Longhirst Hall, Northumberland (below) and The Grange cricket club Edinburgh (above))
Posted by Tony Hutton
Sunday 17th May - En route for Scotland and yet another Minor Counties Knock Out match this time in the splendid surroundings of Longhirst Hall, near Morpeth where Northumberland are entertaining Staffordshire. The ground is set in parkland surrounded by trees in a large hotel and conference complex with multiple sports facilities which include two cricket grounds used by Morpeth C.C., a golf course and tennis courts.
From our hotel window we had a view of the ground and able to see the groundstaff at work early clearing the covers and plastic sheeting which had protected the ground from the overnight rain. A prompt 11 o'clock start was made despite some very damp patches in the outfield.
The visitors bat first with a much younger side than when I had seen them before. However the two young openers were soon back in the pavilion at 5-2. Batting was not easy and it was up to numbers seven and eight to rescue the position with the two highest scores of 28 and 29. McGuire who made 28 is only 17 and has already played for Notts 2nd XI. All five Northumberland bowlers took wickets with former Durham man Mark Symington having the best figures of 3-24, as Staffordshire were all out for 144.
Northumberland apart from opening bat Worthy with 30, struggled even more and lost wickets at regular intervals against the pace attach of Purser and left armer Willott. This time there was no middle order recovery and 48-6 became 70 all out. So Staffordshire took the points and deservedly so for an all action display in the field. Wicketkeeper and captain Goodwin taking four catches.
Staffordshire, with four succesive victories have now qualified for the quarter finals but sadly Northumberland look out of it.
However another splendid setting but with only a small group of enthusiasts there to enjoy the afternoon sunshine.
Monday 18th May - Next day on to Edinburgh where we were greeted by fairly persistent morning rain. Scotland were due to play Kent in the Friends Provident Trophy at the Grange ground not far from the city centre, but play seemed unlikely before lunch so it was an early tour of the shops. However it brightened up and I managed to get to the ground just as the players took the field.
Kent batted first, still with the threat of more rain about. So to my relief I had at last seen cricket at the Grange ground. My last visit for the Scotland v Australia game four years ago was abandoned without a ball being bowled despite a sell out all ticket crowd and planned TV coverage.
England prospect Joe Denley did not last long, clean bowled by a beauty from Sri Lankan opening bowler Weeraratna which took the top of his off stump. Another big name, Martin Van Jaarsveld went next for a duck, well caught by Scotland skipper Gavin Hamilton. This took place as two swans flew over the ground in formation and they returned for another circuit as if to celebrate the wicket.
Kent skipper Robert Key blocked it out for an hour and a quarter, but made only 14 before he was bowled by South African Jan Stander. Former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones was smarly stumped off spinner Majid Haq before the rain returned with Kent on a paltry 65-4 off 19.5 overs. As you will have gathered it is not only English counties that are awash with overseas players. Scotland has three South Africans and a Sri Lankan, but at least Majid Haq was born in Paisley !
The rain break lasted for a full three hours, long after I had departed to book into our hotel. However after tea the rain relented and the players returned for Scotland to achieve a rare victory thanks to the vagaries of the Duckworth Lewis system. However they did it in fine style knocking off 80-1 in just under 15 overs. The forecast for the next game in two days time seemed better so hopes were high for a full day's play on Wednesday.
Wednesday 20th May - The forecasters were right a fine sunny day brought out a good sized crowd as this time Scotland took on the might of Somerset or should it have been the foreign legion as the visitors captained by Australian Justin Langer also included three South Africans, a West Indian and a Malaysian. However they did not have it all there own way.
Trescothick went cheaply for 18, but the foreign contingent rescued them, Kieswetter 42, Suppiah 48 and Langer 39 being the top scorers. They finished on 220-8 off 50 overs and the Scottish bowlers all performed well to keep the score within reason.
Gavin Hamilton, opening the innings, got Scotland off to a good start with 29 and then another South African, Cameron Borgas took over. He has played in the Huddersfield League I understand and played a sparkling innings which kept his side in with a chance of another suprise victory. They were at one stage 160-5 and a close finish seemed likely. Unfortunately the last five wickets fell for only 23 runs as the tail subsided completely leaving Borgas not out 75 with eight fours and one six.
One final note was the appearance of a new name to me in the Somerset ranks, Max Waller, from Millfield School who is a leg spin bowler who bowled five overs without taking a wicket, but looks like one to watch for the future. So then it was off to Fife for some sightseeing and family history research by my wife who was a Campbell until she met me. Next time will be action much closer to home.
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