At Lords for the T20 blast
Readers know I am no fan of 20/20 but to be invited to Lords on a warm summer’s evening is most pleasant. My host is an old friend and an Arsenal fanatic who has a debenture seat in the Mound Stand. These are much prized as many including me prefer the airy space of the Upper Mound Stand to wearing a tie and general stuffiness of the Pavilion.
It’s surprising that the two metro clubs, Middlesex and Surrey, both enjoying the revenue of Test grounds, are not faring better in either the white ball or red ball format. It’s not as if they have a plethora of centrally-contacted players either. Middlesex posted a total of 185 – their middle order of Morgan, Simpson and Franlkin all contributed significantly. Conversely Sangakara was Surrey’s top scorer making 32 and they lost by 45 runs. Although you are guaranteed a result sometimes this becomes too obvious too early. In this case I told my friend to have his car pick him up at 9; my advice was just as well as his driver was heading to the Grace Gate of the Oval,
The Sussex contingent of the National Rust were delighted with the result. Sussex Sharks go to the Kia Oval tonight and the way Surrey are playing they must be confident of a result and qualifying for a home game in the quarter finals.
