Middlesex v Durham at Lord's (Day one)

Posted by Tony Hutton

My first trip down south for some time, since about the same time last year when Yorkshire lost memorably to Middlesex, brought fresh excitement a plenty.

I arrived at Lord's on Friday afternoon 1st May, no cricket on there today but did sample a little of a junior match in Regents Park on the way. The purpose of this visit was to call at the MCC ticket office to buy a pensioner's season ticket for the grand sum of £20 which enables entry to all county championship and Royal London one day games for the whole season! As the daily admission rate for pensioners is £8.50 I was in profit after only this first match. However, a stern warning was included in the covering letter issued with my ticket to the effect that there will be a substantial increase next season. Better make the most of it.

Cricket in Regents Park

Next morning time for a stroll through Regents Park, where three junior matches were in progress from 10 a.m. Regents Park Under 17s, Under 15s and Under 12s taking on Highgate cricket club juniors. The proximity to Baker Street had perhaps led to my Sherlock Holmes like enquiries yesterday to find out about this. Then a visit to the beautiful garden of St Johns Wood Church before wending my way into Lord's.

St Johns Wood Church and garden

Middlesex v Durham started on a Saturday for a change, and with the aid of my Durham member's ticket was able to join two MCC member friends, Bill Dooley and Michael Richardson, with another friend of their's, on the upper balcony of the pavilion. A splendid view in the sunshine as the runs flowed freely for Middlesex.
Sam Robson, one of the forgotten openers for England, scored an almost faultless century before he was finally out just before the close for 178. Good innings and fifties for both Nick Compton and short term captain Adam Voges.

The Lord's grandstand bathed in sunshine

The close of play score was 329-4, with James Harris coming in as night watchman. Much more of him to come as the match progresses. Durham were of course without the injured Onions and for once Rushworth struggled to make an impact, along with fellow opening bowler Arshad, but Hastings plugged away well. With more runs to come tomorrow Durham skipper Paul Collingwood may already be regretting putting Middlesex in to bat first. The general consensus of the cognoscenti on the balcony at the end of day one was that the wicket was a batsman's paradise, and would remain so. The forecast was a boring draw. How wrong can people be !