A bit of R'n'R had Siddle riding side saddle.
By Beefy Roberts
April 17 2014
Beefy writes about a grand day for Middlesex cricket, when bowling fielding and batting all clicked. Not to mention a new name for the Lambeth Lara, and honourable mentions for the over rate and lucky ties. A great report on a great day.
The last day of a great county game is here, with all 3 results available.
I decided before the day’s play that the Middlesex Room coffee wasn’t going to improve, so i visited my new venue for the pre-match brew, the Taxi rank outlet near the north gate.
As the players come out, Mr Perambulator gets a fact correct, and tells us the 12th man is Andrew Balirnie, meaning we are missing Bergie for a second day; something must be wrong fir him to be missing again.
Notts are 184-5 overnight with a lead of 71 as Finny opens the bowling from the pavilion end, and Murtaaahh (Mr Perambulator) from the nursery end.
Doesn’t take long for the Middle to claim the first wicket of the day as Reid is caught behind, bowled by Murtaahhh for 44 and Notts are 189-6.
Next in is Siddle,who just doesn’t look happy, but he is an Aussie!
Overs go, and Murtaaahh is bowling to Wessels, who had a good height ball that went between 2nd slip and gully a catchable height, but hey ho.
WKT, as Notts reach 208-7 and Wessels is going home, c Harris b Murtaaahh 34. Harry Harris steadied himself and took the catch.
Now Fletcher comes in and the tail starts to wag....or does it?
Finn now bowling to Fletcher (just like to add, it’s NOT our fletch) and a 'noise' is heard and Simmo dives to his left and takes a good catch. A big appeal but Kettleborough the umpire is um-moved. At 215-7 its first bowling change as Harry Harris replaces Finny. And Harry gets wicket as Siddle slides to the dressing room; he is caught by Simmo from Harry's bowling for 12.The bounce caught out Siddle and off he goes. Notts are now in trouble at 215-8.
Carter now comes in; we are looking for a good Middle victory, he didn’t hang around long as Notts reach 218-9. He is bowled by Murtaaahhh for a round duck, just less than 1.The ball keeping very low and gives Murtaaahhh a 5-fer.Play is soon held up, as the Notts master batsmen Fletcher needed his bat handle re-gripped; this took a good 5 minutes, and two people in the grandstand decided a slow handclap was in order.
We reach our goal, and Notts are soon 224 all out and batsman Fletcher is caught by Simmo from Finny bowling for 5, giving them a lead of 111.
Murts finishes on 5-61, Harris 1-55, and Finny 4-82 with match figures of 9 wickets.Our over rate is at a healthy 0,a green 0.Our second innings starts without Bergie,so are we 0-1?
I mutter.....Take our time, no rush, we’ve got all day.1st over is Siddle and Fletcher Pavilion end. With 3 overs gone Mr Perambulator tells us Wessels is keeping wicket and Alex Hales is 12 man for Notts (born Hillingdon, schooled in Chesham). Just a little chat that was had at the time.
It didn’t take long for the RnR batting display to start as our star openers sent the ball around the ground with ease, off drives by Robbo, cover drives by Rogers.We reach lunch comfortable at 52-0,off only 43 balls. Lunch is taken in a very empty Middlesex Room; are there more getting fed up with the room?
Now, I’m going be honest and say after lunch I didn’t take many notes, as I was just watching the batting display on show.LP was showing his new tie, we told him it’s the lucky tie.A well earned victory and we can kiss Hove goodbye.
A rest now until the white rose county of Yorkshire visit.All I can finish with is.....MIDDLE,MIDDLE,MIDDLE.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:04:20:09:16:01 by The Diamond ruled ok.
The headline was Beefys idea, better than mine
Excellent report
I'm sure at the last forum was mentioned Mr Perumbulator is surplus to requirements for our home games
Good report,thanks Beefy.
Loved the headline - better standard than Kev's.
Well done. A very good report. A very satisfying 4 days for The Mighty Middle.
Though there are still 'stick in the muds' who want to get rid of counties. See Cricket Paper this week page 6 bottom email.
Puts me in mind of the Parkinson/Willis Reform Group of about 20 years back.
Personally, I think that in 2014, the 2nd Division will also be very competitive.
Once again Beefy. Thx for your observations. Was the coffee at the taxi shack better?
