Middlesex Till We Tie
Look good in a MCC tie
By Barmy Kev
June 16 2010
Barmy Kev reports on a action packed forum that involved a tie that didn't rely on a Duckworth and Lewis (MBE's) verdict.
Middlesex Forum 14th June 2010
Panel - Vinny and Gus.
Apologies from Ian Lovett who had bereavement- best wishes to him.
None of our 3 captains could decide which one should be present.
Vinny started off by thanking Shaggy for his efforts for us. Met by deserved applause
He also thanked the liaison officers and requested more volunteers. They will have to where jacket
and tie. “What about the ladies?” someone shouted out.
Before question and answers, Gus was asked about recent events with captains. With disappointing start to season Shaggy resigned Friday afternoon. They thought Dexter was obvious replacement. But he thought with Gilchrist “world class” skills would be of value for 20/20 and Dext can learn a lot from him.
Soon as questioning started my hand up in air and remained for many following questions.
1st question. Has Dext captained before?
Yes, for our 2nd X1
Has he been County Capped
Not yet.
Lower Pav then asked why we have more injuries than most clubs. Mentioned IOB came here with good fitness record, but now injured and Big Al who seemed to be always injured bowling a lot for Worcs?
Gus stated that he didn’t think our injury record that bad, but felt excessive amount of games may have taken toll.
Lower Pav also asked about Gilly’s availability and whether we playing him for more games was case of whether we was a question of whether we could afford it?
Gilly wanted to play at Kent as felt he let side down previous games with 2 and 0. Gus read out Gilly’s text to him saying if selected on merit he wanted to play for that game. He won’t be playing any more extra games then agreed. Then something to effect of “never say never” was said. Confused?
Then as all getting excited about big issues surrounding our
beloved team a question was asked about MCCC and MCC dual membership in respect
on whether club could do a joint tie.
To be honest. I switched off for answer and noted blank faces amongst
our hard working back room staff in attendance at forum. A fellow moderator who shall remain anonymous
quipped Middlesex Till we Tie.
Another regular on MTWD who also wishes to remain anon wondered out loud
if shop could do Middlesex CCC and Leeds United tie. A further question for Eric?
Next question there was loud feedback on mike. The Leeds Utd/ Middx tie man whispered to me "the questioner’s pacemaker must be interfering". Anyway a question asked about Ntini, why did he go to Kent?
We’ve have discussed this before but basically we wanted him
as Kolpak which meant he would have to retire from test cricket, which he
changed mind on. Kent had him as overseas player. The situation was not helped
by someone (ex England captain) letting cat out of the bag to Steve James at
Torygraph. Angus will give this ex Yorkshire I mean England captain a ticking
off when they meet next
The issue of Finn next discussion point.
Gus felt, and they have told Andy Fowler this, 6-week break not good for him. He’d be better playing than working out building up his physical strength. When comes back after 6 weeks will be like new season for him. It is very difficult for Middlesex coaches now, with England now controlling his movements. It was said like losing an adopted son.
Now my hand still up in air and for first time Ged puts hand up and gets his question in next. Boo. Anyway it was more of statement but a good one. Dext needs time in captain's role mentioning Brearley at first he was not successful. Gus endorsed this comment 100%.
Despite the fact a very good point made, I was about to walk out in protest of being ignored, But, Nicky tied me down and the mike handed to me. My comment was Ice Man batting at 7 being wasted with tail. I stated he should be batting at 6 even 5. (If Kimmy was there she would have been proud)
Gus disagreed with me. Quoted his 50+ average. But his aggressive style more suited to batting with tail-enders. A mention was made on Simpson doing well at 6. I was happy with explanation and glad I eventually got my question in.
Next question a good one. Could we get a running between wickets coach? Stating how we seem to jog 1st run, no urgency. This matter most irritating matter to the questioner. Quite agree.
Answer was Mark O’Neill remit as batting coach deals with this and matter has been addressed.
Next someone suggested dropping Scott Newman down order?
This rebuffed. He was signed to open. Who would we put up there instead?
Fingers (legend) came up with an excellent comment next and reminded me of when I followed Middx as a kid. Clive Radley as example of good runner between wickets how he pushes for runs and slided in to achieve this and how current players can learn from him. He then cited many world class bowlers of past (e.g. Fred Trueman bowled consistently well and didn’t need gym etc. (Rapturous applause followed.)
Then a seasoned fan- who goes to every 4-day home and away made 5 points with great passion.
1/ Players leaving and doing better elsewhere.
2/ Recruitment policy- e.g., 2 Sorry (the only county worse than us) rejects
3/ Players not performing to best of ability e.g. Ace and Malan
4/ Fitness of players
5/ Our fielding. So far in CC, 22 dropped catches
In answer.
1/ Compo and Billy G -in 2nds now at current counties
2/ Super Ped is doing well in 1day stuff
3/ A bit unfair on Malan. Ace did well at Leicester
4 and 5 Club working on both.
On saying that Gus couldn’t deny all 5 areas issues that needed to be addressed.
The inevitable question of reduction of county championship game was raised.
Vinny’s answer really impressed me.
Unlike Sorry he didn’t need to get a members vote on this. He has listened to our fans and wrote a long letter to ECB. Most of which was read out. We are in favour of 16 4-day County Games. Any reduction in playing programme should involve 40 over tournament or English Lions Game (best applause of night)
Not from me. But question was asked about Ben Scott coming back.
He’ll return after Gilchrist leaves for 20/20 given his outstanding ability standing up behind stumps. Otherwise Simpson will be keeper. Maybe he’ll returned to Worcs at mutually convenient stage.
Another very loyal supporter questioned our Club's overall strategy. Question mixed with us exploiting Pink Panther merchandise and having World Class coach like Pybus.
Answer about merchandise, indication was we can do better. Coach
issue- Buchanan and Pybus known past fall out and every confidence in what
we’ve got.
As evening drawing to close someone questioned about more commercial opportunities wasted. Feel from Vinny we are doing our best, but not easy.
As I yawned about to go home I was reminded to go to Tavern to find out what really is happening within club. If only my boss would let me report on that.
Now where can I get that tie?
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:06:22:21:33:16 by Ged.
When are we to see an MTWD tie on sale? And how's about a joint MCCC/MTWD tie?
This Ben Scott issue is beginning to get me worried though.
We seem to be going through a " Get rid of him nicely" routine.
Damned disgrace say I.....
Bit puzzled about the joint MCC/MCCC tie though. There is such a tie on sale in the Middlesex shop. It has alternate blue/silver and red/yellow stripes with a seaxe roundel at the bottom.
Was there anything thst was for 'behind close doors' this time, or was it an open forum...
Kimmy
I must confess, that even though I am a Full MCC Member, as well as a Middlesex Member, I knew nothing about this special tie.
I have now bought one from Eric.I am looking at it as I post.
Let me say, it is rather loud and different, and leave it at that.
One final thought.How about a combined MTWD,MCCC and MCC tie.
Quote:beehappy
Cheers Kev .Excellent as usual.
This Ben Scott issue is beginning to get me worried though.
We seem to be going through a " Get rid of him nicely" routine.
Damned disgrace say I.....
I am also worried that after our last nine Twenty20 matches, Ben Scott may have played his last match for Middlesex as John Simpson has hardly done anything wrong to warrant losing his place. Indeed, whenever people voice objections to our signing of Adam Gilchrist, they don't say "It is wrong that Gilchrist should jump ahead of Ben Scott and John Simpson". Instead, they say "I feel sorry for young John Simpson who has to make way for Gilchrist". Scott is clearly not in our immediate plans as Angus Fraser implies that at the conclusion of our Twenty20 campaign there is more chance of him going back to Worcestershire than coming back into the Middlesex side.
However, the wicket-keeping situation at Worcestershire is very similar to that at Middlesex as Worcestershire have a young keeper in Ben Cox who they plan to persist with, and it was only due to Cox having to complete his schooling that they needed Scott until late-June. Thus, having a second spell at Worcestershire would be no less futile than hoping to displace Simpson at Middlesex.
I am not sure when Ben Scott's contract with Middlesex expires, but I can see little future for him at Middlesex, which I am certain will make many supporters sad and in all likelihood the club too as all 18 counties would surely like someone of his quality at their club. However, I am not sure if any of the 18 counties have a vacancy for a wicket-keeping position.
Click here to read why I sensationally sacrificed the big bucks of Chelsea for the adventure of Watford
(image on left not representative of how relative my support of Watford is to my support of Middlesex)
Quote:Jameslawler
Some realy good questions posed last nignt some spoken with real passion but not sure why people waste the forums time by asking stupid questions about Ties.
You are absolutely right. The existence of the joint tie could easily be established by a question in the Middlesex shop. It is a total waste of time to pose the question at a forum, to which some members have travelled with some difficulty and where matters of cricket policy should be discussed.
I too live some distance from Lords and would spend 4/5 times longer travelling to Lords than the forum would last.
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