St Dawid's Day again with spoilt Finnish

Barmy Kev reports on the whole a good day for Middlesex , with some Northants banter and an ever reliable forecast.

This is my last day of cricket from a while as tomorrow I’m jet setting. I am gratified by a reasonable forecast then there was a good forecast yesterday and Thursday for the Blast.

We are 280-3 from 80 overs overnight. I feel it is reasonable to expect us to score at exactly 4 an over + for max batting points against an ordinary attack and then look for some more milestones. Bear in mind Northants average 1st innings total against them is 421.

True to form with some last minute packing and organizing, I arrive at Lord's late. At 11.20 the score was 299 4 after 85 overs with Dext out. As taking my seat it's up to 303 as AC moves on to 80 with a majestic leg glance. Before I sit down Denly is seemingly caught behind but not given, if he didn't hit it there must a lot of late movement in this pitch. Shortly after Joe is dropped in the gulley. A loose drive eventually saw his downfall and with score 308-5 in 89th over max bowling points are truly slipping away.  This became beyond us, as Northants were bowling wide and AC and Simmo not tempted to chase these.  After 100 we are 328. I'm in 20/20 mode as we need 72 from 10. AC certainly not as in nervous 90s but Simmo started to play some expansive shots. 350 up after 105 overs and we are looking at 10 over now. AC on 93 is dropped a dolly. Simmo nearly pays on as rolling ball appears to hit stumps but not dislodge bail. 400 in 110 out of question.  AC is 96 not out and 1 ball to face before lunch that takes an age to bowl as Crook pulls up on run up. Don't do anything stupid AC he hits it hard straight in stomach of short leg saving 4, with Crook indicating it was a dropped catch.

Soon after lunch AC reached his ton. This was not even acknowledged by Mr Perambulator.  Simmo soon reached 50 not announced. Posh Margaret and I finished between us the Times Cryptic and Northants 421 conceding average was surpassed. What looks like desperation bowling ex Mexican Spriegel, who came to Northants for career progression, takes a wicket in his first over 69 for Simmo. A rowdy bunch of Northants fans joined our area who celebrated TRJ wicket after some lusty blows with chant "easy "easy". Same chant as Tim Murtaaaagh bowled 2 balls later. They also said if they had put on Spriegel straight away this would have saved 400 runs. Some declaration batting from Finn lead to his demise and a declaration on 488. Leaving AC 2 short of his career best 156.

Tea called with 42 overs to go. The first 4 a streaky edge cheered by Northants fans as highest opening partnership of season.  Still not long after Middle Middle Brook is caught behind with score on 7. According to Northants fans next stand was close to season best then Peters trying to leave one was caught at slip of TRJ’s first over, score 39. Another change of bowler Finny from Nursery for change forced Spriegel to play on as closing on to another season’s best partnership 68-3. The light was becoming progressively worse- Posh Margaret commented they've put the roof at Wimbledon for Murray. If only we have one at Lords's. The Northants rowdy mob stated at Derbyshire they don't have floodlights but use candles, this made me laugh.  Finn and TRJ bowled plenty of short stuff in gloom but there are still staying on. We switch back to Ravi after 3rd umpire consultation and they go off with score 89.

With batsman Keogh out injured effectively 4 down. Like yesterday 16 overs are lost.  I can't see us not winning from here with weather forecast ahead good, just like it was for today and day before.