Event: Worcestershire v Middlesex Day 2 Thurday 18th Sept 2008.

Travel and Weather: a hastily arranged day out at Uxers on Tues at the 1st day of 2nd's reverse fixture: same opponents. Went with Warner Stand Deryk from Ruislip. A nice late summer's day with it possible to see blue sky pretty well all day: it was even warm: after circumventing the school traffic around Ruislip/Ickenham area made the M40. The only other prob was a road closure in Kiddy which meant we arrived half an hour late after seeking information from the locals.

 
Pre lunch session: on arrival The Middle were 159ish for 1. Strauss was on 83 and Ace on 27. Strauss reached an excellent ton which in the context of this match with Ace's 81 were the matchwinning knocks. It needs to be said that the wicket assisted the bowlers throughout: pace/seam from the railway end and spin proved effective from the pavilion end: in the form of Andrew and Batty. Andrew was released by Somerset in 2005: but looked demanding on this wicket.

Shortly after reaching his ton: Strauss was taken close in off Batty. 212 for 1 soon became 225 for 5 after Morgan edged to slip, Malan edged to the wicket, Scott lost his off stump playing back to Batty and Murts went lbw. So we lunched with 5 down.
 

Lunch: circled the ground to discover that there were about 10 Middle supporters present: the Edrich Upper mafia were well represented with Terry,Dave,Nigel,Clive and Ray apart from myself being present. Bought a portion of chips at the Burgher Bar: price £1.50 and he generously heaped them up.

  
Post Lunch Session: after Ace was taken at the wicket for an excellent 81: the next half hour was a bit of a whirl with Shaggy and Finny indulging in some bold hitting. Taking the view no doubt: that it was'nt the sort of wicket for poking and prodding about on. They smashed a quick 42 before Shaggy departed caught and bowled Andrew. This left Steve Finn to shepherd the tail with a 25* which gave us a lead of 56 amidst wickets crashing about.The Watford Whirlwind's 25* is his top 1st class score.  Previous was 3 at Chelmers in 2007.

Worcs then started their 2nd knock in which from the off they struggled. Richo bowled an excellent spell from the railway end: removing Moore middle stump and having Mitchell dropped in the slips shortly after. Worcs went to tea after 9 overs in not a very confident state of mind.
 

Post Tea Session: Richo again opened the bowling from the railway end. Murts from pav. Richo deservedly took the wicket of the previously dropped Mitchell who edged to Scott: so not too much damage done there. As Richo tired, Dirk was brought on from the railway end with devastating effect for the home batters. Murts was also replaced at pav end by Shaggy. No doubt enjoying the most helpful wicket that he has bowled on in England: Dirk bowled like the wind: must have been up around 90mph and the quickest bowling I have seen from a Midd-x bowler since Ricardo Elcock back in late eigthties.

He eventually finished with a career best 6 for 32 off incredibly 6.1 overs of raw pace which the home batters could not cope with with: mostly being taken in the arc behind the wicket. The one home batter who played him with any confidence was Ben Smith who off drove him for 3 fours in one over. Smith was eventually removed by Shaggy assisted by a smart catch by Straussy. It remained only for Captain Shaggy to get the last man Andrew caught and bowled from a skier. Th umpires then called close of play and The Middle left the field in high jubilation requiring only 67 to win. Deryk and I headed home in high spirits having watch Middle's best day of championship cricket this season. 19 wickets and 317 runs: entertainment indeed.