains being taken to various locations , Welsh Dave only to West Kensington where he is staying so he can return for the final days play in this enthralling game .