Correct, Chelmsford Is Not In Middlesex

Gloucestershire 179 for 8 

beat Middlesex 169 for 7 

by 10 Runs 

T20 Blast 

Thursday 18 July 2024 

Played at Chelmsford !!! 

Partly. Back from Germany to the calmness of County Cricket. Partly. Back to the madness which is County Cricket 2024. I recently Blogged about Exclaves. Bits of West Berlin, which are geographically in, and surrounded by, East Germany.

“No Chelmsford is not an Exclave of Middlesex.”

Yet. Here we are. A Middlesex “home” T20 game being played at The County Ground in Chelmsford, home of Essex County Cricket Club. Middlesex's traditional home is Lord's Cricket Ground. But they play there as tenants, granted a game by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) landlords. With increasing demand for Lord's. International cricket, Women's cricket, The Hundreds. The MCC cannot provide as many game days as MCCC need.

Increasingly, Middlesex have used (so called) outgrounds. Radlett in particular. But, this season's spreadsheet algorithm shows it's more expensive to set up a Radlett outground for a T20 game, than it is to “rent” an already set up Chelmsford ground. So. two Middlesex “home” T20 Blast games are being played “along the road” at Chelmsford.

Sure. Sure. Sure it makes financial sense. I believe you. But. FFS. Is this what Cricket 2024 has come to.

The format of the T20 Blast is shit an’ all. Group stage, to qualify for Quarter Finals. The pretence of every County still in it until the end of days. If we beat them, and those beat the others, and the Net Run Rate improves…

Middlesex lost. Middlesex are out. Glos are in the Quarters.

100 for no wicket off eleven overs. Under nine an over off the rest. You fancy Middlesex from there. But they lost wickets. And that slowed the run rate. At 15 Overs, Middlesex needed 57 off 30 balls, three gone. By 18 gone, they'd lost 6 wickets, and needed 32 off two overs. Never looked like getting that.

A four and a six off the lost cause last two balls made it look closer than it was. Poor I felt.

First Cask Ale since 7 June.

The Hop Beer Shop

173 Moulsham St, Chelmsford CM2 0LD

Four on.

Colchester Brewery, Metropolis, Blonde Ale on Gravity at 3.8%

I needed that one. Spicy leading into bitter, with icing sugar on the lips.

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Triple Wicket Maiden

Sunrisers 116 for 8 

lost to 

South East Stars 118 for 4 (15 overs) 

by 6 wickets 

Charlotte Edwards Cup 

Thursday 6 June 2024 

Played at Lord's Cricket Ground 

Middlesex 173 all out (20 overs) 

lost to 

Glamorgan 177 for 7 (18.2 overs) 

by 3 wickets 

T20 Blast 

Thursday 6 June 2024 

Played at Lord's Cricket Ground 

A Double Header at a (eventually) crowded Lord's. Punters arriving at 6pm for the Men's game.

“Is that seat taken?”

“Is there room for two just down there?”

One entitled young ‘un (to the MCC Steward)

“Could you find me eight seats in a row for my friends?”

I was praying the old…

“Excuse me, would you mind moving down to those seats there? So that we can make these four together? Please.”

didn't materialise. As I was worried I'd knee jerk…

“No, would you mind getting here at quarter past fucking one like we did?”

Luckily, all passed peacefully.

The Sunrisers (the Women's T20 team sort of based out of Lord's) just never got their innings going. Losing early wickets. And then losing frequent wickets. 13 for 2 off the first ball of the fourth over. 27 for 4 off six overs. Big ask from there. Some good T20 cricket from there, mind. To rebuild to 54 for still only 4 wickets off 11 overs. But then, 54 for 5, 71 for 6 and 114 for 8 in the last over. Run rate less than 6 an over. And the feeling was they'd left stuff out there. Florence Miller the pick with 39 not out off 45 balls. 

The South East Stars (the Women's T20 team sort of based out of The Oval) organised their chase well. An opening stand of 38 between Bryony Smith and Sophia Dunkley off 5.1 overs. Although those two both went sharpish, the Stars were well ahead off 13 at 103 for 3. A breeze from there.

In the T20 Blast, Middlesex got off to a monster start. 39 off 4. Begat 102 off 9. A 19 run over in that lot. And only three overs with single digit runs. Monster start. Andersson went for 57, Eskinazi for 48. That was 120 for 3 off 11.5 overs. Piss poor from there. It felt like a wicket every over. 168 for 6 off 17 felt like an opportunity lost. But, it's still the best part of 10 an over. But Tim van der Gugten chucked down a TRIPLE WICKET MAIDEN. Just ten runs off the last three overs. And, you're done.

Mason Crane more than chipped in with 3 for 28 off 3.

It did turn into a - remember, both teams have to bat - game. Glamorgan getting over the line with seven gone. Sam Northeast and Chris Cooke saved the mid innings with 53 run stand. At 15 overs, Middlesex had been 141 for 4. Glamorgan only slightly ahead at that bit - 145 for 4. But, put simply, Glamorgan kept scoring runs and brought it home with ten balls to spare.

“Did you have a bevvy, Phil?”

“Yes, we continued our meme of only drinking English Sparkling Wine at Lord's.”

Roebuck Estates (Sussex), Reserve 2020 at 12%

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier. Lots of ripe apple as you got down it.

Definition, English Sparkling at 12%

I slowly began to realise that's Majestic Wines “own brand”. They say it's from Hampshire.

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He's More Boastful Than Me

Yorkshire 159 all out 

and 244 all out 

Lost to 

Middlesex 246 all out 

and 158 for 4 

by 6 Wickets 

County Championship Division Two 

Friday/Saturday/Sunday 19/20/21 April 2024 

Played at Lord's Cricket Ground 

Nice man. Went to the game on his own. Bit older than me. Ploughing through a bottle of Sauv Blanc. But boastful if I'm honest. And that's saying something coming from moi.

Life Member of Yorkshire. Member of the MCC. House in Putney worth three mill. Born in Sheffield. Taptonville Road. Left when he was 18 to make his way in the World.

He latched on to us when he heard me say I was from Sheffield. Nice man. Bit boastful. But, he's up against it as his Wife has fallen ill recently. I think he just wanted to shoot the breeze and get out of himself. Although, it wouldn't have surprised me if he'd said;

“Shoot the Breeze? I invented the Breeze…”

Did I say? More boastful than me even. Anyway. We took him under the Carrier Bag Firm wings. His catchphrase was….

“And another thing….”

He tried to leave multiple times. But he kept getting caught up in his own stories. (That Sauv Blanc ain't helping.) He's on one about how he worked with Richard Branson (yes, yes, I know) on a student magazine. And how they used to help each other out with cash and other shit.

“And another thing, I sold Richard his first car. A mini with blacked out windows. Four hundred quid. Actually it had been my father's car. He won it at White City dog track….”

“SorryWutPardon?”

“My father won that car at White City dogs. And I sold it to Richard Branson for £400…”

I mean. Nice man. Up against it with his Wife's illness. But fuck me. Where did that come from?

(As an aside, I will say that I judged his stories to be genuine. Maybe embellished. But genuine.)

This year at Lord's we're chucking ourselves into the English Sparkling Wine scene. In the main, we've sourced from the big retailers. So, I'm afraid we're mainly going to get mainstream stuff.

Bowler & Brolly, Winemaster's Lot, Classic Cuvée Brut Non-Vintage 12%.

This one is actually made for, and sold by, Aldi. I understand it's from Lyme Bay Winery. That's in Devon. Although the suggestion is the grapes are sourced from somewhere in Hampshire. 53% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir, 3% Pinot Noir Précoce.

Ridgeview Cavendish Non-Vintage 12%.

From Ditchling Common in Sussex. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay blend.

Balfour 1503 Brut 12%.

From Staplehurst in Kent. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier blend.

Louis Pommery English Brut Non-Vintage 12.5%.

We were really intrigued to try this one. The first of Champagne’s big hitters to launch an English Fizz. I understand using grapes sourced from the Winchester area of Hampshire. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier blend.

Hambledon Classic Cuvée 12%.

From the UK's oldest commercial vineyard in Hampshire. Hambledon is sometimes referred to as the Cradle of Cricket. With a club formed around 1750. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier blend.

While it was raining on Day One, we managed some beer. I was in a Keg Mood.

Wychwood Brewery, Hobgoblin IPA on Keg at 5%

In the Long Room Bar. An it is what it is offering from one of the Big Breweries. Went down well. But, I was addled from the English Sparkling by this hour.

There were plenty of inconvenient truths in the cricket. I don't think Yorkshire played particularly badly. I don't think we're a particularly bad side. But, currently, we're not a good side. England big lads Joe Root & Harry Brook were allowed out for this one. As is often the case in these circumstances, they made fuck all.

Root 5 off 10 balls and Brook 3 off 9 balls in the first dig. Brook gone LBW first ball to Ryan Higgins in the second. At least Root got to double figures - 32 off 69.

Yorkshire just couldn't get anything going in the first innings. Losing wickets at regular, and short, intervals. 37.4 Overs tells the tale. Ryan Higgins the MCCC pick with 4 for 31.

Leus du Plooy and Josh de Caires both made fifties as Middlesex piled on a near ninety lead. But at least I was able to applaud Thommo (5 wickets) and Ben Coad (4 wickets) through the Long Room between bottles of fizz.

Lyth, Masood, Bean, Brook, Root had all gone before the deficit had been knocked off. But, Hill (52 not out) and Coad (38 not out) saw Yorkshire out to the end of Saturday. With a lead of 129.

So at least we could issue the rally cry;

“Put some more fucking wine on ice.”

If there was going to be anything in it at all, it was going to turn on what happened early doors Sunday. One of the gang said;

“Yes, the tail have given us a glimmer of hope provided that we can add a few more and deny Edwards a bowl.”

He had not been impressed with Mickey Edwards return of 1 for 61 off just 10 overs in the first go-a-round!!!

Coad went with the lead at 139. Fuck Sake. Bit of this. Bit of that. Hill out going aggressively for 75. Leaving Middlesex to chase 157.

Ben Coad had Stoneman off just the third ball. We had ‘em at 77 for 3. But, no real inroads after that. Drink up, there might be a car to be won!!!

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'Gus With The Re-Ups

Sussex 181 for 8 

beat Middlesex 177 for 5 

by 4 runs 

T20 Blast, South Group 

Thursday 8 June 2023 

Played at Lord's 

Hampshire Hawks 164 for 6 

beat Middlesex 159 for 7 

by 5 Runs 

T20 Blast, South Group 

Tuesday 6 June 2023 

Played at Radlett 

Two single digit defeats for Middlesex in short order. As I write, played 8, lost 8. Deary me. Not for the first time, beer saved the evening at Radlett. Courtesy of Vinny & Ted. A bar & bottleshop in Chalfont St Peter. I know Vinny is the geezer. I spoke to him. I think Ted may be his dog. And, I understand Tim Murtagh (current Middlesex player and former Ireland Test player) and Angus Fraser (former Middlesex player & managing director of cricket & former England Test player) are co-owners of Vinny & Ted.

Anyway, Vinny & Ted had a gazebo on the boundary at Radlett. Knocking out three keg craft & a cider. The lager offering was (obvs) Lost & Grounded, Helles. I walked over for one of them for my comrade. But, it'd gone off. Vinny explained;

"We're trying to get another lager sorted, we don't know what it'll be, but it won't be Lost & Grounded."

As I returned along the boundary with aleternatives, two fellas were walking towards me carrying a full keg of the lager replacement swaying between them. (I think it might have been Frontier Lager). One of the keg karriers was Angus Fraser.

Let's recap. A craft beer gazebo on the boundary. Part owned by present & former Middlesex & International players. With Angus Fraser responsible for re-ups. Now. Eight losses out of eight is piss poor. But, looking at it another way, that's how to run a fucking cricket club!!!

Vinny and Ted, The Long Hop, English Hopped Pale Ale on Keg at 4.5%

Brewed at, and in collaboration with Neckstamper Brewing in E10. Cascade and Jester. Nice n Hoppy. Bit of peachy weachy stuff. Bitterness grows, but stays in the easy drinking closet.

Neckstamper Brewing, Vinny's Bitter on Keg at 4%

Maybe that is a venue specific re-badge. Not too sweet. Good whack of nutty stuff. Nice growing bitterness. Not many keg bitters around. Good 'un this.

Ben McDermott drove Hants forward with a 34 ball 47. He was third out at 94 for 3 off 11.3. Middlesex looked to be right back in it. As that triggered 3 wickets for 11. Leaving Hants at 105 for 5. From there, 164 didn't look too bad. Luke Holman took 2 for 12 off 3 overs. 

But, what a fucking start MCCC had. Two for two at the end of two. And those two were both leg byes. Both openers gone quacking. John Turner making his Hampshire debut. Took a wicket with his first and sixth balls. On his way to 3 for 30 off his full four.

But, Max Holden (53) & Ryan Higgins (43) got Middlesex back in it. Hampshire death bowling was superb though. And killed it off.

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A PPP Pub

Yorkshire 254 & 218 all out 

v Durham 227 all out 

and 249 for 9 

Yorkshire 91 for 3 

Durham win by 1 Wicket 

County Championship Division Two 

Sunday 14 May 2023 

Played at Chester-le-Street 

Somerset 325 for 6 

v Middlesex 

close on Day One 

County Championship Division One 

Thursday 18 May 2023 

Played at Lord's 

A one wicket win is, by the maths, tight as arseholes. But, I'm here to testify that it didn't feel that way at the end. In a two hundred and bits each innings game, it's going to come tight.

Malan and Bairstow began Saturday. And took their stand to 95. That was Malan gone at 136 for 4. Bairstow went soon after. Save for a lovely, and needed, 51 off 52 from George Hill, the innings fizzled out a bit from there. Leaving Durham just under 250 to win it.

A good start had them 47 for 1, 82 for 2, and a still healthy Bon Jovi at 136 for 3. The Fish had Robinson at 147 for 4, and Jones at 150 for 5, and de Leede at 154 for 6. Even I thought Yorks might get it home from there.

Jordan Thompson reinforced that with two in two to leave Durham 173 for 8. At 191 for 8, with 55 still needed, we went into the extra half hour. But, in a sense, that was that. 213 for 8 at close. Everyone in the Carrier Bag Firm have a late finish truncated night on the ale. And come back in the morning.

Which we did. I was left a bit confused by Masood's fields. Seemed to be ones and twos for the taking. Nowt funky. Just fucking letting it drift. Late drama, with Potts going for 25 with just two needed. And the injured Carse hobbling out with Borthwick as his runner. Cliché time. Only takes one ball to win it.

Dot. Dot. Dot. Two to Third Man.

Fuck Sake. Train Home.

Gilbert & Smith's, 413 Durham Rd, Low Fell, Gateshead NE9 5AN

A micropub owned by the Whitley Bay Brewing Co. Very well appointed place. Micropubs are becoming so gloriously embedded in British Pub Culture that I feel different categories are emerging. This one in what I call the - Prosecco and Premium Pilsner PPP - category. Nothing wrong there. Got to get the punters in. 

I'm going to single out;

Whitley Bay Brewing Co, Dark Knight, Stout on Cask at 4.5%

Great stout. It's the bitterness that does it. Very little lead in, maybe hints of coffee, then great bitter in the finish, some burnt thingy all the way through. Lovely.

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VAR - Weren't Watching

Nottinghamshire 364 all out 

v Middlesex 111 for 2 

County Championship Division One 

Thursday 20 April 2023 

Friday 21 April 2023 

Close on Day Two 

Played at Lord's

North Greenford United 0 v Burnham 3 

Combined Counties Premier Division North (Step 5) 

Thursday 20 April 2023 

Maybe I was asked more questions over those three games in two days. But, only two have stuck in my head.

"Did Duckett bat well?"

"That was offside, wasn't it?"

Having been put in by Middlesex, Hameed & Duckett made 117 before Hameed went for 55. Rain shortened Day One at the end and Day Two at the beginning. But Duckett stuck it out and was ninth back, at 364. He'd rattled up 177 off 258. 

With those figures, the answer to question one should be - yes, Duckett batted well. But, when asked that question in real time, by an MCC Member, as we sheltered up the turret above the Notts Dressing Room, I stumbled over the unhelpful answer;

"Well, Duckett is a key part of the new England all out attack way of playing. We have to rethink what batting well means."

I mean, he's nigh on carried his bat. But, he's scored less than half Notts total. He's scored one six in all that lot. Even with this Lord's strip way over to The Grandstand, and a short boundary. He's clicks above four an over. I didn't go full on and explain that, at less than five an over, with Bairstow getting close to the wings, in which he shall wait, no - he's batted a bit old skool, not up to the new mark.

Love that. Cricket keeps you thinking. Love that. Great innings from Duckett. He's wristy. But not in the coaching manual classic way. He breaks his wrist so he can flick balls around, in between and over fielders.

My first visit to Lord's this season. Marston's Pedigree dominates across the bars in the pavilion. Brakspear Gravity popped up in the Bowlers' Bar. Take Courage Best Bitter in the Members' Bar. Bombardier in the Long Room Bar. And Young's Bitter in the Long Room Bar as well. Negatively, that's a reminder as to how wide the "subsidiary of Marston's brewery" has spread. But, we are where we are, and at least there's variety.

I was on the CricketCans.

Sureshot Brewing (Manchester), Collab with Baron Brewing (Hertfordshire), Where's That Cue Ball Going?, Hazy IPA from a Tin at 6.7%

Dry hopped with Vic Secret & Nelson Sauvin. Very boozy. A big abv burn. Fruity. Red grapes. Even sultanas. A bit more bitterness as you get down it. Maybe coming in bitter orange marmalade. Lots going on.

That second question was asked of me as I visited my 426th Ground Tick way out in Greenford. The visiting team, Burnham, were already one up from a 14th minute opener. On 39, Burnham rattled a great free kick against the bar, as it rebounded to (roughly) the penalty spot, two Sloughan attackers reacted fastest. And one blasted it into the net. The linesman immediately flagged for offside, and it was disallowed. I was trying to compute it all in my head. The linesman turned around, and said to me;

"That was offside, wasn't it?"

For the second time under questioning I hesitated. Was I searching for something profound and insightful like my Duckett analysis? Finally, I got the formulation right.

"Don't know mate, weren't watching."

Further goals on 43 & 70 brought it home for Burnham.

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Headingley And Radlett Contrasts

Worcestershire Rapids 172 for 9 

lost to Yorkshire Vikings 175 for 3 (18.1 overs) 

by 7 wickets 

T20 Blast North Group 

Wednesday 25 May 2022 

Played at Headingley 

Glamorgan 168 all out (20 overs) 

lost to Middlesex 172 for 6 (19 overs) 

by 4 wickets 

T20 Blast South Group 

Sunday 29 May 2022 

Played at Radlett 

A brief period of T20 at VERY contrasting Headingley & Radlett. I deffo wasn't T20 match fit. I've got a long concentration span. Not a short one. Quick chat to your mates. Trip to the loo. Visit to the bar (Radlett ONLY). A lot has happened on the field.

"What have I missed?"

 I still have this feeling that it's basically make 14 off the last over to win. But, for the Carrier Bag Firm, it's about the occasion, not the action.

For the Headingley game, we were able to warm up in;

Kirkstall Brewery

100 Kirkstall Rd, Leeds LS3 1HJ

I'll be honest, when we first pitched up, I think we were the only drinkers who didn't work for the Brewery. Seven of their own on Cask. Eight of their own on Keg. Great choice.

Kirkstall Brewery, English Bitter on Cask at 3.8%

I think that's part of the "Revival Series". Bringing back traditional styles and older recipes. Well. I have to say that was glorious. In superb condition. Excellent balance. Some biscuits. And more bitter than I expected. Beats "standard" oversweet English Bitters hands down.

Kirkstall Brewery, Judicious, Hazy New England Pale on Keg at 4.8%

Lots of flavour in that one. Just the right amount of juice. Chewy without being gloopy.

Understandably, we're not getting fucking involved with the beer offering inside Headingley. Still some corporate shit in paper (paper) cups.

Radlett has a nice pavilion bar. Very well organised with queueing lanes. Happy to serve the ale in a glass if you were staying in the bar. We were front & centre on the rope in a wicker chair. So it was plastic for us. The offering was all keg. Fuller's London Pride (on Keg) & industrial lager. But, I went;

Fuller's Brewery, Frontier Lager on Keg at 4.5%

Perfectly decent. Suited the occasion and the mood.

Yorkshire won with 11 balls to spare. Root & Brook still there at the end. Brook's 60 off just 27 balls the key. Lyth had also house on fired early on. With 40 off 24. In real time, it felt like The Pears were going to post a mahoosive score. Jack Haynes was gone for 61 at 123 for 3 on 12 overs. But even in the Bun Fight, wickets change games. They went from 142 for 3 in the 16th to 172 for 9. Jordan Thompson conceded a wild 22 off his first. But finished with 3 for 35. That emphasises the roller coastering. Just seven off the first two overs. 63 off the next four!!!

In the second game, Middlesex left arm twirler Thilan Walallawita took 3 for 18 as Glamorgan were all out on the last ball of the innings. Toby R-J cleaning the tail with an impressive 4 for 22. Joe Cracknell (47) and Max Holden (41) doing the good stuff in the chase.

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DOT DOT GONE

Leicestershire 149 all out 

v Middlesex 370 all out 

Leicestershire 272 all out 

Middlesex 52 for 0 

Middlesex Win By 10 Wickets 

County Championship Division 2 

Day Three 

Saturday 30 April 2022 

Played at Lord's 

We left Day 2 a bit early to get over to Loftus Rd. But, we had the speculation. The Running Foxes had finished Day 2 miles behind & 3 down. There was heated discussion as to how many bottles of Champagne to take. Of course, the Carrier Bag Firm rule is simple - always take as many as you can.

Often when I write Blogs from Middlesex games, I'm appealing to my Yorkshire Constituency. I'm a Yorkshireman. I support Yorkshire County Cricket Club. But, sometimes, it can be a frustrating and maybe even joyless experience with Yorkshire. I'm not saying that about what happens on the pitch. They're my guys. They put the lot in, and leave nothing behind. There's the joy right there.

But, the surrounding experience. Ggggrrrr. Take for instance, those bubbles I argued we should take into the ground. The Steward at the Lord's gate looked at my bag. Looked AT it. Maybe 5 yards away. Looked AT it. Not IN it. And queried & ruled.

"There's just alcohol in there I think. I've no need to look in it…"

Wouldn't happen at Headingley. No. And, here's the CBF info for my Yorkshire Constituency.

I enjoy ALL the discounts for my Middlesex Subscription. Early Bird. Direct Debit. Country Membership. Two Members at one address. And, over the Pandemic various extra loyalty discounts & perks have kicked in.

This Middlesex 2022 season, I got my own Membership. Which includes admission, and the roam of Lord's (including the Pavilion) and outgrounds for Championship, 50 Over & T20. And I got a voucher/promo code to gift an equivalent Membership to another Carrier Bag Firm Footsoldier. And I got a guest admission card (only Championship & 50 over), which allows me to take another ad hoc rag tag CBF into games. Let's call that THREE MEMBERSHIPS in all but name.

That cost me. £47.20. Yes. £47.20. Effectively for three Memberships. Now, I'm not claiming you can walk in off the street & pick up three Middlesex Memberships for less than a nifty fifty. As I said, I'm up to my nostrils in discounts & loyalty. But, I am saying, me, myself, I paid £47.20 for three Middlesex Memberships.

I paid £230 for my solitary, single 2022 YCCC Membership. Oh. And One Fucking Pound extra as a piss take Postage charge. Here. You can have this from me. Until Yorkshire (and many other Counties) get Subscription rates designed to attract & retain a wider, bigger, more diverse, more representative of all corners of the County fanbase, then we'll continue churning through the same shit we just have.

Oh. And don't forget. For that £47.20. The Steward looked AT my bag & waved me on my alcohol journey.

In that bag were…

Nyetimber, Classic Cuvee, English Sparkling Wine, Traditional Method, (West Chiltington, England), so NOT Champagne, from a bottle, with a "pop" at 12%

That smelled glorious just as the cork was popped. Lots & lots of fruit. I'll admit disappointment as not all that survived. Very easy drinking, but a tad thin. I felt it played out a bit acid as I got down it.

Monsigny Champagne, No. III Brut, from a bottle at 12.5%

That's one of Aldi's. A great go-to for your second bottle. When they're three down overnight & miles behind.

Some of the display cases between the Lord's Long Room, The Old Library & The Writing Room were dedicated to memorabilia from the Civil Service Sports Clubs Cricket Teams. Now, I was a career Civil Servant, I joined the CSSC on Day One of my working life. So, fair to say, I was fascinated.

The display included an intriguing (but incomplete) card from a match as recently as 1975. I Zingari v The Civil Service at Battersea. A potential long lost cousin of mine, W M Rose, opened for I Zingari in the first innings. Got Six. Not sure where he batted in the second. But, he ended 2 not out in a poor 54 all out. But he took EIGHT Civil Service wickets in their first innings. Including the Hat Trick. The Civil Servants will have hated that. The longer the game went on, the longer they could stay away from their desks!!!

Ben Mike was born in Nottingham in 1998. He took 5 for 37 (and 9 for 94 in the match) on his Leicester debut v Sussex in 2018. His highest score before today was 74 v The Brown Hatters last year. Today he came in at 105 for 5 in the 36th over. Leicestershire still trailed by 116.

Mulder went at 127 for 6, with Ben on 8 off 25 balls.

Barnes went at 225 for 7 (having made 36 of that 98 run stand). Ben was now 66 off just 76 balls. And the Middle Saxons would at least have to bat again.

Callum Parkinson went at 264 for 8 (having made just 9 in a stand of 39). Ben had blasted past his previous best. Now just five short of his maiden century (and at Lord's) off just 103 balls.

A single (now on 96) off the first ball of the 73rd over. Chris Wright (a former Middlesex player) blocked out the rest.

Ben snaffled two singles (now on 98 off 106) in the 74th. But Wright took a single off the last to keep the strike. And took two off the third of the 75th. And was out to the 5th ball. 271 for 9. Ben Mike off strike on 98 not out.

Ben took a single off the second ball of Toby Roland-Jones over. Overseas Gunslinger Beuran Hendricks on strike.

DOT DOT GONE

Cleaned up.

Ben stranded on 99. Short of his maiden ton. Nine fours. Four sixes. Just 108 balls. And at Lord's. Cruel game sometimes. He actually had to console Hendricks who was distraught. By the time he got to the rope, I think he realised he'd got a better story to tell his grandkids than if he'd actually got the ton over the line. The lower pavilion, and the Long Room, and me cheered him to the rafters.

Stoneman & Robson brought the chase home without drama. They didn't bring Ben Mike on to bowl.

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Hotbed Of Hoopery

Leicestershire 149 all out 

v Middlesex 370 all out 

Leicestershire 37 for 3 

County Championship Division 2 

Close on Day Two 

Friday 29 April 2022 

Played at Lord's 

Queens Park Rangers 1 v Sheffield United 3 

The Championship 

Friday 29 April 2022 

SUFC 2021/22 Game #70 

Immediately after the game we headed into that Hotbed of Hoopery…

The Crown & Sceptre

57 Melina Rd, London W12 9HY

Lovely bright, standard Fuller's house. A few QPR pictures around the walls. Those bought on Shepherd's Bush Market polyester QPR flags generally draped about. Well staffed. Although the guy who served me feigned he couldn't hear me. Which, as anyone who knows me will testify, is not possible. I'm self aware. If you're in the same pub as me, you can hear me.

London Pride, Oliver's Island on Cask. But I went for a Tick…

Fuller's Brewery, Gale's Spring Sprinter, Golden Ale on Cask at 4%.

New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops. Not particularly shown off to their best I felt.

But, the Outstanding Beer Of The Day was…

Mondo Brewing Co, Little Victories, Session IPA on Keg at 4.3%

Got a recipe, that fella. Carapils and Wheat added for body. Dextrose and Lactose. Cascade hops for bittering. Amarillo, Mosaic and Simcoe in the whirlpool AND some dry hop action. Fermented with a West Coast Ale yeast. Called Little Victories. That weren't little. And don't think for one moment we only had "the one" as we breathed in the Hoopery Hospitality.

I don't give Fucks above one about the future, the Play Offs, Wembley, whether & how we'll cope in the PL. Win What You're In. We're in a race for the Play Offs. Let's try to win that. The players did (try). Quite a bit of will to win on show. Loved it. 

I would have loved to have been a fly on the Grassy Knoll at Shirecliffe this week. Billy gets injured. The management know they need to find a way to score. It's gone to the Brains Trust.

"Set pieces, long throws & the like'

"Shall we try those Flea Flicker ones to Norwood on the edge?"

"Nah, every team has scouted those now, have 'em up your sleeve, but we need to mix it up"

"With what?"

"CHAOS CORNERS"

Superb. Also. I've seen some SanderStats.

4 Key Passes.

5 Duels Won.

4 Shots.

2 Tackles.

1 Assist.

And, (remembering I love the cuddly Norwegian scamp), surely he blocked more goal bound Blades attempts than the whole of the QPR defence!!!

Also, when you're struggling for bodies, trying to find a way, it's desperately important that each player knows their role. So, Egan & Norwood need to dial it down a bit. Last night the Shoreham Gals n Boys were a glorious Rabble. We've got Rabble. But, we've got Rousers, plural. We need Rouser, singular. And Sander Berge is the Carrier Bag Firm Rabble Rouser of choice.

No one in the CBF is counting any poultry. But, we are issuing a warning to Civilians.

If you're mooching about in Sheffield next Saturday. Try to get a bus which avoids the "London Road Corridor". Stay safe…

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Badge Me Up, Ernie

Leicestershire 149 all out 

v Middlesex 142 for 2 

County Championship Division 2 

Close on Day One 

Thursday 28 April 2022 

Played at Lord's 

Are you familiar with the work of John Ernie Emburey? And his role in The Summer Of Four? Mike Gatting was sacked as England Cricket Captain after the First Test against West Indies in 1988. Emburey stepped up for the next two tests before he was canned. To be replaced by Chris Cowdrey. He lasted just the one toss. Before Graham Gooch took over as Captain for the last Test of the series. 

Emburey would have played more games for England, indeed, might have Captained England more, if he hadn't gone on BOTH Rebel Cricket Tours to Apartheid South Africa. He was the only England cricketer to take the Rand on both tours - 1981/82 & 1989/90. 

For an England XI v Tasmania, in Hobart, in 1986/87, Emburey scored 46. All in boundaries - 10x4s and a Six. OK, that's your Ernie Emburey. I bet you're wondering how he features in this Blog from a "modern" Middlesex game.

Well. Because. As I was eating me Lunch (Steak & Veg Pie, with Mash & steamed veg) atop the Mound Stand at Lord's, an older guy wearing a Middlesex tie approached my table.

"Excuse me, are you Phil?

"My name is John Emburey & I'd like to present you with this…."

That, dear readers, is a badge commemorating my 10 years as a Middlesex Member. (It's actually 3 years late - I've been a Member for 13 years - but no mither Ernie, I'll let that slide).

You may notice TWO badges in that pic (giggling here). Because I was steak pieing with another Carrier Bag Firm luminary. Who has been a Member for longer, 16 years. And, was offered minus one badges in relation to me (still giggling here).

Well. In. Dig. Nation. Don't cover it.

Fair play to Middlesex. They recovered well. Databases were quietly checked. Spare badges were quietly deployed. And Emburey eventually came back, presented the "rogue" badge, Vegetarian pied (we think) himself up, joined us for Lunch (an hour 'an half). And, therefore, received the benefit of my fucking wisdom. Oh yes, deffo.

That is how John Emburey features in this story mate.

The bar up top the Mound Stand was the usual cricket bar FARCE. The beers on the board were in no relation to the beers on the keg/cask clips, and the prices were in no relation either. When I queried, the prices were read out to me from the till. Alright. But, that's not how it works. You have to display the actual price of the actual thing you are selling. Or, well or we're all fucked.

Marston's, Pedigree, from a bottle at 4.5%

We decamped to the Bowlers' Bar and found…

Marston's, Wainwright, Golden Ale on Cask at 4.1%

But, the Outstanding Beer Of The Day (in an admittedly poor field) was…

Brakspear, Gravity, English Bitter on Cask at 3.4% (that was on in The Middlesex Room)

Middlesex day, that one. As all us verified badged 10 year Members will testify. (You can't hear this, but there is a 16 year Member "off page" muttering & chuntering like a good 'un).

Robbie White actually went as the second Middlesex wicket with just two balls of the day left. So, it could have looked even better in the scorebook for Middlesex. But, parity ish with just two gone is a good day. Of course, The Big Show here at Middlesex is Shaheen Shah Afridi. He didn't disappoint. Two in two. Including cleaning up Ackerman for zilch. The tail wagged a bit from 90 for 8 to 149 all gone. Or it would have been worse for the Running Foxes.

Quite a day for the CBF. Quite a day.

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Ripened Under The Same Sun

Middlesex 166 for 7 

beat

Sussex Sharks 103 for 9 

by 63 runs 

Blast T20 South Group 

Thursday 1 July 2021 

Played at Lord's 

If you've come to this episode of the Blog for The Beer. Please accept my unreserved apologies. LIDL were selling bottles of Veuve Delattre, Brut Champagne at £11.79. The classic combo - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier. I'm perfectly happy with these budget supermarket Champagnes. The Big Brands are lovely. But, the budgets are all made from the right grapes, grown in the right soil, under the same Sun. Sure, the riddling might be automatic rather than manual. But, do we really care about that? We're here to pile in, not to savour. Lots of apple on the Delattre. We've spent £23.58.

A pleasant enough experience at a reduced capacity, socially distanced Lord's. Stewards & staff very attentive & cheery. No realistic chance of a seat in the Pavilion. The Committee Room (where the Queen sits) was being used as an impromptu Middlesex dressing/viewing room. Angus Fraser was lolloping on the Members Bar balcony. The Long Room was deffo shut to punters. Not sure about the Long Room Bar. I put the Binos on & I could see Cask Ale being pulled in the Upper Allen bar. (I think Brakspear & Pedigree). We ended up with seats in the Upper Tavern stand.

Tonking for the Sharks. 85 run opening stand between Eskinazi and Holden inside 9 overs set a platform. A platform from which Middlesex maybe should have done better. Just four sixes in the 166. That felt a bit underpowered. Losing wickets at frequent intervals after the opening stand cost them a bit. Sussex used seven bowlers. Tymal Mills 2 for 31 off all four the best of the numbers. Archie Lenham took one for 15 off his two overs bowling leggies. You'll recall Archie was the first player born AFTER T20 started to make his T20 Blast debut. 

Calm, effective bowling got Middlesex what looked on the charts like an easy win. Nathan Sowter (leggies) took three for 13 off his full four. Blake Cullen also three-for. Travis Head (23) & Harrison Ward (22) top scored. Only one six in the whole show. You ain't gonna get very far with that. Moribund towards the end. Didn't look like they could lay a bat on it. Beer 5 off 9. Mills 11 off 19. Young Archie 5 off 12. Too late by then anyhoooo. Captain Steven Finn had the worst economy at just 6.5. Calm, effective.

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Unbelievable against a backdrop of unbelievability

Middlesex 179 for 5 

lost to 

Gloucestershire 157 for 5 (18 Overs) 

by 2 Runs (DLS Method) 

Blast T20 South Group 

Thursday 17 June 2021 

Played at Radlett 

Incredibly exciting last ball finish to the game. Not like we fucking knew that at the time. One "I'm a qualified Umpire" in our block declared it a Tie on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern. A bloke I asked on the way out was convinced Gloucestershire had won. I'd four square given the points to Middlesex. At 8:21pm (ish) the rain started, the light had gone way back, the Umpires took the players off. I caught the 8:42pm train from Radlett station. I fired up the BatPhone. Glos had won by two. Cricket doesn't help itself at times.

There's a long list of characters. None of them particularly to blame. It's just the circumstances were ridiculous. Front & centre were Umpires Peter Hartley & Martin Saggers. This game played (again) at an outground in Hertfordshire. No floodlights. Longest Day next Monday. They set it as a 5:30pm start. But, overcast day, rain expected. Remarks around Block L that "it's getting dark" with 10 overs of the chase still left. 

Middlesex quick Blake Cullen bowled the 11th over. At the end of that, Gloucestershire were 109 for 3, needing another 71. Leggie Luke Hollman bowled the next. Then, I believe Hartley & Saggers intervened because of the light. Steven Finn trotted down to field on the boundary - "No Pace" he said to anyone within hearing. So Eoin Morgan then had to juggle what he had amongst his slower bowlers. 

The DLS on the scoreboard was trying to update every ball. But, you can't be sure.

Is that what it needed to be off that last ball?

Is that what it needs to be off this next ball?

Do they need to get that score as a target?

Or get past it as a target?

Morgan had his own printed Crib Sheet. The batsmen were consulting the Umpires Crib Sheet. Green, Hollman, Green, Stirling completed overs. 142 for 5 off 17 overs. 38 needed off 18 balls.

Then a multi disciplinary conference in the middle. Morgan, of course, is running out of resources. After five overs of No Pace. And the light obviously receding further. Hartley & Saggers allowed Steven Finn back on. Basically, that's unbelievable against a backdrop of unbelievability. 

Now. If me & my Middlesex Muckers had known. Categorically. That it was FOURTEEN to win off this single Finn over. We'd have been in - Right Here We Go - mode. Did Finn even know?

Dot Ball. Single to Higgins. Single to Cockbain. SIX for Higgins. Single to Higgins. Cockbain hits a SIX off the final ball of the over. And the rains came. And the Umpires took them off. And an essentially knowledgeable cricket crowd of Middlesex Members began the debate about who had just won the fucking game in front of us. 

Ian Cockbain scored 62 off 39 balls. And hit one SIX. Off Steven Finn. Off the last ball of the 17th over. Which proved to be the last ball of the match. Which proved to be the winning runs. If only he'd known. If only Finn had known. If only we had fucking known.

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Wait two days, or 15 minutes

Hampshire Hawks 215 for 6 

lost to 

Middlesex 217 for 7 (19.4 Overs) 

by 3 Wickets 

Blast T20 South Group 

Tuesday 15 June 2021 

Played at Radlett 

We had the worst & best of the Pub inside 15 minutes. There are no viable CAMRA Beer Guide pubs nor Craft Beer bars in Radlett. But The Red Lion, essentially the only show in town, looked promising. Regularly serving Young's for instance.

"One pint of Young's Ordinary please"

"Sorry, Young's is off. We've got Proper Job"

"OK, I'll have a pint of that please. But, when you say Young's is off, is it going to come on soon?"

"At this moment in time, Young's is off"

"Yes, understood, but moments in time pass, and whoosh, we're in another moment. Will it be coming on?'

"It has to settle, so maybe in two days time"

Outwardly, I smiled to give the impression I was happily looking forward to my pint of St Austell, Proper Job. Inwardly, my mind went to - what the hell is going on here - territory.

And…...

The Proper Job was cloudy as fuck. Lasted about three more pulls after ours.

We've. Struck. Disaster.

Obvs, I should have sent it back & asked for a Lager or summat. But, in real time, you get all shy & think - grimace, get down it, move on.

Within the aforementioned 15 minutes, some other fella appeared and started pumping away on both handpulls at the same time. I smiled at him. Jugs appeared. Were pulled into. And thrown down the sink. I gave him a cheery wave. Pint pots were deployed. Were pulled into. Held up against the light. And TASTED. I winked at him & we're getting married a week on Thursday. I took back about a third of a pint & said "Hiya, I really think you should replace this one with a good one now it's back on"

"Of course, take a seat, I'll send it over"

(Pictured)

(We also bought & paid for a pint of Young's in the next round)

Raining sixes at Radlett. Eleven in each innings. Some still rising (I swear) as they went through the trees. The ebb and flow had Hampshire making a good score. Middlesex losing wickets & struggling early on. Then a BIG STAND rocked it back Middlesex's way. Before a stumble. And make Ten from the last over. (I thought it was always 14, but there you go). Chris Green hit a Six off the fourth ball to close it out. 

Vince & D'Arcy Short put 79 on for the first wicket. Short, Joe Weatherley & Lewis McManus all made 40+ at 170+ strike rate. Nathan Sowter the pick of the bowlers with two for 32.

Hertfordshire (well Middlesex really, but playing in Hertfordshire) were reeling at 30 for 3. With Eskinazi, Stirling & Morgan all gone. But that Joe Cracknell & John Simpson stand of 122 was superb viewing. Simpson went at 152 for 4 in 13.3 overs. He'd scored 62 at two runs a ball (5 sixes). Cracknell went at 177 for 6. He'd got 77 off 43. That left the set up as 39 off 27 balls. Chris Green playing the Death Knock with 26 at two runs a ball & that winning six.

The Radlett in ground bars were serving keg Fuller's London Pride at 4.1%. That just suited everything. The weather was hot hot hot. Radlett is a lovely, rural, tree lined, outground. The bars were exceptionally well run.

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#CricketCans 6 for 26

Durham 147 all out
v Middlesex 143 all out
Durham 191 all out
Middlesex 151 all out
Durham win by 44 Runs
County Championship Division 2

Wednesday 11 & Thursday 12 September 2019
(I only attended Days 2 & 3)
Played at Lord’s

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Seventeen wickets had gone on Day 1. Welcome to September. The County Championship. The perfect solution for teaching English batsmen to settle in and manage long innings. Games gone…..
 

A bit of late order humpty got Middlesex to rough parity. But no one made 25 in that innings. In the Durham second dig, both sides kept plugging away. When Angus Robson was last out for 64 off 156 balls, Middlesex needed 196 to win. That would have been the highest innings of the match. And, in context, looked a tall order.  But, Sam Robson & Gubbins had rubbed 21 off by close on Day 2. Even at 99 for 3, with Robson still there, I felt the game was still all on. But, the lot has been put to bed by Brydon Carse. He’s cleaned up the last five. To finish on 6 for 26. Including a spell of 5 for 9. Son of James Carse, who played 60 First Class matches himself. Brydon was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He made his Durham First Class debut in 2016 & this was his 19th First Class match. He’s effectively at Durham as a Kolpak. Natch, that sixfer are his best bowling figures.

So, it was #CricketCans day at Lord’s. Sourced from Hop Hideout in Sheffield. From the Northern Monk, Northern Powerhouse series. I jiggled ‘em around a bit, so that I didn’t blitz the long sell by dates first. But, otherwise, it was a random four can selection drunk in a random order.  But, and this is the beauty, it looks good when the Collabs are Wylam, Cloudwater, Track & Buxton. The “messed around with” one was;

Northern Monk by Northern Powerhouse Brew Series 004 // Tropical Sour IPA // Wylam at 6%.  Very nice, but more of a near beer feel to it. The sourness saved it from full on alcopop. The sourness cut through the tropical flavours and added to them rather than dominate.

Northern Monk by Northern Powerhouse Brew Series 005 // West Coast IPA // Buxton Brewery at 7.4%. There was nothing outstanding about that, but it was a lovely set up beer. Simplicity & nothing wrong with that. Maybe hints of currants in the sweetness, then into a sticky, hoppy, finish.

Northern Monk by Northern Powerhouse Brew Series 001 // Small IPA // Track Brewing Co. at 3.3%.  That felt gentle, as you might expect. But it didn’t compromise on flavour. I liked the sweetness, which was "almost Pilsner". The hops filled in nicely.

But, Outstanding Beer Of The Day was;
 

Northern Monk by Northern Powerhouse Brew Series 006 // DDH Double IPA // Cloudwater at 8.2%. That one was superb, and unmistakably Dry Hopped. And the right amount of juicy grapeiness to back it up.

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I have now Blogged from 850 games in 1,850 days

Can Me, Brother

Middlesex 210 for 8
beat
Surrey 146 all out (18.4 Overs)
by 64 runs

Vitality Blast T20, South Group
Played at Lord's

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If it's a Summer Thursday at Lord's, it's all about two things. The most vibrant day of County Cricket of the year. And, Cans of Beer. Look, I'm a proud Yorkshireman. When I was growing up, the traditional August Holiday fixture was Yorkshire v Lancashire, 3 Day Championship, at my ground, Bramall Lane, Sheffield. I just find the Yorkie Lanky T20s a bit braying & less enjoyable because of that. Close second mind, but the Middlesex v Brown Hatter Mugs "Derby' does have more of a cricket feel to it.

A new record crowd for a Domestic T20 game tonight helps make my point - 27,773. Squeezed into every corner. At a Test Match, or International ODI, the crowd can drift. Go & get some lunch. Sit in the gardens. Have a mooch. Nip out to the Ale House. But, it doesn't work like that for Flash Bang Wallop T20. So, Lord's looks full & feels full. Bulging.

Imran Tahir squeezed Malan with the third ball of the innings, and he holed out. Eskinazi went at 56 for three on 6.5 overs. That brought Money Making Machine AB de Villiers & Eoin Morgan together. They took it to 171, with the best part of three overs left. de Villiers eventually dug 64 off 40 balls, Morgan 70 off 37.

Surrey stayed with it a bit (nod to Duckworth-Lewis-Stern for that). 95 for 1 off 8.4, before Finch went second down. Half way through the 14th they were 124 for 4. Thirty one balls later, they were gone for 146. Steven Finn has run them down at the end. He's finished with five for 16 off a full 4 overs. Rout by the end. Had to rush the cans.

I'd enjoyed a day at the CAMRA Great British Beer Festival the day before. Seemed a great opportunity for me to source some beers from the "International Can & Bottle Bar". They thought my demands were a bit odd. It must be IPA/Pale, it must be American, it absolutely must be a can, and it must be 16oz, not 12. If you know, you know.
 

Bootlegger's Brewery, Fullerton California, Far Out IPA at 7%. That was a nice enough beer. Although, I was left a bit underwhelmed. It looked the part, clear & brown. And smelled nice & rich. But, I felt it pulled up a bit short on flavour. And needed a kick.

Karl Strauss Brewing Co, San Diego, Boat Shoes Hazy IPA at 7.2%. A lovely, strong tropical fruit smell. But, that didn't quite survive into the taste. It had a slightly off putting thin, watery feel. But, a nice bitterness came in, like The Cavalry to save it.

FiftyFifty Brewing Co, Truckee California, West Coast Haze at 6%. Part of me wondered why they bothered. That was a perfectly decent West Coast pale. The haze added nothing. It seemed to be just dressing up. If anything, the bitterness was just a little too harsh. But, there was some nice mango & the bitterness was hop forward.

But, the Best In Show was Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, The Great Return (American IPA) at 7.5%. That just felt nice, straight ahead, plan A. A hit of Demerara sugar & great bitterness coming off that.

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I have now Blogged from 828 games in 1,815 days

One Can Man

Middlesex 265 all out
Lancashire 427 all out
Middlesex 200 all out
Lancashire 39 for 3
Lancashire win by 7 wickets

County Championship Division 2
Sunday 14 April 2019
Played at Lord's

2018/19 Football Season Brewery Visits - 103

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I got singled out at the baggage check entering Lord's. One can of Diet Coke. One can of White Monster. And one Can'O'Beer were closely scrutinised. “Any alcohol?”. “Yes, this 'un”. To be fair to the security lady, maybe she hadn't come across Left Handed Giant Brewery's vaguely Sci-Fi branding before. I quizzed her why she was specifically asking about alcohol. Fair enough. She just wanted me to know that the guidelines were now two cans, not four, and she didn't want me to get caught long in the future. I giggled & explained my four can games were over. Strictly a One Can Man nowadays (hostage to fortune).

So, let's deal with it;

Left Handed Giant, Sonny Boy from said tin at 6.9%. Bought from Real Ale Maida Vale. A great IPA. Deep & resinous right from the go. The later bitterness mingling in with some tropical fruits. Lovely at that abv, which suited it well.

That game was set up well overnight. Middlesex were 94 behind. But, only two down. They took that to 116. Before losing Nightwatchman Harris AND Sam Robson (for 63) at that score. Five AND Six (Eoin Morgan) both went at 146. Simpson & last man Murtagh both went at 200. Both to Glenn Maxwell, who has ended up with five for 40. One of his victims, a former (and who knows) future England Test Player shuffled through The Long Room and said “Out to Maxwell, that's rubbish”.

That left the Lankies to make 39, with no time pressure. That 427 has made all the difference.

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Morgan bats Six & Four

Middlesex 210 for 3
lost to
Essex Eagles 211 for 4
by 6 wickets

T20 Blast, South Group

Thursday 16 August 2018

Played at Lord's

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Partly futile. Neither of these two Counties can qualify for the Quarter Finals. Fourteen games per County. Day in. Night out. To lose just ten Counties. And, the same fucking groups & grounds year in, year out.

But, partly proves the point as well. No official gate as far as I can see. The BBC London commentator guessed it at North of 22k.

The comedy was provided by England's no anthem singing, White Ball skipper, Irishman Eoin Morgan. I wish I'd kept the Bat Audit. I think he's gone out with one. Bust it. Got a replacement. Hit a few with that. Didn't fancy it. Called for another. SIX were brought out. He's poo pooed all fucking SIX. A major bat search has been instigated. Manufacturers have been contacted. Craftsmen have been put on overtime. Another FOUR have come out. (I can't swear that some of the four weren't also in the six - I ain't got a Venn Diagram). He's settled on one of them.

With one bat or another he's done eight sixes & two fours in a 38 ball 77. Don't ask me what a sensible score is. You can get owt & chase owt. Often it'll come down to our old friend - make 14 off the last over. Not tonight mind. Done with four balls to spare.

As I continue to find a path after placing in the Brewdog Beer Geek Awards, I did another Brewery today. German Kraft in Mercato Metropolitano, Elephant & Castle. A very intriguing mish mash of food & drink shops & outlets. Lots of beer around. The kit is shiny. To that I can testify.

I had Hopfen Kiss on keg at 5.4%. I couldn't get the exact provenance. But, it tasted very Hopfenweisse to me. Whatevs. Glorious. Excellent. Hopping is spot on. Mouthfilling, but not overpowering. Bursting with flavour.

696/1458

Unwanted Double Header

Surrey 414 all out
v Yorkshire 229 all out
and 168 all out following on
Surrey win by an Innings & 17 Runs

County Championship Division One
Played at The Oval

Middlesex 455-8 declared
Gloucestershire 210 all out
and 426-4 declared following on
Match Drawn on a handshake

County Championship Division Two
Played at Lord's

Monday 14 May 2018

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Very much an unwanted Double Header. I walked through the North Gate at Lord's well before Lunch. Having already seen Yorkshire rolled over at The Oval. 142 for 5 off 57. Becomes 168 all out off just 66.1. Abysmal. Wheels off. Where do I go for a refund?

There was actually a nice game shaping up at Lord's. At the start of Day 4, Gloucestershire were still 179 behind, following on, with two hutched. A rearguard action, in a neutral game (for me), maybe going right to ten past six, or thereabouts. But, even that fizzled out. The Middle Saxons never looked like taking wickets. Two all “day”. Before we had the joke bowling fandango until a handshake was possible.

Luckily, I'd had some headspinners. Sourced from Ghost Whale in Brixton.

CRAK Brewery & Magic Rock Collab, Crying Adult from a tin at 9% (Nine) (The Oval)
Powerful beer. Marmalade. The bitterness is spot on. Just rich enough to not be too rich. A Sipper, not a Slurper. Fills every pore.

Verdant Brewing Co, Maybe One More PSI from a tin at 8%. (Lord's)
Spot on. A bit gloopy to keep Instagram happy, but a lovely hoppy stew. These abvs though? Tongue tingling bitterness from the get go.

663/1364

Achieving Water Cooler

Middlesex 136 all out (19.1 overs)
lost to
Hampshire 137 for 4 (17.3 overs)
by 6 wickets

T20 Blast Southern Group

Played at Lord’s

Thursday 3 August 2017

Twitter @ball_sup

Let’s start with the good news. A crowd of 22,822 in Lord’s tonight. I’ll say it again. To be successful in terms of bums on seats, T20 needs to have a sense of occasion. People go because it’s the place to go. You go because your mates go. You go because your next door neighbours go. That is the Holy Grail that is being chased. It is what Big Bash t20 has achieved in Australia. It is what our American Cousins would call a Water Cooler Event. The next day, at work, stood around the water cooler, everyone is all “oohh did you go to the cricket last night….”

My bias is. The smaller, non Test Match Counties achieve Water Cooler because there are few other events to challenge T20. Your Tauntons. Your Chelmsfords. Your Worcesters. Big places. No League football. T20 is by default The Event. Salute the Sold Out Signs.

My bias is. The London grounds. Lord’s & The Oval. Achieve Water Cooler because they are in London. Old University chums, their husbands & wives, people from their golf club, their kids & school friends, the Network. All hoovering up Rover Tickets for the new Warner Stand, The Tavern & the Upper Allen. Raid Waitrose. Raid Selfridge’s Food Hall. Raid the Wine Cellar. Get yourselves down to Lord’s on a Thursday.

Up at six thirty. Check the markets. Try & wash last night’s hangover out of your hair. Into your City Office. Four screens in front of you. Buy. Sell. “Were you in the Braying Buffoon last night?”. Buy. Sell. “That new Wine Bar does Champers for under a ton”. Buy. Sell. “Have you checked out the new guy in overseas derivatives with the blue suit & beard?”. Buy. Sell. “What you doing tonight? We’re going to get half pissed at the Cricket at The Oval. Couple of Taxis booked for five downstairs”. “Yep, I’ll have loads of that….”.

My bias is. Headingley. Old Trafford. Edgbaston. Trent Bridge. They’ll have their moments. Game Of Roses, etc. But, you’ve got football, you’ve got International Cricket. You’re not London. Achieving Water Cooler is never going to be easy. I personally don’t think new ECB Franchised T20 will change that landscape much. But, I’m biased.

In other good news. I’m still ploughing through my BrewDog Hazy Jane free Equity For Punks loyalty tins at 7.2%. So, those were my drink of the day.

That was actually quite a flat and disappointing game. Afridi pulled out. He’s always worth a look. The Middle Saxons seemed to lose wickets consistently. Some good knocks. But no one really taking it downtown & home. Only one six. 135 for 7 to 136 all out hasn’t helped. And then, Hampshire just looked in control. A sixty from Roussow anchoring them. They didn’t lose wickets. And brought it home easily. But, the 22,822 were there. At The Event. That is a marvellous crowd.

515/1080