To The Oval! …on Friday morning for Day 1 of the ‘rrey Vs Sussex. Did you think I would stay away? Not a chance, Comrades. Nothing had changed - the way I like it. We even managed to blag my FAVE seats in all of S Ldn, perched up on high in the top tier of the SSE, with S Ldn stretching out all around us to enjoy.

We also chose the perfect day for a cricket jolly day out. The blue sky up above was tempered with a light breeze blowing across SE11. Everything was ideal - apart from us missing the first wicket. Whoops.

Surrey won the toss and took to the field. there has been plenty of debate already this season about the state of The Oval wicket. Bowling has become problematic. Various technical reasons have been given for the failure for Surrey to skittle sides out, as was the case two, three and four years ago.

We needn’t have worried on Friday morning. The ‘rrey were aggressive from the start, with Jordan Clarke even taking a fifer before luncheon. Matt Fisher backed him up brilliantly from the Vauxhall End, with Reece Topley waiting in the wings whenever the double act needn’t a break.

Plans for wiff waff at The Oval Table of Dreams at luncheon were abandoned. It was just too bloody hot. I was semi-suited and booted with a posho jacket as well. Instead we retired to the relative shade of the first tier of the SSE.

Sussex came out after luncheon and regrouped. I hit the BOOZE. M then rocked up and joined us for the final session. It felt like I had never been away…

Chin chin.

I passed some half term kids playing cricket on the North side of Clap’ham Common during the morning run. Nothing too odd about this - except that we’re approaching Halloween.

There was around half a dozen of the ankle biters, probably around Year 5 or Year 6 primary school age.

They were taking it incredibly seriously as well, fully padded up and even a protective helmet on show.

GOOD EFFORT.

It was a refreshing change from seeing the S Ldn yoof playing football - or throwing fireworks at one another during this time of year.

What was all the more remarkable was that they were playing on the Common grass, or what’s left of it, late autumn. It must have been one hell of a sticky wicket.

Later in the day I found myself walking around the Harleyford Road and past The Oval. The Hobbs Gate was padlocked up.

It was a most sorry sight, reminding me that we are deep into the Winter Well non-cricket season.

Hang on. There’s an England ODI series that no one really gives a shit about taking place on the other side of the world right now, yeah?

I took my enthusiasm from the Clap’ham Common kids, tbh.