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LV County Championship Division Two, The Oval: Close of play, day two: Surrey 490 Middlesex 148-0

Oval bound for an @surreycricket Member’s meeting.

A lot of unhapy faces at @surreycricket Member’s meeting. Long Room atmosphere of doom.

Confirmed: Brian Lara *not* coming to The Oval. Thank f for that.

Gus Mackay confirmed that Lara approached @surreycricket and not other way round. Wanted IPL window. Negotiations broke down. Wonga…

Chris Adams looking down. Describes start of season as “unacceptable.” Singles out Afzal for loss of wicket yesterday.

Praise from Adams for the Master Mr Ramps. Mentions a “difficult personal month.” Eek.

Focus now is to shore up batting ahead of T20. Big task.

Confirmation that Younis Khan has signed for @surreycricket. Visas not withstanding, should be in place for Old Trafford trip.

Poor Chris Adams is something of fall guy for @surreycricket. Players not performing, but Adams taking stick from Members.

Surprise surprise- Chawla definitely not coming to @surreycricket. Along with Khan, “one more overseas player” being lined up.

Decent Q: Do old pros have any issue playing under young Rory HB? “Absolutely not” said Adams. I’m a big fan of the boy wonder.

@SurreyCCC Khan deal was for T20. Current dire batting situation means he has been talked into opening in the Championship. Cripes!

Adams clearly frustrated (um… p***** off) with whole overseas situation. Rightly so.

Taken up position in OCS. Glorious South London sun up above. I can confirm that Middlesex are as crap at football as they are at cricket.

Oh dear. Anarchy is breaking out in the OCS stand. Old boy unhappy about not being allowed behind wicket.

Just been pointed out to me that Daniel Vettori could well be the elusive overseas player that @surreycricket are still hopeful of bagging.

Ah, I had forgotten about the Younis Khan ban. So *that’s* why he has signed up for @surreycricket.

The bell is ringing and the Umps are strolling out to the middle. Ah, here comes Mr Ramps. Decent crowd. @surreycricket resuming on 286-4.

Slow start at The Oval. Mr Ramps happy just to block, before he finds his feet. 288-4 @surreycricket.

Glorious cover drive from Mr Ramps, followed by outside edge that Strauss almost caught. Sun cream and old men in abundance. 293-4 the ‘rrey.

300 up for @surreycricket and a third batting point. Steady progress, decent score being built up. Ominous rain clouds above SE11.

Mr Ramps flicks his wrist (steady) and lobs (steady still) all the way to the boundary. 140 up for the Master. I am in awe. I am in man love.

Chap to right of me has just broken out a bowl of raspberries and cream. Gonna befriend him. Opening line? “My, what hairy arms you have.”

First serious shout of the morning. Spriegel survives half hearted appeal. Gloomier in the outfield than it was in Long Room earlier. 318-4.

Outside edge for Spriegel, just above off stump and he’s caught behind for 12. Batty in the middle to build with Mr Ramps. 322-5 the ‘rrey.

150 up for Mr Ramps, swiftly followed by a slog down to the boundary. Big score building for @surreycricket. 336-5, 500 plus a possibility.

HONK! Wicket. Batty out for an unlucky 13. Middle! Middle! Middle! Sex! Sex! Sex! chipping away. Mr Ramps running short of bedfellows. 355-6.

Earplugs in as loud mouth Gary Wilson walks to the crease.

A chill in SE11 air. Hairy Arm Man is standing to attention. Mr Ramps batting on regardless, 172. What a man. 366-6 ‘rrey ahead of luncheon.

Cripes. What’s happening to Warwickshire at Edgbaston?

Final over before luncheon. 374-6 @surreycricket, and the morning session belongs to the ‘rrey. Heading back to base for afternoon of work.