(Written many years later from my perspective as a Notts supporter)
Cricket Commentators like to talk extensively about atmosphere, but it was hard to beat a 1980s domestic cup final at Lord’s. It may be true that supplies from The Tavern played a major role and some of the bawdy songs were more befitting of a football crowd, but it was a hoot and we had no need for Bumble in a wig.
Along with other prototype Outlaws, I travelled to NW8 for the 1989 B&H Final. The game will be remembered for Eddie Hemmings, John Lever and a last ball finish but for a match that produced a modest run rate at a shade over 4.40, there was so much more.
Whale Meet Again
Nottinghamshire and Essex had never exactly been sworn enemies but a one-run defeat in the Nat West final of 1985 meant that our revenge was due. Four years later Essex, who were known for being a bat-first side, called correctly and predictably made first use of the facilities. In 1989 there was no Hadlee and no Rice, but our big Bajan all-rounder Franklyn Stephenson was undertaking an admirable job of replacing both.
It was Franklyn who gave Notts supporters early hope when he sent down a disguised beamer in the opening exchanges. Brian Hardie ducked away and as we waited for the inevitable sound of leather on skull, the ball crashed into the base of the stumps.
Hardie was Essex’s most underrated player and it was a bonus to see the back of him with just four on the board. Graham Gooch and Alan Lilley started to rebuild before Andy Afford dismissed the former and produced a celebration in keeping with the football-style atmosphere.
Lilley held it together, only to get the blame for the defeat from Essex-supporting colleagues after the match. His undefeated 95 from 142 balls was less than sparkling but as Mark Waugh contributed 41, Gooch’s men finished their 55 overs on 243-7.
Stuttering Chase
In the days before T20 cricket, a chase that exceeded a run-a-ball became a near-write off and Essex’s total, in 1989, was competitive. Nottinghamshire had gone in as underdogs and, at 17-2 in reply, only The Tavern could provide any solace.
Paul Johnson and skipper Tim Robinson steadied things with a stand of 132 for the third wicket and, after Randall had run out his captain, Arkle’s partnership with Kevin Evans helped to steer us towards that last ball thriller.
Frog Chorus
With Bruce ‘Frog’ French at one end, we were still in with a chance, but fate conspired to leave Eddie Hemmings to face the final ball with four runs needed. Gooch and John Lever took the best part of eternity to set the field and, with loose restrictions, were able to leave just one gap at backward point.
31 years ago the scoop and the ramp had yet to be used on a professional cricket field and even if they had, Hemmings is unlikely to have been the deftest exponent of either. The ‘squirt’ through that vacant backward point was the only hope and remarkably, as Lever bowled full, the Whale pulled it off.
In the aftermath of the win, we were allowed on to the Lord’s outfield. What a slope by the way but more importantly, what a way to finish an incredible day.
