Brown Hatting

Surrey 265-8 beat
Yorkshire Vikings 259-7
by 6 runs

Royal London One Day Cup
at The Oval

Wednesday 29 July 2015

Twitter @ball_sup

Well. The frailties are there for all to see. We need a centre half and a striker. No, hang on I'm getting mixed up. We need Death Bowlers and Batting Finishers.

There was a rapid start by the Brown Hatters. But, then Yorkshire were able to wrestle control back. It looked to me as if it was the Spinners wot dun it. Brooks and Rhodes made way for Fisher and Carver. Forget the exact personnel, we are going to routinely need a Spinner in 50 over cricket. Karl Carver has done 2 for 40 off his 10. Including Sangakkara.

Bresnan, Patto and Plunkett have also gone for less than 5. But, the wheels have sort of come off. Surrey have put their foot down. From 187 at 41.5 overs to 265. We were 216 after 43.5. But couldn't get over the line. Four sixes against our 2. Twenty one fours against our 17.

There were plus points, but we're trying to win. When the brakes were on we kept men in the ring. Pressure created run out opportunities. But, we didn't hit the stumps. Bowling variations lead to leading edges and lobbed catches. Confidence grew visibly.

I think I detected some delegation in the field. Bowlers responsible for shifting fielders "within limits".

There was a great crowd in. Difficult to estimate. But, it surprised me a bit.

The Hop And Berry have changed their policy somewhat. I remember it as "London only". It is now, "All comers". To the extent they claimed that Butternuts Beer & Ale of Garrattsville NY had their UK launch in The H & B. I'd never even heard of them. Let alone tried one. Who am I to argue. Moo Thunder Stout on keg at 4.9%.

177/372