Henry had his first trip to Lord's today to see day three of the England v Sri Lanka test match. An early train was the order of the day as we travelled down with Jake, David and Steven. Following tea, coffee and breakfast inside the ground we found our seats and settled down to watch the action.
Sri Lanka resumed on 231-1 with Dilshan on 127 and Sangakarra on 13. After a decent morning session with the bat, by lunchtime they had moved their score on to 344 for the loss only of Sangakarra who had doubled his overnight tally. Thoughts were of seeing Dilshan reach his double century in the afternoon session.
Seven overs into the afternoon session Steve Finn grabbed a wicket. It was Dilshan who had fallen seven runs short of 200. It was the beginning of the end. Only three more overs were possible before rain stopped play. Tea was taken early but only five balls were bowled before rain curtailed things again.
With the weather looking set in we decided to call it a day and make our way home. It turned out to be the right decision as play was abandoned for the day with no further action.
Showing posts with label Cricket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cricket. Show all posts
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Friday, 14 August 2009
All At Sea
Having not blogged for a while I thought it was about time to write something else, but when I try to come up with something I find my mind goes blank.
So, ..….hmmm……, OK, well, ……
Right, so what do the British talk about most? Ah yes, the weather. What do many British people enjoy? How about a trip to the seaside. How is our nation’s history typically defined? As a nation of seafarers perhaps.
So then the ideal subject matter would seem to be the shipping forecast. The shipping forecast is something that perhaps escapes the attention of many, despite it’s regular broadcast, but is essential to those who use it. As a cricket fan it is something I have been aware of for many years as it always interrupts Test Match Special at six minutes to six on Radio 4 long wave.
The BBC broadcasts the shipping forecast four times every day on Radio 4. For those who are interested you can hear it at 0048, 0535, 1201 and 1754. The seas around Britain (and a little further afield) are divided into 31 regions which all have their own forecast.
The forecast begins with a general synopsis and then the regions are always broadcast in the same order, in a clockwise fashion, although if forecasts are the same in consecutive regions they will be grouped. For each region there are four elements to the forecast: wind, seas state, weather and visibility.
So, for example, today’s forecast (from 1130) would include: Dogger. Southerly or southeasterly, veering southwesterly later, 5 to 7. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough later. Occasional rain. Moderate or poor.
For completeness sake, and for those who think it might come up in a pub quiz, the 31 regions (in order) are: Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, Dogger, Fisher, German Bight, Humber, Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth, Biscay, Trafalgar, FitzRoy, Sole, Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea, Shannon, Rockall, Malin, Hebrides, Bailey, Fair Isle, Faeroes, South-east Iceland.
There is an excellent book by Charlie Connolly in which he takes a trip around the regions. The first chapter or two explain the traditions and history of the forecast itself before then becoming a travelogue of places within each area. For those interested it can be picked up quite cheaply now, and it is called Attention All Shipping. Oh, and his book Stamping Grounds is a good read too.
There we go, don’t try too hard, just search your national psyche and a post will appear!
So, ..….hmmm……, OK, well, ……
Right, so what do the British talk about most? Ah yes, the weather. What do many British people enjoy? How about a trip to the seaside. How is our nation’s history typically defined? As a nation of seafarers perhaps.
So then the ideal subject matter would seem to be the shipping forecast. The shipping forecast is something that perhaps escapes the attention of many, despite it’s regular broadcast, but is essential to those who use it. As a cricket fan it is something I have been aware of for many years as it always interrupts Test Match Special at six minutes to six on Radio 4 long wave.
The BBC broadcasts the shipping forecast four times every day on Radio 4. For those who are interested you can hear it at 0048, 0535, 1201 and 1754. The seas around Britain (and a little further afield) are divided into 31 regions which all have their own forecast.
The forecast begins with a general synopsis and then the regions are always broadcast in the same order, in a clockwise fashion, although if forecasts are the same in consecutive regions they will be grouped. For each region there are four elements to the forecast: wind, seas state, weather and visibility.
So, for example, today’s forecast (from 1130) would include: Dogger. Southerly or southeasterly, veering southwesterly later, 5 to 7. Slight or moderate, occasionally rough later. Occasional rain. Moderate or poor.For completeness sake, and for those who think it might come up in a pub quiz, the 31 regions (in order) are: Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Forties, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, Dogger, Fisher, German Bight, Humber, Thames, Dover, Wight, Portland, Plymouth, Biscay, Trafalgar, FitzRoy, Sole, Lundy, Fastnet, Irish Sea, Shannon, Rockall, Malin, Hebrides, Bailey, Fair Isle, Faeroes, South-east Iceland.
There is an excellent book by Charlie Connolly in which he takes a trip around the regions. The first chapter or two explain the traditions and history of the forecast itself before then becoming a travelogue of places within each area. For those interested it can be picked up quite cheaply now, and it is called Attention All Shipping. Oh, and his book Stamping Grounds is a good read too.
There we go, don’t try too hard, just search your national psyche and a post will appear!
Saturday, 18 July 2009
A Day at Lord's
I spent the day at Lord's yesterday for what was my first taste of an Ashes test match, and a pleasant day it was too. Play was restricted by a couple of showers in the afternoon session but it was still a more than enjoyable day.
It didn't start so well with England resuming on 364-6 with Strauss 161 not out. It took the Australians just two balls to remove the skipper without further score. This was followed by wickets in each of the next two overs leaving the home team on 378-9. A great last wicket stand between Anderson and Onions though took England to a respectable 425.
In the field England's start was almost as good as Australia's as Anderson followed up his work with the bat to have Hughes caught behind in the 3rd over. When he also had Ponting contraversially given out shortly afterwards the Aussies were 10-2.
Katich and Hussey stabalised the innings. Katich fell for 48 and was followed soon afterwards by Hussey who had completed his half century. Breaking this partnership was key and England then got a flurry of wickets to leave Australia on 156-8 at the close, still needing 70 to avoid the follow-on with just two wickets standing.
Our seats were in the main Grandstand, but despite being built 7 years later, I didn't find it as good as being in the Mound stand which was completed in 1987. The Mound stand offers more leg room so you don't leave feeling you've been cramped up all day, and is also angled so you don't get a stiff neck from sitting wih your head turned. If you were sat in the middle of the Grandstand you might be OK, but at the ends (seat 192 out of 194) it is less than ideal.
Despite that and because of the cricket we had a good day, which is more than can be said of the Aussie Kevin who sat with his mate a couple of rows behind us. In amongst a sea of England supporters he was fiercly partisan but good natured and the banter, particularly later in the day, was excellent.
It didn't start so well with England resuming on 364-6 with Strauss 161 not out. It took the Australians just two balls to remove the skipper without further score. This was followed by wickets in each of the next two overs leaving the home team on 378-9. A great last wicket stand between Anderson and Onions though took England to a respectable 425.
In the field England's start was almost as good as Australia's as Anderson followed up his work with the bat to have Hughes caught behind in the 3rd over. When he also had Ponting contraversially given out shortly afterwards the Aussies were 10-2.
Katich and Hussey stabalised the innings. Katich fell for 48 and was followed soon afterwards by Hussey who had completed his half century. Breaking this partnership was key and England then got a flurry of wickets to leave Australia on 156-8 at the close, still needing 70 to avoid the follow-on with just two wickets standing.
Our seats were in the main Grandstand, but despite being built 7 years later, I didn't find it as good as being in the Mound stand which was completed in 1987. The Mound stand offers more leg room so you don't leave feeling you've been cramped up all day, and is also angled so you don't get a stiff neck from sitting wih your head turned. If you were sat in the middle of the Grandstand you might be OK, but at the ends (seat 192 out of 194) it is less than ideal.
Despite that and because of the cricket we had a good day, which is more than can be said of the Aussie Kevin who sat with his mate a couple of rows behind us. In amongst a sea of England supporters he was fiercly partisan but good natured and the banter, particularly later in the day, was excellent.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Sportsmanship
I wonder sometimes if it's just my age making me look back at distant events and bemoan their modern day equivalents in comparison. It wouldn't happen in my day.
This week the pleasing way that England managed to negotiate a draw against the Aussies was tempered by the accusations of cheating (or gamesmanship at least) levelled at them. It's certainly a far cry from the image of Flintoff and Lee 4 years ago, although there is a parallel with the Aussie captain whinging when things don't go his way. Maybe the phrase 'It's just not cricket' should be struck from the language.
Perhaps, with a certain Potuguese leaving these shores for Madrid, football may have taken a turn for the better in this country, but then again.....we will still see players apparantly mortally wounded by a stray little finger. I don't think football will ever recover to be the contact sport it was. And it isn't only the foreigner players, is it Mr Gerrard?
There are still some bright spots, of course. Andy Roddick was clearly distraught at his loss to Roger Federer at SW19, but maintained his composure, was gracious in defeat and even managed a touch of humour. More please.
I'll finish with the inspiration for this post. 32 Years ago Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson went head to head at Turnberry in the 1977 Open Championship (not the British Open). For two rounds they battled for the title, and finally ended as the only two players in the tournament under par. As they walked off the final green the vanquished Nicklaus put his arm around Watson's shoulder and said "I gave it my best shot, but it wasn't good enough. Congratulations. I'm proud of you".
As the Open returns to Turnberry on Thursday lets hope it can provide the backdrop for more sporting drama.
This week the pleasing way that England managed to negotiate a draw against the Aussies was tempered by the accusations of cheating (or gamesmanship at least) levelled at them. It's certainly a far cry from the image of Flintoff and Lee 4 years ago, although there is a parallel with the Aussie captain whinging when things don't go his way. Maybe the phrase 'It's just not cricket' should be struck from the language.
Perhaps, with a certain Potuguese leaving these shores for Madrid, football may have taken a turn for the better in this country, but then again.....we will still see players apparantly mortally wounded by a stray little finger. I don't think football will ever recover to be the contact sport it was. And it isn't only the foreigner players, is it Mr Gerrard?
There are still some bright spots, of course. Andy Roddick was clearly distraught at his loss to Roger Federer at SW19, but maintained his composure, was gracious in defeat and even managed a touch of humour. More please.
I'll finish with the inspiration for this post. 32 Years ago Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson went head to head at Turnberry in the 1977 Open Championship (not the British Open). For two rounds they battled for the title, and finally ended as the only two players in the tournament under par. As they walked off the final green the vanquished Nicklaus put his arm around Watson's shoulder and said "I gave it my best shot, but it wasn't good enough. Congratulations. I'm proud of you".
As the Open returns to Turnberry on Thursday lets hope it can provide the backdrop for more sporting drama.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Almost Time
Just over 5 minutes to go until the long awaited Ashes series gets underway in Cardiff. I think it's going to be a close run thing and I can't wait for next Friday when I have a ticket for the Lord's test.
The Aussies are in the latter stages of a transitional period and are still a strong team, but England have been blending a very useful team together too. My heart says England will win, but my head really doesn't know what will happen.
Let's hope that winning the toss is a good omen and that England can get some good runs on the board this morning. Their bowlers are inexperienced of English conditions and if they struggle first thing it could set the tone for the series.
For me it's hard to see beyond Pietersen as the top English run scorer and for them I think Ponting will be up for it as he is unlikely to be back again in 2013. I do expect Mike Hussey to score a lot of runs though, as he did in the years he spent over here with Northants.
As for bowlers, I'm pleased to see England going into this one with two spinners and Swann could get quite a few wickets in the series. I do think overall though that Anderson and Mitchell Johnson will be the top wicket takers for their countries.
11 o'clock - c,mon England!
The Aussies are in the latter stages of a transitional period and are still a strong team, but England have been blending a very useful team together too. My heart says England will win, but my head really doesn't know what will happen.
Let's hope that winning the toss is a good omen and that England can get some good runs on the board this morning. Their bowlers are inexperienced of English conditions and if they struggle first thing it could set the tone for the series.
For me it's hard to see beyond Pietersen as the top English run scorer and for them I think Ponting will be up for it as he is unlikely to be back again in 2013. I do expect Mike Hussey to score a lot of runs though, as he did in the years he spent over here with Northants.
As for bowlers, I'm pleased to see England going into this one with two spinners and Swann could get quite a few wickets in the series. I do think overall though that Anderson and Mitchell Johnson will be the top wicket takers for their countries.
11 o'clock - c,mon England!
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