Headingley, Next To Last Call

Sussex 267 for 5 

v Yorkshire 

County Championship 

Close on Day One 

Thursday 3 June 2021 

Played at Headingley 

I have the Yorkshire Post to thank for pointing out the absurdity of the County Championship schedule. I mean, we're in June I'll grant you, but only just. Yet, this is highly likely to be the penultimate four day game played at Headingley this "Summer".

It was a game in which dubious texter Ollie Robinson's ex County started very brightly. Patto having won the Toss & invited Sussex to bat on the off chance they feel like going up to win the cup for Sussex by the Sea.

Ben Coad & David Willey with the new ball. Shape. As Rob Key would say. Rather than the heavy ball. As Nasser would say. 38 for 3 after 22.1 overs. Wicket each for Willey, Thompson & Brook. Harry Brook had replaced Jordan Thompson to bowl the 23rd. Odd leg side loosener. Shit first ball. Ali Orr swished at it. Must have got the tip top toppermost top edge & it skied to sub fielder Olivier. Mad game cricket at times.

Although Travis Head went at 68 for 4. The rest of the day belonged to a lovely Sussex fightback. Lead by Skipper Ben Brown (5 foot 8, I looked it up as the Carrier Bag Firm were arguing about his height, sort of thing the CBF are wont to do), ending on 126 not out from just 174 balls. I couldn't even find Danial Ibrahim in Playfair, let alone his height. Turns out the fucker is only 16 & still at school. He's also 37 not out in a stand of 92, grinding Yorkshire's gears.

I managed to negotiate the (I know they've got to do it) bewildering array of impromptu One Way, Keep Left, No Exit signs to see the whites of the East Stand Long Room barman's eyes. As predicted in my Blogs from Manchester, Fortress Headingley had exactly NO CASK ALES ON. Poor.

However. The usual excellent beer board in The Cardigan Arms. For us Beer Tickers, on the Trail for Ale, not many new 'uns. Because the list is stacked with Kirkstall Brewery steady banging winners. One of the West Yorkshire dwelling CBF swears by Kirkstall Brewery, Black Band Porter at 5.5%. I mean they may not know much about breadcakes & Hendos, and cod may be an alien species of fish to them, but fair do - that is a belting pint of porter.

But, Outstanding Beer Of The Day can go to the ooohhh I needed that first pint up:

Kirkstall Brewery, Kirkstall Pale Ale on Cask at 4%.

Just right that. Served West Yorkshire sparkler stylee. Giving it a lovely creamy head. Floral hops running all the way through. Just enough bitterness at the end.

Stats

I have now Blogged from 947 games in 2,480 days