Lightning strikes by Middlesex

Beefy tells us about an eventful day at Old Trafford with tram rides, seciruty alerts and bell ringing thrown into the mix of wickets, before the great storm of Manchester hits. 

Up early and it's perfect weather for cricket.  After a good breakfast I take the wonderful tram service(only £3. 90 return) and get to the ground early; in fact it wasn't open!

The pavilion is rather good, spacious and plenty of memorabilia (Lords, take note for members area!).

Leaving my bag at seat, I meet up with Phil, Roy and Paul. Upon return a rather stern steward said he was worried and concerned about my bag being left and I shouldn't do it as I was told it could be a security risk and be removed to reception.

To the game. Only 3 balls into the day and Mala reaches his deserved 50,soon after having stump removed by Bailey for 53,we are 262-4.

We didn't expect the next piece of play, as. . . .

•      Eskinazi goes with his stump laying flat by Jarvis 262-5 
•      Simmo in,and a huge LBW appeal by Jarvis but going down leg side and umpire unmoved.
•      276-6 Simmo trudges back caught by Croft b Bailey for 5 bringing in The Complete Package, and a Bradmanesque shot for 4 and we need 15 runs off 6 overs for the 300.
•      285-7 Ollie goes with 105. 1 overs gone,we keep checking our overs and can hear some cheering from across the pennines as we lose 4 wickets for only 27 runs.
•      We need 3 runs from 6 balls and we reach 302 with 2 balls to spare. . . 3 points in the bag.
•      313-8 as Toby heads back bowled by Kerrigan.
•      322-9 MurTAG (as a Lancs member kept calling him) is caught by Jones off Croft for 4.

We are eventually 327 all out and take lunch.   

Now, this stage of play was just incredible to say the least, and the cheers from across the pennines turned to groans.

After 3 overs,lancs were 0-0 with good tight bowling.

Are we ready. . . . . . . . .

0-1 as 'Prince' Hameed goes for just less than 1 he is caught by Ollie b Toby.

Seaxe Man says 'we need a wicket'; next ball, Proctor goes c Eskinazi b Murts for 1 more than the Prince. . . . Well bowled Roy.

OMG,it's 6-3,yes. . . 6-3 as Petersen is caught by Simmo off Toby for 3.

A Lancs member behind me just says glumly 'Oh dear,dear,dear'

And another,amazing scenes as they are now 6-4 as Crofts stump cartwheels for just less than 1 again,couldn't contain myself as I cheer loudly!

Applause as they reach double figures at 13-4.

And then 32-5 as Buttler goes back to the depot gone for 16 c Simmo b Toby.

Ironic cheers as they reach 50-5

Floodlights are on as umpires discuss the light and Ollie is bowling now.

Go off for bad light and an early tea.

After tea, your intrepid reporter was invited to ring the bell to signify end of tea. I of course accepted to do this. At end of lunch Colin and Jenni Strange did the same. . . nice club is Lancashire.

With deteriorating  light,we have Ollie and Mala bowling and the 50 partnership is greeted with cheers, whistles and applause!

Light improves and Murts returns, and a massive LBW appea; ,the whole team went up as one but umpires unmoved.

Lancs 100 up, to more cheers, whistles and applause!

Light gets worse; the rain starts and play is called off for the day at 1720.

Perfect day, and I head back to my hotel to get ready for a meal and drinks with friends in the city and watch Armageddon arrive with the biggest storm I have ever seen!

SOME STORM

 Let's have a damn good day today and COME ON THE MIDDLE. . . . BATTLE