1749 Durham win through

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.

1747 Women's Cricket World Cup Twentry Twenty Formula 1.

Sunday morning was glorious, sunny and warm. There was no inclination to continue with the unpacking and sorting out. The new plantings had not only survive the absence of watering for a week but looked established and beginning to flower. I enjoyed the examination and added the repainting of the walls as an important task before the next trips, possibly, I commenced some writing but my attention went to the Women’s 20 20 Final at Lords. The team has benefited from a professional support structure and the provision of national contracts. The team has two or three seasoned professionals and number of younger woman in their early twenties.

Winning the toss England elected to field and the New Zealand ladies found themselves no match and were dismissed for 85 runs. The total was reached with three overs to spare and the loss of only four wickets. It was pleasing to see some of the old men of Lords sporting their ties and some their blazer clapping enthusiastically. I am no fan of Durham’s Paul Collingwood who has not performed well for either Country or County Club over the past two years and I hope he and his team mates were watching the ladies show how to be world champions. Moreover this is no fluke as they became one champions earlier in the year. This Summer they also face the Australians and can be expected to put a better showing then the men. I meet even go to see them if they are appearing in Yorkshire. Alas the closest game is at Derby.

After the food extravaganza of the previous days it was back to cereal and coffee for breakfast and three rolls with salami and coleslaw for lunch. It was then time for the Formula ! Race at Silverstone. Although there was a hundred thousand crowd there was an air of disappointment. Lewis Hamilton continues to struggle with his car this year and had failed to make the first cut in the times trials and was therefore relegated to the last five on the grid. This was not unexpected, The real disappointment was that Jenson Button was having difficulty with his car and the tyres in particular, He could not make the first two rows of the grid and was down in sixth, the position in which he finished the race gaining only three points but still has an excellent lead over his team mate Barichello who finished in their position and gained 3 points on his team mate. The Red Bull team came first and second and therefore improved their position in relation to the World Driver’s championship with Vetell now only 2 points behind in third position.
It had been my intention to go for a walk in the afternoon as it was such a fine day but I came over tired and relaxed and then remembered that it was the final apart of the radio adaptation of the Wilkie Collins dramatic adventure story Armadale. I had heard the second part on the Sunday afternoon while travelling to Oxford after my lunchtime stop. Wilkie was a friend and collaborator with Dickens and gained an international following for his writing, 27 novels, 15 plays and one hundred other pieces of non fiction as well as short stories. His best known works are The Moonstone and The Woman in White. Twenty five film versions of the two books have been created in the UK, the USA, Russia, France, Italy and Germany.

Armadale is a convoluted tale. It si the story of two cousins who in law are in fact called Allan Armadale although this is never known to either oft hem and where the life of both becomes threatened and one dangerously so by the behaviour of a scheming adventuress Lydia Gwilt who acts as the narrator of the story in the radio adaptation and who is honest about her Machiavellian nature and her ability to use her beauty and sexual allure to bend most men to her will. That the work was published in 1866 and is therefore extraordinary because of its portrayal such a scheming and fundamentally evil woman, although she meets an appropriate untimely end..

I therefore did not set off for my walk until 4 and fund that the Durham Light Infantry Band had appeared at the Amphitheatre between 2 and 4. I walked back beach side have cut through the park. The small railway was doing good business with 25 customers at £1 a time for the double circuit around the lake. The bikers continue to take over the kiosk cafe and there was much evidence of young men in small fast cars trying to attract the attending of the pairs of young woman also out on the prowl. Some enterprising person or group has established a bicycle rickshaw type of service charging £1.50 a journey with the marketing approach of being Eco Friendly. It is not clear what this compromises because in addition to going back and forth the length of the beachside roadway open only to local authority vehicles and those using the Beach holiday chalets the two drivers were seen taking parties through the park and long Ocean Road. I decided not to linger as I wanted to watch the end of the Men’s Twenty Twenty final.

In the evening I watched a DVD of Wall-E the 2008 computer animated science fiction film about a robot left on earth to help clear up the junk left behind as humans have set off in a giant space cruisers in the hope that the earth becomes habitable again one day.

The entire population become satisfied with their life on the cruisers not realising that the plan of to clean up earth had filed and that they are destined to spend their future on board and do so for generation after generation for 700 years until the 22nd millennium is approaching. Wall E as the last robot is able to regenerate himself with spare parts he collects through his work as well as creating an Aladdin’s cave of reminders of past human life including a solar powered TV playing video’s of musicals. From which he learns about the relationships between human being and hankers for not being alone.

Periodically a space cruiser lands back on or near earth and sends out a probe to test for sign s that human life can be sustained and in this instance the probe is essentially a feminine creation and when Wall E rescues her from a dust storm into the truck he uses as shelter and store and shows her the plant he has found. She Stores this to take back but the impact deactivated her which distresses Wall-E, When the probe ship returns to collect her Wall clings to the vessel which returns to the Flagship liner. Wall E gets upset when he thinks she is being hurt rather than repaired and he also rescue the plant when it is take by the robot computer which directs everything had reminds of Hal in 1001 who is programme to act in a way eventually destructive to the humans in preventing them from returning to earth. His defence is however well intentioned because they having become obese from and endless and continuous life of being moves around automatically without walking and an artificial food diet which had weakened their bone structure. Fortunately their captain has grit, of the character kind not that which has overrun earth and together with Wall E and Eve, Eva the Robot is defeated and the plant is used to stimulate everyone into abandoning their life style and beginning the process of adapting to earth with a breathable atmosphere in which they can grow plants and farm.

It is therefore a film designed add tot he education of young people about the need for a healthy life style and to protect the natural resources of the planet. However I think it is a difficult film for young people to understand and enjoy. It a sound effects masterpiece as well as visual studio creation.

1740 A cricket match in retrospect

Just as the political week as has been uniquely volatile Durham’s cricket match against Lancashire has been extraordinary. The weather, the players and the course of the game all contributed to a memorable three days which I was able to enjoy alongside preparations for my next trip.

When I opened the curtains, metaphorically, speaking, as I had not drawn those in the workroom the night before or opened those in the bedroom, there was a cloudless blue sky above the hill, although it felt chilly. I had become anxious about attending the cricket and prepare for my trip, although I have become nervous about leaving the security of my home and going away on my own, although in this instance I will be having contact with family at various times. At least I am venturing away more during this seventieth year and consider that I manage well once I am on the road, train, or coach.

On Thursday, now a week ago, I accomplished the planned tasks for the morning to arrive at the ground and park within a few minutes of the commencement. Finding that the wicket was even closer to the Member’s Pavilion I made my way around to the opposite corner and found a good seat and then only discovered that I was within feet of a Sky Camera team. It was soon evident why they were in attendance. Freddie Flintoff, England’s most well known all round player and match winner since Ian Botham in the 1980’s and who had been injured having a knee operation was playing his first competitive game, in preparation for the Australia Ashes tour after the 20 20 competition is completed. I found this irritating because both Graham Onions, who had been selected for the Tests against the West Indies and Steve Harmison who is a centrally contracted with the national cricket board have improved in their accuracy and wicket taking and as bowlers should have as good a chance as Freddie of being selected along with the class act of English born Saj Mahmood for Lancashire.

Having won the toss Lancashire put Durham into bat, concerned at the reputed liveliness of the wicket and the recent reputation of Graham Onions and Steve Harmison. Lancashire did not open with Flintoff but their opening pair, especially Mahmood did find that the pitch did more than live up to their expectation, even anticipation. There was a variable speed reaction as well as swing into or away from the batsman denting on which players were left and right handed and this meant that sometimes the ball bounced up more sharply than expected, especially from the over six foot bowlers, or it was not only flat but stayed low so that in these circumstances there was risk to skying into the air a rising ball or giving a nick to the wicket keeper or one of the fielders in the slips, standing back in quarter circle alongside the wicket keeper.

Few in the crowd including the Sky front man with his camera understood this until the captains and players explained what was happening as the match progressed over the three days which it lasted. On that morning the fireworks commenced with the second ball of the first spell by Mr Flintoff who came on to bowl around midday.

Durham had made a slow but good start until then. And the loss of the wicket looked to be a hiccup as the total reached 84 when first Smith who had played within his shell was out followed instantly by Stoneman who had scored 45, and Durham appeared to be in trouble. There then followed a series of mini stands as the wicket appeared to play up and Lancashire shared wicket taking between their bowlers with Muchall going at 117, Blackwell at 143 for 20, Blenkenstein for 166 and Thorp at 172 for 4, I thought Saj Mahmood was their better bowler although while he ended 2 for 62 it was Flintoff who attracted the attention with 4 wickets for 47 from 15.5 overs.

The day ended early for me as it had not been for a comfortable day watching cricket in the open air. Alas the problem was that while the sky was clear on the hill, there was evidence of changeable cloud once on the flat was reached as I left town and approached the start of the AIM towards Washington and Chester Le Street. The first shower was limited but I hastened to the Member’s lounge after lunch when I took a seat close to where a former colleague was sitting, discovered as he returned from his lunch taken inside the lounge.

Out on the second and back row of the Member’s undercover balcony first two Executive looking men with Durham ties. and then a young man in his twenties sat in the row in front of me and asked if Flintoff had yet bowled so were relayed what had happened in the morning. They were rewarded by a short spell of another four overs where he had not looked as comfortable in his first.

There was a second interruption for rain and the when the third offered and the skies looked dreadful I made my way to the car and drove home to watch England play South Africa in the next round of the 20 20 competition. Alas his interest was short lived as we lost two quick wickets and it was evident what was going to happen. True to form we lost the game in those disastrous opening moments. We had lost two of the opening games and I blamed Durham’s Collingwood.

The previous evening I had watched a competent and professional English Team whack Andora six nil with three goals in each half. Andora a poor team, even more poor than on previous encounters when we had struggled to score through an energetic packed defence. The sixty thousand crowd enjoyed the event, despite a strike on the Underground which caused travel chaos with Wembley forced to offer a return of the ticket money for those who would find the problem getting from Wembley to the main line and regional station for connections home difficult to impossible, especially with children going to school in the following morning. I have been to Andorra, one year camping on the south coast of France before moving on to sites on either side of the Spanish Border. The Mistral had arrived sweeping in sand dust into every area of the tent. The decision had been taken to pack overnight stuff and head off to Andorra where in the warm sunshine, and a hotel bed was taken for the evening without pre-booking. The tiny kingdom had a population of over 50000 when I visited but today has grown to 80000 similar to South Shields but here the similarities vanish as the citizen are wealthy from tourism and from the operations as tax heaven The weather is such that the population is renowned having the best average death age in the world, believe it or not it is 85 years.

The Andorrans, in addition to providing a football team of part timers to compete in World and European competitions where they always lose, have now produced their first Opera singer to compete in the Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. Each evening this week five male and female singers have competed to win an award on the night and then five singers were selected for the final on Sunday. Tonight a twenty-one year old Italian tenor Giordano won and went through to the final as the favourite to win the competition which surprisingly no Italian tenor has won before. He has the most beautiful tender and expressive voice I have ever heard. He does not yet speak English but when he said his ambition is to become one of the great Italian singers those of us hearing him thought, but you already are. He has not yet developed the power and strength of someone such as Pavarotti but it was evident he will. My only concern that as with other famous tenors tenor including Mario Lanza and Pavarotti he has developed his upper body to such an extent that his future health must be of concern. He is the youngest competitor so that the others in the final have had time for their voices to mature. It was evident from the response of the audience and the orchestra that they also recognised being at the birth of a new international superstar who will one day perform the great roles in New York, London and Rome as the other great Opera House of the world. Giordano Luca, remember that name.

At the end of the first day Durham had reached just over 200 for eight wickets and with Mustard and Claydon putting on another mi stand of some 30 runs

The following morning given the chill and watery weather of the previous day and the need to make further preparations for the trip I decided to stay home and considered going to the match according to the commentary on the internet. I decided to take up the offer of a mini cooked breakfast in the town centre

The previous day I had received four vouchers for breakfasts which I thought were from the town centre McDonalds which has distributed similar vouchers in the past, usually for any time available after 10.30 so were used for lunch. These were for use before 10.30 and an early waking after a good sleep and a bright sky once more, I went off into town noting there was no cooling wind. It was good to be out and I enjoyed the walk down the hill only to realise as I arrived that the vouchers were for the Kentucky Fried Chicken. I had planned to take the week’s household refuse and the environmental recycle box of papers, cans and glass on my way to the match, but now decided to combine this with the planned breakfast treat. I had a brisk walk back up the hill which served me well and then set off without preparing any food or drink to take with me.

The chosen treat at the KFC was a mini breakfast comprising scrambled egg, a small sausage sliced in two, two small pieces of bacon, a hash brown, baked beans and a cheesy bread with a coffee for £1.89. I eat this at leisure, visited the Council refuse site and then made my way to the Riverside where the only problem was that the car park machine nearest the vehicle was not working.

It was evident that the good weather and batting performance on a difficult wicket had attracted a larger crowd, one of the best for a championship match so far, including more visitors from Lancashire who were making a weekend of it. In fact there had been more play the previous evening as Blackwell made something of a stand with Mitch Claydon. He was out before close but the total had been taken to over 200 and reached 244 before the last two wickets fells in two overs to Freddie Flintoff making his total a respectable four for forty seven from 15.5 overs. Phil Mustard had reached 51 and then tried to hook a bouncer giving an easy catch to the outfield. Not knowing about the uneven performance of the wicket I thought he had played a poor shot in circumstances where he could have gained another batting bonus point with six more runs.

What then happened made Durham’s Day and created disappointment for Lancashire and the visiting fans. Onions had Horton caught behind for 0 after 4 byes had been scored. The player stayed behind even after the umpire signalled suggesting that he thought he had not touched the ball. This also happened with one of the other openers who had admittedly moved forward towards the ball which always makes it difficult to give a leg before wicket decision to the bowler. Graham Onions had the first three wickets at 4, 34 and 37. Meanwhile Steve Harmison and bowled in a very controlled fashion with four maidens in the opening spell and several overs where only one or two runs were scored against him. It was twelve thirty when I decided I need to follow up breakfast with a cup of tea and having acquired this and settled at table to drink I was rewarded with the second and third Onions wicket and Harmison also got one before lunch with Lancs 48 for 4.

Immediately after lunch Flintoff who had looked as if he was settling was cleaned bowled by Harmison for 3 and Lancashire were 56 for 5. They then had a mini stand so feeling hungry I went up stairs once more and bought a chicken sandwich with sweet pepper and mayonnaise which cost as much as a hot meal elsewhere £3.95 and was tempted by a bottle of Peroni and £2.50. Ouch. However I was rewarded by two further wickets with Mitch Claydon getting Sutton for 21 and then the next ball dismissing the Lancs’ captain for a quack quack.. There was a further mini mini stand before the last wickets fell and they were all out for 116 giving Durham a lead of 128. Had we got those extra runs the morning Lancs could be on their way out again to bat. Tea was taken and I had to leave to commenced preparations for my trip. I missed the high drama which followed. Both Onions and Harmison as had Flintoff took 4 wickets in the respective first innings.

Flintoff had again opening the bowling with Di Venuto for 0 at 0, Mahmood then got Stoneman for 2 when the total was 2. 2 for 2. Captain Will Smith went of 1 so 3 for 3. Blenkenstein went when the total was ten. Then was then the first of two crucial rallies with Muchall getting 18 so they total became 40 for 5, and with Mustard going cheaply for 7 nit had became and worryingly 57 for six before Ian Blackwell, the last recognised batsman arrive at the crease and together with bowler Graham Thorp doubled the total so that the day ended at 122 for six and therefore Durham were 250 ahead which on this wicket was probably unattainable.

On Saturday I was well organised on what promised to be a hot day and I was on my way to the Kentucky Fried Chicken for a breakfast of a filled Ciabatta with sausage and cheese for free, paying only for the coffee at under £1.20. I found myself a seat at the back at the end of an aisle looking towards the end of the wicket from the close to the media and education centre building. Durham did not survive the morning for as long or as well as I had hoped.

Despite the breakfast around 9.30 come 11.30 I was eating two of the prepared rolls and then went to the flask for some coffee. Clumsily I dropped in such a fashion that the inside smashed and pierced the outer shell dripping coffee in increasing quantity. I hastily moved it onto the nearby gravel and then placed in a waste bin. I had a supply of paper towels in the bag which were used to mop the spilt coffee around my seat. I then went to the lounge for a coffee and engaged in conversation with a visitor from Lancashire who appeared eager to chat about our respective clubs, So I did this while the remaining Durham wickets fell with Blackwell reaching 75 and Thorp 24. The total was 145 which meant that Lancs had get 274 to win, surely impossible. Mahmood had taken six wickets.
I should not have had any doubts as Steve Harmison produced a world class performance taking the first four wickets leaving Lancs 63 for four and then Onion got in on the act getting rid of Flintoff, caught behind off his first ball and they were 64 for 5. There was resistance and in those looking back brief moments there was tension in the crowd remembering the way Yorkshire, Somerset and Sussex had thwarted. Lancs eventually capitulated to 144 and Durham had won by over 100 runs and would head the championship table as a consequence, however briefly. Steve had taken 5 wickets in total for 46 and match figures of nine for 74, his best match results for many a year, given the quality of the batsmen he had dismissed. Mahmood had taken 8 for 92 which was exceptional. Similarly Onions for Durham had taken 7 for 68 which together with his performance in the previous match should again alert the Test selectors who were present.

Durham, with two wins and three draws now have 72 points with Lancs who have played a similar number of games with 58 a lead of 14 points. However Notts who are second and have a game in hand were only 6 points behind won, so did Sussex and Somerset beat Yorks which is like Newcastle losing to Sunderland supporters. These were important first wins of the season for Sussex and Somerset who had lost 1 and drawn three as they were in danger of being fixed at lower end of he table with newly added Worcestershire who were having a dreadful start having lost 4 and only drawn one of their games to date. Given that there are 13 more matches to play no one can predict the outcome although Notts with 3 wins from 5 should be there fighting to win the championship and so should Durham. It was a good start for what was in effect a holiday week and I made my way to Sunderland before returning home, to fill the car with petrol and to buy a new Thermos flask. There was to be a bright flash of lightening, a vicious clap of Thunder and a short intense spell of torrential rain before the day ended, however.

1738 Sport, Sport and more Sport

This Saturday became a good day, I wanted to write this morning but I did not write well or communicate what I wanted to say. I needed to think through more than the time I allowed myself. I wrote under a self imposed pressure. I had looked forward to day at cricket in the sun but the weather forecast was of rain and cold. It was cold but there was some sun here over the Tyne River mouth but when I checked Riverside play was delayed because of the overnight/ rain with an inspection at 11.30am. There was time to complete the writing, accepting as it was, far short of what I set out to achieve.

I eat lunch, granary rolls, divided, covered with spread, meats and coleslaw, after ironing the hand washed and garage dried shirts and tumble dried tracksuit bottoms I wear in the house. I watched Jenson Button come second in the three stage speed trials of their vehicles. The suspicion is that the Red Bull car had less fuel so as to drive away faster at the start and create a sufficient lead not to lose position when he has to stop to refuel several laps before the two Braun vehicles in second and third position of the grid. The rain affected the games everywhere with the 20 20 match between New Zealand and Scotland restricted to seven overs..

I made my way to Riverside taking coffee and pastry which I consumed on arrival sitting in the coldish sun in corner overlooking the wicket. Durham won the toss and elected to field and for once this proved to be a brilliant decision for with Onions on form an Harmison bowling tight Hampshire lost a wicket and then scored at the rate of one or two an over compared to seven to nine in the 20 20 version. By the time I arrive at he ground Hampshire had lost three more wickets and had been 26 for 4 at one point with Graham Onions claiming three, Thorp the other.

Young Mitch Claydon was brought on and took two wickets with his first two balls. Harmison came on terrifying the lower order in submission taking the last four wicket so that the visitors were all out for 105 with Onion 3 for 22 from 19, Harmison 4 for 43 from 17.4 and Claydon 2 for 20 from 5. Thorp I for 16 from 9. De Vento looked in good touch before he was caught of a big hit straight to a fielder for 7 and then Stone taking the lead with Smith added 70 before Stoneman went for 44 with Durham 2 for 84, only 21 behind and Smith after a shaky start 21. Hopefully tomorrow if the weather is good Smith will overcome the early seam and the strong order to come of Benkenstein, Blackwell and Mustard will be able to take the total into the 300’s.

Having consumed the coffee and pastry on arrival I went for a warm at tea and stayed getting a seat behind glass for the evening session. Attention was diverted from time to time to one of the two TV’s as England were away in a World Cup preparatory league game in Kazakhstan winning 4.0, although they had a poor first half in which the 2.0 lead flattered according to subsequent commentators, but after the Holland humiliation in the 20 20 any kind of a win was a win. However the attention of the many in the lounge was for. On the other screen in which the West Indian Gayle hit 50 of 23 balls including several powerful sixes one out of the ground after hitting the roof of at least 105 metres. There was great delight as they went on to thrash Australia by 7 wickets. To celebrate I enjoyed a cream scone with jam.

Back home I watched Robin Hood before the evening meal of a ham omelette and half the fresh pineapple and coffee. For supper there was a bowl of cereal. The before ten there was the event which made the day memorable form a good. A programme celebrating the life and work of T S Elliot the author of the waste Land, the Four Quartets and the Cocktail Party verse play.

On Sunday although I rose early and started to prepare for the second day at Riverside the focus of my attention was on the Andrew Marr Show and some revealing disclosures by Lord Mandelson, the new First Secretary and effective Deputy Leader and Deputy Prime Minister alongside Harriet Harman the elected Deputy Leader and Leader of the House Commons, but not given the title Deputy by the Prime Minister although she answers Questions in his absence and is in charge of the operation of the House of Commons.

The consequence was that I arrived a little late after play had commenced but was able to get a seat behind glass at the far end of the member’s lounge and with one of the two TV screens at that end of the room . It was cold but sunny when I left the Tyne but within a matter of minutes the skies were full of dark clouds and in the mile leading to the ground it was evident there had been a drenching earlier. It was not the say to sit out in the open if it could be avoided.


Durham followed the pattern of the brief Hampshire Innings concentrating on survival on a difficult wicket with the consequence of an average of two runs an over. What a contrast to the hot sunshine and entertainment of a week ago. It was struggle for the lovers of the game and the knowledge that captain Smith and former Captain Beckenstein were building an innings which could move the game in Durham’s favour. Blenkenstein was out just before lunch for 22 and Durham were 140 for three. After lunch Smith went into his shell as Ian Blackwell, also due a good personal score appeared to take the lead. The defensiveness was his undoing being bowled leg before wicket when he was 80 and the Durham score 191 for 4. Mustard had a short scoring period while Blackwell was steady to his 50 but went when 68 and Durham were 280 for six. Hopes of getting 350 to 400 began to seem distant. Although Claydon made the effort with 10 Durham were all out for 311, some 206 runs ahead on first innings. Although there had been short bursts of sunshine the day remained cold.

At one the Turkish Grand Prix was underway and I missed the start of the race to find that although still on the first lap Jensen Button was in the lead. Whatever plan Sebastian Vettel had been wrecked by him making a silly mistake. He never recovered and finished third to his Red Bull team who came second. His team mate Barichello stalled on the first and then hit another car in his attempt to catch, He retired after 47 laps and the contrast between the fortunes of the two drivers and their respective vehicles is even greater than ever.

As with the previous day there was further distraction on screen. England had to beat Pakistan Africa in their second 20 20 match in order to continue in the competition. However the remaining overs of the day would be crucial if Durham was to win this match. With the first ball Onion had the opening batsman leg before wicket. John Crawley was then out when the total was 13 and one felt the match was over. In fact after a mini recovery and then the wicket fell and then he night watchman also went and Hampshire were again in the more at 52 for four Harmison has added two more wickets, Thorpe I and Onions 1. The England Innings continued.

Bopara was out early, not unexpected as his run of amazing performance could not be expected to continue. Luke Wright continue to make some excellent strokes but he went for 32. It was Kevin Petersen who became the saviour with 58 but he was supported by others with Shah 38 and Collingwood 15, Mascarenhas with 16 and Foster with 14 were not out and the innings closed at 185 for 8.

I had stayed behind with a small group of other members to watch the closing overs while staff packed up around us and cleared the tables also creating an open area in the middle of the lounge. This was for a local brass band to come an practice. I had got into conversation with several new people. It was another good day especially when on returning home Pakistan were unable to get close to the England total and we progressed to the next stage of this competition.

On Monday I also had to hurry to get to the ground but still arrived after the start of play. I elected to pay only for up to four hours. I was amazed that given the uncertainty of the weather and oft he game so many people had arrived before me. There were more members than either the Saturday or the Sunday. In part this suggested that family commitments present members from coming and that the weather had prevented too many individuals prepared to pay the £15 entry for non members, as well as the counter attractions of other major sporting events available on the television.

The game was won within an hour. The reason was the bowling of Graham Onions where the conditions and the wicket suited him and Hampshire did not know how to successfully respond and in were no mood to attempt to bat themselves in over along period when to get the game over meant they could have an extra day back home with their families. Graham finished with the match bowling figures of nine for eighty runs.

This left with the rest of the day unplanned as well as having the extra day or Wednesday. It would give me time to get up to date in writing and other work if I wished. The weather was different within a distance of a few miles. Cloudy and with a chill wind at Riverside and sunny and warm in sheltered areas in South Shields. I stopped at the Washington service station for a copy of the Journal Newspaper and then eat my packed lunch of three rolls filled with meat and coleslaw. There had only been time for coffee at the game before it ended with Durham winning by an innings and 110 runs. It was one of the most comprehensive victories in the championship of the season to-date and would take Durham to the top of the Championship table for a day or two until the other matches involving Nottingham and Lancashire were complete. Annoyingly the BBC refused to update the table just for one result.

There was one more spectacular development to come as Sri Lanka beat the Australians at Nottingham and thus Australia was eliminated from the rest of the competition. This makes the Ashes contest from July that much more interesting as Australia will be hurting, especially if after England’s tricky start they do well.

There were two irritants which spoiled the rest of the day. I could not log on to the internet from lunch time until late into the evening. According to the service provider there was a maintenance problems which affect the whole town through to Whitburn because of a problem at the exchange. Over a thousand subscribers were affected. I was told the problem was likely to last several hours. Later I was told to try rebooting which meant unplugging everything and leaving for several seconds. This sometimes works with Sky. In this instance it did not and at one point I was told to wait until the morning. However I was able to get online again late evening but when I was too tired to do more than print out the information I wanted on the sporting events and the political situation.

The second is that my super digital car radio CD player as a button which switches between whatever one listening to road condition reports. This is ideal when driving some distance and one wants to avoid traffic hazards and prolonged delays. However it is irritating if one is listening to a disk or radio show. I will take time to learn the system. I had this problem with my mobile where I had pressed the wrong key and put the key board into a predictive writing mood. The result was amusing but irritating until I worked out the problem and cancelled the key in question.

I also watched the last episode of Ashes to Ashes in which a police Inspector has been shot in the head and although the bullet was successfully removed she had developed an infection and had been given a dosage of antibiotics which was hoped would stop the infection but the odds were balanced. She was fighting to live for in school age daughter. In this state she found herself transported back in time to 1981 and 1982 and found herself in a real life office back in time in which she was confronted with a situation of corruption. The focus became the Brinks Matt Bullion robbery which took place in 1985 not 1982 in the TV series. Some £26 million in gold was stolen and never recovered, although some criminals involved were arrested tried and imprisoned. The TV series suggested that senior police and other police officers were involved and stole the money from the thieves who they had set up to do the job. This aspect was subsequently covered up by the police. A young constable, in he film that is, having entered the force full of idealism had been blackmailed into helping out the theft by misleading the good cops about the route taken by the bad cops after they left the scene of the crime having killed both the security guards and the gang undertaking the robbery. It is this policeman who summons back the Inspector through the dimensions of time in order to alter what happened to give him peace. The twist is that in order to do this and bring herself back into the conscious awareness of her actual time she develops a relationship with the detecting chief Inspector responsible for unravelling the situation and he intentionally shoots the Inspector thus facilitating her return to the present time. She wakes up and all appears well. However the Detective Inspector having threatened the life of the Inspector after she told him the truth of her position is accused of her murder and attempts to penetrate her present time consciousness in order to persuade her to come back at that time in order to save him thus potentially leaving her daughter in the present. A new series possibility!