1718 Cricket, Football, Motor Racing and more Cricket

When I first completed what I had to say about Saturday and Monday at the cricket at Hove, watching the highlights of Sunderland at Bolton on Sunday and then the Spanish Grand Prix later on the same day, I was dissatisfied because although primitive impressionism in intent it failed to communicate most of my feelings. I did not post and worked on again on Thursday morning thus widening the time between experience and its attempted reproduction. Most art is a substitute for experience and becomes an historical reproduction once the work has been produced to the satisfaction of its creator, so this is now an historical reproduction, of an original creation, and a compromise.

Having transferred half the luggage to the car on Friday night I though I would be able to manage the suit and shirt over my arm, the haversack on one shoulder and the other hand controlling the handle of the case as I made my way from the Brighton Travel Lodge to the NCP car park. In the event it was a struggle and I reached the car with relief having stopped under the canopy of the VIP entrance to the Brighton Pavilion to change the luggage between arms. At the vehicle I prepared the haversack for the match and made the car as secure as possible placing all the luggage behind the seats with the exception of carry cover for the suit and shirts.

The entrance into Churchill Square via Debenhams was not yet open, or I was unable to open the door, so I used the previous route via the car park to the fourth floor, up a further floor on the escalator and out into the Square , remembering to note that there was a Habitat store, the store which once dominated contemporary interiors for the aspiring middle classes. What had been a novelty exploration on the Friday had become just another shopping centre the following morning. There were no leggy girls strutting their stuff on the simple stage.


The first bus stop of the line was for the 81A which stopped a few metres from the entrance to the Sussex ground. I knew the 700 went close. I did not know that another half a dozen buses went from the Square along the shopping street passing the ground parallel to the coast road. I presumed there were those wish travelled the coast road,

I arrived at the ground at twenty past nine, ten minutes before the gates opened and realised in my enthusiasm for the new day I had misjudged the time and had to wait with the handful of club Members also waiting to enter. This is the difference between County Cricket and Premiership and Championship Professional Football. In cricket the Members form the club, have collective power and individual relationships with the players if they wish. This the clubs are trying to change and have to an extent changed by halving the number of championship games and increasing the number of one day games with the 50 over, previously 60 over competition involving 10 days plus 3 for those reaching the final. The forty over game involves a two division league with promotion and relegation involving 8 days and the comparatively new 20 20 game 10 match days followed by a further three for those reaching the final and with the semi final and final played on one day, although both finals can be spread over two days to ensure a result if the weather is poor on the first. Thus there is a total of 64 days of championship cricket and a minimum of 28 one day events with a maximum of 34 for teams if they reach both finals.

It is however the one day competitions which brings in the money and in some instances where the 20 20 has taken off, substantial money to the hosting club. It also has to be remembered that for the individual club the comparatively small annual membership charge provides free entry and therefore no additional income for 32 championship days and 9 one day competitions, with extra income for the 20 20 matches, with a substantial discount for Members and similarly for the quarter final of the 50 and 20 over, the semi final of the 50 over if these are played at home. In my instance I pay only £90 for my potential of 41 days of cricket, plus car parking charge of £3.20 a day. There is only a loss for the club from these kind of figures which merchandise, catering, especially hospitality and other enterprise can supplement with hotels or apartments within grounds and in Durham instance a major health and fitness club.

The major money earner for the game is however the internationals with seven Test matches, potentially 35 days and an increasing number of one day events with this summer the world 20 20 series. The Home Club gets a substantial cut with everyone sharing the enormous profits as all games are televised, although a good selection of championship and one day club competitions games are also being shown.

Unlike football, away supporters are welcomed into the home Member facilities as long as they are members of the visiting side and this is part of the attraction of days when the weather is poor and the play can be boring because no result is likely. The majority of the domestic Championship games are no drawn, because of the weather and the way the pitches are prepared.

The bonus on Saturday was the free entry so in celebration I headed for Dexter’s restaurant and a full English breakfast, followed by two slices of toast with black current jam and three, if not four cups of coffee. I considered it good value at £6.95 and even more so to discover the price had been reduced to £5 for the week. I was well set up for the day. A day when the wind was cold and at first the sunshine uncertain.

The question which everyone wanted to know was for how long would Durham continue to bat and would they set a total which Sussex could chase. Sussex had come close the Durham’s first innings score of 380, all out for 363 giving Durham a lead of only 17 runs. Durham had batted well the evening before, but slowly and they appeared to be in no rush in the morning, Michael Di Venuto achieved his century but was out soon afterwards, having put on over 125 with Gordon Muchall who himself went on to achieve 106 runs not out with the help of Ian Blackwell 39 not out and the side declared at 299 for 4 leaving Sussex to obtain 316 in some 50 overs. I and the Sussex members regarded this a decision to play safe and go for a draw rather than risk losing. It revealed a lack of confidence in the ability of the bowlers to take wickets. Harmison and Plunket are well below their best and give away too many runs and Onions has been taken away for International duty along with Collingwood and who has been made Captain of the one day game sides.

Hopes were raised in the afternoon when Harmison dismissed captain Yardy for 12 and Joyce was out a few balls later for 3 and Sussex were 16 for 3. There was a good rally between Nash to ended the day not out 85 and Murray Goodwin who took the total to 71 but when he, and then Hamilton Brown and Luke Wright were out at 105 for 5 the prospects appeared very good. After three championship winning years there is a pessimistic air around the Sussex Members who still mourn the loss of their world class 100 wickets a season spinner. Last year they also struggled and were part of the group where relegation threatened.
But I had witnessed the Sussex first innings revival and Durham had failed to bowl out Yorkshire and then Somerset having two good opportunities to win games. This is what happened again for the third occasion running and captain Smith called it a day when Sussex had added 64 more runs without further loss. Durham’s bowlers and performed well but Sussex had equally avoided risks.

For the greater part of the day I had sat on a bench close to a tree overlooking one end of the wicket in the popular Member’s enclosure. I had not brought a hat and my the end of the day I had become quite brown. I walked down to the shopping road where there were buses every few minutes all stopping along Churchill Square. After crossing over and making my way down the side to NCP car park and dumping the haversack I motored the twelve or so miles between the two towns.

I watched Britain’s Got Talent after a makeshift meal using up what I had with me and with no inclination to go shopping or have an explore. I was tired and cold but the room was warm and cosy. I had a problem opening the door with the key card which had to be replaced. Possibly I had been inserting the card the wrong way round.

I woke early on Sunday and watched some of the football before Andrew Marr. Sunderland drew away to Bolton and the point could prove decisive. He played Kenwyn Wright up front in his own without Cisse who was on the bench and this worked well and confirmed what I have been saying for most of the season and that the two cancel each other’s effective than combining into a formidable force. One point against Portsmouth or Chelsea could do it.

Durham was to have a bad day at Bristol, humiliated by Gloucester who charged ahead with four wins from four games. The home side won the toss elected to bat scoring 301 for 8 with their 50 overs. None of the seven bowlers distinguished themselves. Apart from Breese with 47 the top order were awful with Mustard, Smith, Blenkenstein and Muchall all failing and Di Venuto 17 and Blackwell 23.

The sporting good cheer came in the Spanish Grand Prix where a tactical switch from three to two stops for Jenson Button secure him the win with his team mate second. It was not a memorable event in other respects.

And so again to cricket on Monday where the weather forecast was grim after the midsummer feel to the Sunday. The wind was gusting at storm level although there was no rain. I changed the overnight plan and took the vehicle to the ground although it was very early. I had made up the half baguette with ham and coleslaw and a flask of coffee and consumed the baguette and most of the coffee while reading Daily Telegraph which I had gone out early to buy while making a check on the weather. I will comment about the continuing disclosures by the Daily Telegraph about the expenses claims of Members of Parliament later in the week. I had successfully organised myself to be away before 9am when the 20 pence for 20 minute charged commenced. I had also been able to move the car from across the road to one of three space almost outside the hotel entrance.

Having stayed an hour in the car eating and reading I made my way to the ground arriving before 10.20 and still an hour and a half to before the commencement of play. I went into the main member’s lounge with Dexter’s closed as advised only to find that the £5 breakfast plate was on offer. Alas I had eaten the baguette so even the Bacon or Sausage roll did not appeal and when it did it was off the menu.
On both days, the Saturday and the Monday I had become engaged in conversation with interesting Sussex members as had been the situation on the first two days. In keeping with my general approach most of what passed between us remains confidential but there was one aspect of my long talk with a retired police inspector which justifies sharing as it was the subject of publicity when the incident occurred over a decade ago, The former police inspector was hit in his lower back by a metal bar wielded by a thug and required hospital treatment which included an x ray. When the consultant came to see him he stunned the patient by suggesting that he should shake the hand of his assailant at the first opportunity. The x ray revealed a growth to his spine which had it not been detected would have led to his death within two years. He would need an operation and asking how long this would take, he was told today. He lived to tell me the tale

Sussex won the toss and elected to bat and Joyce recovered from his Championship dismissals to hit a fine 127 and with Gatting put on 110 runs for the first wicket. They achieved 313 for six with their 50 overs and made scoring look easy although Durham’s bowled as well as they could. Durham then did well to begin with putting on 188 runs before the third wicket fell, that of Mustard fro 92. Several Durham batsmen had promising starts which came to nothing and the last eight wickets fell for 69 runs even though they were ahead on the runs wicket ratio for a time James Kirtley did the damage taking 6 for 60.

I spent most of the day on a bench in sunshine lashed by the wind in the Eastern Corner of the Member’s enclosure where players often passed by on the way to warm up at the net. As the sun went down, I and Sussex members moved from this corner into the other where the sun was able to penetrate. Instead of sun burn I experienced wind burn. I enjoyed the visit in which has become the last of the traditional County Cricket grounds and the Sussex members and staff were welcoming. I wondered if I would visit again and when.

1715 An excellent day despite wintry conditions

Yesterday was an excellent day despite wintry weather conditions. Although inclined for a lay in, or should it be lie in, I went looking for a car parking place as close to the Sussex Cricket ground as available around 8.30 am and found a free space facing the right way towards the sea front and a short walk from the main entrance. I then had an explore of the local shops and estates agents where the average rental of property is £1000 a month with several in £1400 to £1500 but where there was also a studio flat for around £500, Obviously it is about location and the ability to rent out during the Summer holiday season. I bought a cheese and onion sandwich and a copy of the Daily Mail and made my way into the ground and the Member’s lounge for a seat at a table immediately behind glass and with a large screen TV nearby. I read a little of the paper, did the wagon wheel word search, quickly getting the minimum average of 15 words and then floundering after 17, and then though I had the right starter for the code word but failed then onwards.

The skies were full of rain and the wind was exceptionally cold so before the match commenced I ordered a bacon roll which was a large bap well filled with bacon, and a cup of coffee for £ 3.40 remembering my £1.50 experience at the Ship and Royal back home. It was a salutary reminder of what the South regards as a normal costs of living.

My experience of Brighton is limited but there are some important memories. Going with my mother at the end of World War Two, it may even have been in war time with beaches closed off, mined with barbed wire and devices to handicapped a sea borne assault. I was dumped in the sea by the son of the my birth mother’s eldest sister after he had returned from a Prisoner of War camp in East Germany liberated by the Russians who raped and pillaged the enemy. I retained a fear of water into my adulthood. I attended a conference staying at the Grand Hotel. I visited as part of the Local Government Forum on Drugs. I made a couple of visits, days out one with my birth and care mothers. I visited as part of trips to Sussex Cricket Club. I have walked the remaining pier. I did come on a visit on my own when my mother was in residential care and I stayed at her former home, buying a copy of Peace News from a shop in the Northern Laines. Someone who was once important in my life when a young man and involved in the Peace movement became an academic administrator at a university in the area.

There are now two universities in the area whereas before 1960 there was none. The first, the University of Sussex was then created as a new red brick and with a reputation for being left of centre in its approach to the world and further education. It has a campus site outside of the town centre. Then with the subsequently development in which the Polytechnics transmigrated into Universities a new University of Brighton was created and which has developed campus sites not just in Brighton but neighbouring resort town of Eastbourne and Hastings, places which I visited as a child and once stayed on holiday at Hastings which was our least successful family holiday if I remember correctly. The number of students and staff will have increased significantly throughout the last decade because of government policy, academic reputation and popularity of the location.

Then there is the conference Brighton although my experience was that apart from a walk on the front there had been little opportunity to explore. I must search for the conference programme. There would have been a civic reception and dinner.

A lot people will be commuters living in Brighton and working in central London. When I worked for the Government’s Drug use advisory service on secondments I knew an administrator who did this.

During the same period I was also an advisor to Local Authority Drugs Forum (whose creation had been my idea and was the first local government organisation which represented all the separate representational bodies in the UK) we came on a visit to West Sussex and although based at Lewis (the place not the TV series) we had visited two advisory help services in Brighton, including a needle exchange service. The town had developed a community of gay people outside of London so there was a problem with HIV and it had always been a resort which attracted young people because of the season work opportunities.

Then there is Brighton the retirement area although rocketing property prices will have had it impact on those able to migrate here for retirement.

There will also have been a relocation here of asylum seekers and other displaced persons living on benefits because of the availability of accommodation during the period when the British seaside holiday was replaced by the short time flight to Spain and Greece and with Gatwick airport a quick train ride away and more people coming to the coast for day when the weather is fine. The road between London and Brighton used to be blocked with vehicles on the good summer weekends and bank holidays and with people making their way home slowly from early evening until the pubs closed on coach trips ( what were they called in those day charabanks?) or in packed special trains. Yes charabank is the correct spelling although it is also a character level 80 Troll Hunter to be precise in the World of Warcraft.

Then there are the mangers, the professionals and the service providing workers although my impression is that the latter are now are primarily new and old Europeans and students. I will try and find the time over the next few days to find out a little of the reality.

The sun did emerge, almost for a few minutes after lunch and left my comfortable and ideal position to climb the stairs to sit behind the bowler’s arm. The as I soon as a felt rain in the air I descended and retreated on bench backing on to the wall of Dexter’s the restaurant, so I did not block the view of those sitting at table for a late lunch or an early afternoon tea. When the rain stopped play I joined the dozens of other viewing the Test Match at Lords. It was a brilliant decision because Graham Onions of Durham in his first match took a second wicked in the same over, I missed the first, and then a third and later he took two more to finish with five wickets for 38 runs. The consequence is that anyone taking 5 wickets in an innings or scoring 100 or more runs have their names immediately added to a toll of honour board in the dressing room of the national side. It was the making of a legend. No one can alter what will be there for everyone to see in successive generations.

Returning to the field of play outside in the cold Durham were all out for 380 with Liam Plunkett not out for a career best of 94 and short of the fifth batting point. Sussex had an excellent start with 80 0n the board before the first wicket and then had an extraordinary collapse with five wickets going for 28 runs three were out each for 0 caught by the wicket keeper Mustard, one to Claydon and two to Liam. However then Hodd 101 and Luke Wright 67 came together and put on 150 before the next wicket fell and the Innings closed on Friday only 17 runs behind the Durham total, emphasising my feeling that a draw was the most likely outcome.

In the evening I watched an average episode of Taggart and had intended to watch Any Questions and the late political programme but went to sleep and missed the most significant political event so far this year which is likely to bring forward the end of the Labour Government.

1712 Sussex Cricket Ground by the Sea

I am behind in my writing because of two avoidable situations. The first was the a Microsoft Word programme temporary collapse when I had not saved the work, so engrossed had I become in the subject, and tonight have spent two hours going through everything in my motel room twice and everything in the car once in the hope of finding a little black wallet which contains my bus and metro passes. I suspect it fell in the car park although as the park appears to be run automatically with a central CCTV control monitored somewhere else there was no one to ask. I will have to see if there is a number to contact tomorrow to enquire if it has been handed in otherwise the intention of using the pass while I am away is abandoned and I will have to wait till returning home to seek a replacement.

This should not take away from an excellent day in the sunshine until tea time when sea fog swept in and the air was cold and damp.

I had awoken in the sunshine and decided to take the car to the cricket ground rather than use public transport, otherwise I may have discovered that the pass was missing first thing, delayed leaving to undertake a search and had a miserable day knowing that it was lost. Breakfast was coffee and a plain croissant and I made a flask of coffee to take.

It is over half a decade, possible close to a decade, since visiting Sussex County Cricket ground at Hove but it had not changed in any respect. This will not be so after the season ends in the Autumn. I learnt the details of the changes during the afternoon.

The ground is unusual in that it is completely enclosed by private gardens, private houses and blocks of apartments, with the exception of one narrow entrance sufficient for a private car to use to the north east corner of the ground where there is room for a couple of dozen member’s car available on a first come first served basis and with members with tickets can also use as pedestrians, and the main entrance at the southern end of the ground. In a very rough count there are something like 150 to 200 properties with views of the playing areas although some at a distance

At the main entrance end and within the grounds, the club sold the space for a multi story block of apartments although only those from the fourth level and above have a view of the playing area. Those below this level have no view, blocked by a curious two floor building comprising an education centre for school children plus a viewing area for them and the famous Gilligan Stand roof terrace. Here there are presently 27 groups of four seats considerably spaced apart both between the five rows and between each block as once upon a time before safety regulations were tightened spectators could bring their own seating up the three flights of stairs and on to the banked roof areas. I spent the day here from fifteen minutes before the start of play until just after six pm when it ended, apart from a walk round at lunch time and going into the member’s pavilion for a cup of tea late afternoon.

On the west side of the ground sideways to the wicket is the only area of seating stands with an area for non members and then the Members pavilion which has two long room areas, one with a bar and a coffee and tea with a cake deal in the afternoons for £2.40 and a similar deal with a bacon or sausage roll for £3.40 in the mornings. There are tables seating six from which members can view the play behind glass. I did not enter the second long room area but from the outside it appeared that it as here people were enjoyed a cooked breakfast which is served from 9.30 until the start of play at 11am. I presume the advertised one and two course lunch and full afternoon tea. There is a part covered upper tier to this stand and the lower tier also has a covered area where quaintly some of the seating at the back is of the traditional park bench.

The northern end, either side of the sight screen, has one of the rare remaining features of an English cricket ground as in addition to rows of park benches on banking there are deck chairs. Behind this area there are the outdoor nets and in the north west corner the indoor cricket school which appears to lead off from the Players Pavilion. The east side of the ground is also an anomaly in terms of today’s Test and one Day international grounds. There are no stands. In the northern end there is a single row of seating behind which cars of the disabled can be parked as they are in an area in the North East corner. This appeared to me to be tempting the fates because a six in this area could not just break a windscreen but severely damage the body work. The scoreboard is about a third of the way down the east side and is a two storey white washed brick building with a three sided clock, may be four, I forgot to check on the walk around

There are then some hospitality boxes and a Players Club area and then the previously Members only bar and food tent which reminded of the years of camping holidays and then the hospitality tents which can be purchased on a game by game basis in packs of ten for about £1000. The tents are called Marquees to go with the price.

I was able to find myself a car park place for £4 all day which is only 80 pence more that at Durham and just a little bit further away in terms of walking distance. However the man I asked for directions sent me to the Members entrance which meant I had to walk three quarters around the ground instead of a quarter. The cost of entrance is £13 a day for adults but non members can purchase entry into the Members Pavilion area for an additional £5. Along with visiting members from Essex, Kent, and Hampshire, Durham Members can gain entry for free. However as with the first match against Yorkshire the wicket was on the further end of the square so members in the Pavilion stand were some distance side on from the play, so I quickly moved to the Gilligan stand a little to left of the wicket as it was evident those immediately behind were part of a group of regular members who enjoyed familiar banter.

I was alone for the part of the morning on four seat group and then younger man, possibly in his late thirties sat in the fourth seat for a time, and then reappeared for the last part of the evening session. Another man this time in his sixties took the same seat during the after lunch session and he was joined for a short while just before tea by another man and a guest. The other man proved my source of information about the ground development as the club now has eleven million pounds in the kitty from their three championship winning years and development money from the ECB. The Gilligan stand is the first to be demolished and replaced by fixed sponsorships boxes with a three hundred and forty six seat top tier and a Sky TV area. The media appear to have a facility next to the Members Pavilion. There are also improvement to Members and Players Pavilions with latter returning restoration work in what has become a listed building

Sussex is the home of Paul Parker who during his decade with the club was nominated player of the year three or four times. He came to Durham as Captain in the early years and then rook up an appointment at a Boy’s Public School. Durham‘s opening Batsman previously played for Sussex and was voted their player of the year.

Durham won the toss and elected to bat and this appeared to be the wrong decision as three wickets fell for 41 runs and the score was 161 for 6 before Blenkenstein was joined by Liam Plunket and the two added just under 150 runs before Blenkenstein was out for 136. Liam was 65 not out at the close and with Thorp, Claydon and Harmison to come they will work hard to try and get another batting point before the innings closes. As Sussex do not have the same batting strength as Durham their early batsman will have to get the runs if they are to avoid a repetition of the loss last year. However the rain may affect the result.

It became cold as the Sea fret moved in late afternoon and the morning forecast indicates the possibility of rain.

I went on a little explore of my immediate area after checking the car and discovered I am close to a major shopping centre at Churchill Square where there are two bus routes to the ground and nearby an food sandwich store open from 7 am until 11pm. I shall get up early to buy sandwiches before taking my car to the ground where I may use the pavilion with rain forecast and the English breakfast is very tempting. Everyone appeared to be at the cinema which is next door and if rain stop play I am tempted by the film State of Play. I am yet to walk the pier.

1708 An amazing cricket day and Ballykissangel

I awoke sufficiently early to attend to several activities before settling down to divide my day between watching Durham at Somerset and undertaking some work at the computer or photographing completed sets.

In contrast to yesterday the morning was bright and temperature reasonable. After washing up and washing me, and completing my notes on Helen Keller and the fictional Esther Costello I made my way to Jarrow, to visit Wilkinson’s to see if they had any of black coloured set volumes which I need for the completed MySpace and Google not writing. This was a success with five bought as well as two more red and three bluish.

On the way I discovered that work on the second Tyne Tunnel has commenced creating additional problems on reaching the present entrance area which has to be negotiated before be able to take the road into Jarrow centre and Morrison’s Car Park. The work should be completed during 2012. The second tunnel similar to that on Merseyside has become essential but how effective it will depend on improvements to the approach roads and to the paying of Toll facilities at the North Tyneside end or start depending on which way you are travelling.

On my return journey I forgot to position myself at one junction with the consequence of then having to take a different route which brought me one end of Fredericke Street where the former Plessey Factory and then site of the replacement electronics factory and which once employed over 2000 people has been cleared in an attempt to rejuvenate the area. By coincidence I had written about the factory and the shopping street in December 2007 and only last night transferred the writing from MySpace to Google. I found the connection between the mistake and the recent work interesting.

On return the first interest was the news of those selected for the Test Matches against the West Indies at Lords and then Durham followed by three one day matches where the side for this is to be announced later as well as for the World 20 20 competition. Michael Vaughan former Captain and a centrally contracted player, as is Steve Harmison have not been included. However Graham Onions has been selected for his first cap in the 12 and is likely to play with two spinners in the selection. This means he will not be travelling to Brighton for the Sussex game but Steve will. Liam Plunkett will be available to take his place after appearing for England against the West Indies Touring side.

There was an extraordinary change in the county game with new Batsman Mustard joining not Blenkenstein and struggling to get any runs as Somerset had sharpened up considerably over the previous day. The immediate task was to increase the total to over four hundred runs to gain the final and fifth batting point. I misunderstood the situation yesterday in that it is only possible to gain 3 bowling points making a total of 8 bonus, with four for a draw and 12 for a win.

The uncertainty about Durham position was reinforced when Mustard was run out for 4 and the score had changed from 284 for 3 to 382 for 7 and where the run rate had halved. Then Ian Thorp added 32 in 53 balls with Blenkenstein steadfastly moving towards 150. Young pace bowler Mitchell Claydon also showed competence with the bat and he and Blenkenstein moved the score forward quickly once more with Claydon 38 in 33 ball and Blenkenstein looking at 175. He was out at 181 with Steve Harmison 10. The total had reached 543. Today their Captain said it had been the right decision to put Durham into bat and the outcome would have been different if the four or five catches had not been dropped.
The task facing the Durham bowlers was to take the ten Somerset wickets before they reached a total of 393, thus making them bat for a second time in succession. Given that Somerset had scored over 600 runs in their last game on a similar wicket this might prove a difficult task although it was to be hoped that Harmison would set out to show that the selectors had been wrong to overlook him and Onions that they had been right to choose him.

What happened next was beyond anyone’s wildest dreams as Durham on of their greatest days bowing against one of the strongest batting sides in the country on a batting sympathetic wicket.

When the score was 12 Onions clean bowled a surprised Marcus Trescothick and then Captain Justin Langer one fo the great opening batsmen of all time seemed to have the situation under control although the other opener Suppiah looked as if he was finding the pace of Durham’s openers a challenge. Then for Somerset the sky fell in. Suppiah was caught and bowled by Onions for 12. Hildreth who had scored 303 runs in the first championship match of the season was out leg before wicket also to Onions and the score was 39 for 3. Only one run later de Bruyn was caught behind by wicket keeper Mustard of the bowling of Steve Harmison for 0). Only nine runs later Nieswetter was caught Thorp off Onions for 0. Then Thorp replacing Harmison had his finest ever spell bowing Trego caught Di Venuto for 4, and bowling Banks for 2 and Stiff for 0. It was 66 for nine with Captain Langer standing bemused and helpless at the other end having scored half the total. Onions got his sixth wicket when Captain Smith caught Willoughby for 0 and Somerset were all out for 69 giving Durham record lead of 474.

The bowing figures were

Graham Onions 14.2 overs 4 maidens 31 runs and 6 wickets

Graham Thorp 6 overs 2 maidens 5 runs and 3 wickets

And Steve Harmison 8 overs 2 maidens 29 runs and 1 wickets.

Sky’s commentary team were universally ecstatic advocates of quality pace bowling and Sky had a memorable television event after the boring and disappointing Test draws over the Winter in India and the West Indies. Durham’s reputation was considerably strengthened and the Sky team were speculating that only Notts might be in competition with them for the Championship this season

It was not to be expected that the rout would continue as Smith continued with the bowlers who had ended the first innings. However the batsmen had found new resolve and determined not to repeat the humiliation and the bowlers had understandable lost some of their fire. Somerset ended the day 83 for 1 with Claydon getting the wicket of Suppiah but Trescothick and Hildreth looking strong. However Hildreth was dropped and one possibility two LBW decisions were not given when they should probably making up for two dodgy decisions which contributed to the Somerset batting debacle earlier. Such days rarely come and joy was to be able to watch rather than listen or read about later.

I enjoyed using pat of the chicken from Sunday to make a Korma curry dish on Monday and yesterday used the remainder for a stir-fry. To day I had the rest of the stir fry and Thai sauce for lunch and then two salmon fishcakes with cold baked beans for the evening meal. There were fresh strawberries for lunch bough from green grocers in Jarrow where I purchased four giant plums the largest I have ever seen. Grapes, bananas and melon have provided fruit over the week so far. I have discovered some thin salt and pepper crackers which are enjoyable on their own or with anchovies, for a snack this afternoon, or with a slice of salami previously.

I missed the third series of Ballykissangel when it was first produced, upset with the departure of the two leading characters. The third series has been that much more enjoyable because my expectations were so low. It was an effective recreation introducing several new characters while retaining the strengths of some of the originals.

The first was the arrival of the son (Sean Dillon played by Lorcan Cranitch ) of a deceased man hated for having created his wealth and built up his farming land at the expense of his neighbours. There were several notable episodes in which he featured with the arrival of his daughter Emma, when he makes his peace with his neighbour (Eamon Byrne- Birdie Sweeney) Birdie was given his nickname as a child because of his ability to mimic birds. Growing up in a poor family of ten he did not turn to acting until in his 50’s. He had 8 children all of whom are now said to live in Philadelphia. The son of his brother also arrives to create a second teenage interest Danny- Colin Farrell who has since had a developing major career in films and TV, culminating with his award winning appearance in In Bruges one of the funniest films of many a year, black, clever and beautifully shot in the City which I have visited. He establishes a relationship with Emma.

Other memorable episodes are when the town forgives him for the his father’s past actions after a tree partially destroys his home and they rally to make the house habitable again.
He establishes a relationship with Niamh the daughter of Brian Quigley after she has married dull and respectable Policeman Ambrose and borne his child. Hit by the death of her close friend Assumpta Fitzgerald she finds the stability of marriage and the demands of motherhood are not for her because of a sense of having missed out on life and the world. When Ambrose dies having discovered the blossoming relationship with Eamon Byrne, she is consumed with guilt and resentment.

The new priest plays a less significant role than before and in contrast to his worldly predecessor has been cloistered in a Monastery for a decade. As the idealist he is counterpoint for Father MacAnally who schemes and enjoys the good life playing golf and drinking whisky, but also is wise and compassionate. He was in his sixties when appearing in 52 of 58 episodes of the series and has continued working into his late seventies. One interesting note is that both the curate priests appeared in the series Father Ted which was religiously watched by my birth and care mothers.

The arrival of the curate priest’s sister provides a friend for Niamh and then for a fiesty relationship with the man who rescues her when the balloon in which she is travelling with Brian Quigley crashes into the sea. For a time it looked as if there would be a relationship with the older Brian who is her kind of strong and adventurous man, As tenant of Padraig for time and who operated the garage she break his heart as well as fancying Eamon Byrne. She is the free spirit running amok in what appears to be a tranquil and traditional Irish community.

The shock of the series is when school master Brendan has a fling with the vet Sioban and they have a child, eventually marrying and living together. We also learn that Kathleen of the village shop who plays the church organ and disapproves of all things modern and of change meets her beau of twenty five years ago and who before going to London to make his fortune, with money given by Kathleen promised to call for her to join him when he was established, but never did.

Brian Quigley continues in his role as the local wheeler dealer acquiring the golf course but shows compassion and understanding when his daughter begins the extra marital relationship and when her husband dies. He also shows hidden talents in the care of her son. The local Doctor is the star of one programme as the winner of the annual horse race on the sands. He appears in 38 of the 58 episodes.

Only two characters appear in every episode and surprisingly this is the pair of self employed workers mainly for Brian Quigley, Donal and Liam. In the latest episode they discover a hurriedly discarded crate of stolen best caviar selling for £80 a tin which they give to the cat before being told what they have. As usual the scheme to sell the find falls apart.

Two established film and TV actors also make appearances. James Nesbitt appeared as the estranged husband of Assumpta Fitzgerald, before making his name in Cold Feet and Murphy’s Law. James Ellis plays the eccentric Uncle Minto in 4 episodes. James had some 50 mainly TV credit shows and series which he has continued

It was a good day but two in a row is not expected

1706 Somerset vesus Durham at Taunton

The morning was wet and cold and not at all cricketing weather and the forecast for Taunton in Somerset, as everywhere else, suggested heavy rain around 3 in the afternoon. The match was interesting because Somerset had a strong batting side, especially at home whereas the Durham strength has become its bowlers, especially with Steve Harmison playing for the team.

Sky had decided not to have the usual match preface and we joined the coverage as Durham opened the batting at 11 am, having been put in by Somerset. Although the pitch was being described as ideal for bowlers with some grass and overcast conditions, Somerset started without the kind of attacking field which the decision to bat second indicated. This puzzled the TV commentary especially when all four pace bowlers failed to impress

My eyesight depends on strong lens and with the speed of bowlers seeing the ball from a stand or even at the boundary edge is a problem for me, so watching the close up on TV for a County game is something of a luxury.

I have never visited the Somerset ground and which is in the process of development. This morning a new stand was opened which includes several tiers of what I presumed were hospitality boxes and a new purpose designed Player’s Pavilion is under construction. I must say that the new stand is the most unattractive. There also appeared to be a dearth of spectators, surprising given the performance of the county last season and the visit of the current champions.

Later the commentators explained that although the tiers above the stand looked like hospitality boxes they were retirement flats with balconies overlooking the playing areas. It was also evident that spectators were not yet being allowed into the new stand which stretches one side of ground and which has been created to provide for the increased attendance as Somerset are hosting the Women’s 20 20 World Cup this summer. With the new stand the capacity has reached 10000, still poor by grounds now holding test matches but with the potential to increase to 15000 with additional temporary seating. It also emerged that the present chairman of the English Test and County Cricket Board is the former chairman of the Somerset Club. Wheels within wheels. The problem is that Somerset’s cricketing square has been the most placid. In the first championship game also held at the ground the visitors also batted first and scored 500 runs but Somerset then scored 672 for 4 with one player getting 303 runs before the retirement. Needless to add the match ended in a draw.

For this match the wicket was tinged with green and with early morning, early season, dampness it was expected that a good pace attack might gain early wickets. This may have been the reasoning behind the decision to ask Durham to bat first when the toss was won, fearing what the Durham bowlers might have been able to achieve.

However it was a great risk given, as I have reported that all Durham’s batsmen have been performing well and this is how it worked out during the first hour and a half. Somerset without Andrew Caddick and two others of their main bowlers are not fit, failed to make effective use of the new ball and Di Venuto carried on from where he left off against Yorkshire with his 140 as he raced to another 50, looking all set for a century before he fell to a good ball which swung in so that a stroke became necessary but with insufficient time to control, he gave a catch to first slip, who failed to hold but managed to direct towards an alert Marcus Trescothick. He made 53 and Stoneman who had taken his time was joined by Captain Will Smith.

Last season in the day night Pro 40 game I has watched Marcus Trescothick score a magnificent quick time 124. The championship game at Durham had been disappointing with Somerset batting first and scoring 352 and then Durham were all out for 100 less. Somerset declared at 192, setting Durham 300 but give them inadequate time and the match was drawn. Their South African overseas batsman Zander De Bruyn amd 120 and Hildreth scored 100 runs in his two innings. Trescothick managed only 60 runs in his two. Di Venuto 40 and 42 Stoneman 53 and 1, Blenkenstein 21 and 50 and Plunket were the main Durham Scorers. Ian Blackwell then with Somerset only managed 46 but took 3 wickets. In the return match at Taunton captain Justin Langer, an Australian former Test Player scored 31 and 109 Dr Bruyn 76 in one innings while Di Venuto 135, Blenkenstein 62 and Chanderpaul 93. In a rain affected game Somerset had only managed 224 runs to the Durham 400. These personal performances had a bearing on what happened on this first day.

Whatever Somerset’s 39 year old Captain had say over the lunch break, his team returned to the square with new found resolve and accuracy and Durham quickly lost Smith for 7 and Stoneman for 38. And indeed the position could have become concerning as three good chances were put down. However former Captain Blenkenstein and Graham Muchall got their heads down and raised the total by a hundred runs by teatime with both completing half centuries.

In the background lunchtime chat reference was made that the selectors are meeting today to chose the team for the first test with Harmison and Onions in contention and Plunkett has already been selected for the A side which plays against West Indies at Derby on Thursday. Plunkett’s involvement to led Matthew Claydon taking his place in an otherwise changed side from that which played against Yorkshire. Matthew although born in Australia and played cricket there is not regarded as an overseas player because his parents hold British passports. In the same way Venuto qualified as an European player because of Italian background although his experience was also in Australia.

The Sky commentators were full of praise for Durham‘s achievement last season in winning the Championship and for their approach this year in which they could have selected an additional overseas player but have decided to give county players and others from the UK the opportunity to play in the opening four day games. Obviously if several players are selected for England in addition to Paul Collingwood and with the conclusion of the Indian 20 20 league competition in South Africa, it is also possible they are waiting to see how things go before offering a contract for the rest of the season. There was a special feature in which all the main bowlers were given their opportunity to talk about their approach and enthusiasm for playing for Durham which the commentary team said was a model which other clubs should emulate, in terms of bringing forward local players.

Another aspect in the way pitches have developed in the UK. There has been deliberate policy to create wickets which lasted for four or five days for the championship and Tests because of commercial considerations. This has however resulted in boring draws which in the medium term could turn the public away given the commercial success the 20 20 format and with the World competition being held in the UK as well as the IPL and other tournaments taking place around the world. One development designed to ensure players also concentrate on the four day game is that the ECB has raised the end of season prize money five fold. Whereas last season Durham Players shared £70000 between them and the club was given £30000, this year on offer is £350000 and £15000. This could account for the Yorkshire approach, that given the vagaries of the weather, gaining a draw and first innings bonus points could make the difference in winning the championship or coming second or third.

The third wicket stand between Blenkenstein and Graham Muchall was ended at 285 with Graham out for 68. The Ina Blackwell joined Blenkenstein at the crease to rapturous applause from the home side spectators which had grown during the morning as the weather forecast of heavy rain proved false and a sun tan lotion and ice creams were a requirement for the afternoon as well as morning.

Again Sky provided insight into why Ian had left Somerset towards suddenly at the end of the season after being with them for six years. Ian appeared in excellent form and raced to 50 in 50 balls and together with Blenkenstein who reached his century after tea, they looked as if the would continue until the close of play. Then Ian made a mistake and to the delight of the home team, but not their spectators he was out for 50. Night watchman Graham Onions then was out for 0 and the day closed with Durham 372 for six and with the prospect of reaching 400 and five bonus batting points. However with rain forecast especially for Thursday it may be necessary for Durham to declare and test their bowlers against Somerset’s batting strength if they are to have any prospect of winning. If as expected Harmison and Onions are recalled to the Test squad then this will be added incentive for them both to perform well in this match. Tomorrow is going to be an important day.

1704 A sporting weekend and Ruby James

After four days of lazily watching cricket I need to work but am torn between sport, sport and more sport on the TV, football, cricket, motor racing, running and more football and other TV both live and catch up, a walk in the sun, wanting to read, to plan the week ahead, and more.

The first distraction came from Ruby James asking to be added to my friends and taking the trouble to pen a note on how the request was made. I could listen her all day and she interests because the combination of the sound, and what she reveals about herself, whether intended or not. Hopefully she will find someone who will not attempt to contain or change her. She admits she only comes alive when involved in song creating and performing and while that is the most satisfying of experience any human can have it is also a cross when it comes to undertaking the normal things such as a loving relationship, children, ongoing family relationships and on going friends. The path involves constant travelling, self observed experiencing and periods of reflection, alone. Although young, you know she understands this and is prepared to pay the price, for now. For every Amy Winehouse and Janis Joplin who find fame a two edged sword, there are hundred of singers and musicians who seem able to combine making music with a satisfying life even though they are more part time than full time. MySpace provides a wonderful window into their world and at the moment I am exploring Spanish guitarists and flamenco players.

Shame on Yorkshire Cricket Club for lacking the self belief to meet the challenge set by Durham last week. Until late on Thursday the evidence was the two teams were well matched and then Yorkshire folded from 246 for five wickets to all out for 272, mainly because of a blistering attack from Steve Harmison and an accurate performance from Graham Onions with 3 for 49.

When local player Mark Stoneman was out in the first over for 0 the Leeds radio commentator got excited as he hoped this would herald a Durham collapse and nullify the 90 run first innings lead. However he had not allowed for Michael Di Venuto who last year scored 184 and then 45 not out in the same fixture, a total of 229 runs. This year he and only scored 26 runs in his first innings although had looked in command. On Friday he made 146 and until his dismissal looked as if nothing what going to stop him, making a total of 250 runs for the season so far.

Durham knew that that they needed to score quickly if on this wicket they were going to bowl out Yorkshire on the fourth day. Captain Smith 67 making 88 for the match and total of 288 runs for the season so far. With Blackwell also scoring over 250, former captain Blenkenstein contributing 100 and Mustard 135, The batting has got off to a great start.

It was the bowling where there was a question mark until Steve Harmison who had commenced to find pace and some accuracy on the Friday morning was supported by Graham Onion to wrap up the Yorkshire innings that hope emerged both for the match and the season as it is evident they are getting better with each innings performance. Durham have been noted for their poor starts to the season but the evidence, despite the one day loss and now the draw omens well.

The approach of Yorkshire was evident from the start on Saturday morning having survived four overs the night before. They offered no scoring strokes unless the bowlers were inaccurate. Everything else was defended and the bowlers had rely on getting edges which flew to where a fielder had been placed. Whereas on the Sunday and in the early pat of their first innings Yorks scored an average of five runs an over, on Saturday the rate was only two. Yet the game was of interest as the Durham bowlers attempted to force the batsman into making errors.

On Saturday I had risen early and having prepared the night before I was ready to leave so as to arrive well before the start of play. From the experience of previous years I expected the crowd to be less at weekend as Members had family commitments and would wait to see how the game progressed before committing themselves to attending. However I was unable to park in my favoured position because of the local rowing regatta. A full day of events loudly cheered by competitors and their families and friends who occupied the usual deserted river banks.

It was also warm, almost hot as the wind had dropped as I may have appeared overdressed with a coat, soft inner jacket and shirt but as the day progressed I was the one warm as the wind recommenced and the clouds rolled in and we were all reminded that this was spring and frosts were still possible at night.

On arrival I enjoyed a pan au chocolate with a cup of coffee either side, and then had two salami filled rolls with mustard for lunch followed by a fruit salad and the rest of the coffee. I had been for a cup of tea on previous afternoons but as a draw appeared inevitable and Sunderland were losing at West Brom, I indulged with a fat scone spread with raspberry jam and a thick layer of cream on each slice. It was delicious. I went outside to take a seat in the stand overlooking the wicket only to see rain bearing clouds roll over so stayed overlooking the restart from the shelter provided by the health club balcony. I waited until the rain stopped and as the shower was short there was the possibility of further play, but the inclination was to return home, which I did. and then listened to radio Leeds who were content with the draw.

The bowling deserved a better outcome. Onions was at least rewarded with 5 for 56 and a match total of 8 for 105. The most impressive performance was that of Steve Harmison whose 1 for 32 came from 28 overs which I would be surprised if was not his most economical and controlled spell for sometime. Blackwell with 21 runs from 11 overs and Thorp 18 from 11.4 all deserved wickets and the joy of winning the game. Credit to Yorkshire for their defence which I suspect would not have been the situation had Gough still been captain and he would have been unable to resist the challenge.

On Sunday morning I decided I could not bear to watch the humiliation of Sunderland losing 3.0 to West Brom after dominating most of the first half. Once West Brom scored their heads went down and there was no fight back, which was the mark of the team when Roy Keane was the manager. His appointment at the East Anglican club of Ipswich has just been announced. The present Manager Ricky Sprager seems a nice man with a footballing brain but I wonder if he will be the right man to get the team back into the Premiership if they are relegated and where some of the core players will want to move. Because of the dames which Boro have to play, the gap between the rest and West Brom and that Hull continues to lose despite their fighting endeavours I still think Newcastle and Sunderland will survive, but only just.

The sporting highlight on Sunday was the third Grand Prix win for Jenson Button in the cloudless heat of the desert track in Bahrain. Because the first two wins were in rain affected races where the steward’s safety vehicle was much in evidence and success was dependent on choosing the right tyres at the right time, this win was the more satisfying for him although as a spectacle it lacked the shunts and spills of all three previous races.

I did watch Match of the Day to confirm that the Boro had lost at Arsenal and where getting another point from their remaining games appears unlikely.

Food was disjointed on Sunday, ha ha... with the roast potatoes ready before everything else, then the portion of chicken and then some mixed beans, broad and red although I only consumed about a third of the remaining portion. Later I had the ham salad prepared for Saturday, enjoying a small piece of steak with mixed beans as an evening meal. There have been anchovies on thin crackers as a meal starter, and on Sunday there was smoked salmon with lemon droplets on thin crackers for tea. On both days of the weekend there was porridge for breakfast.

1702 Durham County Championship versus Yorks

To anyone not interested in County cricket the importance of the clash match between Durham and Yorkshire will have seemed peculiarly English given that it was also the most important National Budget day since the ending of World War II.

For those like me who were present at the University Racecourse ground Durham City in April 1992 for the first game played of First class County Cricket. Wednesday 22nd April 2009 was an emotional occasion as for the first time in the history of the club Durham were to take the field or its opening batsmen go to the crease as reigning County Champions of cricket’s four day two innings contest. Originally three days the championship and international test cricket is the heart and soul of cricket, and the one day 60, 50, 40 and now 20 over single innings games are froth and money making.

The Yorkshire team are not just championship neighbours but the most successful club in British cricket history with 30 titles although for over thirty years between 1968 and 2001 its policy of insisting on recruiting and playing only those born in county had a major negative effect. The Yorkshire supporters also voted against moving from the present residential location to a new Green field site for a super stadium another indication of an unwillingness to adjust to the contemporary transformation of English cricket. This I suspect is more rural Yorkshire than Leeds City which is adjusting to the exporting of manufacturing production to new economies. Leeds United, the football club, who rejected Brian Clough after 63 days, as its manager, was to have had a new super stadium until financial mismanagement led to the near extinction of the club as all its better players were sold to meet debts. The return of Martyn Moxon from Durham to Yorkshire as their Cricket Director is likely to transform the club as he was able to do at Durham.

My boyhood supporting team, Surrey has only own the championship 18 times, with seven successive wins in the 1950’s as I was leaving school and went to work in central London, passing every day Balham station from where the underground train went to the Oval station, round the corner from Surrey Cricket Ground. Then Surrey had P B H May, the medium paced Bedser twins and Locke and Laker, not one but two international class spinners of the ball. Our rivals were Middlesex, the posh club whose home was Lords, the headquarters of the Marylebone Cricket Club, the MCC and where it was only after becoming a member of the Durham County Club that I had the privilege of visiting the Members stand and facilities, where only Gentleman are allowed and one is obliged to wear a tie even on he warmest of a summer’s day. Standing in the Long Room in which every players passes as a team or batsmen was one of the most exciting experiences of my life along with having watched Denis Compton and Bill Edrich of county and England, bat along with Yorkshire’s Freddie Truman Bowl and Sur Leonard Hutton bat and whose signed book Just My Story was the first book about cricket I bought,

For the record, Yorkshire’s traditional rival, Lancashire, the War of the Roses, has won the championship 7 times with Essex, Kent and Warwick 6, Notts and Worcestershire 5, and where Gloucestershire, Northants and Somerset have never won. Lancashire, Middlesex and Surrey have never finished bottom and Yorks only once. It is five years since one of the big four won the trophy and Sussex notably won for the first time in 2003 and then again in 2006 and 2007. Warwickshire 2004 and Nottinghamshire 2005 heralded a change which Durham’s victory has reinforced.

It will have been a bitter pill for many of the hard nosed conservative Yorkshire man to have greeted Durham’s championship win with enthusiasm especially as it was a proud Yorkshire man who was one of a handful of individuals who changed the fortunes of the team with the departure of Chairman Don Robson in 2004.

Don Robson was chairman of Durham County Council. I am yet to establish if he is was one of the seven sons of a seventh son, Robson family, one of whom served on South Tyneside Council during the period when I was employed there and where another brother became Vice Chairman of my committee and good friend. Both have since died. According to Tim Wellock, the author of the informative, entertaining and moving book about the development of Durham from a club which finished bottom of the championship for three years out of its first five and twice more subsequently, Don tended to run things and he ran the County Council and concentrated on the finding a site for the Club ground to be created and for its development into a venue to hold international cricket matches and which brings in major revenue, rather than put the emphasis on creating a winning team.

Of course this is an oversimplification. In the early days he and the Director’s of cricket brought a succession of international cricketers to play for the club, all of whom were past their prime. The most notable was Ian Botham who performances singled handed won the Ashes a few years earlier. While several gave 100% to club they no longer had the drive and ambition required to win a championship title and it is also fair to say that some, Johnny Morris in particular, were disasters. The comparatively small Durham hard core membership remains generous in giving praise for anyone, regardless of the team who plays cricket well and will loyally support home players who give their all and can take frank comments. However as with local football teams, because of years of performing badly in what are competitive and partisan games, supporters can quickly turn on someone who consistently fails to deliver or who tries to take on the crowd at their own game, instead of answering critics on the playing field. There is also a different approach towards anyone who is not regarded as a Durham man.

As mentioned, in 2004 Don Robson retired from the chairmanship and this coincided with a combination of new appointments and local men coming good. While players like Simon Brown and John Wood had reached the fringes of the senior international squad, it was the emergence of Durham born Stephen Harmison and Paul Collingwood as important members of the English team, and with Phil Mustard and Liam Plunket coming into consideration, bringing in Dale Beckenstein as a player and captain, under the direction of Yorkshire’s Martyn Moxon which turned the tide in an almost unbelievable way. It was the irony of ironies that when Yorkshire became desperate having barely survived in Division one of the Championship and successfully pleaded with Martyn to become their Director of Cricket Durham, were reaching their peak and had the excellent Geoff Cooke ready to take over. Geoff has been with Durham from the beginning and was able to continue the momentum created by Martyn with the additional advantage of understanding the nature of Durham Cricket Club and its supporters through and through.

Wednesday was therefore a very important day in the history of the club and in the development of a rivalry between Durham and Yorkshire. Until the last couple of years there was a comradeship from adversity between supporters of the two clubs with a number having dual membership, especially those living in South Durham and North Yorkshire and where with two motor routes it is easier for those in North Yorks to get quickly to the Durham ground than it is for them to get into Leeds.

As with the game on Sunday the wicket was set on the west side of square, restricting the behind the wicket west mini stand to about half the usual size and so with the influx of visitors from Yorkshire I was lucky to have free seats on either side. Given the win on Sunday the travelling Yorkshire fans were in good spirits and optimistic that their team would teach the new championships about rightful places. Although the wicket was good, Durham’s early batsmen had to work hard and four wickets fell before lunch Stoneman for 2 at 20, Du Venuto who had started positively at 41 for 36, Muchall at 69 for 13 and finally captain.

It was only in the afternoon that new signing Ian Blackwell came into his own and was out just five runs short on what would have been his second 100 for his new county. Later and yesterday Phil Mustard moved from playing a supporting to a commanding role but he ran out of team mates after reaching 94. Durham reached a creditable 364, and yesterday when Gale, Vaughan, Rudolph and McGrath were out at 142, it looked as Durham was about to achieve again the dominance of last year. In form Brophy 75 and Bresnan 40 added another 100 for the fifth wicket during which time I came home as the sun had gone in and I was tired having been up a five am with the latest Travel Lodge sale of rooms for £9. However having got both these batsman out Durham start today with the edge hoping to get the last four wickets quickly and take a good first innings lead. I suspect Yorkshire will eek out the runs and everything will depend on the second innings and how the wicket performs on the fourth day.

I used the intervals to take closer look at the new stand and sat in it for a time and it certainly gives a football view of proceedings. The seats are comfortable with good leg room. Yesterday I tool my own high backed folding chair and enjoyed a boundary view which bring an intimate involvement in the game although I was very tired for most of the time given the early rising.

I bought my copy of Tim Wellock’s book Summers with Durham during the luncheon interval on the first day and which he signed to Colin. He is a former player for Durham University and then in local leagues at Tynemouth, Darlington and Sedgefield and then for his true love of village cricket at Aldbrough St John near his home. He was a full time journalist and deputy editor for the Northern Echo before becoming a free lance sport’s writer in 1987 and followed Durham Home and Away since becoming a first class county in 1992 and is able to say he has seen more games than all but a handful of supporters, as well as writing for the Daily and Sunday Telegraph. He has also penned the article on Durham in this year edition of Wisden. I like his story about two supporters who travelled through the night by car to get to Kent for the winning morning last autumn. I had nearly done the same but counselled myself against doing in case it was the kiss of death for the prospects of success although it appeared that only the intervention of the devil would alter the outcome. God was on our side.