May 2008 Archives

Middlesex 248 for 7 (93 overs). Morgan 23, Udal 11. 107 ahead.

Tahir, Anyon and Trott are plugging away nobly but Salisbury is a big miss in this situation.

The clothes peg is a mundane, banal object which we all seem to posses, though we rarely look at. They are the 'silent servants'..... an object so basic yet so useful, that has the quality of serving many functions in addition to it's original one. It can be used to hang stuff, to hold, to fasten - an endless number of uses, almost as versatile as the office clip.

Middlesex 218 for 7 (86 overs). Morgan 6, Udal 0.

Another straight one, which scuttled through a bit, from Anyon clatters into Murtagh's pads and another lbw verdict is banked. If Warwickshire can win this match, having lost Maddy, Salisbury and Zondeki along the way, what a tremendous effort it would be.

One supermarket chain sold more than 1.2million clothes pegs from January to the end of April, up 1,400 per cent in a year. The chain's laundry buyer said: "After decades of decline, the sight of a washing line full of drying clothes is becoming a familiar sight in gardens all over the country once again.

"People have decided that the potential embarrassment of having their smalls on public display on a washing line is far less important than saving energy. They're pegging out their washing to peg back their bills."

Middlesex 216 for 6 (84 overs). Morgan 5, Murtagh 1.
Game on here as Warwickshire take four wickets in 13 overs. Godleman clipped Botha to Troughton at mid-wicket just before lunch and then three bowlers have inflicted damage since the interval. Trott trapped Joyce lbw for 30, Botha won an lbw verdict against Philander (14) and Anyon has just won another against Scott (2). Middlesex lead by 76 and need some shoring up.

Trott has been told to mind his language following his earlier indiscretion. Philander is likely to receive a similar message after throwing a sad little tantrum at the pavilion gate after his dismissal.

A box of pegs was a favourite toy with small children in wartime and can still provide hours of pleasure. The type with the spring may be less suitable as little fingers could get pinched; that is also some of the fun, however.

Middlesex 178 for 2 (74 overs). Godleman 85, Joyce 18.

Trott, edged through the slips for four, responded with a very loudly bellowed crudity which was heard by every spectator, young and old, wizened and sensitive, in the ground and will surely prompt a statement from the club aimed at the players similar to the one that they aimed at spectators eight days ago.

The ultimate choice is a matter of personal taste. In all cases, it is best to buy a large amount of pegs and replace them frequently.

Middlesex 151 for 2 (58 overs). Godleman 76, Joyce 3.

Tahir and Trott bowling. Woakes, Poonia and Groenewald fielding for the crocked Maddy, Zondeki and Salisbury.

The advantage of plastic pegs is that they do not discolour when wet. The disadvantage is that they can break easily. Wooden pegs, on the other hand, are more durable, but get black and stain the washing if left out in the rain, or in contact with wet clothes, for too long. The type with the spring may stain light coloured clothes with rust if it rains while your washing is out on the line.

Middlesex 146 for 2 (52 overs). Godleman 74, Joyce 0. Effectively 5 for 2.

If Warwickshire are to fashion an unlikely victory they need to take every chance that comes along. But when Godleman, on 72, edged Anyon, Troughton dropped a sitter at second slip.

Anyon had better luck in his next over when Shah ehded an airy waft and Frost took the catch. Shah out for 50.

Clothes pegs can be made of wood or plastic. The wooden ones can be a primitive stick with a slit in the end which is pushed over the washing to fix it to the line, or are in two pieces with a spring, so that they open and then pinch the washing to the line. The plastic ones are of the latter design.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Cloudy and breezy.

Very breezy, by the way. Downright windy, in fact, so let's hear it for clothes pegs. Those devastatingly simple but so effective devices which make our lives so much more comfortable and pleasant. I pegged some washing out last night and it was blowing a gale this morning with everything billowing away but the pegs had stuck to their job superbly with only one item blown down (underpants - purple).

It's hard to see this match doing anything other than drifting to a tame draw. The first ball of the day, from Anyon, has just passed harmlessly outside off-stump. Middlesex 124 for 1 -17 behind.

Close: Middlesex 124 for 1 (43 overs). Godleman 56, Shah 46.

The Bears plugged away well. Godleman almost played on to Anyon and also outside-edged him streakily. Anyon has had precious little luck in this match.

Salisbury has not bowled but, by fielding at slip, has kept himself available to bowl tomorrow if his fitness improves.

Mallard, kestrel, stock dove, little owl, great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch and treecreeper.

Middlesex 57 for 1 (26 overs). Godleman 25, Shah 16.

Trott has just bowled his first loose ball - his 50th. A fine spell from him, swinging the ball and bowling accurately and to a full length. A bit of Bob Massie (Shah edged streakily through the slips) and then, when a bouncer lodged in the grille of Godleman's helmet, a bit of Dennis Lillee too. Trott 9-2-20-1.

Tahir also bowling well and, for the second time in the match, without luck.

The injury crisis deepens. A member of the press has just been round to see the physio for treatment to an ankle injury. Ligament damage.

Middlesex 35 for 1 (16 overs). Godleman 14, Shah 7.

Tahir and Trott are making the batsmen earn every run. When you consider the blows that have rained down on Warwickshire during this match they are doing remarkably well to dictate this game.

Trott has bowled four overs for three runs and is bowling a bit like Bob Massie did at Lord's in 1972.