Fogged off

Got up unusually very early for me for a Saturday, having heard it was going to be a scorcher. I was surprised having looked out of window to be greeted by dense fog.   Having prepared my summer clothes night before I added thick jumper to my attire and considered thermals in morning.  I prepared to get to Harrow and Wealdstone station for 9:30 train.  I was up with run rate on bus to catch this and was at station 9:25.  Thought I’d buy day return to Northampton from machine. Had choice of different kinds of tickets and the option I chose came to £50, didn't pay.  Luckily, no queue at ticket office and my kind of return cost £19.  Why can’t National Railways just have a consistent price structure? 

What was a surprise result was that the Slitherlink journey and connections were on time. I have had many bad experiences with this line often ruining days and nights out, so this was a bonus.  What was a concern as I was edging northwards the pea souper was still there.   The fog had cleared by time I arrived at Northampton station at 10:35. but still chilly.  I caught cab to ground arrived at 10:50 wondering what I’ve missed, to find out no play currently.  Play due to start at 11:00, due to "bad light," when light seemed to me to be most clear.   Someone said it was “dew stopped play”, but really saw no reason for delay.   8 overs were lost and it was pointed out wouldn’t be made up. Evidently, on last day time not made up as “teams need the time to prepare for next game".  Yeah right, last game of season!.  What are they on at ECB?

Game on, in sunshine

The players are out just before 11.  Unlike Middlesex, the sun makes an early breakthrough as I start to strip down. . The ball was skidding around a bit, but R White and O’Brien looked comfortable, punishing anything short.  They were well up with run rate. Morgan drooped a sitter at slip and I was starting to get worried is this going to be one of those days.  Soon after O’Brien was caught behind after a juggle by Simpson behind from a sitter–phew.  Just before lunch there was the closing down of Sales who was bowled middle stump.  With 3 wickets down the balance at lunch was well and truly back in our favour, but much work to do.

Couldn’t Dirk this one out? 

The other talking point of session was Nannes fielding throughout, but not bowling. Nobody knew how long he needed to be on to be able to bowl.   Did his first innings absence count?   He fielded near me and I asked him whether he was going to bowl, which was answered “ maybe”.  I sent text to Ged to pass on to Kevin Hand , but only clarified he will bowl at some stage, but not sure when. One thing for definite he was not on pitch for his fielding.  

I Scream U Scream

Loverboy had promised on board ice screams all round for select MTWDers at game.   I was the only person who fitted criteria of offer in his presence, but snag was no I scream van visible in first session. However, after lunch, when questioned again, before you could say Ronnie Irani, the van appeared.  Shortly after, the other missing feature appearing was the Diggler on to bowl.  The extra difference in his pace was clearly noticeable.  Not only were the batters finding it difficult, so was Simpson who probably has never experienced anything as quick.  I actually thought of an inventive field position of fly keeper for him. There were boundaries flowing and flying, mainly off top edge.  This included a 6  skied high into sun  in my direction, I lost track of ball, Loverboy and Turkey Terry started to take cover and ball landed leaving a massive dent on Terry’s seat next to me. Luckily for me ,losing trace of ball no serious damage done and my newly opened bottle of white unscathed. 

It was a matter of time before R White was out and it eventually was from a top edge finding Richo’s hand. This was an excellent ton, but his dismissal gave him chance for  secret drink- he later passed our way furtively, but with an ice scream.  With half Nelson and rush of blood Wessels in, every ball either a potential boundary or wicket.   Loverboy had mentioned he would get me an ice cream, but I had to walk with him, around close to half of ground most of which would involve being in shade with no view of cricket.  I was enjoying cricket, wine and sun, I think in that order, but did not want to move.   Diggler got Nelson plum LBW and relented and took stroll for Ice Cream option. Then as we reached van I Scream man went AWOL.  I honestly thought LB was trying everything to avoid my treat and had him nobbled. Alas , he turned up after 10-minute delay and I enjoyed my lager and lime ( not Kronenburg included) flavoured ice-lolly.   Thanks LB never doubted you.    On way back to saw Boje caught behind.  3 wickets to go, ½ a lolly 3/4 of bottle wine left, how could I cope? 

What a Crook with Burst of Wessels? 

Crook and Wessels certainly weren’t planning on padding out final session and half.   With  200+ runs required, I was enjoying their entertainment and not bothered watching our bowlers getting tonked all over.  However, after 80 quick runs put on, I started to get nervous.  A tactical text to Ged saying they looked comfortable didn’t work.  With 100 required in 40 overs match looked almost even.   They had an answer for everything thrown their way. Then Shaggy bowled a slow high full toss, book your spot Crook- straight up in air, into the Diggler’s hands.  Monty came out and the scoreboard looked even healthier, when Wessels was bowled by Diggler next over.  As Lucas came out he and Monty walked straight off.  I thought they had declared, given up. No, it was for tea. ECB state "tea on last day tea at set time, regardless", this time of year 3:10.   With 2 wickets left from three Hippity’s, surely could just carry on.

 Tea for Two.

I actually enjoyed break with final perambulation and weather still good.  Interesting chatting to Northants fans about their team and season's woes- every county has issues. My enjoyment was cut short by players called back to play as we needed to prise these two final wickets.  Shaggy had Lucas who could not produce electrical innings very quickly.  Then change of bowling, Ace to Monty a maiden batted out showing great respect for a England class spinner-very considerate Monty. Then Wiggley chewing over situation got bowled by Diggler. Game over 3:30. 

 Summary/Conclusion  

So glad I chose to go for final day of season.  Northants fans are friendly lot and hospitable to away fans.  Even with game meaningless, so much pleasure can be gained from general soaking in atmosphere of watching game in sun. There were plenty of incidents, talking points and was pleased Northants tried to make a game of it.  Roll on April 2009, oh yeah there’s a little matter of Antigua for me.  

********************** 

Winter well, one and all 

*********************

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

Related Articles:

• Shaggy's Autumn Almanac
• Strauss Shines in Wantage Road Gloom - Day One
• More Wantage at Carnage Road - Day 2

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

• Think you know your sport? Click here to try the Sportnetwork Prize Quizzes