The outcome of a game of cricket is always unpredictable, especially when the weather can play such a major part. The decision to commence the cricket season early in April when once it commenced in May and then to extend the season until towards the end of September when the latest would be the return of children school at the commencement of September is causing havoc for the County Championship. The decision to extend the playing season is not just the issue of squeezing in more one day games which bring in the revenue to the participating clubs but the hope that even if the weather is not good early on it will be better later and vice versa. There is also the argument that all matches are likely to be affected by the weather so that individual clubs will not gain advantage or be disadvantaged by climate conditions.
After the washout after lunch on Wednesday I took a peek outside the window at the Days Inn around 7 am on Thursday 12th September to see work going on at the Derby Cricket ground across the way. The square was uncovered and the mopping water machine was at work on the outfield. The atmosphere was brighter but still cloudy.
I have thought more about the interview between the Chairman of the Derby Club and the Derby radio commentator yesterday and appreciate much more how difficult it must be to develop a ground or for the ECB to invest funds where the land is not owned by the club. Given the practical problems about the location of the site in terms of attracting larger audiences particularly while work on the Deddesden Road is ongoing leading to major traffic hold-ups especially at peak hours the idea of a new ground similar to what has happened in relation to Durham and Hampshire appeals. What was of interest yesterday is that the prospect of a move was clearly major news to the long term members and I concluded that rather than using the radio interview as a ploy to push the city council into being more cooperative, it was a way of letting members of the club know what was in the wind, and perhaps something even more concrete. Yesterday evening all the local news was about progress being made to the £27 million velodrome and 5000 or so concert centre being built as part of the Olympic games legacy. Clearly the City had the ability to invest so did they have a question mark about the future of the club located as it on the former Racecourse ground and with a park to the immediate west that was also once part of the race course.
Having only been able to purchase milk, margarine and a loaf of bread at the corner shop yesterday lunch time I used the car to go to Lidl’s at Deddesden at lunch time noting the significant traffic including buses going in the opposite direction into central Nottingham. While the amount suggested that the A52 overpass route might be blocked for some reason and fearing the length of the delay joining in I continued through Deddesden until reaching the join A52 roundabout and yes the route was closed off by a fast police car and a motorcyclist but with no indication why this was being done. Later on the local news I noted there had been a major operation throughout the day arresting drug traffickers in the city.
I therefore joined the queue which fortunately proved more fast moving than original appreciated and although late back for the afternoon session the venture was an overall success purchasing some tomatoes and cheese for fresh sandwiches today and tomorrow and some hard boiled traditional lemon and fruit drops in tins (2 200 gram tins for £2). I resisted cakes, chocolates and such like but forgot some fresh fruit!
The milk purchased the previous day was still Ok for breakfast and using the greater part of the single pint over the two days means little waste and I shall go for a second pint shortly as well as posting the questionnaire response at the post box on the other side of the road by a temporary bus stop. For lunch I used the pate with olives leaving part of a sandwich for tea and the evening meal comprised a tin of baked bean and a tin of rice. Today there will be bread and cheese with tomatoes although I may well go for a meal at the ground.
I watched a programme about a London station catering for an event at Henley and what happens when at the weekend the station closes on Saturday to enable line working. At least individuals are allowed to sleep in at the station on the few benches on the cold floors. I then watched the eviction of two of the celebrities from Britain’s Got Talent, a bunch of characters with limited or no appeal although having watched their arrival it was interesting to see who had departed and who survived for the final show at the weekend.
Now for the cricket where given the promise of a full day’s play there were many more in the ground including a good contingent supporting Durham who were spread around the ground. There was even sun during the afternoon which proved warm to hot.
On the first day I claimed a seat used by regulars on the Members Balcony and enjoyed the chat with Derby supporters who were apprehensive about the outcome of the game. Yesterday I moved to the large temporary, semi permanent stand over the wicket and also enjoyed a similar level of chat from Derby supporters which I prefer which add to the experience and also reminds what a special breed the county championship regular remain, different for the Test and one day Brigades.
The weather forecast continues to change with if anything the weather forecast for Saturday now promising to be a clear day brought forward to tea time this afternoon. Sunday by all accounts will be horrendous and depending on progress today and forecasts I may well pack up and be ready to leave tomorrow after the game ends or the likely draw appears more definite. In fact apart from Taunton where Surrey and Somerset are playing the two most likely relegation candidates along with Derby, drawn games appear the most likely outcome in all games. At Taunton the game looked evens Stephens when at one point Surrey who had managed just under 200 runs after an early collapse had 8 Somerset wickets for almost the same number but then a rally has seen Somerset take a first innings 65 lead. Bad light prevented the Surrey innings going beyond 13 without loss. Notts also batted well to create a draw most likely scenario.
Here the decision to put Derby in on a deceptive looking green wicket with an overcast sky this continued to appear wrong choice until after lunch yesterday when Rushworth 5 for 46 proved the best of the Durham Bowlers with Onions taking 4 for 60 something. Arshad showed inconsistency but took the important wicket of Chanderpaul when he was 53 and total 202 for 2 and which opened the gateway after he and Borrington 75, a young man brought into the team, had an impressive stand of over 100. Derby’s Innings closed at 298, two short of what would have been an invaluable third bonus point with bowler Palladino holding up Durham with 22 in a stand of 50. 50 was also the number of extras with 10 no balls providing 20 and then 10 each from wides, byes and leg byes as Durham struggled find the edge of the bats.
For Durham Stonman started well but as is his want was out after appearing to establish himself scoring on one run more than his County average. Jennings also went leaving Borthwick who looks in fine form scoring 21 with Smith, no (longer Scratcher Smith) 3 so the team had reached 82 for 2 at the close. My view is that unless Durham experiences a collapse they will continue to try and score between four and five and over, first to get the maximum batting points and if this achieved to then open a margin of at least 200 and have a chance of bowling Derby out on Saturday after lunch. The weather as I anticipated from the outset will play the major factor but 11 points the maximum from a draw will see Durham, hold their lead over Yorkshire at the top as long as Yorkshire do not manage to snatch a victory themselves
It is now approaching half past seven on Friday evening and the decision has been taken to return home tomorrow morning after breakfast. It has proved an all round disappointing day. I did not sleep well of but was sufficiently alert to go out for a second pint milk and to post a questionnaire sent by the local Tory Member of the European Parliament. However having reached the post box by the bus stop passing the private Lace Club I found the box was closed because of the ongoing road works. On the way back I found a second corner shop and bought the milk 65p nearly twice that of the local supermarket enjoyed the cereal breakfast made ready for the game going over around 10.50 but with chatting to a door steward the first over was about to commence so waited until this was over to climb the steps to the top of the 1800 seat Falcons stand where I found that one of the regulars from Durham was located. In fact I saw and spoke with two other regulars as well as the organiser of the Durham tours. There were Durham supporters located all around the ground.
From 82 for 2 over night 159 runs were added before Borthwick at 89 hit a full toss from part time bowler Chanderpaul after lunch as it commenced to look that Durham were on their way to getting close to 400 runs within the allotted 110 overs. When Smith was then brilliantly caught short of his 100 the situation was a replica of that the previous afternoon. Perhaps appreciating the similarity Richardson with Collingwood were cautious and the runs came slowly when the predicted rain commenced just before 4 o clock after the tea interval although it was bad light that caused the umpires to lead the players off the field. The rain has continued solidly since. It is my understanding that with Yorkshire scoring more than Sussex at Hove and the home side two wickets down there is the prospect more of Yorkshire win unless Sussex put on a good performance throughout most of tomorrow.
I have been back and forth all day to my room and the car, first making cheese and tomato sandwiches for lunch, then return at tea time but getting going back to the ground just before the game was called off, returning to the room but then deciding that I wanted some soup, bread and cheese for the evening meal with the second tin of rice. I am not sure that all this bread and the cheese has helped my weight although the expense has been limited. There was a party of a dozen well dressed people who arrived at the Cardamom club at lunchtime and afterwards I wondered if this was a group from the City Council meeting the Chairman and officers of the cricket club to discuss the future of the ground as part of the future of club. In theory my weigh should be Ok given the kind of options that have been available. I will see tomorrow or on Sunday although I am prepared for the worst.
On Saturday the atmosphere outside my room was still damp and looked it would remain an unpleasant day for watching cricket, The first options was to pack has planned and go to the game investing in the price of ticket at the fate and reviewing the position at lunchtime as by then the likely draw would be confirmed. I had already ruled the option of staying and taking the opportunity to visit the town centre or go and see some attraction in the county returning to stay for the booked night and then going back on Sunday morning when the weather forecast suggested winds at over 50 MPH along the coast, rain and cold. Back home I could watch England at Cardiff in the 4th one day Cricket International and there was also Warrington at home in the Challenge Cup play offs. I had ruled out going to Sunderland for the game against Arsenal where it was a cert they would lose, or travelling south to watch Newcastle at the Villa, but I could listen to one on both games depending on how things went.
I was also anxious to watch the next Young Montalbano episode although it was on record. There was also the first appearance of Gareth Bale for Real Madrid. I could watch the X factor Judges auditions at eight and given the weather I would watch the Great North Run on BBC TV rather than walk to the finish standing the rain, wind and the cold.
There was also the possibility of a miracle win given the performance of Durham against, Surrey, Yorkshire and Sussex but this kind of miracle is rare so i decided that even if I missed experiencing it live, I did not mind and it would be embarrassing to witness the humiliation of Derby, with a loyal band of supporters where the season had promised much and then seen their hopes dashed.
So taking all these considerations into account, I enjoyed a cereal breakfast having moved the milk, cereal, tomatoes and cheese inside, packed everything and loaded the car in one visit, sighed and set off, travelling through Deddesden. Having resisted the temptation to stop at Toby Inn by the Travel Lodge for their £3.99 want as much you want breakfast. The M1 was busy most of the way and although I had set off around 9 it was 1 before I needed to stop at the service area before Durham and then made myself a single cheese and tomato sandwich. The service area was packed with Sunderland and Arsenal supporters, including three coach loads. The traffic was very slow from their until the South Shields turn off with both lanes towards Newcastle via the Angel of the North At a crawl. There had been one similar experience which given the two ambulances at the road side plus a motorcycle and car being taken away suggested there had been fatalities.
I called in a Tesco for more milk also purchasing some grapes and some half price porridge oat packs and on arrival checked he post noting the replacement Tesco card and a bank statement, took the car into the lane for find the phone and watered the plants at the same time and then unpacked. I located the charger for the touch screen mobile phone but not the wireless mouse charged the phones and the radio and for the evening meal enjoyed a barely warm ham and pineapple pizza. I will record my experience of the second Young Montalbano separately and enjoyed some of the acts on the X factor. Charlotte the Geordie self proclaimed slag for Geordie shore won celebrity Big Brother before an hysterical crowd of the moronic the previous night. Andy Murray has won a single and the doubles in the Davis Cup round against Croatia for us to take a 2.1 for today’s two singles after Dan Evans had lost his tie.
Sunderland managed to equalise against Arsenal despite being overwhelmed for most of the game and the 2,1 loss leaves then at the bottom of the table. Newcastle despite their inability to score goals early on go from strength to strength and technically are equal second with seven points but in 8th position with Man City leading the group followed Man United, Chelsea and Stoke. At the moment Arsenal and Spurs from North London head the table on 9 points but Liverpool presently third also have 9 from their three games and will take a good lead if they win their game away to Swansea on Monday evening. Warrington also took a good stride in the Challenge Cup with a 40 to 20 win at home against Leeds to reach he Semi Final.
I listened to cricket along the journey home as England after putting Australia in to bat in Cardiff had Finch out at I and Watson 11 and then March and Clark followed when the total was only 51 and 57. England had keep pressure on the openers through Finn and Rankin and after Durham’s Ben Stokes was hit for two fours and a total of 10 runs in his first over he had Watson caught by Butler and then bowled several overs for a few runs. However Australia were not beaten into a low score as Bailey after taking care commenced to score freely targeted Treadwell and Bopara hitting 3 sixes and 5 fours in his 87. However when there was talk of the total getting as high as 250 and more Wade, Faulkner, Johnson, and then Bailey ere dismissed with Treadwell getting revenge with three wickets ending 3 for 53. The innings ended at 227 and a very gettable target despite balls rising unexpectedly.
There would have been a shock in the good crowd at Sophia Park when Petersen was out followed by Trott and Root in successive balls and England were 9 for 3 Oh No. It was Carberry, nervous at first who kept steady with captain Morgan and the two reach their 50 but then Morgan went 53 and Carberry for 63. Josh Butler has promised some big hitting before but this time played the brilliant innings of contest hitting 65 not out and closing the game with a massive six. From onoy 48 balls. He was joined by Ben Stokes ho also looked as if was to close the game not out having made 25 from 29 when he was bowled showing a lack of concentration or perhaps the excitement of the occasion after taking his first International wicket at the top level. The England win levelled the series 1 all with two games with the result all now hanging on the final game on Monday at Hampshire.
So what was happening in the County championship. Surrey who I had hoped would rally against Somerset always looked second best especially after only making 197nin their second innings setting Somerset just over 130 runs to win which they achieved for the loss of three wickets. This leaves Surrey rooted at the bottom of the table although they still have two games to play against the remaining games of Derby and Somerset. Middlesex were able to draw against Notts thus removing the pressure on Notts who play Durham at the Emirates Riverside next week before going down to London on the Friday for the 40 over Final against Glamorgan at Lords on the Saturday.
There was a questionable attempted end tot eh game at Hove where Yorkshire enabled Sussex to reach a massive 333 for under 50 overs with Nash not out 167 and Hamilton Brown 126 leaving Yorkshire to get 300 in something like 57 overs, Presumably they knew the weather forecast was bad and wanted to entertainment for those who had at the gate.
There was at least one stop for rain before bad light and then rain ended play with Yorks only 81 for the loss of two wickets and with the total points for batting, bowling and the draw, the total points and with Durham all out bowled out for 326 in their second Innings Derbyshire progressing to something like 20 for 1 at the luncheon break as I was pulling into the service area outside of Durham City on the AIM a similar draw would see the position of the two teams at the top of table remain as they had been before the matches started.
Then the magic dust was spread over the Durham supporters present at the ground as Onions reminded the selectors what he had to offer adding another five wickets for 23 runs to the four of his first innings as Derby collapsed losing nine wickets before the scheduled tea interval to be all out for meagre 63 so that Durham had only 27 runs to gain for a remarkable victory and almost seal the County Championship for the third time in their short 21 year history, thus destroying Boycott’s hopes of another win in their 150 year and his chairmanship of the cricket Committee or it may even be the club himself.
Now for the facts and figures. It will be remembered that Durham commenced the day seeking to gain as many bonus points a possible within the 110 overs permitted. They were all out to the excellent bowling of Palladino who took 6 for 90. Onions match total was therefore 9 for 85 with Rushworth also have a great match with a total of 8 for 78. Arshad who was punished for his one wicket with 63 runs finished off Derbyshire with 2 for 2 in 2.1 overs and is at the top ten of the averages with 13 wickets fro around 10 runs.
Now to the Championship table where Durham top with 225.5 and nine wins todate the highest number of wins in any of their previous seasons including when they won the Championship. Surely Paul Collingwood will be noted at one the five top cricketers in the Whitakers Annual? Obviously if the Championship is secured possibly later this week at home against Notts or away at Hove against Sussex. It can be expected that Yorkshire with 194 points, more than one win points below Durham can be expected to win their home game against Middlesex at Headingley.
A win by Yorkshire with say 8 bonus points would see them on 216 so even if Durham lost they with say only 6 bonus points they would have 227.5 so that even if they also lost the last game and Yorkshire could onoy draw at Surrey Durham would still remain at the top and Champions. This is the measure of the position they now have. Just as crucial for the top as well as the bottom of the table visit of Surrey to Edgbaston next week.
At present Surrey are bottom with 193 points 17 points adrift of Derbyshire who have 120 but who have only one more game to play as do Somerset on 136 with Notts with two games on 132. I was banking on Surrey winning at Somerset so that they and Derbyshire went down retaining Notts and Surrey for visits next season. I had always believed that Surrey will win against Yorkshire at the Oval in their last game of the season weather permitting. If they win both games they could reach 150 points which would see them only in safety if Somerset lose away to Notts in their last game and even with a draw they could pip Somerset depending on bonus points. Notts themselves if they lose badly at Durham could find themselves below 140 points and depending a good draw to avoid the relegation fate, something which it is worth reminding every cricket commentator suggested could be Durham’s fate when they predicted at the beginning fo the season. This the relegation could prove more interesting as the season ends that the Championship. I hope so
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