A Day of Firsts

Primarily, today was the first day of the English cricket County Championship.  Usually, the season's start in early-April is fraught with tension: not least, will the weather be clement and will anyone come and watch?  This year, both potential points of concern were well and truly averted - and there is probably a link between the two.  The Oval was bathed in glorious, warm sunshine and covered by a perfectly clear blue sky from dawn to dusk; and, perhaps further aided by it being a Friday, somewhere in excess of 700 people had shown up by lunchtime to watch Surrey play Northamptonshire.  Of course, at a huge ground like The Oval, the place still looked very sparsely populated compared to a Twenty20 or an international match but the atmosphere was full of energy, enthusiasm, optimism and anticipation.

Personally, this was my first day of 2011 in cropped trousers, my first in sandals - which led to my first blister of the year, my first day of applying sunscreen, and my first day of getting a little bit of colour into my pallid skin.  How good it all felt; well, apart from the blister - although it is already healing nicely, thank you.  Bit miffed about the blister, actually, as these are my favourite, most reliable, go anywhere sandals and have never inflicted injury on me before.

Cricketwise, there were also many firsts.  A somewhat inevitable situation, given that today was the first day of the season.  Some occurred at The Oval - and not all were welcome.

• First wicket, first duck and first golden duck: Northamptonshire's Chaminder Vaas had Surrey's Michael Brown lbw, from his first ball faced and only the second ball of the day
• First bowling point: Essex taking the third Kent wicket
• First half-century: Durham's Mark Stoneman (51)
• First batting point: Surrey reaching 200 runs
• First century: Kent's Sam Northeast (127)
• First team out: Kent for 247 runs off 70 overs
• First five wicket haul: Yorkshire's Adil Rashid (6-77)

There were many more that could be included but this was plenty for me to note down.  I was aided by the very helpful ECB Cricket mobile app.  I'm attributing its persistence in believing that The Oval game had not started until about 11.20 am to first day nerves.

As usual, my simple plan for Surrey (100 without loss at lunch) went awry very quickly - to only the second ball of the day.  I was not ready for this turn of events, having prepared most inadequately by predicting a wonderful season leading to promotion and encouraged by Rory Hamilton-Brown winning the toss and deciding to bat.  Simple plan quickly revised to 100-1 at lunch, which was also dismissed pretty quickly, after which, as usual, I gave up formulating simple plans and just sat - oddly all day long on a surprisingly comfortable step rather than a seat - and soaked up the atmosphere and sunshine.  My enjoyment was enhanced further by being allowed onto the outfield during the lunch and tea intervals.  Lying flat on my stomach on the beautiful grass, reading the paper and munching sandwiches was marvellous.  And thanks to Chris the Chief Steward for being so polite, patient and smiley when the time came for him to encourage me to relinquish my spot for play to resume.

At the close of play, Surrey was all out for 322 and Northamptonshire had survived four overs to be 12-0.  Honours even and a fitting result to an almost perfect first day of the season.  Next simple plan: for this marvellous weather to prevail throughout the season.  Any wagers on how long before that one is shot to pieces?