So Close and Yet So Far Away
By Seaxe Man
August 1 2013
Seaxe Man gives a comprehensive report from the Agonise Bowl on how we so nearly qualified for 20/20 1/4 finals, but ultimately were so far way. For those who listened to the commentary or at game you can re-live the build up to our demise. If you weren't there you can imagine what it was like following this tense agonising game..
Music, Pitch and Wicket
The weather was cloudy but dry as per the forecast on the Hampshire website. Travel down the M3 was without any traffic problems. These when they occur, are usually associated with roadworks.
There was a steel band under the Shane Warne Stand for pre match entertainment. This was augmented by the Military Womens Choir, about 30 in number, who sang for us on the outfield.
The toss was at 6.40 and once Masacarenhas, as at Richmond won the toss, only this time, safe in the knowledge that the hosts were already qualified, chose to bat.
As he also promised on Sky when asked. He played his strongest side. There were two changes from their Richmond side. McKenzie replaced Bates and Wood replaced Tanvir. That I would suggest made them even stronger.
Middlesex recalled Ollie Rayner for Sandhu and Eoin Morgan was carded at 5.
Pitched in the middle. Boundary rope was pulled in, but the Ageus Bowl is a large playing area, so boundaries are still pretty large.
The slightly shorter one was in front of the Colin Ingle-Mackenzie Stand. This was a popular stand and was well populated. I chose this one for my viewing point.
Good view with good elevation. The choir continued to sing. Let us hope we can strike the right chord.
With the hosts already qualified, there was a good crowd, though listening to the comments. For some it was their first ever game.
Hampshire Royals Innings.
The Power Play.
The hosts opened with Carberry and Vince. The Middle got a bonus in over 2, when the dangerous Carbs chipped a catch to Dex off Millsy.
There were however 4 boundaries, so over was mixed for us. 16 runs and a wicket. 22 for 1. A tight over from Bergie went for 6.
The next 3 went for 34, which included in over 6, the wicket of Vince who looked in form.. Mills conceded only 5 plus his wicket.
This left the hosts on 62 for 2, a decent par score on what looked a decent batting track with a fast outfield.
Overs 7 to 20.
Only one further wicket fell during this time. That of JHK Adams, lbw to Ollie for 43. A good wicket, as Adams was finding the boundary too often for our liking. In the boundary mayhem that followed, Ollie returned the excellent figures of 4-0-16-1.
At the end of over 15, Hants were on 134 for 5 and I felt we were not out of it yet. Dex kept ringing the bowling changes but the last 5 went for 56 runs with Ervine causing the damage. Finishing on 60no he took the game away from The Middle, leaving us with a massive 191to chase.
There was an interesting discussion in over 18 when Millsy was wided first ball outside offside stump. The batsman was McKenzie. It appeared that Millsy's point seemed to be: the batsman had an off stump guard and therefore was not wide to him.
Middlesex Panthers Innings.
The Power Play.
Stirlo cracked a couple of fours after a couple of dot balls and we ended 10 for 0 in over 1.
We lost him in over 4 for a quickfire 24 at 39 for 1..Goes without saying we would all like Paul to get through the first 6. The bloke is a matchwinner in this format. He was unlucky that the ball just carried to the sub fielder. On another day, drops short, or carries the fielder.
A double disaster in over 6 when we lost two wickets. Rosso, also unlucky top edged to third man where he was held and Mala was taken at the wicket. 46 for 3 and not looking good.
Overs 7 to 20
Joe Denly and Eoin Morgan then embarked on our best stand of the match of 58. I was just getting optimistic, when Morgs was out at 104 for 29 caught off the spinner Briggs close in. That we got as close as we did owed much to Joe who batted really well.
With 3 overs left we needed 57. Some lusty blows Joe and Dex had the locals a bit anxious until Joe was out in the final over.
Match epilogue
Despite the result I enjoyed the match. It was a good effort against the T20 Champions who have to be fancied to win again. I thought our fielding was sharper and their's definitely was sharp. Can recall three or four boundary shots they cut off for either none or maybe 1 or 2. Looking at a difference of 8 runs, they were crucial stops.
Competition epilogue.
Once again edged out on runrate. Bizarre when one looks at Essex qualifying after being stuffed by the Mexicans. They say the table does'nt lie, so I guess we have to say, we were not good enough, maybe 5% off the pace. We certainly had opportunity to have won one more game on at least 3 occasions.
On the plus side we won 5 games two at home, none last year. A sellout crowd v The Mexicans and around 70,000 spectators for our 5 home matches.
Seaxe Man Ageus Bowl 31st July 2013.
So Close and Yet So Far Away
Posted by: Middlesex till we die (IP Logged)
Date: 01/08/2013 20:11
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:08:06:05:27:58 by The Diamond ruled ok.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:08:06:05:27:58 by The Diamond ruled ok.
Re: So Close and Yet So Far Away
Posted by: chunkyinargyll (IP Logged)
Date: 01/08/2013 20:18
Excellent report S_M
According to KH on commentary Mills was making the point that the 'wide' ball passed under the batsman's bat rather than past it- therefore how could it possibly be wide.
Good point- but never in the history of mankind has a protest ever resulted in a wide being rescinded- and this was no exception.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:08:01:20:19:21 by chunkyinargyll.
According to KH on commentary Mills was making the point that the 'wide' ball passed under the batsman's bat rather than past it- therefore how could it possibly be wide.
Good point- but never in the history of mankind has a protest ever resulted in a wide being rescinded- and this was no exception.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:08:01:20:19:21 by chunkyinargyll.
Re: So Close and Yet So Far Away
Posted by: chunkyinargyll (IP Logged)
Date: 01/08/2013 20:40
One other point. One of our players- I honestly can't remember now if it was Stirling or Denly- was nearly caught on the boundary, but the fielder had to let go of the ball to avoid it being a six. KH wasn't sure- but he said he thought if it was a fully televised game, with a tv umpire, that it may well have been a six. In the event the batsman only got a single.
The what if's always seem greater in a tight finish.
For what it's worth, if we had qualified- would we have won the competition? I doubt it. We were quite good- but there are better teams than us in T20. When we won in 2008 we looked the best team in the competition. This time we were merely 'there, or thereabouts' so can't really complain.
The what if's always seem greater in a tight finish.
For what it's worth, if we had qualified- would we have won the competition? I doubt it. We were quite good- but there are better teams than us in T20. When we won in 2008 we looked the best team in the competition. This time we were merely 'there, or thereabouts' so can't really complain.
Re: So Close and Yet So Far Away
Posted by: BarmierKev (IP Logged)
Date: 01/08/2013 20:53
There was a too high full toss off Dext that cost 8 runs.
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
Re: So Close and Yet So Far Away
Posted by: lower pavilion (IP Logged)
Date: 01/08/2013 20:59
An excellent report as always Seaxe Man.
We did come close to getting out of the group stages this season and as I say we were at least competitive.
If we could have qualified for the quarter finals, then I believe we would have had as good a chance as anyone left in the competition. You are just three games away from winning the trophy and anything is then possible
My mind goes back to 2008. On finals day we were not expected to beat Durham's international line up even though they were very fortunate to be there in the first place. Even in the final I think a lot of people thought Kent would win.
Once again a very good and concise report. From my own experience, reporting on 20/20 games are the most difficult of the formats because things happen so very quickly
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:08:01:21:02:07 by lower pavilion.
We did come close to getting out of the group stages this season and as I say we were at least competitive.
If we could have qualified for the quarter finals, then I believe we would have had as good a chance as anyone left in the competition. You are just three games away from winning the trophy and anything is then possible
My mind goes back to 2008. On finals day we were not expected to beat Durham's international line up even though they were very fortunate to be there in the first place. Even in the final I think a lot of people thought Kent would win.
Once again a very good and concise report. From my own experience, reporting on 20/20 games are the most difficult of the formats because things happen so very quickly
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:08:01:21:02:07 by lower pavilion.
Re: So Close and Yet So Far Away
Posted by: Seaxe_Man (IP Logged)
Date: 01/08/2013 21:04
Yes chunky. I was puzzled why a six was not given. Carberry flicked it back from beyond the boundary and caught it but owned up sportingly that his foot went outside the rope, so did'nt claim the catch.
I thought 6 should have been given. The officiating at one end was unimpressive. Wides being a problem area.
One mistake. It should have read 57 off 4 overs not 3. It was 47 off 3 overs.
The best sides I have seen are Notts and Hampshire with for my money Hampshire having the edge.
Somerset probably third best.
As you say, the above are more consistent in all three disciplines.
We on the other hand, at our best can trouble the best, but you have to maintain that performance level over 10 games.
To qualify, we need to win more home games. We managed two this year against none last year.
To give you an idea. Checking my records, I find we have only ever beaten the Mexicans once at Lords. We have a better record at the Hacienda.
I thought 6 should have been given. The officiating at one end was unimpressive. Wides being a problem area.
One mistake. It should have read 57 off 4 overs not 3. It was 47 off 3 overs.
The best sides I have seen are Notts and Hampshire with for my money Hampshire having the edge.
Somerset probably third best.
As you say, the above are more consistent in all three disciplines.
We on the other hand, at our best can trouble the best, but you have to maintain that performance level over 10 games.
To qualify, we need to win more home games. We managed two this year against none last year.
To give you an idea. Checking my records, I find we have only ever beaten the Mexicans once at Lords. We have a better record at the Hacienda.
Re: So Close and Yet So Far Away
Posted by: chunkyinargyll (IP Logged)
Date: 01/08/2013 21:15
S_M
As I said on another thread I think a full Lords can be intimidating for inexperienced players.
Adam Rossington made 70 odd in a YB40 match v the Yorkies at Radlett. A venue he has played at many times, and therefore felt totally at home in. I'm not sure what his top score was at Lords under floodlights, but some of our players are still young and learning. Imagine standing on the home players balcony and seeing 30,000 spectators for the fist time- rather than the 2,000 you might get for the LVCC. I'm sure it affects some of them more than others. Housego always looked like a rabbit in the headlights when I saw him on tv.
Need to play more at Radlett- Stirling, Rossington, Patel, and Sandhu must know that ground inside out.
Oh- and I've remembered- didn't Joe Denly put someone down early on?
As I said on another thread I think a full Lords can be intimidating for inexperienced players.
Adam Rossington made 70 odd in a YB40 match v the Yorkies at Radlett. A venue he has played at many times, and therefore felt totally at home in. I'm not sure what his top score was at Lords under floodlights, but some of our players are still young and learning. Imagine standing on the home players balcony and seeing 30,000 spectators for the fist time- rather than the 2,000 you might get for the LVCC. I'm sure it affects some of them more than others. Housego always looked like a rabbit in the headlights when I saw him on tv.
Need to play more at Radlett- Stirling, Rossington, Patel, and Sandhu must know that ground inside out.
Oh- and I've remembered- didn't Joe Denly put someone down early on?
Re: So Close and Yet So Far Away
Posted by: Seaxe_Man (IP Logged)
Date: 01/08/2013 22:10
Yeh chunky. He put down Vince I think on 7 at the time.
However it was'nt that easy at wide long off. He had to make a fair bit of ground and had he caught that, it would have been a brilliant catch. Looked to be in his hands but as he fell could'nt hold on.
There were gasps of appreciation from the Hampshire faithful, who I think overall recognised and appreciated Middlesex's determined later reply.
Joe had a good match. He is one of our quickest fielders and I hope he can produce more innings like that one.
I have to add Kev that the difference in extras was 8,which admittedly was in our favour. However though we only conceded 7, the wide calls on the offside looked iffy..
Add to that, there were arguably a few high balls and legside efforts that went uncalled when the hosts bowled..
Good point chunky re young players playing in front of 30,000 for the first time.
However, if they are to progress, they need to adjust. All of our 3 home games at Lord's as you would expect, had 5 figure gates.
In addition, Richmond I am told had our best outground attendance since 2003.
That makes good reading for those who participated in the marketing iniative, spending happy hours in downtown Mortlake and Twickenham and the parallel job covering pubs, clubs etc along The Thames, including dare I say it Staines.
The bloke there was well happy at a visit from The Middle I can tell you.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2013:08:04:20:23:08 by Seaxe_Man.
However it was'nt that easy at wide long off. He had to make a fair bit of ground and had he caught that, it would have been a brilliant catch. Looked to be in his hands but as he fell could'nt hold on.
There were gasps of appreciation from the Hampshire faithful, who I think overall recognised and appreciated Middlesex's determined later reply.
Joe had a good match. He is one of our quickest fielders and I hope he can produce more innings like that one.
I have to add Kev that the difference in extras was 8,which admittedly was in our favour. However though we only conceded 7, the wide calls on the offside looked iffy..
Add to that, there were arguably a few high balls and legside efforts that went uncalled when the hosts bowled..
Good point chunky re young players playing in front of 30,000 for the first time.
However, if they are to progress, they need to adjust. All of our 3 home games at Lord's as you would expect, had 5 figure gates.
In addition, Richmond I am told had our best outground attendance since 2003.
That makes good reading for those who participated in the marketing iniative, spending happy hours in downtown Mortlake and Twickenham and the parallel job covering pubs, clubs etc along The Thames, including dare I say it Staines.
The bloke there was well happy at a visit from The Middle I can tell you.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2013:08:04:20:23:08 by Seaxe_Man.
Re: So Close and Yet So Far Away
Posted by: lower pavilion (IP Logged)
Date: 01/08/2013 22:53
I was also delighted to see the attendances at our outgrounds having walked many miles mostly with Seaxe Man, delivering flyers and having confrontations with dogs and letter boxes which seemed designed to stop people from posting things through them.
I would maintain as I have already mentioned on a previous post that I do not think that large crowds at Lord's should or indeed did intimidate our players. The majority of our side should and does now have sufficient experience of playing T20 to be used to these big crowds by now, though I have to admit I do struggle to explain our very poor display against Surrey at Lord's. However I would add that compared to many grounds there appears sometimes to be a lack of vocal support at Lord's for Middlesex, the crowd seems to be almost neutral and applauding both teams in equal measure which may not always give our players a good home advantage.
I think I have gone slightly off topic and apologies.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:08:01:23:02:08 by lower pavilion.
I would maintain as I have already mentioned on a previous post that I do not think that large crowds at Lord's should or indeed did intimidate our players. The majority of our side should and does now have sufficient experience of playing T20 to be used to these big crowds by now, though I have to admit I do struggle to explain our very poor display against Surrey at Lord's. However I would add that compared to many grounds there appears sometimes to be a lack of vocal support at Lord's for Middlesex, the crowd seems to be almost neutral and applauding both teams in equal measure which may not always give our players a good home advantage.
I think I have gone slightly off topic and apologies.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:08:01:23:02:08 by lower pavilion.
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