Man of Machan performance dominates Middlesex presence

In first of our World Cup reports from Down Under we hear of over vigilant jobsworths with a reminder of a venue close to home. This is followed by some interesting insights into the wisdom of the ECB. We have a summary of the events of a game with some Middlesex influence past, present and maybe one for our future?

A humid yet strangely mild and overcast day greeted the Irish and Scots for their friendly World Cup warm up at the Blacktown International Sportspark in Sydney's western suburbs last night. Driving out to a satellite ground such as Blacktown had me reminiscing about days gone by driving out to Uxbridge to watch Middx CC matches, however entering the adjacent soccer pitch which had been reserved for general entry ticket holders, plebs such as myself, this momentary walk down memory lane was shattered by the sight of several humourless hi-viz wearing ushers guiding me to my rather obvious parking spot. 'There's more people out here watching me park than will be there to watch the game' I mused thanking the gentlemen for their invaluable assistance and also passed my gratitude to the several volunteers on hand to make sure I crossed the road safely. My several hundred yard ambulation to the Oval's front gate (past a somewhat empty VIP park) was watched by more than a dozen members of our nations constabulary. Finally I entered the gate and took stock of the best area to sit. The ground has a main grandstand on the western side and the remainder is essentially a lawned bank, excellent for picnicking and for kids to run around. The biggest name in the game was probably the umpire Aleem Dar, though those who few there who follow the game properly knew of many of the county lads. Got chatting to one of the many security chaps, a Fijian who knew of blokes I played cricket with whilst I was there in the 90's. Turned out that there'd been some crowd trouble during the Bangladesh v Pakistan friendly the night before and the ICC had made sure security was well and truly beefed up for the next game! But that game had attracted around 8,000 whereas this fixture had, well about 500. The place seemed choked with security! That reminded me of the site of a Josh Hazlewood being accompanied around the boundary at Lord's by a bodyguard in 2010 when the Aussies played Middx. Still can't work that one out! Nope, instead there were lots of dads and the kids dropping in after work to watch some international cricket for free. Yes, free. You have to hand it to the ICC for once for opening the gates to the public for the friendlies. Australia play the UAE at the MCG today and you get in there for free! But I digress. Attending this game was a real moment for me to watch some Middx players live again and also to see Ireland play first hand. I've always had an interest in their development in the game.

The Middx presence: the Irish had past player Ed Joyce and present Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie whilst the Scots had Josh Davey (though now at Somerset I'm told). Paul Collingwood was also there (he's been assisting the Scots since late 2013) and I spent some time out at the practice nets during the innings break watching him hurling yorker-length balls at young Leask who was learning how to hoik them over mid wicket. Incroyable!

Scotland won the toss and batted in what looked to be road of a pitch. They kept the rate at 5 for the first half of the innings despite early wickets to Sorensen who bowled very well getting Coetzee and Gardiner. Young Sussex bat Machan (103) was in at 5 and became the main stay if the innings, he and MacLeod (41) and then Mommsen (56) followed by Berrington (52) continued to lift the runrate as Scotland sniffed a 300 strong dig. Mooney and O'Brien were set upon heavily delivering 6 overs for 70 runs; the one bowling standout was young Andrew McBrine, a 21 year old Irish club cricketer, bowled an excellent spell of off-spin; 10 overs for 36. Scotland posting a strong 296.

I spent around an hour chatting with the Irish team manager at the far end of the ground; initially just enquiring if young McBrine was playing with a county in England. He isn't which got me thinking that he could be a useful addition to our ranks? Worth keeping in mind. Both of us being gifted with the gift of the gab were soon lamenting the ICC's very apparent lack of attention given to Ireland who have only played 9 internationals in the past 4 years. They, and Scotland, are only here this time after the ICC had relented in its earlier attempt to only play the top 10 ranked teams. They're going to try pull that stunt again in 2019 apparently. I mean really! It's a shame that talented players like Kevin and Nyal O'Brien, Will Porterfield and even our own Murts, Balbirnie and Stirling have no foreseeable chance of playing test cricket other than to try and get in the English team as has Moggy and Boyd Rankin.

Whilst this dissecting of the international scene was taking place we watched young Stirling begin to flay the Scots everywhere. He's looking a lot more matured and the manager said that he has mellowed a lot. And he's looking in great shape! Anyway, he was going like a train till he found cover point on 37. The loss of Stirlo was compounded when Ed Joyce and Nyal O'Brien went cheaply. The Irish going from 50-0 after 10 to be 73-4 through 15. Wickets kept falling as Haq, Alaisdair Evans and also Josh Davey not only got on top and then went about destroying the Irish lineup, the three combining to take 9 Irish scalps for 60 runs. Whilst there were some questionable catches claimed for Wilson (looked to be a bump ball) and Cusack caught low at point only compounded the fact this was not going to Ireland's night; the pitch that looked a road had become the a Western Front and Ireland had no answer, ultimately bowled out for just 117. Worth noting to Middx readers that Andy Balbirnie (8 off 8) batted at 5 and looked pretty solid before he drove on the up and was caught at cover. It was indeed a good time for Ireland to have a bad night, my memory is full of touring sides who start poor in Australia only to improve. New Zealand always start out in this fashion! Scotland will be buoyed with confidence. Macleod batted well and that their middle order withstood the loss of early wickets and were able to take control if the game. Haq was too much for the Irish, his offies given lots of air and weighted beautifully. I also intend to head along to Thursday's game between Ireland and Bangladesh. Hopefully the lads will acquit themselves better!