Two caps and a bottle of Bolly
By Beefy Roberts/Pantherlike
June 20 2010
With a chill wind our brave reporter, beefy Roberts reports on a day which promised so much, but alas it was not meant to be....after which Pantherlike adds a few comments from an Aussie point of view
Its a bright, sunny start for the one dayer v the team from down under.
Travelling in Ken and myself are discussing whether a good crowd will turn up, I say I think there will be, as its also a charity game. Ken reminds me of the rugby being played as well, that might cut the crowd.
Getting there a bit early (09.20!) we have time to watch our lads warming up at the nursery end, Gus giving a pep talk, few stretches and we spot our 'ex-player ' with the lads,yep,Finny is there probably catching up on whats been going on."Hurry back Steve" goes through my mind,but great to see him.
We meet up with Kimmy,and the lads have a quick game of six a side football,Kimmy wants the team in blue bibs to win,i wonder why?who was playing in the side?
We walk round to Tavern Lower, it was a chill wind blowing all day. Kimmy goes to the club shop, I take seat as I wanted a pic of our captain, with the other teams captain at the toss. We win that and decide to bat.
Our overseas players emerge after the other team have taken the field, Warner and Gilly to the Middle, Warner faces the first ball from Bollinger/Pavilion End. Warner doesn't last long, in the first over disaster strikes, Warner is out for 5 caught Paine, bowled Bollinger, oh dear I mutter(or words to that effect).
Ace comes in, I say to slow the running down between the wicket. Give him a break I say to myself, and I agree with myself on that comment.
2nd over, from nursery end is Harris, christened Rolf of course, bad fielding by a player from the other team gifts Gilly a single to cheers from the Middle faithful.
Mark O'neill takes a seat in the Tavern Lower, with camera around his neck he takes a few photos, I say to Kimmy and Ken that Mark takes some really good photos both in agreement with that. Kimmy asks if its only our players he is taking photos of, of course it is he replies. (editor he is MTWD)
Runs start to appear and after 7 overs we reach 30-1 Ace on 9, Gilly 15. The second powerplay is called on 40-1 with Ace rolling along nicely on 18, Gilly 16.
McKay from pavilion end to Gilly, who launches a superb 6 into the pavilion over Mckay and then a 4 into the Warner Stand with only 1 bounce. Its looking good with the partnership on 50.
The wind has not relented, in fact it was cold so Kimmy and Ken talk about a cuppa,I just open a can up.
Watson bowling from nursery end to Gilly and another lovely 6 again over the bowlers head, I mutter we got a good score coming up, I'm told to shut up, we all know why that is said! Yep, a wicket falls (going to stay quiet in future) Gilly goes for 38 caught Hussey b Watson you can imagine the other team happy getting Gilly out. Gilly skied it and with Hussey running in we shout drop it, no such luck.
AC in next, only for a short stay as he goes for 2 with the score on 86-3,Dext comes in and Dark rain filled clouds turn up (not because of dext arriving to bat), few bits of drizzle in the air.
This bit from Kimmy:
Beefy's gone somewhere and misses the Middle 100 come up, Dex then gets back to back 4's, change of bowling and Ace joins in doing same with 4's.
With the score on 131-3 Ace reaches his 50, of 79 balls and also 50 partnership off 39 balls, come on lads lets get some runs on the board.
151-3 and Ace hooks Smith (Nursery end) for 6 into the grandstand. Wicket falls its 174-4 Dexter is out c Paine b Bollinger (Pavilion end) In comes Scott Newman, come on Scottie give us some runs a call out, both he and Ace are taking good, quick singles then Newman hits a 6 into the Warner and its looking good on 191-4 with 9 overs left. 200 up, at this time Finny and Simpson are walking round the outfield, Finny stopping and signing autographs for many youngsters, we REALLY are missing him. He also said a hello us us!
Wicket falls and score is 237-5 Ace goes for a very well played 92 c Bollinger b Mckay and a very well deserved standing ovation for him from the whole ground for a superb innings against the other team. 250 up,Berg is in, Kimmy notices he is wearing Dexters jumper.
The last over the Middle are on 257-5, I say, can Scott get his deserved 50? Yes, is the answer, the crowd stands with applause, Scott turns to the balcony which is empty, where is everyone I ask, eating Kimmy and Ken say. The Middle finish on a creditable 273-5 and before the Middle batsmen and the other team walk off, the whole Middx side walk down to the field, I say looks like Dexter is to get his county cap, yep, he does. And,a surprise as well, Gilly gets his county cap as well, the other team stay and applaud both, and congratulations to Dexter and Gilly for both getting their county caps.
Other team start their innings, Murts from Nursey end, we have Warner and Smith both wearing no11 tops, it must be share and share alike today in dressing room!
A couple of loose overs and the score is 26-0, then quick reactions from Murts and with Paine out of his crease the ball is hit and Murts put his hand out, diverts the ball onto stumps to run Paine out, its 26-1, next in is their captain. They get upto 50-2 off just 34 balls, another wicket falls Watson runout by Warner, the ever observant reporter thought it was Ponting(yeah, I know, sack the reporter again!). I get to that time of day when I need to take a visit to the toilet and miss a wicket, and, yet again I do! Its 51-3 Clarke lbw Murts for a good old duck, although the scoreboard put as bowled.
Gus is walking around the outfield, a young lad says excuse me, can I have your autograph he says later, I say ' go on gus'! he walks over, looked at me(whoops!) and gets swamped by every youngster in the stand,sorry Gus!!!!!!
They reach 57-3 and start to go off for rain to booing, but, Ponting wants to go off, White wants to stay, so stay they do to cheers.
Wicket, this time the reporter gets it right, its the big one, Ponting has gone lbw Murts for 17, its 34-4 " Come on the Middle " I shout.
At one stage the run rate was double what they required (10.3/5.1), they open up with the batting against our bowling which had Ravi Patel making his debut, No Super Ped, and Williams/Murts bowling well,t hey get the run rate down quickly (5.8/5.4)
Murts bowling to White, he and me appeal for caught behind, as do the whole team, not given but I'm sure it was, just hoping and wishing really.
Duckworth/Lewis is on 124, they are 75-4 and a few more really dark clouds loom over the grandstand, hope rain isn't on its way.
They reach 100 up, its 102-4 Run Rate is 5.3, require 5.6 and with 25 overs gone they reach 125-4, D/L is 142 and with good Middle fielding we are restricting them to singles, White gets his 50 they reach 150 and D/L is 156.
Ravi Patel comes on from Nursery end for his debut over,wonder how nervous he is, was a good over only 3 off it, with 31 overs gone they are 158-4 White still in and looking to comfortable for my liking. Run rate is 5.1 require 6.1 forget D/L now its the run rate to keep my good eye on.
With 10 overs left they get their 150 partnership run rate is 5.4/5.8 White gets his 100, played well for it (ouch, that hurt putting that) he is 103 n.o its 233-4.Then we see a cracking catch by Scott Newman near the Middlesex room its White out for 106 off Murts again. Can we do it, can we, can we? I think.
The overs are running out, and I put my notepad away as defeat sadly looms.
The lads played well, after all the other team are fairly good at playing cricket, and, so are we. Was a good game, enjoyed by those who went and hopefully raised at bit of cash for the charity on that day. Shame the parachute guys couldn't do their bit during the interval, but that the English summer for you!
FROM PANTHERLIKE
The aussies were just too good on the day, but Middx showed some character and the Aussies will be relieved that they got through the examination. Mind you, they selected a decent 11, typical of the team that will play England, so Middx were always going to be up against it.
It was weird watching Gilly and Warner facing the lads, but then again, it happens a lot in shield cricket.
Josh Hazelwood is a tall lad - reckon he'll be in the mix for Aussie selection one day soon.
It was a really good crowd, around 10,000? they got to see a really good contest. There was a bit of support for the away team. But not a lot of flown in support. Perhaps the fanatics will arrive for the Internationals? The Aussie contingent in the crowd looked like they were already over here. Nonetheless, the atmosphere in the Long Room was bouyant and I thought the crowd in general enjoyed the excellent all-round cricket on display.
Shah just had that international experience needed to get an innings together. but he couldn't have done it without excellent support from Dexter and the 273 we set as a target was a seriously decent effort.
In fact, we're starting to see the mettle that Dex possesses. His appointment to the captaincy has hardened his resolve and he has been a solid performer since....despite the duck at Richmond...
Gilly's dismissal: what was he thinking?!
Dawid Malan will be all the better for getting worked over by Bollinger. Really it was shelling peas for the big lad from Baulkham Hills.
Bollinger was just a bit too quick and direct for our top order. But we looked at home against Harris and McKay who are no slouches with the ball.
Tim Paine will be an excellent keeper. And his energy on the field is a great example to all keepers, such as our own young lad Simpson. In fact, I trust that the Middx boys took notes on just how the Aussies conduct themselves on the field. They're a great example of how to liven up proceedings.
This will be the game when Tim Murtagh finally got the chance to compete with heavy weights and he stood up and probably won on the day: his wickets of Ponting, Clarke and White were all prize scalps and he was the only Middx bowler to take a wicket. I have always rated Tim as a bowler and it was pleasing to see him performing against the best. OK, so Finny wasn't allowed to be selected to have a bowl, but we got to see Murtagh's class.
The day's champagne moment had to be Murtagh's stunning direct hit to run out Watson.
White and Hussey just had too much class and were the reason Australia were going to win the match with the added batting depth they provide.
mind you, it was extremely un-Australian of Cameron White not to shake hands with those offered in the Long Room after his dismissal....mate: you just made a ton at Lord's! be grateful! don't show such insolence again...
the stats will not demonstrate the impact that Ice Man Berg had on the day. An excellent cameo with the bat followed up by a tight spell of bowling that definitely troubled the Aussies. The man has that x-factor!
Scott Newman was a revelation later in the innings. Could this be a way forward in the Pro 40?
The show put on by the Afghanistan Trust at half tim was excellent. Just a pity those Arrows couldn't make it...
The Board and officials seemed to have their hands full, but put on an excellent day. Those Aussies had better have enjoyed themselves!
Stoked to see Gilly and Dex get capped during the interval. Both thoroughly deserve the honour.
Disappointing that the visitors made a back door exit afterwards leaving a score of disappointed kids and dads with memorabilia unsigned. Deplorable really, this sort of thing does the game abosolutely no favours. Whoever made this call needs to re-examine the consequences of such a lame decision. No signing policy. Ridiculous! In fact, overall, the Aussies were a pretty inaccessible bunch throughout the day. Did they spend any time at all with our lads?
Thought the Aussies were over doing things a bit with their fielding drills during the interval....just after they had fielded. I mean this was a friendly after all.
But in all, despite the coldish and sometimes drizzly weather, the day was one out of the top drawer and will be remembered by those who saw it for some time to come!
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:06:25:17:59:59 by Ged.
Click here to read why I sensationally sacrificed the big bucks of Chelsea for the adventure of Watford
(image on left not representative of how relative my support of Watford is to my support of Middlesex)
Hope you will still contribute when you're 'home'?
Kimmy
Giving an insight from your side of the fence a good read.
I will most certainly continue to follow the fortunes of the mighty Middle from afar - and we ought to do well, the future is in good hands!
Both are great reports.
Click here to read why I sensationally sacrificed the big bucks of Chelsea for the adventure of Watford
(image on left not representative of how relative my support of Watford is to my support of Middlesex)
Quote:pantherlike
Disappointing that the visitors made a back door exit afterwards leaving a score of disappointed kids and dads with memorabilia unsigned. Deplorable really, this sort of thing does the game abosolutely no favours. Whoever made this call needs to re-examine the consequences of such a lame decision. No signing policy. Ridiculous!
On Sunday, I wrote: "The problem with hunting for players' autographs is that it can sully the opinions people have of players.
I know there are various passageways in the Pavilion that go underground or overground, although I am not particularly familiar with the Pavilion as I cannot go in there due to the fact I do not own a suit. For example, clearly viable from the Mound Stand is a passageway that links the Pavilion to the upper tier of the Allen Stand and anyone who spends any length of time near the Pavilion will know there is another that links it to the block that houses the museum and ticket office. My guess is that Australia used the latter passageway as they ended up at the gate leading onto Grove End Road where a coach awaited, although surely they must have felt a sense of guilt that in doing so they left many people disappointed. If they didn't know where they were going and used the passageway accidentally then the fact they didn't encounter any autograph-hunters must have been unexpected.
Curiously though, only one Middlesex player exited by the conventional Pavilion exit - Gareth Berg - so the remaining players either used the passageway too or were still in the Pavilion."
My dad is still bitter about that and when Ricky Ponting appeared at the presentation after tonight's England v Australia ODI at the Rose Bowl, my dad said to the screen "what happened on Saturday Ricky?".
I can only guess that Australia used the unconventional passageway as it lead directly to the coach which waited for them on Grove End Road.
It is well-known that when teams tour England they are likely to face many requests for their signature and indeed when the Wisden Cricketer asked South Africa's Jacques Kallis "Which tour do you look most forward to?", he replied "England has its good moments (but not the 'professional autograph hunters)". I don't know whether Australia deliberately avoided the autograph-hunters or they simply choose their route because it lead directly to their coach.
A ground I can highly recommend for autograph-hunting is Uxbridge as hunters can clearly see players coming and players can clearly see hunters coming, and I don't think the ground has an escape-route. Unfortunately Australia are not playing there on this tour, although this season Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Sussex visit.
Click here to read why I sensationally sacrificed the big bucks of Chelsea for the adventure of Watford
(image on left not representative of how relative my support of Watford is to my support of Middlesex)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:06:23:08:32:18 by Jonathan Winsky.
It did however have to be rerouted at vast expense when the new trafic signals were put in at the end of Gatting Way , the roof of said secret tunnel being just under the surface having elevated 50 feet in 22 yards after it got clear of the square where it goes down to 200 feet so as not to interfere with the groundsmans use of the heavy roller .
Tours of London take in other subteranian attractions like the Cabinet War Rooms , the Battle of Britain Bunker at RAF Uxbridge , etc but these two tunnels are so secret I can't see them being added to the list .
It is rumoured that even Underground employees are not told where the exit point of the tunnel is at the station in case certain of them should attempt to use it .
I was luckier at The Rose Bowl as the RN's parachute team with a couple of Army guests, made a perfect landing, bringing the match ball down with them from 5000 feet for the Eng/Aus game..
Weather conditions were perfect, unlike Saturday's cancelled event.