Middx Rookie Gives Students a Lesson in Class Batting

I decided to make my first visit to The Parks today on a sunny morning. At Slough station, I changed trains and while waiting for a coffee I order a medium Latte for £2.55. I hand over a £5 note and get £7.55 in return as change. I take a quick run with sugar and find a seat on the platform and Latte tasting much better!

Oxford Station and a brisk walk to The Parks taking my life in my hands dodging the crazy cycles! Once I arrive, i see we are 17-0 after 4 overs, but no idea who won the toss, i take a walk around the boundary and decide to sit in pavilion with Geoff Norris and spend some entertaining time with him. Also sitting in front of Don Shelley, but not blocking his view of the game, He tells me we won the toss. I find the scorecard with an 'Honesty Box' and put a pound coin in and take a scorecard. Imagine that at county grounds?

 So we have Gubbins and Malan opening the batting and both look comfortable. I’m glad I came along to watch Nick Gubbins as I heard a lot about him. He looks very stylish and with Sam on possible test duty, could he step up the mark and open?  On the boundary by the nets is Rossington having intensive coaching by the one and only Jack Russell. They must of been there for a good 2 hours or more. Good to see the 'older' keeper giving out his vast knowledge.

We gallop along to 70-0 off 20 overs, but then the scoreboard decided to stop working and takes 6 overs to kick start and we are 92-0.The Uni team are trying all ways they can to remove our openers without any luck, Constant bowling changes do not achieving anything. Malan reaches his deserved half century as we get to 100-0 and then Thompson bowling from the Pavilion End appeals for a caught behind off Gubbins, but there was so much space between bat and ball the umpire was un-moved. As the Middle get to 118-0, Gubbins get his 50 a very well deserved score from a confident player who likes to square cut and straight drive without any problem.  At lunch we are 128-0,with Malan on 63 and Gubbins 52.

After lunch with the Uni team still switching bowling they still can’t get a breakthrough and after 46 overs we are 160-0. A couple of half chance appeals are made, with the umpires still unmoved. Watching Nick Gubbins has become the main event now as he looks more confident as the innings goes on. Malan is still batting with him and on 200-0, Mala reaches his ton off of 176 balls  with 11 x 4's. Then a breakthrough at last for the Uni side as Malan is caught by Marriott off the bowling of Weller ( editor attempt at humour a Jammy wicket ) for 110, he was maybe trying to give wicket away to allow Simmo to bat. Simmo had been padded up all afternoon! We lose another wicket quickly as Simmo is on his way back for 4 runs caught by Sakande off the bowling of Cato,a drive to mid-on is snapped up. Both batsmen were at the 'Not Pavilion End' when given out.

Finally and really well deserved, Nick Gubbins reaches 100 not out with 11 x 4's from 212 balls. It was Nick's first 1st team game and I know its been said earlier, but look out for him a real up and coming talent.

At tea we are 266-4 with Gubbins on 105 no and Denly on 27. Now. at this time, I was ready to slowly make a move towards the station via a couple of refreshment houses.  Entry to ground? nothing, scorecard £1... was it worth it? Every penny of the train fare. Next stop Trent Bridge, Nick Gubbins on show, who knows?