To bat, or not to bat?
| 11:23 UK time, Saturday, 18 August 2007
The Friends Provident Trophy final between Durham and Hampshire is , the home of cricket.
White clothing has long been a thing of the past in one-day cricket - with some counties even sporting different coloured kit in different competitions.
So today, we have the slightly bizarre sight of both teams in yellow shirts with dark blue trim, and dark blue trousers!
Hampshire's yellow is more of a dark gold, while Durham's is a bright, Brazil-esque yellow - but it even foxed one journalist here in the media centre who asked if Shane Warne (squad number 23) was opening the batting, confusing him with Durham's Michael Di Venuto (also 23).
It also makes identifying spectaors difficult at a distance - although it looks like Hampshire's main support is on the Mound Stand, Edrich Stand and Tavern side, while there are plenty of Durham followers in the Compton Stand and Grandstand.
Traditionally, back in the day when this competition was known as the Gillette Cup and then the NatWest Trophy, the final was played a week into September, and because of the prevailing conditions, the mantra for teams that won the toss seemed to be "stick 'em in".
As we're still in August, a little surprise was expressed at Warne's decision to field first - particularly as Phil Mustard began by carving the seamers to all quarters, doing his England chances no harm at all on the biggest stage of all.
And did Warne make the right choice? His captaincy in the past has served Hampshire well - will it bring them a second Trophy in three years?
As well as this blog, I'll be posting on 606 throughout the day and answering your questions and comments.
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Dear all at TMS, I am a student with a lot of work to do, however, I can think of no better way to procrastinate than to spend the day at Lords, watching what sounds like an exciting final. So I wondered if you wouldn't mind telling me the ticket prices on the door today (and perhaps the weather prospects). Thanks for your time, yours lazily, Mr. Deans.
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Hi Oliver,
The Lord's website says that tickets went on sale at the North Gate (the nearest to St John's Wood tube) at 0845 this morning.
There are still one or two gaps in the crowd, so you may strike it lucky.
But they advise calling 020 7432 1000 to check availability - and that's what I'd do, too,
You've missed an early 49 from the Colonel, but Chanderpaul is just getting set.
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