I was surprised we got to see any play at The Oval at all today. The weather forecast suggested Biblical downpours shortly after the start of play.
Blue skies greeted my arrival to SE11. I’ll have a bit of that. I stretched out on the Peter May sun terrace. I was joined by Mark Church in the AirPods, with BBC ball by ball commentary.
The highlight of the first session was an amazing catch by Ben Foakes. Jamie Overton spilled the ball in slips; Foakes picked up the pieces.
Karun Nair knocked up a fantastic century for the visitors. It meant the first batting points of the season for Northamptonshire.
BATTED, etc.
The school kids returned once again, taking up a dangerous position on the first two front rows of the Peter May. There was a short boundary. It didn’t take long for a six to hit one of the kids.
POW. Right in the kisser.
I tipped off a steward, suggesting that it wasn’t a great vantage point for primary school kids to watch the game. He did his job and spoke with the teacher. Teacher knows best and the kids didn’t move from the firing range.
Health and Safety these days, etc.
I moved to the Pavilion for the final half hour of play. The easterly wind was starting to pick up ahead of the expected rain.
And that was pretty much it for Day 2.
It pissed it down for the rest of the afternoon.
