9.7.08

Bloody Superb

These days I can usually be found watching Somerset at Taunton, but I grew up following Middlesex to Lord's and Uxbridge in the era of Brearley, Selvey, Daniel, Edmonds, Emburey and the rest. The batsman I've seen make the most runs remains Mike Gatting. My father, 82, is still a life member of the club.

So, of course, I absolutely loved last night's magnificent victory over Lancashire in the quarter-final of this year's Twenty20 Cup, which, taking into account the way in which the profile and performance of the club has declined over the last fifteen years, looks to me like their most significant result since I saw a young Mark Ramprakash ease them to victory over Worcestershire in the NatWest Trophy Final in September 1988.

Eoin Morgan I've known about for a while, and I'll be surprised if he doesn't go a little bit closer than his compatriot Ed Joyce to establishing himself in the England side. Dawid Malan is a newer name, but one who looks instantly like a player we'll be watching for a long time.

And the match itself? Absolutely bloody superb. I know that there are plenty of people around who still regard Twenty20 cricket as the spawn of the devil, but if you couldn't enjoy that, well, what can you enjoy?

4 comments:

cdak said...

Hey Brian, last night certainly was a great advert for 20/20, especially after the Monday debacle (glad that you agree with me about that btw). I agree with you about Morgan, but wouldn't write off Ed Joyce yet either. Wouldn't that be the ultimate irony for a proud Irishman? Two compatriots forming England cricket's middle order backbone! I might even have to start supporting England then!

Brian Carpenter said...

I'd also like to see Joyce back. I think he's a fine player who was poorly treated towards the end of the Fletcher era - that hundred against Australia at the SCG was forgotten very quickly.

Morgan, though, has time on his side at 21 and he's very good.

Rob said...

He was fantastic wasn't he (Malan) and I was impressed with the young pace man too -- Finn.

I haven't watched Middlesex for some time, I think the quality of their youth should stand them in good stead -- assuming they keep them of course.

Brian Carpenter said...

Yes, Finn's another very promising player. He's had a quiet saeson but he's only 19 and so also has plenty of time.

More will be heard of all of them.

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