It is exciting times being a supporter of Durham cricket club as on Tuesday night 30th July 2013, just before commencing two months of live cricket watching at Lords (twice) Derby (twice) Edgbaston, Scarborough and Hove as well as Durham, against all odds they became the 6th club to qualify for the quarterfinals as Gloucestershire won at Glamorgan.
Sunday week while I was in the Midlands Durham won against Derby at Chesterfield by 4 wickets getting 137 required with one over and four balls to go. Smith taking 1 wicket for 9 runs from his 3 overs and Onions giving only 20 runs from his 4 and Rushworth 2 for 29 from his 4 all contributed to keeping the score to around 7 an over. Durham were 36 for four at one point but Stokes 46 and Muchall 37 rescued as they have several times this season and Durham had won three of the last four games and if they won their last two games at home they were in with a shout if other results went their way.
On Thursday evening 25th July (2013) before the cameras of Sky I visited the Emirates Riverside to watch the game against Leicestershire who had beaten Durham when they visited Grace Road, the only other game to that at Chesterfield in the competition this season I have not attended. The ground looked ready for the Internationals with new blue seats behind the right hand side of the wicket and with each seat spring loaded. Members were moved again to the new extension because their lounge was being used for the Bunbury annual dinner with the festival taking place at the University race course ground Durham City with the youngsters accommodated at the University where the students had already gone down. Participants, all under 15 years of age play in one of four teams North, South and West, Midlands, and London and East. Over 50 of these young men have gone on to play for an England II with the most successful youngsters being taken up as members of the ECB Young development Team.
I was still suffering from the strain ( hopefully nothing more serious) in my left side from over vigorous exercise using the Sports Wii. Anchored to a comfortable seat I therefore did not attempt to make use of the free coffee or tea available to members until 5.30. Durham had the kind of start others have and against them this season taking the first two wickets in two balls (Rushworth) with the total on ten and third at 16 also Rushworth with Onions getting the 4th and Pringle 5th with the total only 55, the match appeared to be over. Thakor 42 put up great resistance taking the visitors to 119, with a total over 100 appearing unlikely at one point. Rushworth 3 for 19 and Stokes 2 for 27 were excellent, Durham appeared to falter when Mustard went when the total was only 5 and a mini collapse also when the score was in the 50’s appeared to level the game with Durham 56 for 5. However Stokes 41 not out with Alan Breese 24 also not out when the required runs were achieved at the end of the 18th over and Durham could prepare for another crucial game on the Sunday. Rain had been forecast for around 8pm and potentially heavy which could have ended the match and competition as Durham was behind on the Duckworth Lewis rating at that point.
On Sunday afternoon Durham played Derbyshire, having won against them at Chesterfield the previous weekend. Derbyshire won the toss and asked Durham to bat and all four openers did well with Stonman 47, Mustard 24, Borthwick 31 and Muchall 66 which included four fours and three sixes, so 187 for 3 seemed strong enough to defeat the best the visitors could do. I was right and I was able to leave early as the opponents crashed out for 150 in the 19th over.
But I considered this to be all in vain as Durham lost the opportunity of going through second as Yorkshire. Were again pathetic against Notts who won the division and Lancashire who came second and with Root, Bairstow and Bresnan tied up with the national squad I believe Yorkshire’s disastrous showing in the one day games will impact on their hopes of winning the County Championship in their 150th year leaving Durham, Sussex and Middlesex the most likely contenders for the 2013 season title.
I therefore had no confidence that struggling Gloucestershire would be able to beat Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens Cardiff. The game was not shown on TV which concentrated on whether Somerset or Warwickshire would be come the second automatic qualifier in the Midlands and South West Division. Somerset succeeded leaving the hosts for the final out of the competition.
I therefore listened on the Internet to the vital game from the Durham perspective having established that in fact if Gloucestershire won Durham would go through rather than have to wait to see if four teams rather than three gained more points in the Southern Division and which appeared more than likely. However the rules refer to the two best third placed teams.
Because of the tension I made a record of each ball, over and run rate and the significant aspect was that Glamorgan only achieved double figure runs in five of their 20 overs with two making only 3 runs, 2 four and 3 five that 23 runs in 8 overs so that even the final flourish with 11, 10,7 12, 7 and 14 took them just to 141 leaving the visitors a comfortable seven runs an over to achieve and which did not require heroic hitting especially after they had a magnificent start getting over 50 runs in the batting power play, losing only Dent when the total was out at 66. Klinger batted through for 86 just as Allenby had done for Glamorgan with 85. The difference was the pace of scoring with Gloucester winning in 16.3 overs.
Durham joined the three divisional leaders, Northampton, Nottingham and Hampshire who will have home ties together with the best placed second team which came from the remaining fixtures this evening. Essex were overall poor at home to Surrey giving Surrey the home draw arranged for 4pm in a week’s time. I had hoped that Durham would come out of the hat for this match but they have drawn against Northants for 7pm game on the same night.
I spent part of the evening checking out travel possibilities so I have decided to try and go to the game if I can arrange for a ticket to be collected at the box office. The plan is to travel from London to Northampton by train on the day and book in at the central Travel Lodge where I have already made a reservation which can be cancelled if I cannot arrange a ticket. While Notts have already announced their ticket arrangements the others have not with the line to Durham engaged, I have registered with the Northampton club although I assume tickets will be available only to their Members the first instance. This proved correct for today but everyone can go on line tomorrow or by phone. My first task before setting off for Lords.
My plan will be to place the case in left luggage at Kings Cross on the Tuesday only taking the Sleep Apnoea Treatment machine and overnight bag to Northampton. Euston where East central train depart.
It has been mixed fortunes in other sporting respects with a British driver winning a Formula 1 race, Warrington losing in a Rugby League Challenge Cup semi Final, the World Diving and Swimming championships are taking place and the weekend marked the first anniversary of the start of the Olympic Games. I begin the round up with sight of the Olympic Park as it take is new shape as a permanent legacy.
On reflection I was glad I had found out too late to get tickets for the anniversary games as if I had been successful I would have not considered going back to London for the important cricket game between Middlesex and Durham at Lords had I not decided to remain for the second week. I would have also been disappointed if I had obtained a ticket for Friday evening preferring the Sonly Sunday when the Paralympics were commemorated.
In the event I enjoyed the repeat of the opening ceremony on BBC TV 4 appreciating more of the content previous even though I have viewed the ceremony again on DVD as well as highlights from the both games together with the closing ceremony of the Paralympics which I was able to attend. There was also an excellent programme about the games legacy and which included Sir Christ Hoy on his named stadium which is to be sued for the Commonwealth games in Scotland next year and to the famous Rangers Football stadium which is being converted as the Athletics stadium by raising the height of the pitch over the height of a tall person to create the right area.
The three programmes Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday afternoons attempted to recapture the spirit of last year with brief reminders of all the great Olympic triumphs and the appearance trackside on in the event studio of some of those who were successful. However the athletics event was something of a disappointment because with the World Championships two weeks away many of the top performers were holding fire until then and this included Greg Rutherford (injured) and Dai Green, Jessica Judd and Delano Williams and Jessica Ennis was trying out in two events after injury with the outcome that she has decided not to go to the Worlds because of the lack of preparation. On Sunday there was a better showing from the Paralympians with the highlight the reappearance of David Weir unsure if he wished to compete again in Rio and enjoying family life and the accompanying fame of his success he opted not to go to the World event but was determined to come and put on a show for the fans at the Olympic Park. Johnny Peacock had a rare experience of coming third beaten by his closest rival with a single blade and up against someone with two in a combined categorisation.
In two weeks time I have to decide about applying for tickets for the Commonwealth games and then accommodation.
In my summary I forgot to mention that Sunderland along with Spurs and Man City competed in the Asian Cup in Hong Kong. Spurs played Sunderland without Bale who Real Madrid want for many tens of millions. There was a horrendous downpour which would have prevented any play in the UK given the poor drainage facilities but both managers agreed not to disappoint the crowd and the condition proved a great leveller with Sunderland winning 3.1. The final with Man City was a different affair and although they lost Sunderland performance was creditable. Cissi of Newcastle expressed concern about the Wonga shirt suggesting perhaps he was also looking for a move as he as seen gambling in a casino according to one newspaper. However he played and scored wearing the sponsored shirt so it looks as if this problem as been solved. The Newcastle Manager with an eight year contract has had to deal with the appointment of Joe Kinnear, the previous Manager who had a heart attack returning to the club as Director of Football.
Lewis Hamilton had his first win with his new team Mercedes and their team boss Ross Brawn on Sunday in the Hungarian Grand Prix. And now to bed and sleep and the morning hopefully a ticket for Quarter Final Durham
Sunday week while I was in the Midlands Durham won against Derby at Chesterfield by 4 wickets getting 137 required with one over and four balls to go. Smith taking 1 wicket for 9 runs from his 3 overs and Onions giving only 20 runs from his 4 and Rushworth 2 for 29 from his 4 all contributed to keeping the score to around 7 an over. Durham were 36 for four at one point but Stokes 46 and Muchall 37 rescued as they have several times this season and Durham had won three of the last four games and if they won their last two games at home they were in with a shout if other results went their way.
On Thursday evening 25th July (2013) before the cameras of Sky I visited the Emirates Riverside to watch the game against Leicestershire who had beaten Durham when they visited Grace Road, the only other game to that at Chesterfield in the competition this season I have not attended. The ground looked ready for the Internationals with new blue seats behind the right hand side of the wicket and with each seat spring loaded. Members were moved again to the new extension because their lounge was being used for the Bunbury annual dinner with the festival taking place at the University race course ground Durham City with the youngsters accommodated at the University where the students had already gone down. Participants, all under 15 years of age play in one of four teams North, South and West, Midlands, and London and East. Over 50 of these young men have gone on to play for an England II with the most successful youngsters being taken up as members of the ECB Young development Team.
I was still suffering from the strain ( hopefully nothing more serious) in my left side from over vigorous exercise using the Sports Wii. Anchored to a comfortable seat I therefore did not attempt to make use of the free coffee or tea available to members until 5.30. Durham had the kind of start others have and against them this season taking the first two wickets in two balls (Rushworth) with the total on ten and third at 16 also Rushworth with Onions getting the 4th and Pringle 5th with the total only 55, the match appeared to be over. Thakor 42 put up great resistance taking the visitors to 119, with a total over 100 appearing unlikely at one point. Rushworth 3 for 19 and Stokes 2 for 27 were excellent, Durham appeared to falter when Mustard went when the total was only 5 and a mini collapse also when the score was in the 50’s appeared to level the game with Durham 56 for 5. However Stokes 41 not out with Alan Breese 24 also not out when the required runs were achieved at the end of the 18th over and Durham could prepare for another crucial game on the Sunday. Rain had been forecast for around 8pm and potentially heavy which could have ended the match and competition as Durham was behind on the Duckworth Lewis rating at that point.
On Sunday afternoon Durham played Derbyshire, having won against them at Chesterfield the previous weekend. Derbyshire won the toss and asked Durham to bat and all four openers did well with Stonman 47, Mustard 24, Borthwick 31 and Muchall 66 which included four fours and three sixes, so 187 for 3 seemed strong enough to defeat the best the visitors could do. I was right and I was able to leave early as the opponents crashed out for 150 in the 19th over.
But I considered this to be all in vain as Durham lost the opportunity of going through second as Yorkshire. Were again pathetic against Notts who won the division and Lancashire who came second and with Root, Bairstow and Bresnan tied up with the national squad I believe Yorkshire’s disastrous showing in the one day games will impact on their hopes of winning the County Championship in their 150th year leaving Durham, Sussex and Middlesex the most likely contenders for the 2013 season title.
I therefore had no confidence that struggling Gloucestershire would be able to beat Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens Cardiff. The game was not shown on TV which concentrated on whether Somerset or Warwickshire would be come the second automatic qualifier in the Midlands and South West Division. Somerset succeeded leaving the hosts for the final out of the competition.
I therefore listened on the Internet to the vital game from the Durham perspective having established that in fact if Gloucestershire won Durham would go through rather than have to wait to see if four teams rather than three gained more points in the Southern Division and which appeared more than likely. However the rules refer to the two best third placed teams.
Because of the tension I made a record of each ball, over and run rate and the significant aspect was that Glamorgan only achieved double figure runs in five of their 20 overs with two making only 3 runs, 2 four and 3 five that 23 runs in 8 overs so that even the final flourish with 11, 10,7 12, 7 and 14 took them just to 141 leaving the visitors a comfortable seven runs an over to achieve and which did not require heroic hitting especially after they had a magnificent start getting over 50 runs in the batting power play, losing only Dent when the total was out at 66. Klinger batted through for 86 just as Allenby had done for Glamorgan with 85. The difference was the pace of scoring with Gloucester winning in 16.3 overs.
Durham joined the three divisional leaders, Northampton, Nottingham and Hampshire who will have home ties together with the best placed second team which came from the remaining fixtures this evening. Essex were overall poor at home to Surrey giving Surrey the home draw arranged for 4pm in a week’s time. I had hoped that Durham would come out of the hat for this match but they have drawn against Northants for 7pm game on the same night.
I spent part of the evening checking out travel possibilities so I have decided to try and go to the game if I can arrange for a ticket to be collected at the box office. The plan is to travel from London to Northampton by train on the day and book in at the central Travel Lodge where I have already made a reservation which can be cancelled if I cannot arrange a ticket. While Notts have already announced their ticket arrangements the others have not with the line to Durham engaged, I have registered with the Northampton club although I assume tickets will be available only to their Members the first instance. This proved correct for today but everyone can go on line tomorrow or by phone. My first task before setting off for Lords.
My plan will be to place the case in left luggage at Kings Cross on the Tuesday only taking the Sleep Apnoea Treatment machine and overnight bag to Northampton. Euston where East central train depart.
It has been mixed fortunes in other sporting respects with a British driver winning a Formula 1 race, Warrington losing in a Rugby League Challenge Cup semi Final, the World Diving and Swimming championships are taking place and the weekend marked the first anniversary of the start of the Olympic Games. I begin the round up with sight of the Olympic Park as it take is new shape as a permanent legacy.
On reflection I was glad I had found out too late to get tickets for the anniversary games as if I had been successful I would have not considered going back to London for the important cricket game between Middlesex and Durham at Lords had I not decided to remain for the second week. I would have also been disappointed if I had obtained a ticket for Friday evening preferring the Sonly Sunday when the Paralympics were commemorated.
In the event I enjoyed the repeat of the opening ceremony on BBC TV 4 appreciating more of the content previous even though I have viewed the ceremony again on DVD as well as highlights from the both games together with the closing ceremony of the Paralympics which I was able to attend. There was also an excellent programme about the games legacy and which included Sir Christ Hoy on his named stadium which is to be sued for the Commonwealth games in Scotland next year and to the famous Rangers Football stadium which is being converted as the Athletics stadium by raising the height of the pitch over the height of a tall person to create the right area.
The three programmes Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday afternoons attempted to recapture the spirit of last year with brief reminders of all the great Olympic triumphs and the appearance trackside on in the event studio of some of those who were successful. However the athletics event was something of a disappointment because with the World Championships two weeks away many of the top performers were holding fire until then and this included Greg Rutherford (injured) and Dai Green, Jessica Judd and Delano Williams and Jessica Ennis was trying out in two events after injury with the outcome that she has decided not to go to the Worlds because of the lack of preparation. On Sunday there was a better showing from the Paralympians with the highlight the reappearance of David Weir unsure if he wished to compete again in Rio and enjoying family life and the accompanying fame of his success he opted not to go to the World event but was determined to come and put on a show for the fans at the Olympic Park. Johnny Peacock had a rare experience of coming third beaten by his closest rival with a single blade and up against someone with two in a combined categorisation.
In two weeks time I have to decide about applying for tickets for the Commonwealth games and then accommodation.
In my summary I forgot to mention that Sunderland along with Spurs and Man City competed in the Asian Cup in Hong Kong. Spurs played Sunderland without Bale who Real Madrid want for many tens of millions. There was a horrendous downpour which would have prevented any play in the UK given the poor drainage facilities but both managers agreed not to disappoint the crowd and the condition proved a great leveller with Sunderland winning 3.1. The final with Man City was a different affair and although they lost Sunderland performance was creditable. Cissi of Newcastle expressed concern about the Wonga shirt suggesting perhaps he was also looking for a move as he as seen gambling in a casino according to one newspaper. However he played and scored wearing the sponsored shirt so it looks as if this problem as been solved. The Newcastle Manager with an eight year contract has had to deal with the appointment of Joe Kinnear, the previous Manager who had a heart attack returning to the club as Director of Football.
Lewis Hamilton had his first win with his new team Mercedes and their team boss Ross Brawn on Sunday in the Hungarian Grand Prix. And now to bed and sleep and the morning hopefully a ticket for Quarter Final Durham
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