Durham's title hopes boost with Surrey's emphatic Surrey win while the Emirates does England proud

Cricket has continued to dominate my time with the important County Championship game between Durham and Surrey at the Emirates ICG commencing on Thursday August 22^nd 2013 after Yorkshire was well underway against Nottingham and England had commenced the 5^th and final test pf the present Ashes series at the Oval. I have also not reported on the important 4th Test at Durham. Newcastle and Sunderland got off to a disastrous start as the new Premiership season commenced. The weather turned dark and wintry as the weekend progressed although it was possible to watch the first day at Chester Le Street in warmth and sunshine.

I had wondered how the 20 20 defeat on the Final would affect Surrey in their game against Durham at the Emirates which commenced on Thursday August 22^nd yesterday. The weather had looked poor over all this week brightened up as the morning progressed but Surrey remembering what happened in the fourth test and with the cloud cover asked Durham to bat and at first this looked a good move as Stoneman was out for 8 when the total was 9. Jennings then 1 was joined by Borthwick and they batted steadily around 3 runs an over and looked set to reach lunch when Jennings was out for 35 to Treadwell who had also dismissed Stoneman and was the only Surrey bowler who appeared the be a threat to Durham. However by then Borthwick had made a brilliant innings of 135 until falling to a LBW from Treadwell and Borthwick had been ably supported by Scratcher Smith out also LBW to Treadwell for 87 13 short if his century. I was pleased for Smith who played some great strokes and swipes but he appears unable to sustain a good innings into a great one.

Richardson who came in for Stokes called up for England only made 7 so at the close of the first day Collingwood 17 was joined by Harrison 1. Mustard is further down the order than usual after his recent loss of form in the vital 20 20 and the two 40 40 games which Durham lost. Durham are also playing a new man Usman Arshad who captains the second XI one day side and bowls and bats although from the figures I have seen so far he had achieved nothing spectacular but he is young and has shown promise and remembering the success of trying out the 2^nd team spinner Butler in the first game at the Oval last April which I so much enjoyed. Durham were 309 for 6 at the close.

　

On Thursday I sat at the first level but Friday I moved up to the top which enabled a view almost over the wicket and above, perfection as it was a great period of play to watch the Durham bowlers at work. In the morning Durham progressed slowly and lost all rounded Harrison, who replaced Stokes for 10 with the total 331 and then Collingwood who has looked uncomfortable at the wicket recently with the total for 348 but who had managed to achieve 36 which the way the match and weather is progressing are valuable runs. This provided he opportunity for us to see what new man to the team Usman Arshad is made of at a time when with heavy cloud cover it looked as if the ball was starting to move so that every batsman was having to concentrate hard and played defensively especially when Treadwell was bowling.

The visit to the Emirates over the past three days has provided the opportunity to view the improvements made for the Test at close quarters in ways which I did not expect. The wicket for this game has been placed to one side towards the main pavilions with the green seats closed off. And therefore only a limited area of view behind rather than over the wicket, Dissatisfied with this I went on an explore at lunch and discovered that the presumed temporary hospitality boxes were open and have provided the best view at Durham since the ground was opened. I was told, later, that a seat here during the Test would have cost around £350 and with at least room for 100 on to the two levels that is £3500 a day and £140000 for the first with four days. The construction was high quality production with individual room areas and one large area on the first floor. There was a multitude of power points and TV Points and at the back quality toilets and rooms for cooking washing, bars and storage.

As if to emphasise the mistake England made with excluding Treadwell from the Oval 5^th Test he had another brilliant day on Friday and finished the Durham innings with his best figures of 8 wickets for 96 runs off 33 overs. Arshad managed 15 off 70 balls showing great application and Wood and Rushworth tried to stay around as former captain Colonel Mustard took his tally to 45 not out as Durham toiled to an impressive 421, the highest first innings at the round all season and which highlights just how well Borthwick and Smith played on the first day.

Only bad light prevented play after tea and stopped Durham completing a rout of the Surrey innings on the second day and they finished 97 for 6 having been 5 for 2 20 for 3 and 36 for 4 at one point. It was also young Arshad who broke what appeared to be steadying stand when he took two wickets in his second over having gone for just 1 in his first and finished he day 3 overs and nine runs for his two wickets having been hit for two fours in his third over and the Surrey approach appeared to be one of trying to hit there way out of further trouble. The weather forecast suggest that the only time when rain showers is not forecast in the morning. Fortunately the forecast is good for Sunday although getting Surrey out twice might prove a challenged although Rushworth, Harrison and Wood all posed problems getting the 4 other wickets between them. Surrey are becoming desperate finding themselves at the bottom of the table with 74 points albeit with a game in hand on fellow struggles Somerset with 89 and Derbyshire who had their second win in succession beating Middlesex, previous championship rivals by 56 runs. This means that if Durham win they will leap frog over Middlesex and Sussex to with one win to overtake Yorkshire who they play next week and could prove to be the championship decider, assuming the weather enables a full game and with the forecast good for Wednesday the first day.

I have not as yet mentioned the magnificent way in which Durham hosted the fourth Ashes Test and where I was congratulated by the couple, members of Warwickshire who had gone for a couple of days who helped me get to the ground from the car park,. The weather was kind for the Test and the cricket excellent but everyone commented favourably on the preparation of the wicket which offered both batsmen and bowlers opportunities. They also praised and the hospitality that was being shown. Durham avoided the kind of how to get to the ground problems experienced at Edgbaston by having volunteers in the station and at Chester le street car parks as well a good road sign postings.

I took the opportunity on Wednesday to sit at various points in the new stand which remains up for the 40 40 but where the back part will be removed to the brick pathway which has been relaid. There are good views from all parts of this stand where the surprise was the walkway using the brick path under the stand providing cover as well as mobility between the entrances. On Friday I also attempted to undertake the riverside walk which was signposted from behind the players nets. The public play needs in front have been removed although whether this is the is to be a permanent development is not clear. The walk way has an attractive temporary fence and a bridge over rough ground alongside the Chester le street outdoor leisure centre. However because the club was not in a position to provide a gate steward access to the riverside has been closed off again. It will be interesting to see if it will be opened up again for the 20 20 game a week today.

I was surprised that there was any play at the Riverside on Friday, given the lingering damp and dark start over Tyneside but left for the ground as soon as it was evident that play would be possible. Jamie Harrison skittled out the Surrey tail with 5 for 31 and the innings ending with a pathetic 108 but which demonstrated the bowling failure of the side as much as the skill of the Durham openers. Harrison also Dismissed opener Harinath for the big zero in the third over and Collinwood anxious to see what Arshad could do again early on was rewarded with two wickets in successive balls but Amla with 32 so far is showing great resistance and he was also support by De Bruyn so when bad light and then rain and the cold stopped play for the day just after lunch and a question mark over the weather in the North East on Sunday with although rain not forecast, the autumnal gloom continues this vital win in terms of championship hopes remains in doubt. My good view ended when the hospitality boxes were cordoned off overnight. During today, Sunday I noted a photographer on the baloney and when i walked round it was evident he had broken the tape, presumably with permission.

There was a continuing gloom when I left this morning although shortly after arrival the sun made the effort to come out and there was never any question of bad light preventing a full day’s play. And for a time it looked as if the game could go on beyond the six hours of car parking I had taken. The problem was Amla, a player I know nothing about as he is not included the Playfair annual. He eventual was removed for 89 at 139 after Dr Bruyn had gone for 12 at 101 so with the total 133 for 5 I was confident that Durham would win sometime during the afternoon. It was a brilliant over by Wood with two balls to go for lunch who had Davies caught Mustard and he had Batty also caught Mustard the very next ball. While he did not get a hat trick within a couple of runs he had Wilson also caught by Mustard. Later he had Linley caught by Smith with Surrey all out for 169 having lost wickets at 156 156, 159, 159, 169. Durham had won by and innings and 144 runs thus ending the pain of those terrible hammering at the Oval when Durham first played Surrey as a First Class County. They now have 155.5 points and a game in hand on Yorkshire 15.5 points behind so a win at Scarborough will bring back to the lead with a game in had.

Rushworth 3 for 72 was for one he least success of the bowlers with Harrison 7 for 74, Wood 6 for 79 and Arshad 4 for 34 the best in terms of figures. Collinwood and Jennings also took a turn but with the innings of Borthwick and Smith I doubt if the match would have proved so one sided.

I must mentioned football before covering the last two Ashes Test matches. The result of the first two weeks was a 3,2 win by Cardiff against Manchester City who scored a brilliant goal first and look a class act with their demolition of her Toon in the first match of their season. Cardiff were 3. 1 with only six minuets of extra time remaining and then they had a good headed goal and there was an anxious several minutes which seemed to o on for ever as the Welsh capital city’s team gained their first three valuable points. Not so Sunderland and Newcastle who after their first game defeats, Sunderland 1.0 at home survived scares at the second matches to gain draws. Newcastle with their 0.0 were very lucky at St James Park while Sunderland who were 1 up from a headed corner 3 minutes into the game never looked like holding out against the home side who looked as if they will do well, as do Aston Villa along with the Man U who play Chelsea this afternoon, along with Arsenal, Spurs and Everton. Nothing changes much even with Bale going to Spain for a reported ninety to one hundred million while Rooney who left Moyes at Everton for United once now looks determined to leave at some point.

Meanwhile an air of great disappointment continued to grow at the Oval in the Fifth Test with Australia winning the toss and batting well on a flat wicket, reaching 492 for 9 before declaring with Watson 176 and Smith not out 138 securing their places for the second round when the two sides meet again in Aussiland in November. Anderson 4 for 95 was the only bowler to have success after a surprising England move which saw Kerrigan come in instead of Tremlett after Bresnan and Onions were injured, he proved an embarrassment on the flat wicket with 0 for 53 for is eight overs. He was not asked to bowl in the second. England has also brought in Woakes for dropped who has promised to get a big score over the series but always managed to get out soon after getting himself in!. Woakes also had a torrid time with the ball with 1 for 96 as the second spinner brought in one suspect because Monty Panesar who recent appeared in caught over an incident involving a bouncer at a night club. I suspect his is only a temporary banishment and he like Watson will be given opportunity to redeem himself by going on he Ashes tour. Woakes is an a rounder of a sort as England try and find someone to take over the middle order all rounder spot which brought Botham and Flintoff international fame

England struggled during their innings boring everyone with two runs an over and Pietersen of all people getting one of the slowest 50’s of Ashes efforts all time taking 189 balls. In the second innings he made 50 again this time in 36 balls which was the second quickest. In he end although with a bad light evening and no play at all yesterday England were all out for 377 with Root 68, Trott 40 dependable Bell 45 and prior 47 all contributing. Cook with 28 still struggles. Australia to their credit all came out on the fifth day determined to entertain the huge crowd at the Oval where the last test was proving such a damp squib. They declared at 111 for 6 at just less than a run a ball setting England a target of 227 to win off 40 something overs. England played normally for the first 10 overs before Petersen unleaded his attack and England had the prospect of an unexpected an historic 4.0 Ashes win something which no English side had done before. As Australia found way to stall for time, as England had done, the prospect of the game ending on bad light became evident. The rules are quiet clear. Once players go off for bad light the meter reading involved becomes the bench mark for the rest of the game and a reading reaches the same level play has to end until the light improves. Last night in was the progress of the night which enveloped he Oval as play reached t,30 and beyond and even with the lights, the rules are the rules. It was disappointing for the crows who became very excited as the day turned into a one day event with close on 500 runs being score. Continuation would have delighted them and the nation but would have been unfair to Australia who must have been attempted to bat on forcing the welcome draw.

It did not matter anyway because England had won the fourth Test at Durham and taking the series 3.0 which added to the affection in which the Emirates Durham will now be held for all those attending the game or witnessing the win on TV. I have already mentioned the ground transformation for the event and the creation of extras such as the Riverside walkway and cricketing murals in the Member‘s lounge and around the ground. The airship above the ground provided god views of the Lumley castle and the countryside which surrounds Chester Le Street. England won the toss and elected to bat struggling during the day to make 238 with Cook 52 and Trott 49. Lyon the spinner taking 4 for 42. Australia then also struggled but gained a small lead of 32 with their runs coming from the opener Rogers 110 and Watson 66. They were 12 for 2 and 79 for 4 before the stand over 100. Broad 5 for 71 had a very good day. It was Bell who again came the rescue with 113, Bresnan the bowler 45 with Swann 30 after Pietersen had contributed with 44 all created a potential match innings second innings of 330. I say potent ional because the Australian openers then made 100 and with a whole day and a lengthened after tea session because of bad light the previous day, the odds had swung in favour of an Australian win.

I had contemplated investing in a ticket for the fourth day but the weather forecast was no good and so I banked on play being disrupted and an exciting 5^th day where the tickets were £25 rather than the £80 . I w 11 for 121as therefore amazed when i switch the TV on after tea to find Australia collapsing with wickets falling at 147, 168 174 175 179 181 199 211 and 224, eight wickets falling for 54 runs. Broad 6 for 50 became unplayable and was man of he match with 11 for 121 and man of the match. England had won the Ashes with only keeping them after the result at Old Trafford.

With Durham not involved with one day events in 2014 and Cardiff getting the next Test going to a new Test ground in the next Ashes series in the UK, it raises the question of when will Durham next be able to hold such a prestigious game. Lords and he Oval always start and end the five match Test series in the Summer months with Old Trafford, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and Headingley traditionally competing for the holding the other tree. It is only in recent years that Emirates, the Rose Bowl now the Agius Bowl and Cardiff Sophia Gardens have become recognised Test grounds while others have been selected to hold one day international games.

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

hand over the Oval after the great time all England supporters had Durham over those four glorious days and which live on in the record books as England won the Ashes 3,0 with the win achieved on the fourth day. Having discovered that I have more films and TV to note I will end here and continue the culture later today as I prepare for Scarborough having decided I will give the last 40 40 at the Emirates a miss keeping one eye on the game involving Notts and Kent and Chelsea’s clash with Man U in 3D this evening.

20 20 Finals Cricket day

Despite not seeing the greater part of the final of the 20 20 competition at Edgbaston I had a very enjoyable day, despite the difficulties of getting to the ground, and then getting back to Perry Barr where I was staying overnight, and despite the constant drizzling and later heavy rain. I had prepared well for the kind of day it became with waterproof leggings and the thicker top water and wind cheater purchased at Croydon, the fake straw hat and the small umbrella that quickly became damaged in the wind and needs to be replaced, something io forgot to do when going to the supermarket yesterday evening after an excellent day watching cricket back at Durham Emirates International ground at the Riverside.

In the first game 20 20 semi final last Saturday Northamptonshire won the toss and elected to bowl. Essex lost Smith when the total was only 13 and were contained for the great part although Rutherford hit 2 fours and 2 sixes. Pettini made 3 fours, and Bopara disappointed with just 1 and 14 runs. It was the arrival of Napier joining Foster who potentially changed the game with Napier 38 from only 15 balls which included 3 fours and 3 sixes while also got 3 boundaries and one six in his 32 from 24 balls. The total appeared likely to be around the 140 until the contribution from Napier and the innings ended 168 for 5 and with everyone amazed that the game had proceeded without rain interruption.

It was Northants opener Levi who impressed, as someone who did not feature in the quarter final at Northants with 4 fours and 4 sixes making 57 from 35 while it was White who made 4 of each in his 57 against Durham, assisted in the first semi final with 36 from 25. It was his not out partnership with Crook who had been run out by Collingwood for a duck, who made 46 with 3 fours and 4 sixes to see Northants home with the first ball of the eighteen over having lost only the 3 wickets. Kyle Coetzer who had opened well for Northants against Durham run out Mustard 44 this time was out when 18.

Essex who had been the favourites to win this game left as did many of the supporters from the seats in the same row as me

With Lancs looking strong candidates for promotion back to division 1 of the Championship with six wins from 11 played, Northants are looking best placed to join them some 27 points ahead of Gloucestershire with both having also played 11 and Essex with a chance having played one game less and 27 points behind. They are also in with a chance of reaching the 40 40 quarter finals with Notts on 17 points and they have 16 both away playing away their last game on Monday afternoon.. By one of those quirks of the fixtures Northants are at Essex this week into the second day of their important championship game, they are 530 for 9 with peters 101 and Sales 131. They only added 1 and Essex started badly losing 5 wickets for 187 but yesterday appears to have been badly rain effected so a draw is the most likely for them. I am not sure if they have effectively two sides one playing 20 20 and another the Championship. I know that Kyle C was injured during the 20 20 final’s day.

There was no hesitations about who I supported in the second semi final after lunch when the weather improved with some sunshine where Surrey, my boyhood club was playing Hampshire who I have still not forgiven because of the way we were treated at 20 20 Finals day. Surrey won the all important toss and elected to field. Apart from Ervine with 47 from 32 and 2 fours and 3 sixes, Hants never looked like gaining ascendancy, losing their first wicket at 8 and three down for 38. It was Mamood with 2 for 9 from his overs who did the damage. They were 9 down for 142 which I felt was 20 to 40 runs short of a winning first strike.

Surrey who only scored 1 six at the end nevertheless always looked the likely winners playing strong batting strokes than cow corner slogs. It was former Somerset’s De Bruyn who made 41 not out with 4 fours who steered he club to the final, getting the required runs with 4 balls to spare in what became a close game after the fifth and sixth wickets fell within one run when the total had reached 111. De Bruyn was assisted by Ansari making an excellent 21 from 12, getting the only six of the innings plus 2 fours. All credit to the Hants supporters behind who stayed for the final determined to make the most of teir day.

I explained in the first piece that I felt shattered, laying on the carpet in the Real Ale Lounge for the greater part of the 90 minute interval before the 20 20 Final as the rain fell strongly and I had not enjoyed a small burnt burger costing £6. When the game was interrupted by what appeared heavy rain I took the decision to leave and return to the Hotel before darkness and listen to the commentary on radio having left behind the headphones required. Because of the problems encountered in trying to return to Perry Barr I arrived only to hear the hatrick which ended the game in favour of Northants, It was not until returning home the following day that I was able to watch the highlights.

The final was extraordinary with Northants put into bat scoring a significantly above par total of 194 for 2 from the shortened game fo 18 overs because of the rain delay. When Levi went with the total only 14 Surrey and their supporters would have felt they made the right decision Willey who had not been required to bat against Essex and only opened because of the injury to Coetzer. He smashed 4 fours and four sixes in his 60 in 22 balls and was thn followed by Wakely 59 from 30 and 7 fours and two sixes while White provided another good innings with 54 from 39. The total if 194 would have daunted any team, especially in the final.

Surrey were never at the races and were all out for a pathetic 92 in 13 ,3 overs a good half an hour earlier than anticipated whereas had I got back to the hotel in the half hour to an hour anticipated I would have been able to listen to almost all the game after the rain delay. Willey took 4 wickets for 9 runs in 2.3 overs including the hatrick which ended he game. He also made one catch and was responsible for the running out of Davies for the second wicked at 39. Needless to say be was the man of the final and has got the whole fo cricket talking. For Northampton this was their first trophy in two decades and their first success in this competition and it always pleasing when a team that beats your own goes on to success.

Last Saturday week plus a couple of hours I had a good sleep having enjoyed a bottle of Pepsi and a Snickers on return and made up the remaining bread rolls with the salami for lunch which I eat at the Wakefield service area having also had a comfort break at the first service station on the M42 which i joined from 453. I was back around 2.30 after briefly stopping at Morrisons Sunderland for petrol and a shop for milk and two cartons of red grapes for £3. Because of fine weather there was a crush of cars along Seaburn, and before this I had noted that a huge Tesco Extra is now opened replacing most of the former premises on the site close to the Football ground at one end and the Blockbusters site at the other. There was the annual visit of the Romaney’s with the picturesque small caravans, some dozen plus the horses and traps who I had noted on my way out but whose numbers had increased significantly by the Sunday. Because of the traffic I entered the Morrisons site from the back rather than taking a close look at the changes made to the sea front promenade and which I will walk one fine day later in the year. All was well when I arrived home.

Durham lose importand 40 40 game at Derby August 2013.

 At Derby Chaddesden after checking in and sorting the clothing, the sleep Apnoea machine and my food for the evening, a baguette with paté and olives I made my way to the roundabout and then took the wrong turning going down a road parallel to that I wanted and having a great ring around the roses to get back to the roundabout and this time talking the right turning and getting into the right lane for the ground with the other for the Virgin leisure centre and with the large Days in further back, I think I must have gone past the entrance when I took the wrong road. I was shepherded round to where stewards were taking cash or checking parking tickets £4 and placed me on the from row of the over flow with not a clear indication of how I was to get out later. I and already purchased by entrance ticket at £12

Derby, like Northants, is not a well appointed ground, functional one can say at best although with many good features such as a huge stand overlooking the wicket. To the left was a large strange building which has two functions. On the first and second levels there is hospitality and banqueting facilities. There is an indoor sports hall at ground or was it basement level with a martial arts programme underway. There were good toilets and a club shop. There appears to be a separate entrance from housing and a car park. Further around to one side and overlooking the wicket is the Members pavilion, functional, two storeys with a lounge offering what appears a good choice of main dishes, cheaper than Durham but with space less than half that of Durham and small veranda proving space for a single row of movable seating. There was room for the committee at the far end and the players pavilion next to this. There was another eatery providing sausages beans, eggs chips sandwiches and drinks all day at reasonable prices and a separate tea room. The selling of beer did not appear to be regarded as a major activity. The other side of the sight screen there was a fair size marquee pavilion providing some reward scheme, could be volunteers related to the club or community volunteering in general.

There was the hint of rain, and some rain throughout he evening although the match was able to progress its disastrous way from the Durham viewpoint. Durham won the toss and asked Derby to bat and at first things went well with Derby losing wickets at 17, 35 and 36 but then a stand between Madsen 72 and Hughes 73 sealed Durham’s fate although things were made worse by an over from Rushworth towards the end which yielded 20 runs giving him 1 for 39, Breeze 0 for 32 from his 5 was expensive leaving Collingwood who impressed with 2 for 25 from his eight the best of the bowlers and followed by Pringle 1 for 12 from 5 with Wood 2 for 32, Borthwick 0 for 18 and Smith 2.19. The total of 217 for 8 from the 40 appeared to give Durham a steady and gettable target.

However losing their first wicket at 4 with Mustard and then Borthwick at 14 shook Durham and they never recovered, with only Collinwood appearing to get a start until he gave a soft catch when 25 and you felt it was all over. Durham then collapse all out at 110 with the last wicket going in the same over at the 9^th as I was making my way back to the car. Another car was leaving so waited to see which way it went and it headed along a grass and earth track along the fence which proved a nightmare full of deep rut it did my suspension no good at all even tough I went as slowly as possible. I went back to the comfort of my room, the four pillows and flat screen TV and the huge consolation breakfast in the morning.

In the first group of the competition the battle for leader is between Notts 16 points who missed out on 20 20 finals day and Northants 15 with game to play while in the third group the battle is between Somerset who also missed out and Gloucestershire, another club I must visit one year at Bristol both with 15 and one to play and Glamorgan with 13 but two to play.

In Durham’s group Hampshire, surprise surprise 16 points and two to play look certain to take the semi final spot but with Lancs 13 and two to play looking for the 4^th spot. My estimate is that only Hants will go through from this group so again the semi finals and finals could again be dominated by Southern clubs.

Lancs could do themselves a favour by beating Hants on Tuesday evening on Sky and Derby could create a surprise if they beat Hants bank holiday Monday with Lancs to beat Essex at Old Trafford to complete the unexpected and get there 17 points to 16. Durham had they won and win against the Surrey in their remaining match would have come second with 16.75 points, the fined 2.25 points behind Lancs who impressed me with their two wins over Durham. Notts and Northants are both away for their last games. Gloucestershire play Somerset in their final game which makes it the tie of the final day. Glamorgan are at home on Sunday and then away to Yorkshire the following will find that game difficult. I am watching Worcestershire at Edgbaston and Moeen Ali has scored 114 in their penultimate 40 40 game but with 300 a good possibility for their innings they are collapsing to 255 for 5 at present but still creating a target Warwickshire are unlikely to beat,

I will keep an eye on this game as I turn channels to watch Newcastle play their first game of the new season at Manchester City and their new manager. Yesterday on returning home I watched Chelsea with their homecoming manager beat Hull while Spurs appeared to have more of a challenge away at the Palace back in the big time with Ian Holloway. Sunderland lost by 1.0 at home to Fulham.

This afternoon I watched the highlights of the last day of the Sonheim Cup, the golf competition for ladies between the USA and Europe, played in alternative years to the Ryder Cup and where Europe who hold the cup then won on USA soil for the first time and featuring the youngest ever European player, Captain’s pick Charley Hull who won her singles on the last day as well as one of the two foursomes in which she played, Europe won the match by 18 points to 10 and could be said to have given the USA a trouncing.

A great 20 20 day for Northants

My visit to Northants became a very mixed fortunes experience with Durham losing in the quarter final of the 20 20 competition and my getting lost in the city centre on return from the game which I nevertheless enjoyed.

I had a quiet day on the Monday in preparation for my plan to leave the Travel Lodge on the following day around 11- 11.30 taking the train from East Croydon Station to St Pancras, depositing the large case in left luggage and then taking the expensive one station underground train to Euston with the haversack and the sleep apnoea machine and then waiting for the 13.52 to Northampton which cost only £6, booking in at the Travel Lodge, unpacking and making my way to the cricket ground having established that it would be open from 16.00 with ticket collection available from 09.00. From the map the travel lodge appeared to be a short walk from the station and number 1 and 16/17 buses took one to the ground alighting at the Abingdon Pub from the bus station. The following morning I would rise early for the 7.32 back to Euston and the 10.30 from Kings Cross back to Newcastle and South Shields, after colleting the case from left luggage. That was the plan on paper.

I was aware that I would bring with me the heavy computer plus toilet bag and pyjamas bottom together with the information and tickets/bookings folder. There was no capacity to bring a second shirt after I took the decision to obtain a Macintosh type coat as I anticipated it would get cold as the evening went into darkness. I would wear my new suit, more about that in moment and the subsequent need for a second shirt which I did not possess. The alternative was travel in the blue summer trousers, and a soft brown zipped jacket which would go well with the shiny brown shoes and socks. I wanted to wear the suit. Doing what you want against rationality and logic sometimes has a high price and by nature I am not a gambling man.

Although I had expensively dry cleaned the suit before departure I only discovered after returning from my visit to see the film about the later life of Renoir that is remained badly stained giving parts of it a brownish tinge which suggested some adverse chemical interaction. On Monday morning after a breakfast of a ‘pain au choclat’ and a Danish for £1.20 from Sainsbury local with coffee I made the decision to look for an inexpensive new suit, still clinging to the belief that I am able to reduce my weigh to below 15 stone despite the time and challenging of getting below 16.

I first visited Debenham’s across for the closed Alders in the High Street and then found British Home Stores in the Alder’s end of the Whitgift centre, and then went to the Marks and Spencer’s at the far opposite end of the centre, noting the wide range in the price of suits. At M and S I found an excellent mid grey plain suit for £69 with a short leg fitting waist size pair of trousers and a long jacket which I could button and with an attractive blue lining. In the subsequent circumstances it was just as well that I did not purchase something more expensive.

After returning to the Travel Lodge to hang the suit I decided to try out the new Asian Buffet that has opened close to Church and Surrey Street by what was the former entrance of the now closed Alders departmental store. I was the first sit down customer although the number of reserved tables and the arrival of constant stream of diners indicated the popularity of this establishment where one can eat as much as one liked for £4.95 and where commercially supplied soft drinks are kept in a cool cabinet and sold for £1 in or 80 pence to take away.

The range of food is limited with about eight main dishes of chicken and meats, various rice and noodles, some prawn crackers and sauces. There are no sweets or puddings offered. The price goes up £1 after 4pm. I had two large plates of main courses without the rice or other side dishes or sauces and two cans of coke and was very satisfied although the quality and range does not compare to that at the Millennium Dome and which I had considered visiting if there had been something to interest me at the Cineworld or the weather had been such to have attracted a trip on the Emirates Cable Car.

It commenced to rain when I went on walkabout after the meal and became heavier as the evening progressed and I went across to Sainsbury for a sandwich £3 deal. I spent the rest of the day dozing, reading and writing and listened to the Proms on the headphones radio.

It is an appropriate point to confess that after an excellent control of food over the first two days of the trip on Sunday the madness took hold. I crossed over from the station to visit Sainsbury after the disappointment of Lords, assuming that Waitrose would be closed only to note that it was not as I passed by on the other side of road. On the previous two evenings I had purchased a carton of spiced chicken wings from Waitrose together with a carton of grapes and cold drinks. As there was only chicken that required heating up at Sainsbury’s I opted for a two packets of salami deal for £2 and two rather stale ciabatta rolls but which were Ok but then could not resist an inexpensive block of Vienetta type ice cream which melted quickly in heat so had to be immediately eaten at a price of £1 reminding when I had bought a pack of 4 possibly six Cornetto type ices for a similar low price on one the Mansfield visits. That is my admission and it was only after the ice cream did I eat the Ciabatta and salami. It was very enjoyable despite the guilt.

Apart from Sunday morning when I watched the Test Match on the laptop I have kept in touch via the pocket digital radio. It has been a game where Australia appeared in control from winning the toss and electing to bat on a good wicket with captain Clark 187 supported by Rogers 84. Smith 89 and Haddin 63 declaring, in the light of events and the weather too early on 527 for 7 He should have continued and set England an even tougher task to avoid the follow on. The only bright aspect of the first innings was the dismissal of Warner for 5 who it will be remembered was lucky not to been sent home after hitting Root at a night club after what appears to have been a taunt about losing the first Test. When he came to field he had to run the gauntlet of boos but after a subsequent press conference when he again held up his hands (no word play intended) and making everyone laugh he appears to have commenced to win back support for his obvious talent. We shall view with interest his reception at the fourth Test which begins at Chester Le Street, later this morning

England in their first innings demonstrated that they are not as good a side as the media has built up with 3 wickets going for 64 and 4 for 100. Only a brilliant controlled 113 by Pietersen after Cooke 62 and with Bell 60 helped the side to avoid the follow on hence the comment about declaring too early. Given the known weather forecast, Australia’s only hope of keeping the series alive was to bowl England out twice in succession. The next issue was for how long should the Australians bat in their second innings. It was here that Warner did well getting 41 quick runs. After bad light stopped play on the 4^th day Australia declared setting England to get over 300 to win. England were 37 for 3 when the rain set in on the final day leading to a draw which means that even if the Australians win the last two Test march at Durham this week and then the Oval, a drawn series means the Ashes are retained. If the game at Durham is won or drawn then England will win the series and thus win rather than retain the Ashes for the third time in succession.

The weather also helped Durham in the Championship table creating draws in the latest round of matches together with the great win of Derbyshire against Sussex Yorkshire retain their first place with 158 from 11 games played and still over 100 points to play for, Sussex with the extra game played are 148 and Middlesex with 11 played on 144 and Durham with six more games to plan and 150 points still to play for on 132.5 and Warwickshire 121 also from 11.

I now focus on what happened on my second only ever remembered visit to Northampton with the first made at night to a car park adjacent to a theatre and an immediate return to my then home in Oxford City afterwards. I bought a couple more of the Danish for £1.30 for breakfast and a king prawn sandwich, orange fruit juice and crisps combination £4.40 in total which I consumed between eight and 10.30 and remarkably not eating again until around 9.30 the following morning. I packed well wearing the suit but not the comparatively thick wind and rain cheater I had purchased the previous afternoon from Hewitts, a store in Church Street selling walking and camping gear as well as school uniforms and sportswear. This was the largest size available for only £12. It reminds that on my walk down to Reeves corner where work of some kind appears to be being commenced at the site of the burned down store although damaged shops and accommodation adjacent appears as before with presumably the legal battles with the insurance company continuing.

I made my way to East Croydon station around 11.00 noting that the rucksack had become heavy because of the computer and wishing I had decided to travel light to the game, returning on the 10.55 train to Euston which arrived at 12.30 and then making my way to Croydon for the night where the room was already paid for and using some fo the money for the night at Northampton on Taxis to the ground and back from the station. Life as one gets older consists of making choices without the information necessary to predetermine that will prove good or bad. The art is to relax and attempt to enjoy experiences irrespective of how the decisions work out. Saying this is easy.

The train between Brighton and Bedford was more than half empty so there was no problem about placing luggage in the rack provided and selecting a six seater space just for me. The guy at the left luggage followed his training instructions to the letter and I was pleased that the cost would be only £9 for the 24 hour holding session, although this was money I could also have saved had I not arranged the overnight stay. I then took the escalator down to the underground station complex for the Northern line noting there was a queue of people to be photographed holding a luggage trolley at the entrance to Platform 9 and ¾ a la Harry Potter books. I arrived at Euston a good hour before departure time collecting tickets by the platforms marked for Watford and Northampton putting in the code for the cricket ticket instead of that for train until checking. Unlike the ticket dispenser for the Cineworld Cinemas the machine is able to offer printing one or both sets of tickets. I managed to find a seat where I watched the travellers come and go as departure platforms were announced. With about 15 minuets before departure I moved position standing below the main departure board rather than the separate area for Watford and Northampton, a good move because in fact the train was listed for a different plat from the designated platforms. During the waiting it was good to see trains for Crew and Chester as well as Birmingham and Manchester reminding of the three years when I lived and worked for the County between 1971 and 1974 over 40 years before.

It had become quickly evident why the difference in available prices for the journey to Northampton where trains appeared to be departing every few minutes. This is because that is the West Midland services which ends at Northampton but which has a variation in stops along the route is less expensive that the trains which go on to Birmingham and further North, Thse while stopping at Northampton only stop at Watford Junction and one or two other stops before their first main destination.

On the outward journey my train which was fairly full but with spare seats made different stops from that taken then following morning when we also stopped at Harrow and Wealdstone after Watford Junction, There were stops at Hemel Hempstead, Leighton Buzzard, Berkhampstead and Bletchley in both directions but only at Overton on the afternoon journey The following morning there were additional stops at Tring and Cheddington. The track is very wide leaving Euston and in parts along the route. A feature of the stations is a double decker car park indicating the extent of commuting. Because of electrification the cross over stairway between platform are exceptionally tall and although here are lifts these were said to be temperamental and a cause of constant complaint by regular users as I was quickly to learn.

I have been to Harrow by train station having parked en route to Wembley. I cannot remember if I have been to Watford for the football but I did visit a computer shop there to acquire the pack which converted my Amstrad green screen 256 to 512. I remembered I had been to Beaconsfield and to Berkhampstead when I lived and worked at Oxford. I have stopped at Milton Keyens during coach rides to London as the stopping place for connections to London Airport. Once to avoid a traffic hold up on the M1 I found myself driving around and around Milton Keynes passing the stadium of the MK Dons, former Wimbledon Team and also stopping at the town centre. I have never been to Bletchley where the Park is famous for the government centre which racked the German code system using the Enigma machine. I have been to a professional managerial annual conference at the County Town of Hertford. The land is pleasant, undulating but which separate character or identity and thus I came to Northampton just after 3pm on Tuesday 6^th August with the weather sunny and warm after a dull shower looking start at Croydon.

The tall staircase from the platform looked challenging with the two bags and impossible if the case had been with me as well so I went for the lift which was working although had not been earlier in the morning according the father of the young woman with a pram who had come to meet her off the train. There is considerable work going on at the station entrance but as I was to find out the following morning the road from the Travel Lodge in theTown centre to the station is direct and straight. However this is not evident at the station itself and with a good number of taxi’s in line I decided to take on £3.50 for the journey.

The Travel Lodge is an adapted building on four floors with small ground floor reception. The young lady at the desk mentioned that she caught the 10.50 something train at night home to Milton Keynes where she lived confirming that it arrived at Euston at 12.30. She also explained that the hotel operated an electricity control system requiring you to insert the key card in a slot by the door to bring the lights on. My room was at the back quiet small given that it was a double and overlooking what could have been a former church building but which appeared to be used for something in relation to children. The TV was fixed on the wall above the end of the bed. I unpacked and set up the Sleep Apnoea machine deciding to make my way immediately to the ground after having a quick orientation along the High Street. I quickly saw a sign towards the train station but there was no indication where the bus station was located.

　

Following the sign to the Train station I enquired about the bus station as the junction which appeared to be a major thoroughfare with a Vue Cinema at the corner. I was directed to the bus station a short distance away which was under a shopping centre. I noted that it would not be a good place to use the under passes at night and reached the station via an entrance leading to the shopping centre. There are bus bays on either side fo the station and I went to the bay (8) for the 16/17 bus where the driver confirmed bus went lose to the cricket ground and that I should alight at the Abingdon Pub.

It was on the bus that with horror I realised that a ball point pen had leaked in the inside pocket of the new suit jacket and that there was significant patch of ink on the blue lining below the pocket and consequently on my white shirt. I removed the jacket hiding the inked shirt with the rain and windcheater in which I placed the pen wrapped in a handkerchief and deposited in the bin by the bus stop. Later I noted a small spot of the ink was visible on the from of the jacket disaster as unlikely to be removable.

Across the road appeared to be a large park with in the distance a number of cars entering and where I remembered from the notes provided on the club site there is free car parking, but where was the ground? An enquiry revealed it was located down a small residential street to the side of the Public House. However this proved to be the Members entrance and I had to reverse steps continue left along the road with the park opposite and then left again until reaching the main entrance of the county ground.

Northants has been a first class county in 1905 but has never won the Championship coming second three times and is one of the oldest if not the oldest clubs commencing in the Minor Counties championship in the 1880’s. It can only hold around 5000 spectators and even with planned developments the ground is unlikely to host major international games. Arriving early and collecting my ticket one of several hundreds booked on line and available at two tables in the car park by the main gates. With the Winchester to hold and with two and half hours before the match commenced there was plenty of opportunity for me to explore the stadium and select the best possible vantage point, There are seats on this side of the ground above the wicket although they are not high backing on to the indoor cricket school building which also houses the club shop. The main stands and pavilions are opposite although as I discovered the main upper view had been taken over by Sky equipment as the stand also features the broadcast and media centre. There were some seats to one side but I decided against as this was the wrong end to get to what I believed was the first bus stop from the ground after game ended.

There was access to the right had side of the upper side but this was area restricted to Chairman and members of the cricket committee. The player and officials pavilion was to the left of this stand while what looked like a members Pavilion below that of the chairman’s area. Below the main part of the stand there appeared to be what would be regarded as a members areas on match days but this was being reserved for seven tables of diners from sponsors. There were stands to the sides and also several outlets for food and drink more than would be normal at Clubs like Durham on 20 20 days with about seven food including burgers and hog roasts, several soft drinks as well as beers. In one corner from the main entrance and nets there was a club pub type with some splendid seating inside and it looked as if they were preparing to also supply food. I selected a seat at the back of what is named the University stand to one side overlooking the wicket, close to the exist and some male toilets. On my walkabout around the ground I considered purchasing some food as I had not eaten anything since well before 11 but as I was not hungry I held off.

I was very impressed with crowd that developed with the overwhelming majority families or people in groups. There was an excitement and realism given that Onions was playing and Collingwood was the Captain, as one parent explained to his son the man had been captain fo teh successful England one day side. They did not expect to win but they had come along in hope and to support. There was a sense of people being part of something special and the Northants Rugby Club had come along en masse to give their support.

Opening the batting for Northants was Kyle Coetzer who showed great promise when at Durham several years ago and who captains the Scotland one Day side that has performed so badly in the 40 40 competition and is not competing next year as a consequence. Another Northants player is the young fast bowler Luke Evans a former member of the Durham academy but who has not made the senior team. The most significant connection between Northants and Durham is that long serving Cricket Coach Geoff Cooke was a long time player for Northants and Wayne Larkins who also played for Durham was a Northants first team played for a decade.

Some of the most well known players for Northants moved on like Monty Panesar and Raman Subba Row was captain 58 to 61 when Northants had become one of the top teams with Freddie Brown playing for Middlesex when he captained England on that famous 1948 last Test at the Oval when Bradman was out second ball and where at the age of 9 I was taken by an older cousin queuing outside the ground for hours among some twenty thousand people. The fast bowler Frank Typhoon Tyson played for Northants as did batsman Colin Milburn plus Allen Lamb are other well known team members who also played for England.

A number of famous International cricketers have played seasons at the club with current side player Matthew Haddin, plus Mike Hussey and David Lilee and from India Capel Dev, Bishan Bede, Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly and Curley Ambrose among the West Indies cricketers.

The Northants innings had two distinct phases with Collinwood, Onions and Rushworth opening the bowling for Durham and appearing to contain and restrict the run scoring but with Coetzer and Wiley taking the total steadily to 89. It was the arrival of White who changed the game hitting three successive 6’s in one over and making 52 from only 32 balls and increasing the total from what would have been a par 140 to 160 to 183 for the loss of only 4 wickets.

Stonman who has batted well for Durham in the Championship earlier on had not had good form in a number of 20 20 games failed at 10 and Mustard found run getting very difficult but managed to reach 46. Stokes who is the Durham on form player this season was not out 51 in a total which was always 20 runs behind the pace and ended at 147 which some excellent end of innings bowling by Northants who were worthy winners much to the delight and amazement of their fans.

Northants have been to finals day twice before failing to win their semi final. This time I think they have a very good chance of beating Essex, the other third placed team who gained surprise win at Nottingham in the fourth quarterfinal. In the first quarterfinal, Surrey, my boyhood club beat Somerset which pleased me greatly. While Lancashire are not one of my favoured teams, I dislike Hampshire because of the Finals day experience at the Rose Bowl and because they have reached Finals day in each of the past four years. This proved the best match of 4 with Lancs nearly getting the 200 plus runs required failing with last ball of the over. I will go to finals day hoping for a Northants V Surrey Final and for a Northants win. But a Hampshire defeat of Essex is also a good possibility which could herald an early departure from the ground.

On returning home I checked to find that my ticket should have arrived a week ago and only then noted that the Warwickshire club had resurrected my old customer number from 15 years ago with my former address. immediately telephoned and the sent tickets cancelled. The correctly addressed ticket and car park pass arrived yesterday which is excellent service. Tickets are now only sale to the four clubs involved with only after they have taken up whatever they need will the public have access.

I left the ground as the final over commenced, I had noted only a handful of Durham supporters present and it was locals with children who had decided they and won also went to avoid the comparative rush at the end. The idea of walking into town was not a good one so waited fort eh bus which took over 15 minutes to arrive and takes an almost straight route through shops, eating houses and entertainments before raking off along the one way system into the bus station.

I had no idea how to get out of the bus station and my first effort took me to an area similar to where I thought I had arrived with access to the shopping centre closed and the need to take an underpass and then stairs to a roadside level. There were people moving about across the road and into a car park to I crossed over by found myself not as expected with the town centre shopping in view but at the edge going into residential areas. To admit one was lost at that time of time was potential dangerous but I asked and was sent in what proved the right direction although I thought I recognised a stairway upwards and then found myself in the delivery area of shopping area. Fortunately I remained calm and did not panic even when at one point I found a door into the centre but found progress barred and had to press a release button to get out again. Eventually I retreated the route and eventually a second request for direction go into the town shopping centre but with out a sense of direction or landmarks to say which way I should go for the Travel Lodge. I asked one young woman taking on her phone who sent me in the right way but it was two young girls with coloured streaked hair out on the town who escorted me along to the street which they were also going stopping at a cash machine just before the Travel Lodge. They had been out for the evening and said it would be 3pm before they went home so obviously going on somewhere open at that hour despite it being a Tuesday. We had a great chat about life along the way. I purchased a Fanta orange drink and then watch TV until after midnight setting the alarm for 6 am.

It was 5 when I awoke and 5.30 when I started to pack and got myself ready leaving the Lodge around 6.30 and told by the night staff that the station was straight down from the Travel Lodge in the direction I had taken the previous afternoon.

At the station I was confused because while there were trains to Euston listed on the first platform, the second train departing was at 7.39 whereas my ticket said 7.32. There was nothing for it but to climb up the stairs to go back over the track as I did not fancy taking the lift on my own. The 7.02 departing train was on the platform but as it was a pleasant morning I found a seat and waiting for my train although the cost fo the ticket for both trains was the same at £14, only a pound less than I was paying to return from London to Newcastle. While again I was able to chose six seats to myself by the time the train left Milton Keynes it was filling up with all five other seats taken and people standing as the train reached Euston.

On the way to Northampton we had been held up for a good five minutes just outside the town because of a goods train and while waiting at the station foods trains with container oblong and round with thirty plus travelled in both directions from Germany, Poland, China noted among the main countries of origin.

It was a fine morning so I decided to walk station to station and this proved a good idea as just before St Pancras there is a pavement cafe with just a few seats but an early morning offer of a coffee and large Chelsea bun for £2.50 while the bun on its own usually costs £2.40 and the coffee £2 plus. It was very enjoyable and much needed. There was plenty of time to collect the case and go to the first floor overlooking the departure board where I found a seat at a table shared with a couple who provided the information that the relative they visited who worked at the British Library said that London was being overrun by young visitors and not so young visitors from South Korea.

Although the train was ready to board 20 minutes before schedule we were not allowed to board until ten minutes because of an approaching train on the adjacent platform. I was able to get a table and window sear facing the direction fo travel. I was joined by three men in succession, the first was a table invader not only taking both seat facing but encroaching on my side with his computer and papers.

He was replaced by a very busy businessman who gave his first caller seven minutes as he was expecting a call which he took and then went into the corridor moving i suspect to his first class booked seat where he would seem more in place. He offered to talk to the caller again when he was on the move the following morning. The third table guest was equally busy but less attracting of everyone’s attention.

I arrived home to find everything Ok but there had been a major rainfall at the weekend with some local flooding. There was just a day before the Durham Ashes Test was underway with a ticket for the 5^th day and then only a day before my trip to the Midlands for the 40 40 game at Derby and the 20 20 Finals day at Edgbaston Birmingham. I am and then home for a few more days, the games against Surrey and then to Scarborough, Brighton, Derby, London and Worthing in almost quick succession. Phew. I need to add that while my side is better I am still having problems but will try and put off going to see the GP until the travels have ended.

Durham defeat at Lords August 2013

I began my third visit to London in 2013 on what became the hottest day of the year and elsewhere with the temperatures in the nineties. The air had that intense Mediterranean hotness which is my DNA but which I have not experienced for close on a decade. It only lasted the day as this morning after a thunderstorm the air cleared and although it became sunny and warm late afternoon early evening my understanding is that the heat wave is over.

At one level I prepared well for the trip only leaving behind the charge unit for my camera phone and for processing the photos onto the laptop. Fortunately I had not only also brought the reserve mobile but its charger but it will restrict the number of photos I will be able to take during the five whole days in London although as it now transpires I shall spend the 5^th night in Northampton. More on that and I why I added at one level in a mo.

I also left the house early unsure how left side of my back would hold up. I am assuming the recently difficulties, especially sleeping at night, were caused by not warming up before playing Wii sports and then performing at tennis with a professional rating together with ferocious boxing and other activities as a 30 year old, come to believe my fitness rate was real although for several months I felt it was so. Now I have been feeling more like 74.

I set off early arriving on the platform shortly before the train from London drew in and enjoyed a chat with a young mother and about to go to primary school daughter. She seemed to want to chat and commenced to tell me about her life but the opening of the train doors sent us to separate carriages although in fact I went to the next carriage to the one assigned with all four seats at the table were reserved while the carriage adjacent had several tables fully unreserved. This did mean I had no one sitting in the window seat for the duration although two people occupied the seats opposite having travelled from the home counties to some management venture in Newcastle. Usually they would have travelled first class and having disclosed that my ticket costs £15 the man said his was £160 something second class.

I had not slept well and spent most of journey eyes closed listening to the start of the Third Ashes Test from Old Trafford where as one commentator noted the fully enclosed ground means there was not a tree in sight and another thought the Pavilion was odd retaining part of the old structure but with a penthouse looking upper floor.

The train was delayed for part of the journey but speeded up to avoid penalties as the capital approached. It was indeed very hot. .I had baked two baguettes filling three parts with salami and olives and the fourth with cheese and olives and enjoyed one baguette at the station before the train set off. I managed to spill a cup of water over myself on the train forgetting it was still full. This has proved the only senior moment so far, I purchased a coffee on the train.

My room at the lodge is on the 5^th floor and after settling in I went to the Waitrose supermarket for a can of Pepsi which i drank immediately before returning for the second baguette and a Feast Ice cream from the machine on the first floor of the lodge for the excellent price of £1.

I then went for a walkabout having changed out of the suit into the, lightweight trousers and blue top. My attention was taken by the sound of drumming, bells and cymbals coming form a little way down the High Street where I was able to take a seat and enjoy the hypnotic noise and chanting of a party of South Korean Christian Missionaries who according to their English speaking leader had spent £40000 coming to the UK to spread their message of love. He had seen the light after his brother had tried to kill him over drugs.

Croydon is most cosmopolitan area of London when Arab, Asian and African intermingles with Europeans from every corner of the continent together with West Indians and those from the Americas and Australia, and where the city also hosts International companies such as Nestles, It is also the Home Office Immigration central office. On the way back to the lodge I noted that a new oriental buffet has opened following the closure of the other further up the street. The two prices are £5 before 4pm and £6 after but the selection looks limited but interesting and worth a try, if I can fit in my schedule and limit the quantity

I am determined not to increase my weight on this visit with that in April for the Oval visit having been so disastrous especially as I have so much travelling away from home and being out and about when I am there. The warm weather will help. On return to the room the priority was to sort out a ticket for the quarter final 20 20 competition game between Durham and Northants at the county ground late on Tuesday evening.

There was no information about the game on the Durham web site but that for Northants revealed that tickets were available by phone and personal contact from the ground for Members and 20 20 season ticket holders during the day. Tickets at £15 were available for everyone else from Friday 2^nd August. I had intended to stay up to see if they came on online at midnight but I was so tired I went to bed and sleep around 9.30 but fortunately waking around 11.30. By 12.05 I had booked a ticket with the booking reference required. I must find out what time the gates open. I had already booked my Travel Lodge accommodation and the plan is to pack after breakfast on Tuesday and take the luggage to Kings Cross putting the main case in left luggage over night and then taking the overnight bag and the sleep apnoea machine with me to register at the Travel Lodge at 3 and then go to the ground when it opens hopefully to view the earlier quarter final between Surrey and who ever they are playing or at last get a good seat bearing mind the potential weather. I have the information on bus transport from the city centre to the ground although I may walk. I have been to Northampton once before in the mid 1960’s when I went to see the wife of the brother of now imprisoned Stuart Hall in a restoration comedy. I watched the 1966 World Cup Triumph with the couple after attending their wedding.

Now to concentrate on my first day at Lords the home of cricket!!! Un terms of main pavilions Lords unlike Surrey is not visitor friendly. There are two problems. The main pavilion is treated as a gentleman’s club with all the traditional values of chauvinism, racism and class snobbery buried loosely below the surface. The official position is different but it is ingrained among some members and some of the staff where I noted that unlike Surrey there were no non whites.

There is also deep resentment about the rise of Durham and its supporters in particular. Although staff refer to you as sir it is said in a form of contempt. The MCC reeks the mentality of empire and the brotherhood.

I have been to Lords for Test Matches and one 40 over finals day although I missed Durham successful visit although I had a ticket because my mother had entered hospital a few days before from which she did not return to the residential home where she celebrated her 100^th birthday a few months before. I have also been to Lords to watch Durham lose before as well as the one occasion when they won.

My first visit to watch the championship playing side was in 1992 when Durham lost by 195 runs and the following year we were able to hold them to a draw at the racecourse ground Durham City. In 1994 the defeat at Lords was more horrendous by an innings and 34 runs back at Lords and the following year at Chester Le Street we lost by 386 runs and then by 306 runs back at Lords in 1996. There was a draw at home and the magically the one and only win at Lords by the single wicket in 1998 15 years ago.

Games were played alternatively at home or away in those years until the two division were created and with Durham and Middlesex in different divisions the years of games between the two clubs has been fewer

1999 Lost at Lords 25 runs and lost at Chester Le street by 8 wickets. 2001 Drew at Riverside Division 2 and lost at Lords Innings and 74 runs; 2002 Lost at Riverside by 10 wicket and Drew at Lords. In 2006 there was the first win at the Riverside by 105 runs, drawing at Lords although I will need to check back to see if I attended. There was then a game until last year when I attended to watch the matched affected by rain draw when a win had looked likely because of some great bowling by Graham Onions and we won again at the Emirates by 15 runs as we did earlier in this season thus I attended Lords this time with optimism as we had played 18 times losing 8 but now winning 4 with 6 drawn.

The day was warm with the promise of a sunshine throughout and I immediately realised I had made a mistake in terms of bringing my suit rather than the fawn blazer especially with brown red shoes! However I will be glad of its warmth for the quarter final game on Tuesday. I enjoyed a sausage and bacon roll and a tea (the coffee machine was being serviced) from Greggs which I had on site for £2,25 before going over to Sainsbury’s and buying a taste the difference King prawn sandwich with rocket, a bottle of orange juice and a packet of baked cheese and onion crisps (£3).

On Saturday morning I went to Greggs and brought back the sausage and bacon roll with the coffee to enjoy in my room after getting the king prawn sandwich and crisps from Sainsbury’s. The limitation of this approach is that I had the coffee and also the orange juice before leaving and on both days the sandwich was consumed before midday with the crisps soon after but I survive without buying more food until the return journey and visiting Waitrose.

On Friday morning I also went to the Oyster card shop to add £30 and get a new wallet for my cards. These are excellent slim and can take three to five cards. I arrived at East Croydon station a few minutes before 9.30 and then caught the 9.32 cross rail train from Brighton to Bedford, getting a seat and alighting at London Bridge station. From here there is a direct underground train using the Jubilee line to St John’s Wood. On Saturday I missed the 9.32 but there was only a 15 minute wait until the next train which was nothing like as busy as that on the first day.

I have never explored St John’s Wood beyond the immediate environs to the huge ground apart from knowing its proximity to the Park and London Zoo and that it remains one of the most sought after residential area of London with expensive blocks of apartments some with penthouses valued in their millions and also individual properties with their tall electronically operated block gates suggesting they are hiding more than defending. It was on an early visit that I had the idea of using a property in this area for one of the key characters in my unpublished novel which I am rewriting this October after the two months of cricket watching have come to an end.

Lords is a large ground full of areas to sit and picnic and where they is a wide range of places to eat during matches, domestic international. The ground also reflects the wide range of clients from cricket players and cricket lovers, to the hospitality junkateers, socialites and snobs and this is has developed as a love hate relationship with many and is regarded in awe by professional cricketers and hardened supporters.

My experience this time was a mixed one lasting only two days because of the course of play with day one spent in the grand pavilion although I regard that at Surrey as now better from the position of the county club member and visitor. Because I am returning for the one day 40 over final I decided to explore all the options for food. The Thomas Lord Restaurant offers breakfast at £16 and packages offering breakfasts and lunch and teas at test matches and International one days. There is a la carte at the Lords Tavern with three courses around £25 excluding drinkies.

The Sir Pelham Warner restaurant is located within the members stand to the left of the main pavilion but is only available to MCC members on test matches and other match days. The cost is between £38 for two courses and £50 for four with afternoon tea £16.50. The Harris garden specialises in fish and shellfish with main courses from £15 to £40, offers breakfasts and has a late licence so on special days you can go early for breakfast and have a late dinner wines after the game as ended. The Academy Restaurant offers breakfasts and teas to MCC members and to everyone else a three course lunch at £40. There is also a coffee shop there on other days. I will come to the Pavilion in a moment.

To one side of the Nursery ground where from the seats outside the Academy it is possible to watch the players warm up there is an L shape of permanent concession outlets which open for special matches. Here you can enjoy fish and chips, burgers, pies and curries together with peri peri chicken, or a sausage roll at £ 4.50 or a Jamie Oliver special steak sandwich at £20 washed down with glass or two of Verve Cliquot. There are two coffee and tea concession stalls which also sells alcohol and soft drinks as well as the understand bars and those within the upper tiers of the Grand stand and the Mound. There are no facilities of any kind in the Upper tiers of the Compton and Edrich stands either side of players and Groundsman entrance from the Nursery and with the media centre above. It is my understanding that this is area the club wants to develop which does pose a challenge given the two scoreboards and the media centre appears as obstacles to any major transformation. I sat in row L about two thirds down and immediately over the wicket in the Edrich stand on the second day among a small knot of Durham supporters

I purchased my ticket from box office (£40) for the one day International forgetting I had been told it was for the Compton stand so although it is row L I missed the opportunity to see immediately adjacent to the wicket although the seat is at an aisle. It was good to share what became an evident defeat among friends, so to speak.

On the first day I entered the Pavilion without difficulty in the morning although the season was inspected but sneered at after lunch by rather humourless and spiteful character who insister I put on jacket despite the knowledge that once inside everyone was removing their to watch the play. Ritual is everything here and he appeared forlorn when I refused to lodge my haversack in the lower cloakroom. Here there are four areas for food and drink.

The famous Long Room bar which serves different meals at each end overlooked by the cigar smoking Ian now Sir Ian Botham with across from the entrance and through the reading room a little bar from which it is possible to view the game while holding a pint. The member’s lounge with TV’s and newspapers serves coffee and tea and cakes but I am not sure if this extends to bacon rolls in the morning and cream scones in the afternoon and to one side of the middle tier there is also a bar which serves baguettes and cakes and where I enjoyed a refreshing lemonade at tea time. There is also a choice of iced or natural water and I must say the toilets are exceptional A unique feature is the availability of electronic scoreboard which give the progress of the home game as well information on the rest of championship games being played.

I purchased an edition of the MCC rules from the main store noting a second store which opens on Test and other special days. The price of admission is a modest £8 for the first three days with the fourth free. Entrance to the Museum is a standard £3 with concessions £1 Finally not to be missed are the three Hamper options with two by Jamie Oliver £155 and £77 and one Indian foods at £77. They are designed for two people and can be ordered up to 48 hours beforehand.

I suppose I must talk about the cricket match which Durham lost within an hour of the third day by six wickets. I would like to say that the main cause was the loss of the toss with Middlesex putting Durham into bat on wicket where the ball did fall low at time and appeared to swing and play in uncertain ways after a storm had drenched what I assume was a covered wicket a couple of hours before the start of play. There was great cloud cover for most of the day has Durham failed to make 150 or any batsman to stay after appearing to settle after the disastrous opening where four wickets were down for 44 runs. Middlesex then lost two wickets with 1 run on the board and third before steadying struggling to a lead of 25 on the Durham innings. Durham also struggled the second time round with three wickets down for 30 runs. Stokes looked in good form but then came down the wicket to spinner and was stumped and we were all out leaving the home team to get just under 150 runs to win. There were several appeals which fell on deaf ears including two where the visitors appeared certain but the umpires were resolute in resisting. Graham Onions did the prospect of being called upon for the Durham Test no harm by having a match total of nine for 102. While this now puts Middlesex 3^rd in the table on 144 points they have played the extra game which means a Durham overtake is possible with their 132. Sussex on 148 but with 12 games now played were beaten by Derby while Yorks at present on 149 looks as if they will lose to Warwickshire only 147 for 7 in their second innings but where a draw is likely because of the weather.

As a consequence I had two extra days before the Northampton adventure begins.