CRICKET commentator Jonathan Agnew managed to get to his seat at the Emirates Riverside in time today thanks to a local garage.
The BBC pundit suffered a flat tyre on his way to the home of Durham CCC in
Chester-le-Street where England were playing Australia in a one day international.
He had been worried he might not make the start, but he need not have worried - staff at
Catterick Service Station ensured he was not left on a sticky wicket.
Agnew wrote on Twitter: "Hurrah for these lovely people who sorted out my puncture on the A1 in minutes. Thanks all. Should still make 2pm first ball on ?@bbctms? #ENGvAUS"
He posted a photo of the service station and later posted a photo of the screw responsible for his predicament.
Speaking afterwards owner Mark Chisholm told The Northern Echo: "He was on his way up to the Emirates and got a puncture in his Land Rover Discovery.
"He stumbled across us coming off the A1. He was in a bit of a rush so we jumped straight on it. He had a long screw in one of his rear tyres so we whipped his wheel off, got it repaired and got him on his way as quick as we could."
Asked if he often got celebrities popping in, Mark said: "In fairness, most of the lads didn't recognise him, but he has TMS, Test Match Special, on his number plate.
"We have had Jackie Charlton in and Ian Botham over the years, but no we don't get so many.
"He was a lovely, lovely, lovely, pleasant man."
