I am almost back into the groove in that writing has become a greater priority than many others. But on this day two weeks from setting off for the Isle of Wight and week since the walk to the sea from here in South Shields in the late afternoon I am still governed by other things. The first is sport in that this afternoon Durham play Leicestershire at Leicester in the decider as who from the Northern Division definitely goes into the next the quarter finals. It is sudden sporting death for Durham because if they lose or the game cannot take place because of the weather they have accumulated too few points to qualify as one of the two highest placed teams from any of the three divisions. I will listen on the radio from 2.30, having prepared for a roast chicken dinner at around 2 pm with the game commencing at 2.30.
I had considered driving there and back in the day but an eight hours drive even if we won, let alone lost was too much, especially as I wanted to stay up to watch the Boss on his first visit to Glastonbury, more on that and on Glastonbury weekend later this week. I am developing the format of writing to include accumulations over a short period of time, thus today will cover the build up to the important cricket game. I must also conserve finances and get the situation in the what it will be after this special year. It has brightened up again after several dreadful days of low lying cloud, drizzling rain, sometimes harder.
I think I have resolved what to do about the printer and converter of slides into CD and DVD format. I have settled for using the Brother obtained via IJT direct and bought the equivalent for four sets of cartridge for £30 from the shop in the King Street to add to the three in stock and those already in use. On Monday I will attempt to negotiate the return of the Epson 640 cartridges in stock about £100 and use the credit for additional 640 Cartridges. I will then buy a slide converter machine separately. I have attempted to get one through EBay but have been outbid twice but will continue later in the week. I have commenced the task of prints accumulated from the past three weeks, Yesterday I have done 95% of that related to Blogs but will also need to do the registering and transferring to disk. Work for later today. The printings related to the Isle of Wight visit, Oxford and Portsmouth are also done but with a further check required before sets are created. It is a pity there are no photographs but I will return and retrace the experience, hopefully in a better circumstance.
I am listening, with occasional peaks to the Brice Springsteen video on the BBC I would have like to go for a walk while it is fine but will press on and see what it is like later. I will miss the bandstand performance again and have not attended the rock shows at the Amphitheatre. When the camera is returned I have a mountain of sets to photo. There is an accumulation of household chores and correspondence. will attend to some while listening to the cricket
I had roast breast of chicken and potatoes for lunch with roast potatoes followed by strawberries.
The background to this game is that Durham an atrocious start to the competition for four reason. They had signed the specialist young Australian who was then called into the Australian World Cup Squad although not used. They lost three games in the last over with the most notorious the game where Collingwood was put on to bowl the last over and the opposing side had to score 7 from the two balls and scored a six and a four. There were problems with some of the bowlers who are not good in this format and they did not have the rub of the green. They could not complaint about the weather or the wickets. Durham were left with having to win all of their last five games with three at home and two away and where the last four commenced this week. Om Monday there were two unexpected results with Leicestershire beating Lancs who had won all their games until then and Notts beating Yorks.
Durham did not play until Tuesday when they held the home side Derbyshire to 154 for 4 on a challenging wicket and a lot lying sun as the evening progressed. This was the first appearance of David Warner who showed his intentions with a quick fire 50 demonstrating his reputation of being able to hit hard and far, Mustard appeared to thrive with his new partner, taking a back seat and then reaching a half century himself. The result appeared to be certain but the scoring slowed as Durham lost both openers and two together before captain Smith with Blackwell saw the victory with two overs to go. I listen to the game on BBC radio Newcastle.
Notts then beat Leicestershire which was to have significance as the week progressed as Durham entertained Yorkshire in the first of two home games. This proved to be an extraordinary game. I miscalculated the time and only arrived with half an hour to go caught up in the rush hour and some works around the Washington Service Station although I by passed this going into Washington and down to the next motorway exit. It was hot and warm so I made my way to the area behind the wicket to enjoy the weather. It was a difficult and boring Durham performance as they struggled to what appeared to be a very gettable 131. No individual batsman distinguished themselves with only Mustard scoring more than 20. Given the size of the crowd one felt the disappointment especially when Warner who looked promising was out for 19.
The weather then changed dramatically as I went for an ice cream and then decided to move closer to the exit for the car exit and if necessary cover in the Member’s lounge. I was able to find an aisle seat to the back which provided excellent viewing what then happened, Naved was run out in the first over when the score was 0. Brophy was caught behind off Claydon and the score was 1 and then the third wicket fell with only four or the board as Gayle was also run out. Warner was showing that he was also brilliant in the field as well as with the bat. It became 19 for 4, 23 for 5, 30 for 6, 46 fro 7 52 for 8 and 62 for nine. I decided to beat the rush and made my way home listening on the car radio. While there was no hope of winning the last two showed the rest how to defend and added 28 runs before the close at 90 for 9 and Durham had achieved a win which could mean quarterfinal qualification, On Thursday I watched Flintoff score and amazing 90 for 30 or balls as Lancs scored 220 for 5 off their 20 overs.
Then came Friday when Durham faced Lancs and it started to rain and rain and the cloud came to ground level creating limited visibility. I thought there was no prospect of play and after establishing that the local computer service could not fix the printer I went to the Epson agents at Gateshead where they moved to the ground floor of the building at the back. It was explained that the repair would involved new pads some £40 and two to three hours labour, about £80 to £100 and one could get a new computer for less than that.
On the return I noted it was brighter towards Durham do decided to go to Chester Le Street and the riverside ground. As I approached the turning off the motorway it appeared to have stopped raining and visibility was good and this proved to be the situation at the ground where already many others were arriving. Some 6500 tickets had been sold There was an announcement that the umpires would inspect the wicket once the rain stopped and the covers removed which would take about 15 minutes. There was much brighter sky south of the ground but a light drizzle had recommenced and continued. Around 7 I gave up having enjoyed a plate of chips on arrival an a cup of coffee and then two prepared rolls. I went to PC World to check out the availability of printers with slide converters. I went home and later learnt that the match was declared off at 8.30 and it was impossible to play even to reduced over innings for a result. Each side gained appoint ans the other results of the evening Durham would have to win this Sunday.
I decided against travelling and found listening to the radio a nervous experience but things went well from the start.
The game has commenced with Killeen bowling the first over for only 2 runs and a possible stumping chance. Liam Plunket is playing again after injuring his groin earlier in the season. Leicestershire won the toss and elected to bat. Mitch Claydon only gives three runs away in his first over so 5.0 for 2. The pitch was said to be playing true and Leicestershire have two good spinners which meant the home should make a good total and then the slower bowlers make it difficult for Durham to get away and at the back of everyone’s mind was the possibility of a thunder and rain storm later afternoon.. The pitch should yield plenty of runs and Leicestershire hoping that the weather will intervene later and Durham find it difficult to keep up with Duckworth Lewis Formula Rather a disastrous third over by Liam Plunkett with two fours off his first ball and a total of 12. There have been two risk shots but did not to anyone’s hand. Allenby hits Ben Harmison for 6 and then gets the danger man Allenby who chips ball to extra cover and is caught so it is 24 for 1 but the run rate has risen to six. Not Good. But I am ahead of myself by a wide margin. But Killeen has come back after the disaster of Plunkett’s first has taken the second wicket bowling Du Toit with five who had hit Killen for four with his first ball. 31 for 2. 32 for 2 at end of fifth, still a run rate of 6. The rest of the over was good so 35 for 2 after 6 and less than 6. A much better over from Liam. 42 fo2 after 7 so a better over from Liam. Blackwell comes on for the 8th and with an average of seven runs which is good for this form of cricket 52.2 at end of 8th so risen to over 6 once more. I eat more when I am nervous but will be strong.
The 9th over was excellent with only 3 runs from Claydon’s second. 56 for 2 after 9 60 for 2 after 10 another excellent over from Breese. Captain Will Smith then takes a brilliant catch for the third wicket taking opener Boyce for the first ball of Harmison, his second wicket. 63 for 3. However Plunket back on gives a four of his first ball. 69 for 3 for 12 so under 6 again so far very good.76 for 3 after 13. 86 for 4 after 14. Dippenar is beginning to motor with a 6 and a 4.91 for 4 Paul Nixon goes just when a wicket is needed and Breese takes catch off Harmison. 108 4 after 16. I disaster of an over from Plunkett takes the run rate to 6.75. Fine over from Killen going for 5 runs 113.4 lowers run rate- 6.67. Claydon some tight bowling take the wicket of the new so 114 for 5. Claydon York Claydon first ball so 115 for 6 off 18 6.3 the revised run rate. 126 for 7 after 19 Break in transmission and Dippenar was out before reconnection. 133 for 8 wickets with a catch by captain Smith second of the day Mitch Claydon 4 overs 3 wickets for 15, brilliant.
So now it in the hands of the batsmen. For and a near catch off first ball. Warner score six off third ball. 12 for 0ooff fist over with one eye on the changing weather expected and the Duckworth Lewis. Warner scores a boundary off the first call of next over and then a single 19 off two so 9.5 and over and ahead of the Leicestershire score rate with another three overs to go for the DL rate to apply if there is a storm and no more play. 25 for 3 after so the rate falls again 8.3. Mustard gets away with first ball of next over with 4. Mustard another 4 so 8 of the over so far. Mustard another 4 so 12 of the over. Another 4 is 16 runs and 2 others so 18 for the fourth over. 53 during the fifth with a couple of fours. 54 from 5 so they are ahead on DL and we can relax all round. 54 against 33 DL rating and has started to rain. 60 for 0 after 60 run rate 10. 75 in the 11th with two sixes and is then caught on the boundary 75.1 after 7. 10.7 is the rate and the clouds thicken.
Disaster strikes with Phil Mustard given out on a dodgy LBW and then Coetzer out soon after also LBW which narrows the DL rate. Blenkenstein and Blackwell bring calm so that Durham concentrate on getting the runs at a reasonable level with 97 for 3 in 12th and ends at 99, a rate of over 8. 110 for 3. 114 for 3 after 13. 127 for 3 with 5 overs to go. Blackwell goes for winning four and is caught.
The draw was made on Sky and Durham are away to Kent during the last week of July, hopefully not the Monday when I will be returning from London by coach.
I had considered driving there and back in the day but an eight hours drive even if we won, let alone lost was too much, especially as I wanted to stay up to watch the Boss on his first visit to Glastonbury, more on that and on Glastonbury weekend later this week. I am developing the format of writing to include accumulations over a short period of time, thus today will cover the build up to the important cricket game. I must also conserve finances and get the situation in the what it will be after this special year. It has brightened up again after several dreadful days of low lying cloud, drizzling rain, sometimes harder.
I think I have resolved what to do about the printer and converter of slides into CD and DVD format. I have settled for using the Brother obtained via IJT direct and bought the equivalent for four sets of cartridge for £30 from the shop in the King Street to add to the three in stock and those already in use. On Monday I will attempt to negotiate the return of the Epson 640 cartridges in stock about £100 and use the credit for additional 640 Cartridges. I will then buy a slide converter machine separately. I have attempted to get one through EBay but have been outbid twice but will continue later in the week. I have commenced the task of prints accumulated from the past three weeks, Yesterday I have done 95% of that related to Blogs but will also need to do the registering and transferring to disk. Work for later today. The printings related to the Isle of Wight visit, Oxford and Portsmouth are also done but with a further check required before sets are created. It is a pity there are no photographs but I will return and retrace the experience, hopefully in a better circumstance.
I am listening, with occasional peaks to the Brice Springsteen video on the BBC I would have like to go for a walk while it is fine but will press on and see what it is like later. I will miss the bandstand performance again and have not attended the rock shows at the Amphitheatre. When the camera is returned I have a mountain of sets to photo. There is an accumulation of household chores and correspondence. will attend to some while listening to the cricket
I had roast breast of chicken and potatoes for lunch with roast potatoes followed by strawberries.
The background to this game is that Durham an atrocious start to the competition for four reason. They had signed the specialist young Australian who was then called into the Australian World Cup Squad although not used. They lost three games in the last over with the most notorious the game where Collingwood was put on to bowl the last over and the opposing side had to score 7 from the two balls and scored a six and a four. There were problems with some of the bowlers who are not good in this format and they did not have the rub of the green. They could not complaint about the weather or the wickets. Durham were left with having to win all of their last five games with three at home and two away and where the last four commenced this week. Om Monday there were two unexpected results with Leicestershire beating Lancs who had won all their games until then and Notts beating Yorks.
Durham did not play until Tuesday when they held the home side Derbyshire to 154 for 4 on a challenging wicket and a lot lying sun as the evening progressed. This was the first appearance of David Warner who showed his intentions with a quick fire 50 demonstrating his reputation of being able to hit hard and far, Mustard appeared to thrive with his new partner, taking a back seat and then reaching a half century himself. The result appeared to be certain but the scoring slowed as Durham lost both openers and two together before captain Smith with Blackwell saw the victory with two overs to go. I listen to the game on BBC radio Newcastle.
Notts then beat Leicestershire which was to have significance as the week progressed as Durham entertained Yorkshire in the first of two home games. This proved to be an extraordinary game. I miscalculated the time and only arrived with half an hour to go caught up in the rush hour and some works around the Washington Service Station although I by passed this going into Washington and down to the next motorway exit. It was hot and warm so I made my way to the area behind the wicket to enjoy the weather. It was a difficult and boring Durham performance as they struggled to what appeared to be a very gettable 131. No individual batsman distinguished themselves with only Mustard scoring more than 20. Given the size of the crowd one felt the disappointment especially when Warner who looked promising was out for 19.
The weather then changed dramatically as I went for an ice cream and then decided to move closer to the exit for the car exit and if necessary cover in the Member’s lounge. I was able to find an aisle seat to the back which provided excellent viewing what then happened, Naved was run out in the first over when the score was 0. Brophy was caught behind off Claydon and the score was 1 and then the third wicket fell with only four or the board as Gayle was also run out. Warner was showing that he was also brilliant in the field as well as with the bat. It became 19 for 4, 23 for 5, 30 for 6, 46 fro 7 52 for 8 and 62 for nine. I decided to beat the rush and made my way home listening on the car radio. While there was no hope of winning the last two showed the rest how to defend and added 28 runs before the close at 90 for 9 and Durham had achieved a win which could mean quarterfinal qualification, On Thursday I watched Flintoff score and amazing 90 for 30 or balls as Lancs scored 220 for 5 off their 20 overs.
Then came Friday when Durham faced Lancs and it started to rain and rain and the cloud came to ground level creating limited visibility. I thought there was no prospect of play and after establishing that the local computer service could not fix the printer I went to the Epson agents at Gateshead where they moved to the ground floor of the building at the back. It was explained that the repair would involved new pads some £40 and two to three hours labour, about £80 to £100 and one could get a new computer for less than that.
On the return I noted it was brighter towards Durham do decided to go to Chester Le Street and the riverside ground. As I approached the turning off the motorway it appeared to have stopped raining and visibility was good and this proved to be the situation at the ground where already many others were arriving. Some 6500 tickets had been sold There was an announcement that the umpires would inspect the wicket once the rain stopped and the covers removed which would take about 15 minutes. There was much brighter sky south of the ground but a light drizzle had recommenced and continued. Around 7 I gave up having enjoyed a plate of chips on arrival an a cup of coffee and then two prepared rolls. I went to PC World to check out the availability of printers with slide converters. I went home and later learnt that the match was declared off at 8.30 and it was impossible to play even to reduced over innings for a result. Each side gained appoint ans the other results of the evening Durham would have to win this Sunday.
I decided against travelling and found listening to the radio a nervous experience but things went well from the start.
The game has commenced with Killeen bowling the first over for only 2 runs and a possible stumping chance. Liam Plunket is playing again after injuring his groin earlier in the season. Leicestershire won the toss and elected to bat. Mitch Claydon only gives three runs away in his first over so 5.0 for 2. The pitch was said to be playing true and Leicestershire have two good spinners which meant the home should make a good total and then the slower bowlers make it difficult for Durham to get away and at the back of everyone’s mind was the possibility of a thunder and rain storm later afternoon.. The pitch should yield plenty of runs and Leicestershire hoping that the weather will intervene later and Durham find it difficult to keep up with Duckworth Lewis Formula Rather a disastrous third over by Liam Plunkett with two fours off his first ball and a total of 12. There have been two risk shots but did not to anyone’s hand. Allenby hits Ben Harmison for 6 and then gets the danger man Allenby who chips ball to extra cover and is caught so it is 24 for 1 but the run rate has risen to six. Not Good. But I am ahead of myself by a wide margin. But Killeen has come back after the disaster of Plunkett’s first has taken the second wicket bowling Du Toit with five who had hit Killen for four with his first ball. 31 for 2. 32 for 2 at end of fifth, still a run rate of 6. The rest of the over was good so 35 for 2 after 6 and less than 6. A much better over from Liam. 42 fo2 after 7 so a better over from Liam. Blackwell comes on for the 8th and with an average of seven runs which is good for this form of cricket 52.2 at end of 8th so risen to over 6 once more. I eat more when I am nervous but will be strong.
The 9th over was excellent with only 3 runs from Claydon’s second. 56 for 2 after 9 60 for 2 after 10 another excellent over from Breese. Captain Will Smith then takes a brilliant catch for the third wicket taking opener Boyce for the first ball of Harmison, his second wicket. 63 for 3. However Plunket back on gives a four of his first ball. 69 for 3 for 12 so under 6 again so far very good.76 for 3 after 13. 86 for 4 after 14. Dippenar is beginning to motor with a 6 and a 4.91 for 4 Paul Nixon goes just when a wicket is needed and Breese takes catch off Harmison. 108 4 after 16. I disaster of an over from Plunkett takes the run rate to 6.75. Fine over from Killen going for 5 runs 113.4 lowers run rate- 6.67. Claydon some tight bowling take the wicket of the new so 114 for 5. Claydon York Claydon first ball so 115 for 6 off 18 6.3 the revised run rate. 126 for 7 after 19 Break in transmission and Dippenar was out before reconnection. 133 for 8 wickets with a catch by captain Smith second of the day Mitch Claydon 4 overs 3 wickets for 15, brilliant.
So now it in the hands of the batsmen. For and a near catch off first ball. Warner score six off third ball. 12 for 0ooff fist over with one eye on the changing weather expected and the Duckworth Lewis. Warner scores a boundary off the first call of next over and then a single 19 off two so 9.5 and over and ahead of the Leicestershire score rate with another three overs to go for the DL rate to apply if there is a storm and no more play. 25 for 3 after so the rate falls again 8.3. Mustard gets away with first ball of next over with 4. Mustard another 4 so 8 of the over so far. Mustard another 4 so 12 of the over. Another 4 is 16 runs and 2 others so 18 for the fourth over. 53 during the fifth with a couple of fours. 54 from 5 so they are ahead on DL and we can relax all round. 54 against 33 DL rating and has started to rain. 60 for 0 after 60 run rate 10. 75 in the 11th with two sixes and is then caught on the boundary 75.1 after 7. 10.7 is the rate and the clouds thicken.
Disaster strikes with Phil Mustard given out on a dodgy LBW and then Coetzer out soon after also LBW which narrows the DL rate. Blenkenstein and Blackwell bring calm so that Durham concentrate on getting the runs at a reasonable level with 97 for 3 in 12th and ends at 99, a rate of over 8. 110 for 3. 114 for 3 after 13. 127 for 3 with 5 overs to go. Blackwell goes for winning four and is caught.
The draw was made on Sky and Durham are away to Kent during the last week of July, hopefully not the Monday when I will be returning from London by coach.
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