Middlesex v Surrey

At last! Our first home game of the T20 season and what a way to start it; a London derby against Surrey.

For N and T it was a straightforward train into Paddington and then a cab to the home of cricket. For E it was leave the office and onto the bus towards the greenlands of Ealing and then onto the train into Paddington and into a cab.

T and N were already in position on the top tier of the Pavilion for the match by the time E arrived half an hour before the start. Both were already enjoying there drinks and tucking into our fine range of snacks. Sadly for E he was committed to providing his luxury taxi service home for the middlelegless lot this evening so no drinks for him.

D (a temporary member of middlelegless) arrived 10 mins after E and proceeded to join them on the bottles.

Team:
McCullum, Barber, Finn, Franklin, Helm, Higgins, Malan, Morgan, Patel, Scott, Simpson, Stirling, Southee, Sowter

Fielding first was a good bit of luck for the middle with the first wicket coming of a cracking delivery from Southee dismissing the Surrey opener inside 2 and a half overs. Little more than an over later, Finch was on his way back to the pavilion after being skittled out by Helm. Only Sangakkara offered any real resistance.

This put the middlelesglees lot (who weren't driving!) in an excellent mood, So much so that T decided champagne was required at the break in order to celebrate. With Surrey being 158-9 off there 20 the mood was confident. However, following the departure of Malan a mini collapse ensued which made the game much closer than it should have been, eventually boiling down to middlesex needing 3 runs with one wicket remaining.

Steven Finn showcased his night watchman skills by holding the fort and hitting the winning boundary, much to the delight of the capacity crowd at the home of cricket.

Following the match all stayed behind for a natter about the game before climbing into a cab back to Paddington and out to Ealing and into E's luxury taxi! A quick stop at the kebab shop for a bite to eat and all were happily tucked up in bed.

Prior commitments mean the group will not be at Uxbridge on Sunday, however they will be at Richmond on Thursday and the return leg of the London Derby south of the river (shudders!)

E

Lords under lights. Is there a better sight?