Inside Out for Spectators and Middlesex Batting Order

Last month I booked Thursday and Friday off of work for this fixture. I thought if the weather is bad I can always cancel this leave.  Saturday before the game the forecast was promising although not spectacular so I decided to book the hotel.  That evening I rechecked the forecast and it changed to rain for 4 days.  I needed time off and thought I would brave the elements so here I am reporting, as the resident reporter was put off by weather.

I made the 8:15am train motivated despite the grim weather outlook. I caught up with Beefy and all our winter news as it was getting gloomier as we were heading north.    There was a discussion on when beer o’clock would start. I resisted the tempting Stella cans and went for tea on train. 

On way to ground I noticed a 10 degree drop of temperature from London, but at least it was not raining. Beefy explained they use floodlights which was just as well as there was no way there would be play at start or probably all day without them.  Biggest problem at the beginning at Pavilion End was this woman who wouldn’t stop talking loudly nothing about cricket.

Meanwhile Middlesex got off to a solid start looking untroubled hitting the bad balls for 4.  There were a few appeals that made us nervous.  It was becoming progressively colder and there was light drizzle. With the groundsmen poised to put covers on the umpires persevered.  Sadly, we did not and we retired to inside the Pavilion for a restricted but a warmer view.  With the score on 96 and Buck on 46 I ventured out to greet hopefully two landmarks. A superb straight drive for 4 bought these up and my applause also served purpose of keeping my hands warm. As settled back inside the Pavilion Bucko was out shouldering arms, no shot played LBW to one that presumably nipped back. There was talk of clusters and Phil the Power told us not to worry as these only happen from 4 downwards, which was a cue for Denly to be plum LBW for no score. 

The scoreboard announces in coming batsman “David” Malan. The next 15 minutes were tense. Someone in Pavilion commented “ it’s now gone down to 3”. Not sure if he was referring to the run rate or temperature. Last over before lunch, I ventured out with Robbo on 49. Off penultimate ball a scrambled single bought up his 50. Lunch 122-2 would say session just about ours.  Everyone I spoke to had a different weather forecast ahead, which would have a big say.    

After lunch it was considerably warmer, although was single figures above freezing. Our bowling over rate despite us batting changed from -3 to -1,thanks Mr Shelley I presume. Time to open a bottle of wine. This prompted my first telling off day from elderly gate-keeper,” glass not allowed”. I was drinking from my infamous bright yellow plastic cup and the glass bottle was put away for now.   My early high spirits were dampened when AC was out LBW as plum as you get on one that kept very low, unplayable. Dext next in really was struggling. I lost count of how long it took to get off the mark but he managed this with a giant 6.  This did not open the floodgates , to be fair it was not easy out there with variable bounce. It seemed inevitable when he was out, cleaned bowled.

 An interesting feature I noted on scorecard was when we bought up 150 there were 32 extras .We only gave 10 away all innings. Might this be significant? 

The next passage of play was a struggle and case of digging in, which was happening. Then Sam chased a wide one, easy from here, but did not have to play it and was caught behind for a well grafted 76.   What’s this about clusters? 

 Now it’s Simmo and Berg’s turn to rebuild. Once again temperature and run rate dropping and it was back to restricted view from inside Pavilion.   They were looking more solid and I was also able to catch a glimpse of straight 6 by Simmo off Samit Patel.  Heart stopping moment a quick single just before tea, I couldn’t see well, but the way they stretched  if they hit it would have been close. Tea score was 217-5. This match is evenly poised.       

After Tea-Simmo started at a rate of notts (no pun intended). What did they put in his tea. ( “Bromide” according to a committee member?) First over a quickly ran 2, followed by 2 successive 4’s. In relative warmth of the Pavilion we noticed 50 the partnership up, after the event. We went outside to witness in full view Simmo completing his 50.   Thereafter, runs were building with ease and I was applauding the 100 partnership in what seemed like no time. When we overtook 1^st innings score with 5 down, the outside cold was not a problem. Beefy was still inside the Pavilion area for most of this partnership and when Berg was on 43 a text was sent to suggest he should be outside for his 50.  Sadly this proved to be a curse as he became a victim of an LBW decision that may have been a nick. 

Our no. 10 Ollie was now in, presumably as night watchman to protect TRJ and Harris. His father behind was nervous for 3 balls he faced and survived, before we were called off for bad light with floodlights at full blast.

We finished 297-6 a lead of 19. As I type report from hotel we are promised by local TV of heavy showers days 3 and 4, which is likely to have the biggest say in final outcome. Finally I’m grateful for those floodlights that gave us an entertaining days cricket which we would have not have had this game been at Lords.