Openers Gotta Open

Yorkshire 158 all out 

v Northamptonshire 61 for 2 

County Championship 

Close on Day One 

Sunday 4 July 2021 

Played at Northampton 

I'm one for looking forward, not backward. Nostalgia doesn't really do it for me. But, I'll allow myself this time. My very first Blog from a live game was from Northampton. A Sheffield United pre season friendly, 22 July 2014, one each. In an accompanying introductory Blog, I'd written the Ball-Sup Mission Statement

Give a lie to the view that "The Beer is Shit"

It's been therapeutic to revisit those very early Blogs in preparation for this one, 963 games later. Maybe, nowadays, my headspace is more…..

Give a lie to the view that "It's A Shithole"

Some people think that about Sheffield, it ain't. Some people think that about Northampton, it ain't. Shitholes don't have places like the majestic Maule Collective. A bright, open & light Craft Beer Bar in the centre of Northampton. Superbly welcoming & knowledgeable staff. The beer board had seven of their own, Maule Brewing, beers on. And eight guests including Mikkeller, Kernel and Wiper & True. (All Keg, No Cask)

I'll be honest, their own tended to be a bit samey. All nice mind, but their wasn't a great deal between their not Juicy enough New England IPA & their barely hazy Hazy Pale. The best of the lot was;

Maule Brewing Co, Wonder, American Pale on Keg at 4.9%.

I actually asked for a taster of that when I ordered one of my earlier pints. And it didn't grab me. But, I went for it anyway. As you got into it, it was glorious. Pine, bitter comes in. Great balance. Even in this Shithole.

At the Innings Break, I did some sums. And pronounced to all of the Carrier Bag Firm - if these dig in, they'll be just a hundred behind us with no wickets down. So, Yorkshire have actually done better than expectations - Northants are roughly a ton down, but they've lost two wickets (albeit one Night Watchman).

I know all the you've got to let the game unfold, both teams have to bat, and there's still a lot of cricket to play clichés. But, it's easy to be disappointed with that YCCC performance. Won the Toss. On a cloudy, rain due, morning. Went in for a hit. Four for one. 21 for two. Three Ducks. Only four into double figures. Only one past 25. Superb from quickie Tom Taylor, 11 overs, 6 maidens, 2 for 14.

The one positive was George Christopher Hindley Hill. George scored just one run fewer (71) than the rest of the Yorkies combined. Makeshift opener. What's he gone and done? Decided to play like an opener. That's what. (He was dropped on 31). Calm, resolute. Get through the opening spells. Get to Lunch. Reset after rain. Get to Tea. But, he didn't/couldn't cash in. Mainly because no one could stay with him. Seventh out at 142. Best part of 60 overs. The rest. Paaahhh….

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I have now Blogged from 964 games in 2,511 days