tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29930616680306650782024-03-14T04:31:57.845+00:00EAST RIDING CRICKET SOCIETYCLOSER TO THE ACTION!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-72669263713079927792024-02-27T15:33:00.002+00:002024-03-09T13:15:32.929+00:00East Riding Cricket Society 2023/24<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MATMpAEv5pFVMF1PPbxK6hYQLyo9XI1vtUtSsFB81IA05UyFhJJPCieJ9QBabUMPgwNYQiv33DifCN5wqFH0npUzqRPRG8XgVeW4ij6MC6Frc8rnpKi7P2oHGNq5iEe7B9JW4BzI-5neiNxS2LHdLNWk4d9BmTTVD7ZDJMmzXr4VINO3UBAvAuO1/s3648/021.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MATMpAEv5pFVMF1PPbxK6hYQLyo9XI1vtUtSsFB81IA05UyFhJJPCieJ9QBabUMPgwNYQiv33DifCN5wqFH0npUzqRPRG8XgVeW4ij6MC6Frc8rnpKi7P2oHGNq5iEe7B9JW4BzI-5neiNxS2LHdLNWk4d9BmTTVD7ZDJMmzXr4VINO3UBAvAuO1/w200-h150/021.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Join us monthly at <a href="https://beverleycc.play-cricket.com/Aboutus" target="_blank"><b>Beverley Town CC</b></a> – <b>Mondays</b> or <b>Thursdays, </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;">October to March, 7.30 for <b>7.45pm.</b></span></p><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£15 </b>a year / </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£5 </b>on the door.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Broadcaster, journalist and author </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.pat-murphy-presents.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Pat Murphy</b></a></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> – one of the most distinctive voices in UK radio – closed our season in fine style on Monday 4 March. <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Over five decades Pat has worked with and interviewed many cricket and football stars. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">He's also published over </span><span style="font-size: medium;">over forty
books, including </span><span style="font-size: medium;">the widely acclaimed </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/bbc-sports-report-9781472994257/" target="_blank">BBC Sports Report: A Celebration</a></i> – a sell-out on the night! </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">News of our 2024/25 programme will follow shortly.<br /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Meanwhile read more about our recent speakers here: </span></p><div><div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2023/24:<b> </b>Pat Murphy [report], Dr Jane Powell [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2024/02/jane-powell-match-report.html">report</a>], Kevin Sharp [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2024/01/kevin-sharp-match-report.html" target="_blank">report</a>], John Barclay [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2023/12/john-barclay-match-report.html" target="_blank">report</a>], Jeremy Lonsdale [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2023/12/jeremy-lonsdale-match-report.html" target="_blank">report</a>], Dean Headley [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2023/12/dean-headley-match-report.html" target="_blank">report</a>], Barry Richards [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2023/07/barry-richards-match-report.html" target="_blank">report</a>]</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2022/23:<b> </b>Vic Marks [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2023/03/vic-marks-match-report.html" target="_blank">report</a>], James Carr [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2023/03/james-carr-match-report.html" target="_blank">report</a>], Graham Onions [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2023/02/graham-onions-match-report.html" target="_blank">report</a>], Chris O'Brien on Neville Cardus [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2023/01/chris-obrien-match-report.html" target="_blank">report</a>], Paul Farbrace [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2022/11/paul-farbrace-match-report.html" target="_blank">report</a>], Kevin Howells [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2022/11/kevin-howells-match-report.html" target="_blank">report</a>]<span style="color: black;"> <br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: black;">Everyone </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>welcome</b> - no dress code, no formalities, just </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a great evening</span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">talking cricket</span></span></span></span> </span></span> </p><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">To join or to find out more please email: <b>ercsoc </b>AT <b>gmail </b>DOT <b>com </b></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-43257460744573581012024-02-27T14:00:00.004+00:002024-03-09T13:23:59.577+00:00Jane Powell: match report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSADIDnpdM-v1FdrCD_ChCy1UNxEVfoqVe-8CveUAmaInf0TjpS8ywmnun2_IMp5KYxtPtAPwY4-leAMYwr_2zGyv-Pcf3CAtbYGamcID01868KYl70nakJwp1UlwEuB3t3GuqO6n7_MT8fXlJoWiDxxabPi-2zJg3lT9oTbNIu8vd0_mSjeUTDO6Xf0/s5152/Jane%20Powell_007.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5152" data-original-width="3864" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSADIDnpdM-v1FdrCD_ChCy1UNxEVfoqVe-8CveUAmaInf0TjpS8ywmnun2_IMp5KYxtPtAPwY4-leAMYwr_2zGyv-Pcf3CAtbYGamcID01868KYl70nakJwp1UlwEuB3t3GuqO6n7_MT8fXlJoWiDxxabPi-2zJg3lT9oTbNIu8vd0_mSjeUTDO6Xf0/s320/Jane%20Powell_007.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Another big crowd of 50 members and guests enjoyed a superb evening </span><span>on Monday 12 February with the inspirational </span><span><b>Jane Powell</b> – current President of Yorkshire CCC and </span><span>Performance Manager </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>for England </span><span>Disability Cricket. Jane is also a former </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>England Women's captain and coach, </span><span>Yorkshire Women's </span><span>captain and Championship winner, and a hockey and badminton international. Quite a CV!<br /></span></span></p><p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Cathy Rennison's full match report will follow shortly. <br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Meanwhile you can read more about Jane here:</span></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://yorkshireccc.com/news/ive-had-a-great-time-jane-powell-reflects-on-her-first-year-as-yccc-president/">https://yorkshireccc.com/news/ive-had-a-great-time-jane-powell-reflects-on-her-first-year-as-yccc-president/</a></span></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><a href="https://yorkshireccc.com/news/president-jane-powell-on-her-plans-for-the-summer/">https://yorkshireccc.com/news/president-jane-powell-on-her-plans-for-the-summer/</a> </span></span></li></ul><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-41342274029806730932024-01-19T07:30:00.007+00:002024-01-29T10:27:45.317+00:00Kevin Sharp: match report<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7EYya1CD_qhhYE9j4yyXZXi0tSaR88hw0_j4YGZxsMvCkXZA5WULXO8hlqJ27PODNaaUzmTa4FEiuaodbjNSs0Nh-z56VvaYmuzIjl2-w32lbsIabhrqkQo0SMt8tJ4ZJF6L4GHEjn-1l96Uy4CkzfEJbY4qiSvfuOxh6iSxe7HYzuD-0BDj8hqXLis/s4160/016.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7EYya1CD_qhhYE9j4yyXZXi0tSaR88hw0_j4YGZxsMvCkXZA5WULXO8hlqJ27PODNaaUzmTa4FEiuaodbjNSs0Nh-z56VvaYmuzIjl2-w32lbsIabhrqkQo0SMt8tJ4ZJF6L4GHEjn-1l96Uy4CkzfEJbY4qiSvfuOxh6iSxe7HYzuD-0BDj8hqXLis/s320/016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Despite
an icy night an excellent crowd of 56 members braved the chill to listen Kevin Sharp on Thursday 18 January. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">A
Leeds lad through and through – born in Meanwood – Kevin is now
returning to Yorkshire after a </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">46-year playing and coaching career with </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Yorkshire CCC and Worcestershire CCC.</span></p><p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">And as a keen hill-walker, he'll be
picking his spot with care. </span></span></p><p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">He
warned us early on that he wasn't 'as funny as John Barclay', but he did have one non-Barclayan trick up his sleeve – of which more
later.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
Yorkshire dressing-room of the 1970s was a rather formidable place to
a nervous 16-year-old. Turning
up on Day One in jeans and T-shirt did not impress a certain Mr
Boycott, who immediately sent him home to change! <br /></span></span></p><p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">However, Kevin soon
learned how to become a Yorkshire player and enjoyed his playing
days. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">He
admits that he never achieved his full potential on the field but on
retirement he discovered that coaching was his true vocation. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">One
early encounter was with the 12-year-old Joe Root, who watched avidly as
Kevin ran a session with Anthony McGrath before insisting on receiving exactly the same session. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">'I'll
be alright,' he reassured his anxious coach. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Yorkshire's
current off-field woes were touched on, particularly given the
upcoming EGM on 2 February, but this was a minor point of the
evening.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Dured
questions, the subject of red ball cricket was aired – as is often
the case. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">In
Kevin’s opinion, modern cricketers can certainly make a living playing white ball cricket only. However, Tests are still named for a
reason, and making a Test match century is something that unorthodox
players would not find easy.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Kevin
also discussed the development of young players, highlighting the
problems caused by the current schedule and the difficulties faced in
May and June – exam season – when many are juggling their studies
and their cricket. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Although
Kevin batted left-handed, like many lefties he is otherwise
right-handed and, using a walking stick kindly loaned by Michael
Lovis, he proceeded to demonstrate the problems this can cause. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
muscles in his left arm were too weak to play some shots without
danger, and to help other lefties in the same situation – for
example, Adam Lyth – coach Kevin had them working with weights.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
vote of thanks came from Maggie and was well given in the usual
fashion.</span></span></p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Thanks
are also due to everyone who contributed so generously to the raffle, which
raised £197. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span>
</p>
<p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
next meeting is on Monday 12 February 7.45pm, when we welcome Dr Jane
Powell, President of Yorkshire CCC; Performance Manager, England
Disability Cricket; England Women and Yorkshire Women, player and
captain.</span></span></p><p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><i>Cathy Rennison</i></span></span></p><p align="justify" lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">You can also read more </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">about Kevin and his career here:</span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://wccc.co.uk/kevin-sharp-special-to-have-been-part-of-the-worcestershire-family/" target="_blank">https://wccc.co.uk/kevin-sharp-special-to-have-been-part-of-the-worcestershire-family/</a></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-9941201/Joe-Roots-former-mentor-Kevin-Sharp-reveals-Englands-captain-hunger-improve.html" target="_blank">https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-9941201/Joe-Roots-former-mentor-Kevin-Sharp-reveals-Englands-captain-hunger-improve.html</a> </span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/cricket/2017/05/04/england-invite-for-former-shropshire-coach-kevin-sharp/" target="_blank">https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/cricket/2017/05/04/england-invite-for-former-shropshire-coach-kevin-sharp/</a> <br /></span></li></ul></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-25293735174582693772023-12-15T09:07:00.006+00:002024-01-10T09:57:19.072+00:00John Barclay: match report<p><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFoDBaq4F2AhJSDjZC5ZZOyh-yAN23sm9W9O05um6X4SXeM9yOyisCbFfpO6OPYY24KkveR61qUTRv_0vHx49cdG7b6OLNrlh4oyfFdUR2TLL4eNNDO0SdI7joZWpXL-LVwu8Hwz-BPO7p2dKOlXIoI9buGnZ0MI8JxF7qft8hdEIUXUqq5SSeQCcwCw/s1634/barclay-005_01.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1475" data-original-width="1634" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFoDBaq4F2AhJSDjZC5ZZOyh-yAN23sm9W9O05um6X4SXeM9yOyisCbFfpO6OPYY24KkveR61qUTRv_0vHx49cdG7b6OLNrlh4oyfFdUR2TLL4eNNDO0SdI7joZWpXL-LVwu8Hwz-BPO7p2dKOlXIoI9buGnZ0MI8JxF7qft8hdEIUXUqq5SSeQCcwCw/s320/barclay-005_01.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">What
a cracker Maggie can pull! </span></span>
<p></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">She’s
welcome at my seasonal table, as is Mr John Barclay with his
entertaining, witty and thoroughly good-natured cricket chat.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Almost
fifty of us turned up to hear John, who also happened to be our last
speaker prior to lockdown in March 2020. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">He
seemed flattered to be back, saying he rarely gets a second invite –
although personally I find that hard to believe.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Not
only did he talk cricket.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">He
also illustrated it vividly, with walkabouts and grand arm and hand
gestures to bring his words to life. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">There
was something of the pantomime in the way he involved us in his
performance – for this was far more than a traditional 'speech'.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">We
heard about his appointment as MCC President, as the choice of his
predecessor Derek 'Deadly' Underwood.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Did
gratitude for the dropped catch that enabled Derek's only first-class
hundred play a part?</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">John
also told us more of his captaincy of Sussex, which he clearly
enjoyed despite being no more than 'an average cricketer' – a
becoming modesty rather disputed by <i>Wisden</i>. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">His
stories of some of the cricketing greats included Imran Khan, Malcom
Marshall and the awesome Vivian Richards.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Viv,
he commented, 'could spoil a [cricketing] Sunday afternoon – and
quickly.'</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Closely
questioned by our chairman, Michael, John revealed that his own pick
as MCC President was Christopher Martin-Jenkins, which proved a
popular choice.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">He
also shared the origins of his unusual middle name, 'Troutbeck', and
thus his lifelong nickname, 'Trout'. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Troutbeck
is his mother's maiden name – her family hailing from the eponymous
Lake District village, close to the shores of Windermere. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Among
John's many roles in the game, he is President of the English Schools
Cricket Association (ESCA). </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Our
own Ken Lake MBE is ESCA's long-serving Secretary, and John paid a
warm tribute to Ken and his role in nurturing so many aspiring young
cricketers – including Joe Root, Mark Ramprakash and Cottingham's Will
Rhodes.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">As
for favourite Yorkshire memories, John recalled a special catch made
at Headingley. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">And
he agreed with many of us that North Marine Road, Scarborough is
right up there among grounds for its great crowds and atmosphere.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">He
also touched on the spirit of cricket, deploring the scenes among MCC
members after Jonny Bairstow's run-out in last summer's LordsTest. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Involvement
in the game, as player or spectator, is a privilege that must not be
abused.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Maggie
offered a vote of thanks, and thanks are also due to all who
contributed to the £145 raised by our monthly raffle.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Finally,
I wish everyone a happy, healthy and cricket positive 2024.</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Cathy Rennison <br /></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-47653371557853092962023-12-10T11:05:00.015+00:002024-03-05T15:35:39.297+00:00Jeremy Lonsdale: match report<div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US"></span></span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PFqYy7Dqywzb3jBfzESob9DhHmtQuWTWYrbX6nFgPBzbg2pZKl-u_xSAtk0XNcy_EtK8kruwPFHje-F28EqFsfo8pXgvUk5ZpZIzm4gWR2VP8j3g9cmFEVUkLdwSojbWflEJkR_FJKpxSfykBkUqe1AXOwlhM1qBTQoXwQEz9UIIQ12X3hKz-gQTJs8/s3864/lonsdale-010_01.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="3340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PFqYy7Dqywzb3jBfzESob9DhHmtQuWTWYrbX6nFgPBzbg2pZKl-u_xSAtk0XNcy_EtK8kruwPFHje-F28EqFsfo8pXgvUk5ZpZIzm4gWR2VP8j3g9cmFEVUkLdwSojbWflEJkR_FJKpxSfykBkUqe1AXOwlhM1qBTQoXwQEz9UIIQ12X3hKz-gQTJs8/s320/lonsdale-010_01.JPG" width="277" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">A
quick snow flurry seemed to have only minor</span><span lang="en-US">
impact on our November 2023 meeting</span><span lang="en-US">, which
included our now celebrated </span><span lang="en-US">AGM</span><span lang="en-US">
– famed </span><span lang="en-US">that is </span><span lang="en-US">for
its brevity.</span><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Our
chairman offered due thanks to Maggie</span><span lang="en-US">,</span><span lang="en-US">
Ian </span><span lang="en-US">and </span><span lang="en-US">Brian for
their work</span><span lang="en-US">,</span><span lang="en-US"> and all the
</span><span lang="en-US">officers were re-elected unopposed. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Maggie
outlined our past and future speakers </span><span lang="en-US">before
</span><span lang="en-US">Brian commented on the accounts</span><span lang="en-US">,
</span><span lang="en-US">which covered a three-year period from
October 2020 to September 2023. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">We made a
small profit over this period and our finances are strong. </span><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">After falling from a high of c.100 in March
2020, our numbers are growing steadily, with a warm welcome extended
to many recent new members. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Our successful</span><span lang="en-US">
raffle </span><span lang="en-US">makes a vital contribution</span><span lang="en-US">,
while </span><span lang="en-US">our first all-pay summer</span><span lang="en-US">
</span><span lang="en-US">special, </span><span lang="en-US">with
Barry Richards</span><span lang="en-US">,</span><span lang="en-US">
</span><span lang="en-US">raised our profile and </span><span lang="en-US">paid
for itself</span><span lang="en-US">.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Then
we were into the meat of the evening with </span><span lang="en-US">author
and historian </span><a href="https://twitter.com/lonsdale_jeremy" target="_blank"><span lang="en-US">Jeremy Lonsdale</span></a><span lang="en-US">. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Although </span><span lang="en-US">resident in Maidstone</span><span lang="en-US">,
Jeremy</span><span lang="en-US"> is a Hornsea lad by birth</span><span lang="en-US">
and had </span><span lang="en-US">visited </span><span lang="en-US">Beverley
</span><span lang="en-US">Town </span><span lang="en-US">before,
playing </span><span lang="en-US">for </span><span lang="en-US">Hornsea
</span><span lang="en-US">Secon</span><span lang="en-US">ds.</span><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">H</span><span lang="en-US">e </span><span lang="en-US">began</span><span lang="en-US">
writing </span><span lang="en-US">to find out </span><span lang="en-US">how
</span><span lang="en-US">a game as </span><span lang="en-US">strange
</span><span lang="en-US">as cricket </span><span lang="en-US">ever
</span><span lang="en-US">got started</span><span lang="en-US">, then
went on from there.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Jeremy
introduced four of his five books on cricket in Yorkshire.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="http://www.cricketweb.net/books/a-game-taken-seriously/" target="_blank"><i>A Game
Taken Seriously</i></a> <span style="font-style: normal;">centres on the
</span><span style="font-style: normal;">Victorian era</span><span style="font-style: normal;">,
highlighting</span><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span><span style="font-style: normal;">the
role of newspapers and railways in developing </span><span style="font-style: normal;">Yorkshire's
cricketing power and </span><span style="font-style: normal;">the modern game.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://www.cricketweb.net/books/a-game-emerging/" target="_blank"><i>A Game Emerging</i></a><span style="font-style: normal;"> takes the story</span><span style="font-style: normal;">
back to the eighteenth century </span><span style="font-style: normal;">and
the local roots of a game that was originally </span><span lang="en-US">more
of a southern pastime. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Reference to the auction of a 250</span><span lang="en-US">-</span><span lang="en-US">year</span><span lang="en-US">-</span><span lang="en-US">old
cricket bat found in Ripon was fascinating.</span><span lang="en-US">
</span><span lang="en-US">This book also shows that cricket </span><span lang="en-US">–</span><span lang="en-US">
then focused mainly on b</span><span lang="en-US">e</span><span lang="en-US">tting
</span><span lang="en-US">–</span><span lang="en-US"> was a
year</span><span lang="en-US">-</span><span lang="en-US">round game
in the 1820s.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><a href="https://www.cricketweb.net/books/a-game-sustained/" target="_blank"><span lang="en-US"><i>A
Game Sustained</i></span></a><span lang="en-US"> </span><span lang="en-US">cover</span><span lang="en-US">s</span><span lang="en-US">
the period </span><span lang="en-US">around</span><span lang="en-US">
</span><span lang="en-US">the First </span><span lang="en-US">World
War and </span><span lang="en-US">the </span><span lang="en-US">dilemma</span><span lang="en-US">s
involved in playing</span><span lang="en-US"> </span><span lang="en-US">sport
in </span><span lang="en-US">a time of </span><span lang="en-US">national
trauma. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Finally, </span><span lang="en-US"><i><a href="http://www.cricketweb.net/books/a-game-divided/" target="_blank">A
Game Divided</a> </i></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;">examine</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;">s
the all-conquering but unpopular Yorkshire side of the 1920s, </span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;">which
</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;">field</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;">ed
</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;">10
professional</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;">s</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;">
and an amateur captain</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;">
at a time of change in cricket's class divide.</span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">It
says much for my own knowledge </span><span lang="en-US">–</span><span lang="en-US">
or rather lack of </span><span lang="en-US">–</span><span lang="en-US">
that I was </span><span lang="en-US">aware
of </span><span lang="en-US">some of the consequences</span><span lang="en-US">
of this distinction</span><span lang="en-US"> </span><span lang="en-US">(for
example, </span><span lang="en-US">the different nam</span><span lang="en-US">ing</span><span lang="en-US">
conventions on the scor</span><span lang="en-US">e</span><span lang="en-US">card)
</span><span lang="en-US">but not </span><span lang="en-US">that
amateurs and professionals used separate </span><span lang="en-US">dressing
rooms and </span><span lang="en-US">entrances to </span><span lang="en-US">the
pitch. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Harking back to the</span><span lang="en-US"> role of
</span><span lang="en-US">newspapers</span><span lang="en-US">,</span><span lang="en-US">
this was </span><span lang="en-US">also </span><span lang="en-US">the
time when photos started to appear of players</span><span lang="en-US">,
making</span><span lang="en-US"> some </span><span lang="en-US">of
them </span><span lang="en-US">off-field </span><span lang="en-US">'</span><span lang="en-US">celebs</span><span lang="en-US">'</span><span lang="en-US">.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">A</span><span lang="en-US">fter
the raffle raised £113 </span><span lang="en-US">–</span><span lang="en-US">
for which thanks to everyone who contributed </span><span lang="en-US">–</span><span lang="en-US">
Jeremy touched on his latest book</span><span lang="en-US">,</span><span lang="en-US">
</span><a href="https://www.cricketweb.net/books/no-picnic/" target="_blank"><span lang="en-US"><i>No Picnic: the Historic First MCC Tour
of India and Ceylon 1926/27</i></span></a><span lang="en-US"><i>. </i></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;">This
</span></span><span lang="en-US">first official tour of the
sub-continent</span><span lang="en-US"> was a </span><span lang="en-US">gruelling affair – though grandiose off the field – </span><span lang="en-US">which
took some organising before and during </span><span lang="en-US">the
event</span><span lang="en-US">. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">From Jeremy's </span><span lang="en-US">telling it was clear that several participants needed </span><span lang="en-US">diplomatic </span><span lang="en-US">as
well as batting and bowling</span><span lang="en-US"> skills to handle the
context of Empire and rising Indian nationalism.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Jeremy
is also Deputy Editor of </span><span lang="en-US">the quarterly
</span><a href="https://www.countycricketmatters.com/" target="_blank"><span lang="en-US"><i>C</i></span><span lang="en-US"><i>ounty
C</i></span><span lang="en-US"><i>ricket Matters</i></span></a><span lang="en-US">,</span><span lang="en-US">
</span><span lang="en-US">founded and </span><span lang="en-US">edited
by Anne Chave</span><span lang="en-US">.</span><span lang="en-US">
</span><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Published</span><span lang="en-US"> as a
labour of love</span><span lang="en-US">,</span><span lang="en-US">
</span><span lang="en-US">the magazine </span><span lang="en-US">covers
cricket </span><span lang="en-US">of all kinds and has now reached
Issue No. 17. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">You can s</span><span lang="en-US">ubscribe
via the website </span><span lang="en-US">for £15 a year </span><span lang="en-US">and
also </span><span lang="en-US">purchase back issues</span><span lang="en-US">.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">After
an interesting, diverse and </span><span lang="en-US">entertaining</span><span lang="en-US">
talk, Simon F</span><span lang="en-US">ost</span><span lang="en-US">er
gave the vote of thanks.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">As
</span><span lang="en-US">your</span><span lang="en-US"> reporter may
I wish everybody a Happy Christmas and a Good New Year.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Cathy Rennison</span></span></span><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></span><span><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US"><br /></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="justify" style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none;">
</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-68455128525777574162023-12-01T09:30:00.000+00:002024-01-12T11:38:07.021+00:00Dean Headley: match report<div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHy8VZe0MmtQgYbhjPmy7Jn7gNqub4CsyoC4z1DH5eKcQQcebLxW4BBSrblTD2IuKdDnm8TYvc3npQ1s4y_7DV__aZrFUiQTYnRaJTBgf9KDEPrszQn6tkUe55AMUOtGNLnDK9WwYBKLVg5Fp2B0S-8quNZVko_Fv05kDrEgjhU0wTdBP8Kq708GBr8o/s5152/headley-006_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5152" data-original-width="2627" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHy8VZe0MmtQgYbhjPmy7Jn7gNqub4CsyoC4z1DH5eKcQQcebLxW4BBSrblTD2IuKdDnm8TYvc3npQ1s4y_7DV__aZrFUiQTYnRaJTBgf9KDEPrszQn6tkUe55AMUOtGNLnDK9WwYBKLVg5Fp2B0S-8quNZVko_Fv05kDrEgjhU0wTdBP8Kq708GBr8o/s320/headley-006_02.JPG" width="163" /></a></div>A superb informal Q&A with England
paceman <b>Dean Headley</b> opened our 2023/24 programme. </span><p></p></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Dean is the
third generation of the famous cricketing family. He retired early
after a first-class career (1991-2001) cut short by a chronic back
injury and is now an ECB match referee. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">He is also heavily involved
in coaching young cricketers, as Director of Cricket at Stamford
School (2018-23) and now as Head of Cricket at Blundells School,
Tiverton (2023-).</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Read more about Dean here:</span></p>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">https://wisden.com/stories/features/golden-streaks-and-fractured-dreams-the-cautionary-tale-of-dean-headley</span></a></span></p>
</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1129399/dean-and-daz-make-merry-in-melbourne</span></a></span></p>
</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/725159/-it-burnt-to-be-told-i-didn-t-have-the-heart-to-play-as-a-bowler</span></a></span></p>
</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><p style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/1226317/like-father--unlike-son</span></a></span></p>
</li><li><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/#"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">https://blundells.org/devoffice/news/new-head-of-cricket-dean-headley</span></a></span></p>
</li></ul>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-61486455993635759922023-07-10T16:06:00.004+01:002024-01-10T09:59:11.551+00:00Barry Richards: match report<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="de-DE"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJb-3CkTteuFcYFL3ooolT31xfkSWxPOnzM8A8APJHza1AgYTEzB5ioihTyCRG0tJQjqgCBe5ll1Smm5V2zrkRt4WYZDGWeMe_3uBBKo9a46b29Am9SLMVLXcV_oD92MBsYscH30aksfI61nTlWOiQQzuHdNxT8z46qanil-t_b4ILbKOu-hoXC9ZJ30/s4160/richards_barry.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJb-3CkTteuFcYFL3ooolT31xfkSWxPOnzM8A8APJHza1AgYTEzB5ioihTyCRG0tJQjqgCBe5ll1Smm5V2zrkRt4WYZDGWeMe_3uBBKo9a46b29Am9SLMVLXcV_oD92MBsYscH30aksfI61nTlWOiQQzuHdNxT8z46qanil-t_b4ILbKOu-hoXC9ZJ30/s320/richards_barry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span></span></span></span></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="de-DE">Well,
</span><span lang="en-US">what a surprise!</span> <span lang="en-US">How
nicely we all scrub up in warm weather </span>– <span lang="en-US">some
even had knees on display.</span> <span lang="en-US">And it was quite
the turn</span><span lang="en-US">-</span><span lang="en-US">out too</span><span lang="en-US">,</span><span lang="en-US">
although with Mr Barry Richards </span><span lang="en-US">visiting
from South Africa</span><span lang="en-US"> </span><span lang="en-US">that
was </span><span lang="en-US">only to be </span><span lang="en-US">expected. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Barry's
career speaks for itself but </span><span lang="en-US">few of us kn</span><span lang="en-US">e</span><span lang="en-US">w
that </span><span lang="en-US">as a Hampshire Colt </span><span lang="en-US">he
played his second</span><span lang="en-US">-</span><span lang="en-US">ever
professional match in Harrogate</span><span lang="en-US">.</span><span lang="en-US">
</span><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">He </span><span lang="en-US">took us to
</span><span lang="en-US">South Australia, whe</span><span lang="en-US">re</span><span lang="en-US">
he got to know the legendary Don Bradman, then walked us through his
Packer years. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">He </span><span lang="en-US">stress</span><span lang="en-US">ed
</span><span lang="en-US">the </span><span lang="en-US">relentless
stream of </span><span lang="en-US">innovations</span><span lang="en-US">
introduced by World Series Cricket </span>– <span lang="en-US">to
</span><span lang="en-US">the game and </span><span lang="en-US">to
</span><span lang="en-US">its portrayal and discussion </span><span lang="en-US">in
the media</span><span lang="en-US">.</span><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Packer
certainly had ideas and the ability to implement them. </span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Like</span><span lang="en-US">
other </span><span lang="en-US">recent </span><span lang="en-US">speakers</span><span lang="en-US">,</span><span lang="en-US">
Barry </span><span lang="en-US">is concerned about </span><span lang="en-US">the
</span><span lang="en-US">current</span><span lang="en-US"> risks to
</span><span lang="en-US">t</span><span lang="en-US">est and </span><span lang="en-US">c</span><span lang="en-US">ounty
cricket. </span><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">When cricketers now </span><span lang="en-US">have
so </span><span lang="en-US">many </span><span lang="en-US">other
</span><span lang="en-US">options to </span><span lang="en-US">maximise
their earnings, these longer formats will inevitably be
disadvantaged. </span><span lang="en-US">Where the money is </span><span lang="en-US">–
</span><span lang="en-US">mainly India</span><span lang="en-US"> but
with future Saudi investment likely –</span><span lang="en-US">
will </span><span lang="en-US">be the key influence</span><span lang="en-US">.</span>
<span lang="en-US">But </span><span lang="en-US">t</span><span lang="en-US">ests</span><span lang="en-US">,
certainly between the big three,</span><span lang="en-US"> </span><span lang="en-US">may</span><span lang="en-US">
</span><span lang="en-US">enjoy </span><span lang="en-US">protection</span><span lang="en-US">
in the short term at least</span><span lang="en-US">. </span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Regarding Bazball, Barry likes the approach but also advises the need for some
circumspection. As for the Jonny Bairstow/Ben Foakes debate,
Barry reckons that Harry Brook has the technique to open, allowing
Bairstow to play as a batsman and Foakes to keep wicket. </span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Some
audience members have fond memories of </span><span lang="en-US">an
</span><span lang="en-US">innings </span><span lang="en-US">played by
Barry </span><span lang="en-US">at the Circle</span><span lang="en-US">,
Hull</span><span lang="en-US"> in 1970, when he scored a peerless 155
not out in 40 overs for Hampshire in the John Player League.
</span><span lang="en-US">Responding to the challenge</span><span lang="en-US">,
Yorkshire </span><span lang="en-US">mustered </span><span lang="en-US">a
scarcely credible 74-9</span><span lang="en-US">!</span><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Barry also </span><span lang="en-US">enjoyed </span><span lang="en-US">another
</span><span lang="en-US">one</span><span lang="en-US">-</span><span lang="en-US">day
game where he bested Boycott</span><span lang="en-US">'s total,
sharing with us the </span><span lang="en-US">various methods </span><span lang="en-US">he
tried </span><span lang="en-US">to put </span><span lang="en-US">GB</span><span lang="en-US">
off his stroke. </span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">On
</span><span lang="en-US">an evening of warmth </span>– <span lang="en-US">in
the </span><span lang="en-US">atmosphere as well as the weather </span><span lang="en-US">– </span><span lang="en-US">Barry
was </span><span lang="en-US">a </span><span lang="en-US">humorous,
courteous and engaging </span><span lang="en-US">speaker. No previous
guest has ever travelled further to </span><span lang="en-GB">join </span><span lang="en-US">us,</span><span lang="en-US">
and </span><span lang="en-US">he departed with our thanks and a
much-deserved round of applause. </span></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-US">Thanks
also to everybody who contributed a raffle pot of </span>£235.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Cathy Rennison <br /></span></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-11171839935892541962023-03-24T14:45:00.005+00:002023-12-19T18:51:20.388+00:00Vic Marks: match report<div style="text-align: left;"><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</p>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span face="Helvetica Neue, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXcTApBg5BpwmGSU78ePnRX3KcKILJNUSmDb3-Wm6zZw8TF42BFhzuH4-tGFEgvXs4yYl-fzT6AAjtMGksLe4MSlyaTv170nM2zbpyr-7zLYYWmb2JFXkyEX_Xg1RAUUKZEvQUPtjjBcnRHLAxF-8Jo8NRTVHi3PRf5zdcTt2FZUlCg7HwE064sL-/s680/marks_001.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="680" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXcTApBg5BpwmGSU78ePnRX3KcKILJNUSmDb3-Wm6zZw8TF42BFhzuH4-tGFEgvXs4yYl-fzT6AAjtMGksLe4MSlyaTv170nM2zbpyr-7zLYYWmb2JFXkyEX_Xg1RAUUKZEvQUPtjjBcnRHLAxF-8Jo8NRTVHi3PRf5zdcTt2FZUlCg7HwE064sL-/s320/marks_001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">What </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">a night! We went out with more than a bang thanks to Mr Marks.</span></span></span></p></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Vic opened with his proudest record – that no first-class
bowler in the 1980s conceded more runs than him – and rather set the
tone for what followed. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">With more than a nod to his location, he commented that Joe Root is probably the best batsman he's ever seen
but that watching in Pakistan suggests that </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Harry Brook </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">isn't far
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">behind. <br /></span></span></span></p></div></div><div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">No stranger to matters cultural as well as sporting, Vic ensured that Michelangelo and
Harold Pinter both featured during the evening – perhaps a first
for our society! </span></span></span>
</p></div>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Vic
made his England ODI debut in 1980, playing two matches vs the
Windies under </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">captain </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Ian
Botham. </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">As </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">12th
man at Headingley</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">, Vic</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
spent time usefully in the nets bowling Boycott back into form. Sir
Geoffrey, however, did not return the favour!</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Vic</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
played at Lords in the second game – perhaps Botham’s finest
d</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">isplay of </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">captain</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">cy</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
as England won a tight </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">game</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">.
Man-of-the-match Boycott was run out for 70 – but was </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">no
longer on hand </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">to receive his
award. He was already on the train back to Yorkshire to compete the
following day </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">against Sussex
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">at Middlesbrough.</span></span></span></p></div>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Vic’s
favourite Yorkshireman is his first county captain, Brian Close. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Close was 'mad, funny, larger than life, inspirational – and Somerset thought
the world of him'. Stories involving Tom Cartwright, Garry Sobers,
golf and some recklessly jettisoned car keys proved the point. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">According to Vic, the way a cricketer plays is often a good clue to their
character. N</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">ot
so </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">for </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">two
West Indian greats, however. Laid-back Malcolm Marshall was hostile to all
batsmen – and especially to Vic. Unaccountably so, in fact, until
Robin Smith provided the explanation. Meanwhile </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Viv
Richards</span> on-<span face="Calibri, sans-serif">field
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">self-</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">confidence
masked a shy, </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">polite,
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">mild-mannered individual</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">,
as one tongue-tied </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Devon
farmer discovered when hosting Viv at a benefit fixture. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Here
Vic did a quick time check</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">.
'Are you ready for a break?'</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Certainly not. </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">'We're
from Yorkshire,</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">' came a
shout,</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">'</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">we
want our money’s worth!' </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Vic took it very well and continued to
entertain us with tales of his broadcasting colleagues</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
–</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> including Tony Cozier</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
(his favourite)</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">, the
not</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">oriously </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">scatty
Christopher Martin-Jenkins</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">,</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
and the quick-witted Jonathan Agnew. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Vic </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">rates</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
Aggers </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">highly as </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">an
interviewer </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">because he
listens and responds to his </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">'View
from the Boundary' </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">guests – including </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">celebrities like Tom
Court</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">e</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">n</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">a</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">y
and Mick Jagger. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Our
president</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">,</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
John Potter</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">,</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
unexpectedly </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">grabb</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">ed
the first question. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Could Vic cast his mind back to Barnsley</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">'s
Shaw Lane ground</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> in </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">May
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">1976, when Combined
Universities </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">beat</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
Yorkshire in the B&H Cup?</span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Captain Vic could still name his side, which included the </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">likes of </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Peter
Roebuck, Paul Parker and Chris Tavare. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Both John and Maggie were in
the crowd that day.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Chairman
Michael </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">could not be kept
quiet for long, however. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">What
were Vic’s </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">thoughts</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
on keepers and who the best might be? </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Joss Buttler or Ben
Foulkes are</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> both up there,
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">came the reply, although the batter/keeper is
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">not </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">a
modern phenomenon. </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">If Michael
was a selector, joked Vic (c</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">orrectly
discerning </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">our chairman's </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">view</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">s), </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> Adam Gilchrist may never have played for Australia.</span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Faced
by a bumper, 'what’s the best question you’ve never been asked?',
Vic – </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">who had joined Somerset as a batsman – </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">replied 'Aren't you disappointed by your batting
career?'. </span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Vic
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">fears for the future of Tests
in these days of franchise leagues. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Test cricket has something
lacking from other formats. Current </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">players</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
regard it as the ultimate challenge – one that gives them the
chance to cement their place in cricket </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">history.
So that gives hope for now</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">,</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
but the next generation may </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">see
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">it differently. </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">T</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">he
financially dominant Test-playing nations</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
–</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> India, Australia and
England </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">– </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">must
help </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">the rest to</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
keep Tests going. </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Eight or
nine teams are needed to make the format </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">viable</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">.</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
</span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">As for </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">his favourite ground, Vic listed three: Scarbados (a popular choice)
because it attracts a full house, Worcester because he scored runs
there, and the WACA for happy memories of a successful spell with
Western Australia in 1987.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Vic
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">still </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">struggles
to explain the falling-out between new </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Somerset
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">captain Peter Roebuck and the
star trio of Botham, Richards and Garner. Perhaps Roebuck's desire
for total control of his side might underlie it, but Vic prefers to
view this sad episode as ancient history.</span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">How did </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Roebuck's approach contrast with the
captaincy style of Ben Stokes?</span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">After initially questioning the
wisdom of the </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">appointment, Vic feels that
Ben </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">has </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">quickly
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">acquired a kind of guru
status</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">,</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
instilling confidence throughout</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">
the team</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">. His players are
almost in thrall to him, including veterans Anderson and Broad, no
partisans of cavalier cricket. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Ironically, by giving players their
freedom, Ben</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> has </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">a
degree of control over his side that Roebuck never </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">achiev</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">ed.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">On to the B&H Cup at Worcester in 1979, when Brian Rose controversially declared the Somerset innings at 1-0, needing only one run to qualify for
the next round. Vic confessed to his regrets. Only keeper Derek Taylor had objected at the time, but all but one of the first-class counties later voted to eject Somerset from the competition. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">And </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">some
good did come of it – </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">the
rules </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">were </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">changed
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">to ban </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">declarations
in one-day games. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Maggie
thanked Vic for a superbly entertaining evening</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">,
improbably bringing together Yorkshire's </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Arthur
'Rocker' Robinson</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"> with </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">great names of British theatre. She also announced a midsummer special, when Barry Richards visits
Beverley on Wednesday 28 June, 7.30 for 7.45pm. Watch out for further
details. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">We've
also been thinking about our meeting day. Do we prefer a Monday or a
Thursday? Thanks to everyone who responded to our survey: 70 per cent
of members are happy with either; 15 per cent prefer Monday and 15
per cent opt for Thursday. So for 2023-24 we'll mix and match,
depending on speaker preference.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Staying
with statistics, Vic attracted a record attendance of 68, just edging
out our previous 'bests', Derek Pringle and Farokh Engineer. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">And
still with the numbers, </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">our
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">regular raffle and a special
draw for a bat signed by England </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">captain
</span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Joe Root and </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Yorkshire
skipper </span><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Steve Patterson
raised a magnificent £366. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Many
congratulations to John Wilson, who won the bat, and sincere thanks
to all who bought tickets.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Thank
you, and goodnight! Have a happy, cricket-filled summer.</span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Cathy Rennison <br /></span></span></span></p>
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-41345733170930838192023-03-05T14:40:00.008+00:002023-12-20T11:20:29.949+00:00James Carr: match report<div style="text-align: left;"><div lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrofmJh17i-3E5lbk8cL6Leh9ah60HixP23HtLHpENQHD4D7dTDHAoY6GbT4CDtxONms8Sb-ATFnIRUE8EQvbN8pOsM4NT_b_rqJuhpBI_Wa4LL4YKwQLcJGJuYevoYSpytYoEdOL9DOmDm4QLLdH0zy7E_bEmIGDwXIqkY-_JNDoaAGxVTw-w_1e/s5152/carr_002.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrofmJh17i-3E5lbk8cL6Leh9ah60HixP23HtLHpENQHD4D7dTDHAoY6GbT4CDtxONms8Sb-ATFnIRUE8EQvbN8pOsM4NT_b_rqJuhpBI_Wa4LL4YKwQLcJGJuYevoYSpytYoEdOL9DOmDm4QLLdH0zy7E_bEmIGDwXIqkY-_JNDoaAGxVTw-w_1e/s320/carr_002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Another
'in conversation' evening
introduced us to James Carr –
director of cricket of the
<a href="https://www.northerndiamonds.co.uk/" target="_blank">Northern Diamonds</a> and
of the wider
women's game in Yorkshire and the
North-East. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">This relaxed format was a perfect
way to get to know James,
a relatively new name to many but
a coach fizzing with energy,
enthusiasm and ideas. </span></span></p></div>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">James
first got interested in cricket through watching on Channel 4 and
playing Kwik and street cricket while at primary school in
Lancashire. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">He played more formal, red-ball cricket at high school
and joined a local club in 2001. While studying PE at college, he
naturally veered towards coaching and over
the next ten years completed his
qualifications while working full-time in retail and project
management. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">He
was constantly looking for a role in cricket and his first opportunity came in New Zealand – as Cricket Development Officer
for Southland, next stop Antarctica!</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">There he found an area the size
of Yorkshire but with a population of only 100,000,
and I'm guessing a few sheep too … </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">The rural environment came as
quite a culture shock but the local passion for sport and cricket
helped him to adapt.
During his two years there he did everything. Coaching at all levels
from junior to first-class, acting as ground manager, bus driver,
cleaner or commentator – it all came with the territory. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Back
in the UK, James spent two years as Cricket Development Officer for
the City of Edinburgh, before taking up his current post in March
2020. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">After an 'exciting'
induction day at Headingley –
he's a
self-confessed badger after all –
he began work just as Covid
struck. On Day 1 he was
handed his laptop through the bars
of the
St Michael's Lane gate,
and thereafter worked from home, initially as the only employee. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Starting
from scratch to recruit staff and players, he and
his seven regional colleagues
worked together to get the new structure off the ground. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Since then the women's game has
evolved significantly: more TV coverage, better pitches, a more
stable schedule and so on. In an odd way Covid helped,
enabling a wider group of women to commit to cricket as they weren't
at
work, in school
or university. And they could play
on first-class grounds. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Now
in 2023 the Northern Diamonds
set-up has doubled in size, with twice
as many matches, contracted playing staff (10 instead of 5), and
coaching and medical staff. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">The academy is developing, with two
sub-regions in the North-East, so more girls are can
go to trials, with around 600
competing for 250 places. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">And women
now see cricket as a viable career
option – as players and, if they keep up their studies, in
retirement. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">A
player dropped from the England squad once
had few
chances to remain in the professional game.
Today,
however, women can move in and out
of the national team as form and
fitness allow. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">More cricket at under-19
and Lions
level, and
in different formats,
gives more opportunity to move
up and down the ladder like the
boys and men do.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
Northern Diamonds had a great year in 2022, tasting victory at Lords
in the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">But this winter it's all change,
with the loss of several senior players. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">In 2023 the Northern
Diamonds will be looking to youngsters like England under-19 stars
Emma Marlow and Lizzy Scott. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Emma is developing well as a spinner
while pacer Lizzy will be eyeing a strike bowling role after her
experience at Lords. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Also up and coming are Phoebe Turner, Leah
Dobson and Grace Hill, all from the academy and likely to find
places.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">James
looks to coach people rather than gender. The individual and
their ability both need coaching, and understanding who you are and
who they are helps. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">James
has no experience of coaching at Test-level as women seldom play this
format and are unlikely to do so any time soon. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">But he does think
there is a need for some longer red-ball cricket and that a first
step may be to extend some white-ball matches to two days. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">State
schools struggle to offer cricket
– indeed PE generally – to boys
as well as girls. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">James has no quick fix for this
but but recognises the challenge
of introducing youngsters to the game. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Chance to Shine offers sessions to state schools, and
the English Schools Cricket Association is working hard to attract
more girls, but maybe clubs need
to get involved too provided
they do so in
the right way. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">James
still has aspirations to wear the 3 Lions and to
represent England in some way. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">While never good
enough as a player, he'd be
very proud to serve English cricket in any capacity.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">The
North-East area is large, so James
travels a lot (too much!) in his
work. He
does have the support of a good
team who get to matches, scout for talent, and see both local and
opposition players. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">James
has strong memories of last September's Lords final, pacing around
'like an expectant father' during some parts of the game. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">But he has
none at all of the aftermath!</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">After a whirlwind year 1, year 2
included unsuccessful 20 and 50 over finals, but the Lords match was
different. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">The Diamonds hadn't lost a 50-over match all year, so the
approach was to treat it as 'just another game' and the atmosphere
was generally calm. This enabled players to concentrate on their
strengths and stay relaxed, although their eventual score was below
par.</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">James described it again as 'the most incredible day'. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Yorkshire CCC is very welcoming to women's cricket –
giving access to all its facilities. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Some education has been needed, less around gender differences than around the name of the team. The
Northern Diamonds represent Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland, so
three counties rather than one. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Beverley
Town CC has more and more girls playing cricket, including Alice who
was in our audience tonight. As the eldest of three girls, she
plays in a mixed team but her younger sisters now play in all-female
sides. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">From a skills development perspective, playing in a mixed team
can help, thinks James. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">In New Zealand the girls wanted to play with their friends,
including boys, and resisted the idea of all-female teams. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">But it all
depends on the individual. Sporting development is not always linear. Young players need to absorb feedback, develop their strengths,
identify and remedy weaknesses and work on all-round athletic
ability.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Simon
Foster delivered a generous vote of thanks – and the raffle raised
around £90, so thanks to everyone who contributed.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">International
Women's Day on 8 March will see the launch of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkpG-FAkG9Q" target="_blank">The Diamond Cut</a> – a documentary about the
Lords final that so overwhelmed James. </span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">So video recorders at the
ready … or perhaps just follow the link above?</span></span></p>
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-46774612422880276242023-02-07T14:59:00.006+00:002023-12-20T11:02:54.489+00:00Graham Onions: match report<div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkLmGqdrx4Ler2RdwPFQumVoWk-NluylbhpRR6DNdlSB7JSX6cxerfZYDaf5bk9T4kysIYleP8NLGe06-ZAKNqSFZquZ7bFAGs5huPzJgudw3gWNdodI9q9WLWrP1o2GQN9xMAoNx8UQqhsA525kmYXs9czopINK2CR2qfbdzGFGZfcRJiyDK28F3/s5152/onions_005.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3864" data-original-width="5152" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkLmGqdrx4Ler2RdwPFQumVoWk-NluylbhpRR6DNdlSB7JSX6cxerfZYDaf5bk9T4kysIYleP8NLGe06-ZAKNqSFZquZ7bFAGs5huPzJgudw3gWNdodI9q9WLWrP1o2GQN9xMAoNx8UQqhsA525kmYXs9czopINK2CR2qfbdzGFGZfcRJiyDK28F3/s320/onions_005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Well, the high turnout certainly wasn't due to clement weather – it
was a freezing night. So it must be attributed to the presence of the
very mild-mannered and unassuming Mr Graham Onions himself.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The evening took a slightly unusual format, with the opening session
conducted interview style prior to the open-floor Q&A after the
interval. Rather than report verbatim, I'll try to summarise the
information we gathered from our guest.
</span></p></div></div>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
As a lad of about thirteen, Graham lived near a cricket ground and
would often come home from school, don his whites and walk there. He
started out as a batsman, but as he grew taller and became more
athletic turned more to bowling. He played several sports in his
teens, so wasn't part of any academy or other formal set up, and was
about to go to university when he was spotted by Durham coach Geoff
Cook and instead decided to opt for professional cricket.</span></p><p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Graham made his
Second XI debut, aged 18, and soon realised that he had to improve
his game. He'd the drive to do this but still wanted to enjoy
himself. Thanks to Geoff Cook he wasn't over coached – to his
benefit, he believes – and it took him some three or four years to
understand that his true talents lay in bowling fast.</span></p><p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
Graham made his First XI debut in 2003 and after two seasons was
averaging 34 with the ball. He always took wickets but never really
knew where the ball was going to land. He still wanted to bowl fast
because that changes games, so he worked hard one winter hitting
length repeatedly.</span></p><p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Over the next two seasons his average came down to
26, and in 2008 and 2009 – powered by a fearsome pace trio of
Onions, Plunkett and Harmison – Durham won back-to-back
Championships. A contemporary photo of that close-knit side of local
lads reminded him of his youthful black curls. Perhaps no surprise
that singer Lily Allen found him sexy!
</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
In May 2009, after a televised 7-fer against Somerset, the phone
rang. England selector Geoff Miller was on the line. Thinking it a
prank, Graham ended the call but fortunately Mr Miller persisted.
Graham was picked to replace Durham team-mate Steve Harmison against
the Windies at Lords and responded with a first-innings 5/38. </span></p><p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Later
that summer, against the Aussies at Edgbaston, he took the new ball
ahead of Broad and Anderson – and took two wickets in two balls. He
enjoyed being put under that kind of pressure. Michael Clarke came in
to face the hat-trick delivery and Graham decided to bounce him. The
ball was perfect – but no joy.
</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
Fellow paceman Jason Gillespie is famously eager to discuss his
record-breaking 201* – more perhaps than his 259 Test wickets –
but Graham was less effusive about his own batting triumphs. </span></p><p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">As last
man in, and facing Dale Steyn in his pomp, he twice played
match-saving innings in Tests in South Africa, but felt that if his
batting was under discussion it meant that his bowling was probably
struggling!</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
Unsurprisingly, Graham is a mate of Durham and England's Ben Stokes.
He attributes some of the team's recent success to the atmosphere Ben
helps to create, which allows players to be themselves. Although some
structure is necessary, individuality can flourish. </span></p><p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Let's hope this
continues and keeps generating results as it may help prolong
interest in Test cricket. Stokes and McCullum aim to give freedom
without allowing recklessness. The bowling mentality is that 'every
ball can be a wicket-taker' rather than 'bowl three maidens and build
pressure'.</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
This is quite a contrast to the England team he joined in 2009, as
Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower both liked meetings and plans. Now
there are no meetings and few rules. </span></p><p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">In his own progress from county
to international level, Graham noticed not just better players but
also better pitches, and quickly worked out that he needed to
maintain his skills for longer periods of time – bowling 50 overs
in a Test on occasion.</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
To our chairman's standard query, 'which batsman did you fear most?',
Graham cited two Aussies: Darren Lehmann and Michael Hussey. </span></p><p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">In
Hussey's case, it wasn't so much fear but the certain knowledge that
any bad ball would go for four and if he reached twenty then a
century was nailed on.</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
As Lancashire's bowling coach, Graham aims to find a balance between
allowing youngsters to develop naturally while ensuring they bowl
with a legal action. Injury forced his retirement, and coaching is
the next best thing. It can't return him to the dressing-room and its
unique environment, but he enjoys his new career and considers
himself lucky to have this opportunity.</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
Coaching across all levels and formats is certainly a complex job as
players all have different needs. While the likes of a Jimmy Anderson
may only require a chat, a youngster will need more active management
balancing drills and playing with rest and recuperation.
</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
Stress fractures seem to be in fashion but this is deceptive. Without
modern scanners, many past players perhaps suffered from undiagnosed
stress fractures. This technology also identifies problems at an
early stage and, given time to heal, players can come back stronger
than before. </span></p><p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">But modern cricketers play a lot, sometimes come back
too soon – and the travel is a killer too.
</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
Graham attributes Jimmy Anderson's longevity to several factors: his
skill and determination but also his time in the gym, change of diet
and avoidance of injury. He plays a limited number of matches but
does warm up in county cricket at the start of a season.
</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
As for heroes, one is Darren Gough, who handed him his England
cap. Dale Steyn is up there too for his passion and determination to
be the best but also for his enjoyment of the game.</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
Why did Graham move to Lancashire in 2018? </span></p><p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Unable to agree terms with
Durham, and then with Kent, Lancs came calling with an excellent
offer. They're a good club, going in the right direction, with
excellent coaches in Glen Chapple and Karl Krikken. </span></p><p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Graham had two
good years there as a player, taking lots of wickets and experiencing
relegation and promotion in short order. Then Covid struck and his
back broke down, leading to a specialist calling time on his playing
career.</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
Returning to coaching, Graham worries that cricket is losing
youngsters to gaming and other sports. Playing as he did after school
is not common these days. </span></p><p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Players develop at different ages and good
coaching deals with this. There is value too in youngsters playing
against older cricketers – that's how a lot of learning happens.
Someone scoring runs or taking wickets against good opposition gets
noticed and learns quickly.</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
Overall, Graham concluded that his career highlight is having his
name on the honours board at Lords, but he always remembers that club
cricket was vital to his subsequent career.
</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
Following all this talk, we learned that one of our members,
nicknamed 'Onions', has a special link with his namesake. Some years
ago individual caricatures of the England team were drawn and
auctioned and he has Graham's!</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
Jacob Mathew thanked Graham for a superb evening, full of insight and
humour.
</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
It certainly encouraged deep digging for the raffle, which raised
£155 – many thanks to all who purchased a ticket.</span></p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p>
<p class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">
And, following Graham's visit, we can all now safely say we know our
Onions . . .</span></p><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-34753868810130208702023-01-10T10:15:00.007+00:002023-12-20T11:13:03.380+00:00Chris O'Brien: match report<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjg-eVLWh0Li1SsOCiYFYF31qVNzEGj98-8VJTYsU43nX8n9vUoZ_IiYvVHJbjVsFWFxIuYK40bMDaOS448VpImv4LPWEzmgYHCKWzOeENJUGJZxxmRhHTKBJduwxtMbghM2_MD4aA_eDHNVsjs_AGUOybvw-4mnbwa8l7sm-ugTUom8-4CqQzQ1x/s1200/obrien_chris_01.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjg-eVLWh0Li1SsOCiYFYF31qVNzEGj98-8VJTYsU43nX8n9vUoZ_IiYvVHJbjVsFWFxIuYK40bMDaOS448VpImv4LPWEzmgYHCKWzOeENJUGJZxxmRhHTKBJduwxtMbghM2_MD4aA_eDHNVsjs_AGUOybvw-4mnbwa8l7sm-ugTUom8-4CqQzQ1x/s320/obrien_chris_01.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">If
our chairman has a fault, and that’s yet to be proven, it isn’t
that of prolonging an AGM.</span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">We breezed through his own report, which
sympathetically summarised our inability to meet for two years. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">He
also praised Maggie, Ian and Brian for keeping the society alive in
that time.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Maggie,
as secretary, also kept it admirably brief focusing on thanks to
Simon Foster for his help with finding our new venue and on
membership numbers which reached a high of c. 90 in March 2020 and
still stand at around 60.</span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Please look out for an email canvassing views on our meeting dates for 2023/24,
potentially moving to the first Thursday of the month and sometimes
changing to a Monday if necessary to secure a particular speaker.
</span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Please
also note also that our next meeting will take place on MONDAY 16 January
so England, Durham and Lancashire seamer Graham Onions can join us.</span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Brian introduced his signed accounts, current to September 2020 and
distributed for all to read. All income and expenditure incurred
since then will be included in next year's accounts. The finances are
healthy, and reserves of £3,000+ ensure we can book a
more expensive speaker if desired. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">In other good news, raffle income
remains healthy and allows us to maintain membership fees unchanged
at £15 a year.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">The
committee were re-elected en masse with no objections.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">There
was no other business but Simon Foster spoke on behalf of all
members to thank the officers for their continuing care of the
society during the last two difficult years.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Then
it was on to our speaker, Mr Chris O’Brien. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">There's a saying that
one should not let facts get in the way of a good story. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Chris
certainly had a good story to tell, about the writer Neville Cardus,
whose style suggests that he was a true believer in this phrase. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Chris, however,
based his talk firmly in the facts – many his own discovery – and
distilled a complex life into an interesting and enjoyable tale,
peppered with memorable and amusing quotes, and told with style and
verve.</span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">And
in a lively question and answer session he was a thoughtful responder, assessing Cardus with
care and objectivity. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">At
the time of writing, the raffle is thought to have raised £73, so
again many thanks to those who contributed. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">If this figure proves
incorrect, please blame my reporting and not those individuals
described by our chairman as 'three competent librarians and a treasurer
who can’t count'! </span></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-13591521072219269162022-11-24T15:29:00.005+00:002023-12-20T11:39:15.404+00:00Paul Farbrace: match report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRV4QMb6uxkO4v6JbVYYi732mH-4c3pB1EmHw4oPmJV72MoinQBDruhZk01nJ4dBJ82W7HhHq4weebjU9oaRICUe-yL9sak8qod7dQWzh5rr3uDj5-poCdp3ZnXPJq4ChQ75QVkPUe1xYYxVYpZCtIz5-Ly4zEiwW-rNfGjDzbLdm-R3L29WJAQvN/s3648/farbrace_003.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRV4QMb6uxkO4v6JbVYYi732mH-4c3pB1EmHw4oPmJV72MoinQBDruhZk01nJ4dBJ82W7HhHq4weebjU9oaRICUe-yL9sak8qod7dQWzh5rr3uDj5-poCdp3ZnXPJq4ChQ75QVkPUe1xYYxVYpZCtIz5-Ly4zEiwW-rNfGjDzbLdm-R3L29WJAQvN/s320/farbrace_003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Apologies
from our chairman and a new opportunity to write down questions for
the speaker were the prelude to a helter-skelter evening. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Paul
Farbrace gave no sign of needing anything as simple as breath as he
took us on an engaging and entertaining rattle through his cricket
life and memories. </span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">With
a mother who made cricket teas, and a father and two older brothers
who played, Paul usually started as the 'extra'
for an opposition short of a man or two. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">He signed for Kent in 1986
after a year as a would-be goalkeeper at Coventry City, which ended
when Steve Ogrizovic told him that he lacked two attributes for this
role: height and ability! </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">He played as understudy to keeper Steve
Marsh and was lucky enough play with one of his heroes, Derek
Underwood, in the great man’s last game. </span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;">Moving next to Middlesex,
he was part of their Championship-winning team but his true calling
has proved to be coaching. </span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Kent's
Colin Page was an example of an 'old school coach' with a temper that
showed. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">After one loss, however, he remained unusually calm. Only
the following day did he vent his ire, moving from one player to the
next until at last he reached Paul: 'I know nothing about keeping,
Ugly [Paul's rather indelicate nickname], so tell me if you've a bad
game and I’ll rollick you then.'</span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Not
an approach that Paul would recommend. You can't always be a nice guy
and must be ready to share some hard truths, but you must get to know
your players, work with their personality, choose the right words and
deliver them at the right time. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Alistair Cook, for example, hates to
be corrected during a net session but will listen afterwards, whereas
Joe Root will pay attention mid-net. Reminding Joe to centre his head
by keeping his weight on his heels (advice from Anthony McGrath)
worked well on one such occasion. </span></span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Elite
players can generally work things out for themselves but may need a
prompt or a reminder of how good they are. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">The outwardly confident
Stuart Broad or the more diffident Ian Bell both required a little
TLC (tender loving coaching) now and again. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">And sometimes you don't
even need to see the player in action. Struggling in the IPL five or
six years ago, Jos Buttler phoned Paul for advice. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Question and
answer followed: PF: 'What would your mother say?' JB: 'Are you
enjoying yourself? And I'm not.' PF: 'What do you enjoy most about
cricket?' JB: 'Hitting the ball.' (No surprise there!) PF: 'Forget
about the scoreboard, then. Just watch the ball and hit it.' Case
solved. </span></span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Moving
to Sri Lanka as assistant national coach was mind-opening in
unexpected ways.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Neither Paul nor lead coach Trevor Bayliss had
realised how much politics would affect selection, and Paul was sacked
three times in two years – without ever actually losing his job.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">The Minister of Sport officially had the final say, and the President
might also get involved. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Bayliss and Farbrace dropped two senior players from
their first squad only to see them reinstated by the politicians. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Then they were asked to give a farewell Test appearance to Chaminda
Vaas, who hadn't played for a year. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Vaas had decided to stand as an
MP, but for the opposition unless . . . </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">The President wanted the
great bowler on the government benches, so agreement was reached that
he would play in the first test only. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Vaas was to tell the
pre-match press conference that he would be retiring after this game. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Instead he went off-script and said he hoped to perform well enough to keep his place throughout the
series.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Turning
to the coach-captain relationship, Paul looked at the current test
team of Brendan McCullum and Ben Stokes.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">They're adopting Eoin
Morgan's approach as leader, which is to model a playing method for
the team to see and follow. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">While it may appear reckless, Stokes is
showing everyone that he wants positive play with bat and ball. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Both
men have similar temperaments in this regard so Paul expects the
relationship to work well. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Eoin Morgan and Trevor Bayliss were also
an effective partnership but in a different way. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Morgan is a talker
while Bayliss is more reticent, so their strengths complement each
other. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Alistair Cook and Bayliss, however, are both naturally quiet,
leaving something of a visible and audible leadership gap.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Paul
paused for breath at this point and helped to draw the raffle
before questions began.</span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcklNUlZEA0xk4WWnjQHeLKbIe-k16l39pHk0VAQZLoyOdL_CJ7jKnJRtLQ9nMJk2fr1iJ0Q09SVlM0Z1bbrlDXdkznLqJh9SZTOYKYpE_dseaAF0IKXaCCtJMPAIfs0wNAHifR-mtTSLavfifV32uZ5-_5V5SVAlTevidLvTOhMfHp1czb0h11867/s3648/farbrace_001.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcklNUlZEA0xk4WWnjQHeLKbIe-k16l39pHk0VAQZLoyOdL_CJ7jKnJRtLQ9nMJk2fr1iJ0Q09SVlM0Z1bbrlDXdkznLqJh9SZTOYKYpE_dseaAF0IKXaCCtJMPAIfs0wNAHifR-mtTSLavfifV32uZ5-_5V5SVAlTevidLvTOhMfHp1czb0h11867/s320/farbrace_001.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></p></div><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Q.
Please can you tell us about Lasith Malinga? </span></span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">A.
He was the smartest of cricketers, who learned to bowl by skipping a
tapeball on water hence his unusual technique. Each season was going
to be his last but he just got better and better. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">To refine his
yorker, he would bowl for hours at a pair of trainers (representing
the batsman’s feet). In the 2014 T20 World Cup final against India,
his four overs were all wide yorkers, helping Sri Lanka to their
6-wicket win.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Q.
What about the Nasser Hussain/Duncan Fletcher relationship? Were they
a poor combo or were the players not up to scratch? </span></span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">A.
Both men wanted to be 'the leader', which made for a
poor dynamic that was perhaps reinforced by Fletcher’s lack of
interest in any players other than the test team.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Q.
What about your only 1st-class wicket?</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">A.
With a guffaw, Paul told story. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">He was bowling from
the pavilion end at Lord’s when the batsman played forward, got a
thick edge and was caught at square leg. So Graham Gooch walked!</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Q.
Never one to dwell on statistics, Maggie offered a gentle prompt
about his top score of 75. </span></span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">A. Paul made it – and against YCCC – while batting
with his hero Derek Underwood. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">But he reminded us, he did top this with 79 against Cambridge university.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Q.
What about the best way to coach youngsters – teach technique or
encourage enjoyment? </span></span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">A.
Find out about each player as a person and discover what they want
from coaching. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Technique can be taught through playing. Players often
learn from each other and the role of the coaches is to facilitate
this.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Q.
How do players react when they are dropped from a team (citing that
morning's England win in the World T20 semi-final)? </span></span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">A.
This is naturally a big blow and Paul reminded us of Stuart Broad’s
comments on this issue. </span></span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Q.
And what about the ECB High Performance Review.
Should England aim to be Number 1 in all formats and is cutting red
ball cricket a compromise too far? </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">A. As long as most white ball and
franchise cricket is played during the English winter, this might be
OK. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">But if these competitions extend into the summer, red ball cricket is in
trouble. Players are just starting to reject their national side in
order to compete in franchises.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Q.
What about the T10 format – is this expanding or likely to do so?</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">A.
Paul is heading to coach in the Abu Dhabi T10 in December and thinks this format
should be included in the Olympics as it's very short and sharp. </span></span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Q.
What about slow bowlers? Has Paul come across any names to watch?</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">A.
England have
three spin bowlers in T20 cricket but poor pitches are hindering the
development of slow bowling in the red ball game. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">The best bowler
Paul kept to was Derek Underwood, although he also name-checked former
Middlesex teammates Phil Tufnell and John Embury.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Q.
What about communicating with players during match analysis, team
meetings and play?</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">A.
Paul learned most about this when he was sacked by Kent. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">He'd 'lost
the dressing room' because he took what happened on the field
personally, and badly, and let players know it. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">He spent three months
out of the game and realised that he needed to work on this aspect of
his passion for cricket. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">He started to write down the phrases he used
when things went badly and to re-read them privately rather than
voice them unhelpfully in public. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Applying to YCCC for a post as
assistant coach, he faced </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">a four-strong interview panel at </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">8am one Monday morning. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">'How do expect to help the Yorkshire team when
your own game was less than impressive?' asked one. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">'I won't be here
to bat or bowl but to coach,' Paul replied. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">He thought this
satisfied his interrogator: one Mr G. Boycott.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">Q.
A final flurry of quick questions</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">A.
Chris Silverwood's role as sole England selector involved too much
responsibility when combined with his other roles; a panel discussion
(as preferred by Rob Key) is better as it allows debate. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">But the
captain should always have the final say. </span></span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">A.
Paul’s favourite ground is Canterbury and his least liked is Grace
Road. It has tiny changing rooms – and players always prefer not to
have to use the balcony.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">A.
The key difference between franchise and county cricket is that a
franchise team must be quickly developed from a group of experienced
players, while county cricket allows development of individuals and
styles of play. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">County cricket should be based on a tripod of
developing players as far as they can go, readying potential county
players, and winning trophies.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
</span></span></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: transparent;"><span lang="en-GB">The
November raffle raised £126, so many thanks to all who contributed.</span></span></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-78782470040961281202022-11-04T14:00:00.006+00:002023-12-20T11:57:23.043+00:00Kevin Howells: match report<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background: transparent;"></span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background: transparent;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnSX3J4jV8UBETY0o4WVMyea9iklohWF27PxSfsZbq7uNqbU4JbKHP87QVtfebAVEodticmiGumpsR25Lm2s_mycwfuekRXA5MwHbtFOFyBQYF2LS3EQE-R10FrVsFyCXNbpb3VxGgQoxyJ-p88ejS-t6HvONtQ4H6KxxrN8_ks36a8wbqqmJSOmS/s3614/Howells_004.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3614" data-original-width="3614" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnSX3J4jV8UBETY0o4WVMyea9iklohWF27PxSfsZbq7uNqbU4JbKHP87QVtfebAVEodticmiGumpsR25Lm2s_mycwfuekRXA5MwHbtFOFyBQYF2LS3EQE-R10FrVsFyCXNbpb3VxGgQoxyJ-p88ejS-t6HvONtQ4H6KxxrN8_ks36a8wbqqmJSOmS/s320/Howells_004.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background: transparent;"></span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">W</span></span><span><span style="background: transparent;">ell,
there we were! We few, we happy few, we band of cricket fans – and
not so few either.</span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Around 7pm the gathering started, culminating
in around 45 of us. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Familiar and welcome faces, new and equally
welcome ones too. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">The return of the smiles and greetings we’d missed out on.</span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">In </span></span><span><span style="background: transparent;">a new venue, too. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Thanks to Simon Foster, we reconvened in Beverley Town CC's clubhouse alongside the pitch and scoreboard
– how appropriate. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">New venue, new private bar, new meeting day – and miraculously Brian's new confident handling of the PA system. I think he spent the last two years practising! </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Same
format though, same expectations of a night of cricket talk and
the airing of some robust opinions. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Not wrong there, then. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Mr Kevin Howells kicked us off for the new season – one of the
voices of cricket. Familiar tones, familiar passion for the game
expressed honestly and fluently.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Essentially
he dwelt on three themes during the course of the evening:
intertwined and revealing of his views.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">First
came his passion for four-day, red-ball county cricket. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Shropshire-born he has no affiliation for any first-class county, but
he loves the highs and lows this format offers above all others. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">The
raw emotions. 'The stories' involved. The incredible finishes
served up on the penultimate and final days of the 2021 and 2022
seasons. </span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">And
plenty of others share this passion. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">At 4.50pm on the final day of
Warwickshire's great escape at Edgbaston, the number of listeners to
the BBC Radio commentary leapt to some 42,000 (by comparison an
England game attracts c.71,000).</span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Both figures exclude digital
listeners and those glued to the livestream. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Kevin gave us an insight
into that dramatic last session too. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">After the match, he interviewed
a clearly exhausted Liam Norwell. With Hampshire six wickets down,
chasing only 139 to wine, Liam was spent. But skipper Will Rhodes has
other ideas and tossed him the ball regardless.</span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">As each subsequent
wicket fell the commentators were turning to each other wide-eyed in
amazement. </span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">A second theme took in the High Performance Review – and his hope,
also expressed by new ECB Chair Richard Thompson – that this will
be the last such exercise. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Kevin had positive things to say here, but
was appalled to find red-ball supporters branded as 'part of the
problem, part of what is holding the game back'. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Clearly not an
opinion he shares – and an attitude to supporters not shown by
comparable sports like rugby union or league. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Alongside this Kevin
took in the Hundred, seeing it as a vehicle for attracting a new
audience while offering nothing unavailable in the Blast or other T20
competitions around the world. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">I was astonished to learn that a
90-strong ECB team was responsible for marketing the Hundred – with
just seven working on other competitions. Richard Thompson intends to
combine them as a single team working across all formats.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Finally,
Kevin covered issues of cricket's accessibility. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">What can the game do
to involve more parts of the country and a wider range of
communities? </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Mention of the 'minor counties' (as a Shropshire lad
he feels this keenly), greater diversity among players and spectators
by involving more schools (not just private ones), communities and
leagues, and of course expansion of the women’s game. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Kevin recognises the financial challenges facing the game. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">While the
greater stories and emotions may lie with red-ball cricket, it’s
the Blast and shorter formats that bring in the money.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Ah,
yes. Money, and more specifically, the ‘money men’ – those
with no real understanding or love of the game: seeing only cold,
hard cash attracted by short, intense competitions involving
internationally recognised players. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Comparison was drawn with the
financial issues currently facing rugby union. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Kevin felt that that
the financiers would soon max out their interest in cricket and move
on. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">I'm not sure though if his view reflects hope rather than
expectation. </span></span></span>
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Linked
strongly to his theme of greater access and diversity was a call for
us all to help make this happen. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">We who love cricket need to talk about
it and share it with others – and that includes those who see the
game differently. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Kevin painted a vivid picture of watching a Hundred
game with his son (aged 14 and playing for Skipton). </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">While Dad
loathed the focus on the crowd when he’d rather concentrate on
events in the middle, his son loved seeing the spectators mugging for
the cameras. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">He talked about meeting a parent at Skipton CC, who'd
taken his children to a Hundred game, which they'd enjoyed, then on
to the Blast and then an international. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">There is more than one door
into the game, Kevin stressed, and we should welcome all who join us,
however they find their way in.</span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxrNB71lr8xgqS0s4PJheWbB4db0RIvQ4yiQyedCiDpGHfurJDAg0NtUrEzeZ9rmSiKT1Kns6fFIh4W9HlsXGIp7-Y7gKjZS55uSJoDalOqqfkfJGD2TK3axN3CI4gVjvFNAz2R7aSLSMIKQXbIyuXQI1HT0Qw7LckRqhd7OGaIiVUajC1G37acgi/s4199/Howells_003%20(2).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2799" data-original-width="4199" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxrNB71lr8xgqS0s4PJheWbB4db0RIvQ4yiQyedCiDpGHfurJDAg0NtUrEzeZ9rmSiKT1Kns6fFIh4W9HlsXGIp7-Y7gKjZS55uSJoDalOqqfkfJGD2TK3axN3CI4gVjvFNAz2R7aSLSMIKQXbIyuXQI1HT0Qw7LckRqhd7OGaIiVUajC1G37acgi/s320/Howells_003%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></span></p></div><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">First
question as always belonged to our chairman. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Why were England finding it so
difficult to get a successful opening pair? </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Kevin isn't
sure what 'Bazball' is, nor if Zac Crawley is an answer to the opening conundrum. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">He
sees plenty of good openers on the county circuit, but potentially
the skills of patience and ability to leave the ball associated with
Strauss or Cook simply don’t exist in enough current cricketers.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Is
there a risk of wealthy Surrey dominating for some years to come? </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Unlikely, largely because any team needs a
balance of developing players and experienced ones. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Money
matters but if players are playing only for the cash, they stop
striving to be the best and teams suffer. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">While Surrey can invest
into public schools like Whitgift, Essex has adopted a different
strategy. They've turned to the local leagues for future talent and
have been impressed. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Mention of leagues led Kevin to ponder if August
(now problematic for red-ball cricket) could see more people involved
by inviting league teams to play at county grounds, or whether some
kind of 'feeder' system could see national counties playing 1st-class
cricket even if not against 1st-class counties.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Could
the High Performance Review have a hidden agenda? Is its real intent
to restrict county cricket to clubs with test match grounds, letting
the others slide? </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Kevin thinks a lot about cricket during miles
of motorway driving and feels this is a possible scenario. But fans
of county cricket should not accept defeatist or elitist attitudes
any more than capitalist ones.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Is
Kevin concerned that festival grounds are falling away e.g.
Scarborough, Tunbridge Wells? </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Definitely so if these grounds should cease to
exist. North Marine Road, for example, means a lot to a wider
community. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">If championship games are cut to ten per season,
Scarborough may not get a game and could probably not keep going on
the revenue from limited-overs matches only. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">But maintaining county
cricket at 'out grounds' does have cost implications for the
counties.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Is
the Hundred trying to involve more areas of the country than what to
an outsider seems a clique of 18 counties? asked a fellow 'Stokie'. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Kevin is keen that success and failure alike should have
consequences, i.e. promotion, trophies or relegation. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Perhaps a wider
group of teams, possibly in three divisions, and maybe including
‘minor’ counties could help achieve this. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Ben Stokes
grew up in Cumbria, outside the 1st-class structure. He would probably </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">have
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">been spotted anyway, yet how many other talents are missed.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Still,
cricket is not a minority sport. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Nor is county
cricket almost a cult, as proved by the compelling last 48 hours
of the 2021 and 2022 seasons.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span>
</span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">Prior
to questions, the raffle raised £120 for society coffers. </span></span></span></p><p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background: transparent;">I saw
Brian rub his hands with glee – thanks as always to everyone who
contributed.</span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: times;">
<span><span></span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-73002923184100118282020-02-29T16:54:00.002+00:002020-02-29T16:56:11.802+00:00Meeting 11 March 2020 - John Barclay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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An acclaimed schoolboy cricketer, <b>John Barclay</b> made his Sussex debut in 1970, aged just sixteen. Two years later John joined
the county as a promising all-rounder, going on to captain the side from 1981 to 1986. After retirement he managed the England team on two major overseas tours and became Director of Cricket and Coaching for the <a href="http://www.arundelcastlecricketfoundation.co.uk/">Arundel Castle Cricket Foundation</a>, encouraging young people from less advantaged
backgrounds to play and enjoy the game. To date, more than 200,000
youngsters have benefited from the scheme. <b>John Barclay</b> is President of the English Schools Cricket Association, President of the Cricket Society, and in 2009/10 served as President of the MCC. He is also the author of three books: <i>The Appeal of the Championship</i>, <i>Lost in the Long Grass</i> and his personal favourite, <i>Life Beyond The Airing Cupboard</i> - winner of the MCC
and Cricket Society Book of the Year award. </div>
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Don't miss one of cricket's most distinguished and entertaining speakers!<br />
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Also available - <b>signed copies</b> of <b><i>Life Beyond The Airing Cupboard</i></b>.<br />
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New paperback edition, <b>just £10</b>. <br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Everyone </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>welcome</b> - no dress code, no formalities, just </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a great evening</span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">talking cricket</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b>Venue</b>: Brewery Bar, <a href="http://www.kingwilliamcottingham.co.uk/contact">King William IV</a>, Hallgate,<b> Cottingham</b> HU16 4BD, <b>7.45pm</b><b> </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>PROGRAMME 2019/20</b></span><b> </b><br />
<b>2019</b></b></span><b> </b><br />
<b>9 October</b>: <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/09/meeting-9-october-2019-nathan-leamon.html"><b>Nathan Leamon</b></a>; England performance analyst, CricViz founder, author of <i>The Test</i><b> </b><br />
<b>13 November</b>: <b><a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/10/meeting-13-november-2019-derek-pringle.html">Derek Pringle</a></b>; ex England & Essex CCC all-rounder + <b>AGM </b>7.15pm<b> </b><a href="http://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/11/match-report-derek-pringle-131119.html">[report]</a><b> </b><br />
<b>11 December</b>:<i> </i><a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/11/meeting-11-december-2019-steve-kirby.html"><b>Steve Kirby</b></a>; ex Yorkshire CCC bowler, MCC Head Coach; now Derbyshire CCC Assistant Coach [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/12/match-report-steve-kirby-11-dec-2019_18.html">report</a>]<b> </b>
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<b>2020</b><br />
<b>8 January</b>: <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2020/01/meeting-8-january-2020-richard-pyrah.html"><b>Richard Pyrah</b></a>, Yorkshire CCC; ex all-rounder, now Assistant Coach<b> </b>[<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2020/01/match-report-rich-pyrah-8-jan-2020.html">report</a>]<br />
<b>12 February</b>: <b><a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2020/01/meeting-12-february-jonathan-doidge.html">Jonathan Doidge</a></b>, BBC Radio Leeds Cricket Correspondent; Yorkshire CCC ball-by-ball commentator<b> </b><br />
<b>11 March</b>: <b>John Barclay</b>, ex Sussex CCC opener & captain;
MCC President 2009/10; President, Cricket Society & English Schools
Cricket Association; Director of Cricket & Coaching, Arundel Castle
Cricket Foundation</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxWxGTcUd7wpejJJ3sMFl1b-m9a-cwQVtSzImt7HzVxB4JC-DIfYMnTV91Hg2q0KHVa39C9TPhA7oc8gyKX80LV_NW69nSaCKBSxCP5VOdNPGSds-YG-HYNqvLIkBQRmQQmRAVF5jhJE/s1600/pyrah-004.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxWxGTcUd7wpejJJ3sMFl1b-m9a-cwQVtSzImt7HzVxB4JC-DIfYMnTV91Hg2q0KHVa39C9TPhA7oc8gyKX80LV_NW69nSaCKBSxCP5VOdNPGSds-YG-HYNqvLIkBQRmQQmRAVF5jhJE/s320/pyrah-004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rich Pyrah, January 2020</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-89157721365598314072020-02-19T16:58:00.000+00:002020-02-19T16:58:43.650+00:00Match report: Jonathan Doidge, 12 Feb 2020
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jonathan Doidge, February 2020</span></td></tr>
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Well, I was disappointed. Most emphatically not in our speaker – certainly not. But with Valentine's day in the offing, where were the strewn confetti hearts, long-stemmed roses in wineglasses, or Cupids hanging from the ceiling? Maybe Christmas set my expectations too high? <br /><br /> But to our speaker – Mr Jonathan Doidge. A man equally at home talking over by over about Yorkshire CCC, interviewing Grimsby Town footballers on the fly ('Do you like wearing shorts?'), assessing the going at Cheltenham (it dries up by the final day, apparently), or even throwing in a quick impression – think David Coleman, Eddie Waring or Bill McLaren. In short, a man imbued with sporting history, knowledge and enthusiasm. Getting lost at Ripon races aged just two was the experience that got him hooked. And, it must also be mentioned, a world champion and Olympic organiser to boot. Although to put these last two feats in context, the Olympics in question featured his brothers and friends in his home street in Horsforth, near Leeds, while the Subbuteo World Cup took place in the early 1970s with those same brothers as the opposition. </div>
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It is this depth and breadth that enables him to hold the attention such that during one story I was convinced that everyone was holding their breath so focused were they on the raconteur. <br /><br /> Jonathan touched lightly on his own history: proud of his Horsforth roots, young cricketer for Pudsey St Lawrence, and survivor of near-expulsion from school for leaving early to watch the Cheltenham Gold cup on TV! In the late 90s, advised to pursue his media ambitions by Sid and Irene Waddell, Jonathan took redundancy from the financial services sector to gain a first-class degree in Media and Sport at Leeds Trinity. Working for Sky, and later as a freelance, Jonathan commentated on Yorkshire CCC for BBC Radio Leeds, called Test matches, World Cups and T20 World Championships – sometimes through the night – alongside Dave 'Cally' Callaghan and Yorkshire's Ashley Metcalfe, and worked as Radio Yorkshire's cricket reporter – all while broadcasting and writing on football, rugby league, racing and other sports. Cally's untimely death in 2018 was followed by a season of change in the BBC commentary box, but for 2019 Jonathan was offered the role on a permanent basis. <br /><br /> Naturally, Jonathan's style is his own but he also differs from Cally in other ways. Firstly, he's happy using social media, tweeting regular updates and opinions, as well as a short video preview before the start of each day's play. He also tries hard to remember to mute his mobile phone, so avoiding those regular interruptions from local radio stations calling (not always on schedule) for their score update. Overall he hopes his audience will enjoy his approach to commentary. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan Doidge, February 2020</td></tr>
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Jonathan always enjoys interviewing players – especially those who can
draw on their experience and reveal something of their true personality.
Some players are naturals: Tom Kohler-Cadmore, for example, can easily
fill five minutes of airtime in answering a single question! Others are
more reluctant interviewees, poor Adam Lyth suffering a moment of pure
panic at Scarbados during a switch-over of commentators. The fearless
opener would much rather have faced the fastest Michael Holding over
than endure twelve long seconds alone in front of the microphone.
Jonathan also reckons that much of the vitriol aimed at Andrew Gale
(especially on Twitter) is completely undeserved. Indeed he holds Galey
in high regard as a man who usually answers questions thoughtfully and
honestly even when events are not going his way.</div>
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<br /> As for YCCC's 2019 season, Jonathan views it overall as a disappointment – definitely under-performing in white ball cricket, while deserving of a higher place than fifth in the Championship . Third place, he felt, would have better reflected their true performance, hampered as they were by two untimely bouts of rain at Headingley. The portents for 2020 are encouraging, however, with some excellent signings and the likely availability of Bairstow and Root for a substantial number of matches. The transition period is over: 'Ambition' is the new watchword. <br /><br /> David Willey, the club's new T20 captain, has taken the winter off to work on his game. He also seems likely to play more red-ball cricket, perhaps sharing the workload with fast bowler Matthew Fisher. After his omission from last year's England World Cup-winning squad, Willey admits that fell out of love with cricket, but this talented all-rounder is now fully committed to his future with Yorkshire. With Dawid Malan, Nicholas Pooran, Adam Lyth and Tom Kohler-Cadmore in the side, the coming short-form matches should be interesting. <br /><br /> Commenting on Duanne Olivier, Jonathan conceded that 'Big D' had experienced some difficulty in adapting to English conditions following his move from South Africa and, after a couple of excellent performances early on, only really started to hit his straps in late season. But Duanne's performance against Kent at Headingley showed that he really is a 'nasty fasty'; if he can stay on top of his game for two-thirds of the time, he'll trouble a lot of county batsmen. <br /><br /> Adil Rashid is never far from a Yorkshire supporter's thoughts, and here we learned that player and club are ‘in talks'and ‘trying to find an answer'– successfully as it turned out, with a white-ball contract signed for 2020. But by Adil's own wishes, we may well have seen the last of him with a red ball in hand. To compensate comes the arrival of Indian Test star Ravi Ashwin. Mick Cadmore, then working with Worcestershire CCC, described Ravi arriving at the New Road nets to bowl a sequence of off-break, off-break, leg-break with no discernible change in run-up, action or release – giving a whole new definition to the term ‘wizard’. Messrs Cadmore and Doidge agreed that Ravi is a player of a completely different class, who will pose real problems to opposing batsmen. None will have a clue what he's about to let fly! <br /> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan Doidge, February 2020</td></tr>
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Our chairman was confined to the audience while convalescing from a recent operation, so his question was more line-and-length than googly. What, he mused, was Jonny Bairstow's future? Jonathan, too, can only conjecture. Bairstow was certainly hurt by his omission from the Test team and the squad for Sri Lanka, and presuming England ratify Joe Root's availability for Yorkshire, then Bairstow will also be able to play. But that raises the question of who will keep wicket: Bairstow or (Jonny) Tattersall? If Bairstow wants to regain the England gloves, Jonathan assumes that Yorkshire would want to give him the chance – however unfair on Tattersall, who is learning as he goes and doing a sterling job. <br /><br /> Jonathan also emphasised how tough it is to interview sportspeople who are playing badly. As a professional journalist – even one who plays the sport – you're acutely aware of not approaching the class of your interviewee – but your job is to ask the difficult questions. He's pleased that his professionalism, and theirs, meant no Yorkshire player responded negatively to any critique he made last season. In the end his role is to put the question, leaving the interviewee to decide whether or not to answer. <br /><br /> Jonathan's final advice was a very down-to-earth 'be true to yourself'. And, of course, he closed by reminding his audience to catch every over of Yorkshire's 2020 season with BBC Radio's ball-by-ball commentary. Offering the vote of thanks, Maggie Sumner congratulated Jonathan on the feats of memory that underpin his easy command of so many different sports and offered our very best wishes for the summer to come. <br /><br /> And as a final aside, I must now leave the PA system alone. The microphone and money wizard in our midst had set it up perfectly in advance of the meeting. Unless, of course, I misunderstood events before my arrival, and it was actually the BBC Radio Leeds man who had performed the miracle?<br />
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[Reporter: Cathy Rennison]<b> </b><br />
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<b>Next meeting</b>: Wednesday <b><b>11 March</b></b>, 7.45pm - <b><b>John Barclay</b></b>; ex Sussex CCC captain; MCC President 2009/2010<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>E<span style="color: black;">veryone </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>welcome</b> - no dress code, no formalities, just </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a great evening</span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">talking cricket</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£15 </b>a year / </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£5 </b>a meeting</span></span></span></span><b> </b></div>
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<b> </b></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>**NEW MEMBER OFFER** Join now for 2020/21 </b></span></span></span></span></span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">to enjoy </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">free premium access (</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">normal charge - £5 a day) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>to the Emerald Headingley East Stand / Long Room at YCCC matches in 2020.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<br />
<b>Venue</b>: Brewery Bar, <a href="http://www.kingwilliamcottingham.co.uk/contact">King William IV</a>, Hallgate,<b> Cottingham</b> HU16 4BD, <b>7.45pm</b><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Map</b>: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hBbnm">here</a><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Raffle</b>: top <b>prizes </b>monthly - including 3 pairs of <b>YCCC </b><b>match ticket </b>vouchers<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E: <b>ercsoc@gmail.com <span style="font-family: inherit;">/</span></b> T: <b>01482 861848</b></span> </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-66037799432709518662020-01-18T15:35:00.000+00:002020-01-26T13:39:36.786+00:00Meeting 12 February 2020 - Jonathan Doidge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black;">Appointed </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">cricket correspondent of </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">BBC Radio Leeds </span></span>in autumn 2018 in succession </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;">to the late Dave Callaghan, </span><b>Jonathan Doidge</b> has found his dream job as ball-by-ball commentator on all Yorkshire CCC matches. Join Jonathan to review his first season behind the mike, assess the county's prospects for 2020, and to learn more about this talented sports broadcaster. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><b>Read more</b> about Jonathan here - <a href="http://www.jonathandoidge.com/">http://www.jonathandoidge.com/</a> </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Everyone </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>welcome</b> - no dress code, no formalities, just </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a great evening</span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">talking cricket</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£15 </b>a year / </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£5 </b>a meeting</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>**Join </b>now: '<b>February/March Special</b>' - <b>£10**</b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Member benefits</b>: enjoy free premium access to Emerald Headingley's East Stand / Long Room at YCCC matches in 2020 (normal charge - £5 a day)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b>Venue</b>: Brewery Bar, <a href="http://www.kingwilliamcottingham.co.uk/contact">King William IV</a>, Hallgate,<b> Cottingham</b> HU16 4BD, <b>7.45pm</b><b> </b><br />
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<b>Map</b>: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hBbnm">here</a><b> </b><br />
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<b>Raffle</b>: top <b>prizes </b>monthly - including 3 pairs of <b>YCCC </b><b>match ticket </b>vouchers<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">E: <b>ercsoc@gmail.com <span style="font-family: inherit;">/</span></b> T: <b>01482 861848</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>PROGRAMME 2019/20</b></span><b> </b><br />
<b>2019</b></b></span><b> </b><br />
<b>9 October</b>: <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/09/meeting-9-october-2019-nathan-leamon.html"><b>Nathan Leamon</b></a>; England performance analyst, CricViz founder, author of <i>The Test</i><br />
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<b>13 November</b>: <b><a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/10/meeting-13-november-2019-derek-pringle.html">Derek Pringle</a></b>; ex England & Essex CCC all-rounder + <b>AGM </b>7.15pm<b> </b><a href="http://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/11/match-report-derek-pringle-131119.html">[report]</a><b><br /></b></div>
<b>11 December</b>:<i> </i><a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/11/meeting-11-december-2019-steve-kirby.html"><b>Steve Kirby</b></a>; ex Yorkshire CCC bowler, MCC Head Coach; now Derbyshire CCC Assistant Coach [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/12/match-report-steve-kirby-11-dec-2019_18.html">report</a>]<b> </b></div>
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<b>2020</b><br />
<b>8 January</b>: <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2020/01/meeting-8-january-2020-richard-pyrah.html"><b>Richard Pyrah</b></a>, Yorkshire CCC; ex all-rounder, now Assistant Coach<b> </b>[<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2020/01/match-report-rich-pyrah-8-jan-2020.html">report</a>]<br />
<b>12 February</b>: <b>Jonathan Doidge</b>, BBC Radio Leeds Cricket Correspondent; Yorkshire CCC ball-by-ball commentator<b> </b><br />
<b>11 March</b>: <b>John Barclay</b>, ex Sussex CCC opener & captain;
MCC President 2009/10; President, Cricket Society & English Schools
Cricket Association; Director of Cricket & Coaching, Arundel Castle
Cricket Foundation</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rich Pyrah, January 2020</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-9560765250260670672020-01-14T12:14:00.000+00:002020-01-26T12:17:21.741+00:00Match report: Rich Pyrah, 8 Jan 2020<div align="justify" class="western" lang="en-US" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; orphans: 0; page-break-after: auto; widows: 0;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rich Pyrah, January 2020</span></td></tr>
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It's a no-risk bet that if you hadn't met Rich Pyrah before tonight, within two minutes you found yourself drawn to him. It's his natural balance of personal modesty, a warm heart and a 'look-you-in-the-eye-and-tell-it-like-it-is' style. When your parents meet over a cricket tea, and your granddad and dad play for the club you also join at an early age, you grow up in cricket - as did Rich. His mates spring from that background too: Tim (Bresnan), Andy (Gale) and John (Sadler). But Rich received no favours from Tim’s dad Ray: two overs of outswing, an inswinger and a warning 'don’t get out LBW'. Ignored, of course, when Rich duly planted his leg between ball and wicket. <br />
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Progress from Ossett CC to the YCCC 1st team (red and white ball) seemed 'natural' to him, although he confessed that he was a player who had to work hard to survive at the highest level. When not in the 1st XI, he often led, mentored and informally coached the Seconds - and in doing so found his real vocation. He ended his playing career, aged just 32, after back-to-back Championship wins in 2014 and 2015, and immediately joined the club's coaching staff. Dizzy (Head Coach, Jason Gillespie) quickly sent him to the Big Bash - first with Adelaide Strikers and latterly Melbourne Renegades, where he worked with ex England bowling guru David Saker and (in his own words) 'fell in love' with coaching bowlers. On his return to the UK, the Yorkshire Diamonds presented a very different challenge - a mix of international players and complete amateurs stretching his coaching skills to the limit. Today his role as YCCC Bowling Coach is a wide one, working across 1st and 2nd teams and the Academy, as well as keeping an eye out for those who are younger still. <br />
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As a coach Rich prefers not to pigeon-hole players, aiming instead to develop their natural style and equip them with all the skills needed to become red, white or multi-format players as they choose. Even unorthodox actions are accommodated - sticking to his guns has certainly worked for one James Anderson. Although discouraged by some coaches for fear of injury, Rich also likes his bowlers to learn by providing pre-match net practice at Headingley and observing how the top players prepare. Some counties discourage this for fear of injury, but Rich supports it wholeheartedly. </div>
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Rich's playing career of course generated its own tales. As a promising teenager with Ossett, Rich - alongside John Sadler (now Assistant Head Coach with Northants CCC) - was lucky enough to dine with Sachin Tendulkar, a close friend of Ossett's overseas star Sammy Dighe. Sammy invited the two star-struck youngsters to meet the great man in the Tavern at Lords and over two hours of cricket chat Sachin never once removed his sunglasses. Super cool, thought Rich. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rich Pyrah, January 2020</span></td></tr>
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In 2011, with the score at 47-7, Rich arrived - willow in hand - to face a rampant Lancashire attack. Knowing Tim Bresnan had been released from Test duty but was still a couple of hours away (what a game is cricket), Rich decided to 'play some shots' - to such good effect that he and Siddy (Ryan Sidebottom) put on 160 before last man Tim made his belated appearance. And in 2014 he took the catch that won the Championship - no fast-moving reflex effort (far preferable) but a ball arriving so slowly that he had plenty of time to ponder the implications: 'Don’t drop it, don’t drop it' was his only thought. These moments of victory are clearly perilous in the extreme, as Steve Kirby recounted last month. This time it was the Pyrah sunglasses that bore the brunt of the assault, smashed to bits in a collision with a jubilant Jonny Bairstow, but the win was extra special because so many close friends were involved. As the leading bowler on the day, Sid walked off with a stump and ball - but presented both to Rich for his 2015 benefit year. <br />
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Our esteemed chairman is always keen to establish that a batsman is frightened of certain bowlers, but Rich would admit to no such thing. Indeed he enjoyed facing the great - for example, Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan and James Anderson - and the quick. Making his first-class debut in 2004, he encountered a fearsome spell from Simon Jones tearing down the slope at a damp Colywn Bay. Rich was hit on the head, but nevertheless scored a doughty 25* off 78 balls. <br />
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Training has changed greatly since Rich's arrival on the scene two decades ago. No fast bowler then would have fielded like Matthew Fisher today, with an agility that is both expected and practiced. To enable these feats of athleticism, batsmen concentrate in training on hand speed and strength, while bowlers focus on core strength and stabilisation. Rich uses stats and video analysis but feels that as yet no-one has quite got the balance right. Some players can and do use this information; others find it meaningless or unhelpful. Understanding the player is more important than adopting any one coaching method. </div>
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Academy players to watch out for in the coming season(s) include Eddy Booth, James Mukherjee, Harry Quarmby and Sam Wisniewski, and Rich believes that the controversial Hundred will benefit Yorkshire's younger players as they will be given the chance to play in the absence of more senior men. He accepts that a young side will inevitably be inconsistent but argues it is something that coaches must manage. Commenting on two current players, Rich reckons that Gary Ballance may play again for England but, given his previous history, would do so only if the circumstances were right. Meanwhile Matthew Fisher has talent and raw pace aplenty - clocking speeds of 85mph even as a 16-year-old - but the coming season is likely to be the first time his physical development matches his ability. Careful management is aiming to give Matthew the stamina needed to bowl repeated spells over a long career, rather than reach his mid-30s with the body of a 40-year-old, like a certain county colleague! One good season with the White Rose though and it may not be too long before England come knocking ... <br />
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Overall, Yorkshire's bowling attack remains a work in progress after the loss of key men like Sidebottom, Brooks and Plunkett. Captain Steve Patterson provides stability and consistency, while South African Duane 'Big D' Olivier is still adapting to British conditions and pitches after a life-changing decision to leave his home country. In 2020 Big D will join the squad for the final two months of pre-season preparations, including matches in Mumbai. <br />
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On the current hot topic - how to get Steve Smith out - Rich michievously suggested consulting a statistician ... Alternatively, New Zealand's recent success getting him caught in the leg trap might suggest another answer. Or there's Dizzy Gillespie's mantra, applicable to any bowler facing any batsman: 'hit the top of off stump as often as you can.'<br />
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Another hardy perennial beloved by our chairman is this: 'Would you rather win the Ashes or the World Cup?' No hesitation. 'Both,' replied Rich, before adding that England had to prioritise the World Cup in 2019, never having won it before, but now was the time to invest in the next Ashes series. Identifying fast bowlers - potential and actual - and wrapping them in cotton wool from now until then would be Rich's recipe for success, and one he expects England to follow.<br />
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Red ball spinners are hard to develop in this country when the county game is played in early spring and late summer - at 5°C in Leeds, the ball will seam around, and wickets will fall. Rich welcomes the abandonment of the ‘no toss’ rule for 2020: Headingley is too flat to secure a result except when slightly under-prepared, which has allowed away teams to come and bowl first to great advantage. <br />
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YCCC Board member Katherine Mathew thanked Rich for a hugely enjoyable evening, highlighting memories of his two Championship win - an experience we hope might be repeated as a coach in 2020! As an aside, our high-tech financial wizard got the new PA system up and running with the help of (a) an instruction manual and (b) a pint. So new phrases to learn include: 'mic 1 is live', 'it’s over to mic 2 now', and - memorably - 'Mary had a little lamb'. Happy days. And finally a thought for the next meeting just before Valentine’s Day: given the pub’s tinsel retention policy, and the addition of a strategically placed suit of armour, what new - er - ‘decoration’ can we expect? <br />
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[Reporter: Cathy Rennison]<b> </b><br />
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<b>Next meeting</b>: Wednesday <b>12 February 2020</b>, 7.45pm - <b>Jonathan Doidge</b>, BBC Radio Leeds Cricket Correspondent, Yorkshire CCC match commentator<b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: black;">Everyone </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>welcome</b> - no dress code, no formalities, just </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a great evening</span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">talking cricket</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£15 </b>a year / </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£5 </b>a meeting</span></span></span></span><b> </b><br />
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<b>Venue</b>: Brewery Bar, <a href="http://www.kingwilliamcottingham.co.uk/contact">King William IV</a>, Hallgate,<b> Cottingham</b> HU16 4BD, <b>7.45pm</b><b> </b><br />
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<b>Map</b>: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hBbnm">here</a><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Raffle</b>: top <b>prizes </b>monthly - including 3 pairs of <b>YCCC </b><b>match ticket </b>vouchers<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E: <b>ercsoc@gmail.com <span style="font-family: inherit;">/</span></b> T: <b>01482 861848</b></span> </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-17167441995593647292020-01-03T09:42:00.000+00:002020-01-05T15:39:12.718+00:00Meeting 8 January 2020 - Richard Pyrah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Greet the New Year with Yorkshire CCC player and coach <b>Richard Pyrah</b>, celebrating twenty years with the club in April 2020 after first signing as a sixteen-year-old. On retirement in 2015, the Dewsbury-born all-rounder immediately joined the club's coaching staff and in 2017 was appointed Bowling Coach, working with players at all levels from 1st XI to Academy. Qualified to ECB Level 4, Richard has coached in women's cricket with Yorkshire Diamonds, in the Big Bash with Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades, and in 2020 will take charge of the 1st-team squad while Andrew Gale is seconded to the Northern Superchargers in the The Hundred competion.</div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">Everyone </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>welcome</b> - no dress code, no formalities, just </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a great evening</span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">talking cricket</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£15 </b>a year / </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£5 </b>a meeting</span></span></span></span><b> </b><br />
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<b>Venue</b>: Brewery Bar, <a href="http://www.kingwilliamcottingham.co.uk/contact">King William IV</a>, Hallgate,<b> Cottingham</b> HU16 4BD, <b>7.45pm</b><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Map</b>: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hBbnm">here</a><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Raffle</b>: top <b>prizes </b>monthly - including 3 pairs of <b>YCCC </b><b>match ticket </b>vouchers<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E: <b>ercsoc@gmail.com <span style="font-family: inherit;">/</span></b> T: <b>01482 861848</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>PROGRAMME 2019/20</b></span><b> </b><br />
<b>2019</b></b></span><b> </b><br />
<b>9 October</b>: <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/09/meeting-9-october-2019-nathan-leamon.html"><b>Nathan Leamon</b></a>; England performance analyst, CricViz founder, author of <i>The Test</i><br />
<div>
<b>13 November</b>: <b><a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/10/meeting-13-november-2019-derek-pringle.html">Derek Pringle</a></b>; ex England & Essex CCC all-rounder + <b>AGM </b>7.15pm<b> </b><a href="http://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/11/match-report-derek-pringle-131119.html">[report]</a><b><br /></b></div>
<b>11 December</b>:<i> </i><a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/11/meeting-11-december-2019-steve-kirby.html"><b>Steve Kirby</b></a>; ex Yorkshire CCC bowler, MCC Head Coach; now Derbyshire CCC Assistant Coach [<a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/12/match-report-steve-kirby-11-dec-2019_18.html">report</a>]<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>2020</b><br />
<b>8 January</b>: <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2020/01/meeting-8-january-2020-richard-pyrah.html"><b>Richard Pyrah</b></a>, Yorkshire CCC; ex all-rounder, now Assistant Coach<b> </b><br />
<b>12 February</b>: <b>Jonathan Doidge</b>, BBC Radio; Yorkshire CCC ball-by-ball commentator<b> </b><br />
<b>11 March</b>: <b>John Barclay</b>, ex Sussex CCC opener & captain;
MCC President 2009/10; President, Cricket Society & English Schools
Cricket Association; Director of Cricket & Coaching, Arundel Castle
Cricket Foundation</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_saP9VkZnQ9LICFj9u20TgjFU5EvG38Ua4SZSkP6bMDmq6LDktu8MyEDpFCkXxyW3ckFsWtNibOuIxkSNde4CEOYf6IIllZhwCzbZWdfJby3l4B4SOQeBzTenq5Yk73LqJgFMcMmW_BY/s1600/kirby-005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_saP9VkZnQ9LICFj9u20TgjFU5EvG38Ua4SZSkP6bMDmq6LDktu8MyEDpFCkXxyW3ckFsWtNibOuIxkSNde4CEOYf6IIllZhwCzbZWdfJby3l4B4SOQeBzTenq5Yk73LqJgFMcMmW_BY/s320/kirby-005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve Kirby - December 2019</td></tr>
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<span class="post-author vcard">
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-63197548691893425482019-12-18T11:08:00.000+00:002020-01-08T16:21:00.174+00:00Match report: Steve Kirby, 11 Dec 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU7_cHZOG94uVQ5NfbgOJh5TJTPZ0fhaNCq5bn-_fmIQWTk6u-2dCNQn7mkMYpWT6vpqE-R9pvZf_hOvJdDVkbAm6oWcZMVeAPF761ctwsL1fV4pW2YyZwAKeqMMr47NsznP_lld8mb0/s1600/kirby-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU7_cHZOG94uVQ5NfbgOJh5TJTPZ0fhaNCq5bn-_fmIQWTk6u-2dCNQn7mkMYpWT6vpqE-R9pvZf_hOvJdDVkbAm6oWcZMVeAPF761ctwsL1fV4pW2YyZwAKeqMMr47NsznP_lld8mb0/s320/kirby-003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve Kirby - December 2019</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Steve Kirby is clearly not a man who is easily nonplussed. Having surely
been uncertain whether he had walked into a local pub function room
or the well-stocked warehouse for the nearby tinsel shop, he showed
neither nerves nor diffidence as he launched straight into the
evening. He spoke without notes, which is a skill I admire, but with
both verve and passion – characteristic of his playing days. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Steve
did not have the easiest introduction to professional cricket, almost
ruled out by an early back injury necessitating a remodelling of his
bowling action, then a period using annual leave from work in search
of a sustainable way to play. A break came in 2001 when he was called
up for Yorkshire's Ist XI to replace Matthew Hoggard, who had been
selected for England. Steve eagerly rejected the day job, accepted
the chance, and the rest is history. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Steve reflected little on his stats during his talk but spoke much
more about his feelings playing for Yorkshire. A Lancastrian –
surely warming the cockles of Ian Sumner’s heart – Steve
nonetheless wore his heart on his sleeve in speaking of his pride in
walking for the first time into the White Rose dressing room amongst
those he regarded as heroes. Of course he was
nervous – he made no bones about it. His aim was to sit in a corner
and keep to himself. But one by one by each of his teammates came up
and welcomed him; something that marked that dressing room as
special. Although it may have seemed a little less so when he was
abruptly instructed by captain
David Byas to remove his 'stuff' as it was in
the way, whereupon he found that his coffin had been nailed down by his
teammates in one of many dressing-room pranks. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznKHqFlZSOARHgrhbmzn2Wz7GJfvJxV7ZoIlTv-KJAyWRjqTQ1B0d7UwlQodTNtThy5vSX1TPwTxf1xRjpb_AEmMpzY0GP746dOUvyxTPCmzfIXG3D238wKHzErFZtTbupMe9defVm-k/s1600/kirby-011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznKHqFlZSOARHgrhbmzn2Wz7GJfvJxV7ZoIlTv-KJAyWRjqTQ1B0d7UwlQodTNtThy5vSX1TPwTxf1xRjpb_AEmMpzY0GP746dOUvyxTPCmzfIXG3D238wKHzErFZtTbupMe9defVm-k/s320/kirby-011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve Kirby relives a Brett Lee bouncer, December 2019</td></tr>
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Asked
why he had taken up coaching, Steve explained that after a shoulder
injury had ended his playing career prematurely in 2014, he spent a
short time in recruitment before being appointed head coach of MCC.
He has clear and enthusiastic views on his new role. His four-point
model involves players exploring possibilities, then moving on to
practise with a purpose. Training to play puts this learning into
match situations before it is finally performed for real. Steve was
unequivocal that the best coaches give time to players: time to build
trust and time to keep working through improvements. Passing on easy
critiques then failing to follow through is not what he views as
coaching. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Steve acknowledged that he may on occasion have addressed one or two
on-field words to his opponents in the friendly fashion of
hard-fought competition. Frustrated at his failure to remove Chris
Schofield, Steve announced to umpire Mervyn Kitchen that he was
going round the wicket and that an ambulance would be necessary. A
startled Kitchen shared this news with the batsman, who thus
forewarned slogged the ball into the stands – only for a rebound to
hit an unfortunate spectator and make good Steve's prediction.
By his own account, he now tries to channel this aspect of his
character, reminding himself that he has two ears and one mouth and
should use them in those proportions. Still, he would never try to
diminish a young player’s drive and gutsiness. 'Keep your head in
the fridge and your heart in the oven,' seems to be his advice these
days. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG66GZ7CVQd2Rxs3dTgM6PLlSsQyPBEdOPJq_QP6bna0kVD66QAhTADqPEq65wWu9ESDJkWQR3GeY9vMF5-MHmg6VkWa3PYp96ljsEnu5QIp6kvJmkYA-ir6WaCVgMVSk3LPbTo-8X3y0/s1600/kirby-008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG66GZ7CVQd2Rxs3dTgM6PLlSsQyPBEdOPJq_QP6bna0kVD66QAhTADqPEq65wWu9ESDJkWQR3GeY9vMF5-MHmg6VkWa3PYp96ljsEnu5QIp6kvJmkYA-ir6WaCVgMVSk3LPbTo-8X3y0/s320/kirby-008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve Kirby, December 2019</td></tr>
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Now
assistant coach at Derbyshire CCC, Steve highlighted Sam Conners and
Harvey Hosein as youngsters to watch as they develop alongside Leus
Du Plooy. To retain such players when nearby larger and more monied
counties come looking, he would seek to make greater use of the loan
system and also advocates the introduction of ECB contracts for
talented young players. In managing spinners during a game he would
give them a notional 'bucket of runs', plus an in-and-out field, then
trust them to get on with the job. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In
the end of course, we had to return to 2001, to Scarborough, and to
Yorkshire's first Championship win in 33 years. It was inevitable.
Expecting to hear talk of high spirits and the exuberance of victory,
it was a bit of an eye-opener to hear Steve's entirely earthier
memories of the day. During a man-hug to celebrate winning, Craig
White ran his spikes painfully down Steve’s left shin, leaving a
scar that endures to this day. Then to add insult to injury, seconds later Chris Silverwood joined the male-bonding huddle and
buried his front teeth in the back of Steve's head! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With
his openness, honesty and manifest love of cricket and of Yorkshire,
Steve held the attention of a full house throughout, and Simon Foster
expressed the feelings of us all in his eloquent and appreciated vote
of thanks. 'You’re one of us,' was Simon's final verdict – a
fitting tribute to the wholly positive impact made by Steve Kirby on
a cold, over-tinselled December evening. </div>
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<br /></div>
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As
an aside, the only things twinkling more than the tinsel were treasurer Brian
Sanderson’s eyes each time he gazed upon the electronic wonder
lying on the bar counter – the new PA system. As he caressed the
cables and plugs, I could no more have wrested the gizmo from his
hands than grabbed the red Duke ball from Steve Kirby at Scarborough
that winning day in 2001. But I hesitate to critique too easily –
in his official capacity Brian did present to members a very
healthy balance sheet which noted significant increases in both
membership and raffle income.<br />
<br />
[Reporter: Cathy Rennison]</div>
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<div class="western" style="line-height: 108%; margin-bottom: 0.28cm; text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Next meeting</b>: Wednesday <b>8 January 2020</b>, 7.45pm - <b>Rich Pyrah</b>, Yorkshire CCC Assistant Coach<b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: black;">Everyone </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>welcome</b> - no dress code, no formalities, just </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a great evening</span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">talking cricket</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£15 </b>a year / </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£5 </b>a meeting</span></span></span></span><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Venue</b>: Brewery Bar, <a href="http://www.kingwilliamcottingham.co.uk/contact">King William IV</a>, Hallgate,<b> Cottingham</b> HU16 4BD, <b>7.45pm</b><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Map</b>: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hBbnm">here</a><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Raffle</b>: top <b>prizes </b>monthly - including 3 pairs of <b>YCCC </b><b>match ticket </b>vouchers<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E: <b>ercsoc@gmail.com <span style="font-family: inherit;">/</span></b> T: <b>01482 861848</b></span> </div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-63443730623461167862019-11-26T16:03:00.000+00:002019-11-26T16:03:54.042+00:00Meeting 11 December 2019 - Steve Kirby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQScJN7JJD9xICcQzov5Mdi37HHHHJ5gK2cqiYa1gVeKy2SE3_9cc5A9RTQ-AxuERpmDC3K0KheDapvfZLM7AJhiWGrMoQZWfkRCZ_B13z4UCe9yQLGucw3beEp3sXwh9vU88mUwJYgLo/s1600/Kirby_002.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQScJN7JJD9xICcQzov5Mdi37HHHHJ5gK2cqiYa1gVeKy2SE3_9cc5A9RTQ-AxuERpmDC3K0KheDapvfZLM7AJhiWGrMoQZWfkRCZ_B13z4UCe9yQLGucw3beEp3sXwh9vU88mUwJYgLo/s320/Kirby_002.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;">A lively Q&A to celebrate the festive season with this most committed and passionate of cricketers. Fiery fast bowler <b>Steve Kirby</b> burst onto the county scene in 2001, earning the lasting affection of Yorkshire CCC supporters for his impact in that year's Championship-winning side. Moving </span><span style="color: black;">to Gloucestershire in 2005, then Somerset in 2011, Steve also gained England Academy, 'A' and Lions honours before a persistent shoulder injury forced his retirement in 2014. He immediately turned to coaching, inspiring a new generation of players with his 'infectious love of the game' - first as MCC Head Coach (2016-18) and now as assistant to Dave Houghton at Derbyshire CCC (2018-). </span></div>
<br />
<b><span style="color: black;">Everyone </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>welcome</b> - no dress code, no formalities, just </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a great evening</span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">talking cricket</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£15 </b>a year / </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£5 </b>a meeting</span></span></span></span><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Venue</b>: Brewery Bar, <a href="http://www.kingwilliamcottingham.co.uk/contact">King William IV</a>, Hallgate,<b> Cottingham</b> HU16 4BD, <b>7.45pm</b><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Map</b>: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hBbnm">here</a><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Raffle</b>: top <b>prizes </b>monthly - including 3 pairs of <b>YCCC </b><b>match ticket </b>vouchers<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span><br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E: <b>ercsoc@gmail.com <span style="font-family: inherit;">/</span></b> T: <b>01482 861848</b><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>PROGRAMME 2019/20</b></span><b> </b><br />
<b>2019</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>9 October</b>:<b> <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/09/meeting-9-october-2019-nathan-leamon.html">Nathan Leamon</a></b>, England performance analyst; author of CricViz software, <span style="color: black;"><i><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24480728/paul-edwards-reviews-test-nathan-leamon&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNE9MREvPV8UyIj3hynsuxy6gBUVOQ" href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24480728/paul-edwards-reviews-test-nathan-leamon" target="_blank">The Test</a></i> and </span><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="color: black;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn%3D9781472131249&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNEWlXpxrb7UxqKlNIQiuzTEslqCpg" href="https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn=9781472131249" target="_blank">Hitting against the Spin: How Cricket Really Works</a></span></i></span><b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>13 November</b>:<b> Derek Pringle</b>, ex England & Essex CCC all-rounder; journalist and author of <i><span style="color: black;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/nov/27/ian-botham-derek-pringle-memoir-cricket&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNFRlN9pxQn3gcKM4GQe-lQzYoiC5g" href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/nov/27/ian-botham-derek-pringle-memoir-cricket" target="_blank">Pushing the Boundaries: Cricket in the Eighties</a></span></i><b> + AGM </b>7.15pm<b> </b><br />
<b>11 December</b>: <b>Steve Kirby</b>, ex Yorkshire CCC paceman, MCC Head Coach; now Derbyshire CCC Assistant Coach<b> </b><br />
<b>2020</b><br />
<b>8 January</b>: <b>Richard Pyrah</b>, Yorkshire CCC; ex all-rounder, now Assistant Coach<b> </b><br />
<b>12 February</b>: <b>Jonathan Doidge</b>, BBC Radio; Yorkshire CCC ball-by-ball commentator<b> </b><br />
<b>11 March</b>: <b>John Barclay</b>, ex Sussex CCC opener & captain;
MCC President 2009/10; President, Cricket Society & English Schools
Cricket Association; Director of Cricket & Coaching, Arundel Castle
Cricket Foundation<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkT2RTZchPjyMfyIni-fK_PvUMMVJjvs-P593SYaHK9m8LFqpp-0kBi9rCgVA-OUL-BrI3x-eW3Y8zcvRW8MjcGsRda_37XOVtFw5mvMTLx8zmAy74_aTnaJo8gq9DFd394Gnz4phb0w/s1600/pringle_002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkT2RTZchPjyMfyIni-fK_PvUMMVJjvs-P593SYaHK9m8LFqpp-0kBi9rCgVA-OUL-BrI3x-eW3Y8zcvRW8MjcGsRda_37XOVtFw5mvMTLx8zmAy74_aTnaJo8gq9DFd394Gnz4phb0w/s320/pringle_002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derek Pringle - November 2019</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-50170697706666002062019-11-21T16:09:00.000+00:002019-12-17T17:14:21.492+00:00Match report: Derek Pringle, 13 Nov 2019<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Utwff4uMCXF-yxvVjjs6O65riE8sH1LB6HWvWTnMgUf908zGXTLv-ryVtsBWCFMWj67w8UcftH1b98dvDWJVVtiCruI4vbEZnDOsB051GXJC_PWLV1aFczKXuSHRgLkAeK7vbhUkD-c/s1600/pringle_002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Utwff4uMCXF-yxvVjjs6O65riE8sH1LB6HWvWTnMgUf908zGXTLv-ryVtsBWCFMWj67w8UcftH1b98dvDWJVVtiCruI4vbEZnDOsB051GXJC_PWLV1aFczKXuSHRgLkAeK7vbhUkD-c/s320/pringle_002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derek Pringle - November 2019</td></tr>
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A capacity crowd enjoyed a wonderful evening with journalist and ex England allrounder Derek Pringle. Cathy Rennison reports: 'It is not unusual for guests to bring their favourite Geoffrey Boycott anecdote for our mutual entertainment, but Derek Pringle offered a unique insight into the newly minted Sir. In the hands of a less assured speaker, this could have been a controversial moment – the mixing of recent high politics with a marmite cricketer. But no – we were in safe company so could relax and enjoy the idea of the last PM's unexpected elevation of the England opener, and of the enduring teenage crush that perhaps lay at its heart. <br />
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In many amusing and entertaining stories, Derek brought other greats of his time into the room alongside him, recalling their exploits both on and off the field. When I next see Beefy, my mind’s eye will also spot somewhere nearby a large glass containing an indecent measure of scotch topped with a calorific ice-cream float. <br />
<br />
With his ability to 'string a few words together', a talent he attributed to his Cambridge days reading for an essay-based Geography (and later Land Economy) degree, Derek was a witty speaker unafraid to admit his own pranks and mischievousness – adorning a carpet with beer to foil teammates determined to incapacitate him through booze, for example, or unleashing camera-captured spontaneous victory V-signs when baited by Melbourne Cricket Ground's notorious Bay 13. Neither exploit attracted much by way of official rebuke; indeed the first won him some admiration from Keith Fletcher, a captain he esteems above all others for his qualities as an innovator, man-manager and motivator. <br />
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Amongst the many well-known names remembered, it was in the end perhaps the West Indies pacemen of his time who Derek held in most regard and even affection. A tall man himself, his head in constant danger of contact with the central beam of the Brewery Bar, he nevertheless still looked upwards when talking of Joel 'Big Bird' Garner and that Barbadian's no-holds barred method of dealing with at least one female admirer. And it was to this small group of the fast and the furious that he returned in the Q&A as he revealed his fear – even today – of Sylvester Clarke, as well as his appreciation of Malcolm Marshall, who once bowled at Graham Gooch all morning without success, then rolled up his sleeves to resume the battle immediately after lunch. <br />
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Our chairman opened the Q&A with what I can only describe as an underarm daisy-cutter: 'which is better to win, the Ashes or the World Cup?' The deft answer was that it depended on your era – if you had won an Ashes series you fancied the World Cup and vice versa. From then on Derek offered spirited and open answers to questions, amongst others, about the current state of the county game, his own transition from player to reporter, the new 100 tournament and its marketing (and possible cost!), team cultures and the potential new bowlers we may see coming to the fore in the near future. <br />
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In other news of the session, we again failed to meet the 3-minute AGM target but did beat all previous records for attendance and raffle takings. The AGM reports from Maggie and Brian were succinct, and the committee was re-elected in its entirety – with a special welcome for new member Catherine Goble. Accounts for 2018/19 will be presented at the December 2019 meeting. <br />
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As a final aside, Derek proved to be as on point in his raffle-picking as he was with the ball – hitting the same spot repeatedly! Fortunately for everyone, members are generous in returning a second, third (and this time fourth!) winning ticket to the draw, and also in offering only the most gentle of humorous Yorkshire sledges to the lucky purchaser.<b>'</b></div>
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<b>Next meeting</b>: Wednesday <b>11 December 2019</b>, 7.45pm - <b>Steve Kirby</b>, ex Yorkshire CCC, Gloucs CCC and Somerset CCC paceman, MCC Head Coach; now Assistant Coach, Derbyshire CCC</div>
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<b><span style="color: black;">Everyone </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>welcome</b> - no dress code, no formalities, just </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a great evening</span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">talking cricket</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£15 </b>a year / </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£5 </b>a meeting</span></span></span></span><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Venue</b>: Brewery Bar, <a href="http://www.kingwilliamcottingham.co.uk/contact">King William IV</a>, Hallgate,<b> Cottingham</b> HU16 4BD, <b>7.45pm</b><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Map</b>: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hBbnm">here</a><b> </b><br />
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<b>Raffle</b>: top <b>prizes </b>monthly - including 3 pairs of <b>YCCC </b><b>match ticket </b>vouchers<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">E: <b>ercsoc@gmail.com <span style="font-family: inherit;">/</span></b> T: <b>01482 861848</b></span> </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-75876154783042418992019-10-18T15:03:00.000+01:002019-10-18T17:41:57.785+01:00Meeting 13 November 2019 - Derek Pringle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb1vnkNC_yik8RGuA1ClR4r0j20DIBiZ40ib32reva90lO4n0I_5aXGNilj7pyzGJ1BCBXl_qHPmEmKKRN_Qwbjm4R3JGip-6LEyyuTczaAo_sl7MDQrxt-aINJWA4bNRH6CZdjh4jS4/s1600/pringle_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="423" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb1vnkNC_yik8RGuA1ClR4r0j20DIBiZ40ib32reva90lO4n0I_5aXGNilj7pyzGJ1BCBXl_qHPmEmKKRN_Qwbjm4R3JGip-6LEyyuTczaAo_sl7MDQrxt-aINJWA4bNRH6CZdjh4jS4/s320/pringle_001.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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Join <b>Derek Pringle</b>, former Essex and England all-rounder and leading cricket journalist, for an evening of anecdote, humour and insight - from the maverick 80s to the modern game. First chosen by England in 1982 while still at Cambridge University, Derek spent the next decade as understudy to the great Ian Botham, compiling a playing record that included 30 Tests, 44 One
Day Internationals, two World Cups (including a World Cup final), six County Championships and numerous one-day trophies. He also witnessed at first hand a period of English cricket full of characters such as Botham, Lamb, Gower, Gooch, Lever and East. His recent memoir <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pushing-Boundaries-Cricket-Eighties-Playing/dp/1473674921"><i>Pushing the Boundaries: Cricket in the Eighties</i></a> has received much acclaim: '... a fascinating and hilarious read (<i>Daily Telegraph</i>); '... eye-popping and hilarious' (<i>Guardian</i>); ... funny,
original and astounding, often all three ... [Pringle] has delivered
with interest on his promise to avoid a bog-standard, self-serving work;
if he pushed boundaries in his career he has flattened them completely
with this honest addition to cricket literature (<i>The Cricketer</i>).'<br />
<br />
<b>Signed copies</b> available - event price <b>£8</b> (r.r.p. £10.99) <b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: black;">Everyone </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>welcome</b> - no dress code, no formalities, just </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a great evening</span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">talking cricket</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£15 </b>a year / </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£5 </b>a meeting</span></span></span></span><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Venue</b>: Brewery Bar, <a href="http://www.kingwilliamcottingham.co.uk/contact">King William IV</a>, Hallgate,<b> Cottingham</b> HU16 4BD, <b>7.45pm</b><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Map</b>: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hBbnm">here</a><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Raffle</b>: top <b>prizes </b>monthly - including 3 pairs of <b>YCCC </b><b>match ticket </b>vouchers<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">E: <b>ercsoc@gmail.com <span style="font-family: inherit;">/</span></b> T: <b>01482 861848</b><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>PROGRAMME 2019/20</b></span><b> </b><br />
<b>2019</b></div>
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<b>9 October</b>:<b> <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/09/meeting-9-october-2019-nathan-leamon.html">Nathan Leamon</a></b>, England performance analyst; author of CricViz software, <span style="color: black;"><i><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24480728/paul-edwards-reviews-test-nathan-leamon&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNE9MREvPV8UyIj3hynsuxy6gBUVOQ" href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24480728/paul-edwards-reviews-test-nathan-leamon" target="_blank">The Test</a></i> and </span><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="color: black;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn%3D9781472131249&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNEWlXpxrb7UxqKlNIQiuzTEslqCpg" href="https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn=9781472131249" target="_blank">Hitting against the Spin: How Cricket Really Works</a></span></i></span><b> </b></div>
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<b>13 November</b>:<b> Derek Pringle</b>, ex England & Essex CCC all-rounder; journalist and author of <i><span style="color: black;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/nov/27/ian-botham-derek-pringle-memoir-cricket&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNFRlN9pxQn3gcKM4GQe-lQzYoiC5g" href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/nov/27/ian-botham-derek-pringle-memoir-cricket" target="_blank">Pushing the Boundaries: Cricket in the Eighties</a></span></i><b> + AGM </b>7.15pm<b> </b><br />
<b>11 December</b>: <b>Steve Kirby</b>, ex Yorkshire CCC paceman, MCC Head Coach; now Derbyshire CCC Assistant Coach<b> </b><br />
<b>2020</b><br />
<b>8 January</b>: <b>Richard Pyrah</b>, Yorkshire CCC; ex all-rounder, now Assistant Coach<b> </b><br />
<b>12 February</b>: <b>Jonathan Doidge</b>, BBC Radio; Yorkshire CCC ball-by-ball commentator<b> </b><br />
<b>11 March</b>: <b>John Barclay</b>, ex Sussex CCC opener & captain;
MCC President 2009/10; President, Cricket Society & English Schools
Cricket Association; Director of Cricket & Coaching, Arundel Castle
Cricket Foundation </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWqVx1slsVR2NV_DAhNp-Tyt4XU9uiXhBBT2tVCOgzTevqt4UWLMsbG3yvKPjecb6SflX8ZAUFdqAwwxLICKN0iggArN0u5CbLnP3-pOXyzZ9HwjC2d-sqDYjKhLtS26lkvKAPAsrgd0/s1600/leamon_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWqVx1slsVR2NV_DAhNp-Tyt4XU9uiXhBBT2tVCOgzTevqt4UWLMsbG3yvKPjecb6SflX8ZAUFdqAwwxLICKN0iggArN0u5CbLnP3-pOXyzZ9HwjC2d-sqDYjKhLtS26lkvKAPAsrgd0/s320/leamon_003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">England analyst Nathan Leamon - October 2019 </td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-841778478667958302019-09-24T12:14:00.000+01:002019-09-24T12:23:21.168+01:00Meeting 9 October 2019 - Nathan Leamon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqOPhdHMA4GUMkAqM1jvGwxNB49pcXCRa8CnMM-X7spwp32JSkkyVnu6zapDiNq4dvYwxNzT7zNV_dtcOlWusHgLDQLGSUBLno1P60P10pECILk9NITV4G4PHBRukmwnJFA05KWavKXg/s1600/leamon_003.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="390" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqOPhdHMA4GUMkAqM1jvGwxNB49pcXCRa8CnMM-X7spwp32JSkkyVnu6zapDiNq4dvYwxNzT7zNV_dtcOlWusHgLDQLGSUBLno1P60P10pECILk9NITV4G4PHBRukmwnJFA05KWavKXg/s320/leamon_003.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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A fascinating start to 2019/20 with <b>Nathan Leamon</b>, arguably 'one of the most significant figures in [modern] cricket'. As England performance analyst since 2009, and author of the free <a href="http://cricviz.com/">CricViz</a> analytical software used by players, coaches and broadcasters alike, Nathan is at the heart of a data revolution. Yet despite his Twitter handle - <a href="https://twitter.com/Numb3z">https://twitter.com/Numb3z</a> - Nathan is no mere numbers man, arguing that the wise use of data should enhance not replace human decision-making. </div>
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<b>Join</b> Nathan to go behind the scenes of England's 50-over and T20 World Cup victories, Test and Ashes battles and much, much more. </div>
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<b>Watch</b> <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/video_audio/1172581.html">here</a> as he busts five top cricket myths. </div>
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And <b>read</b> his prize-nominated first novel <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Test-Novel-Nathan-Leamon/dp/1472129547"><b><i>The Test</i></b></a> - a pacy, humorous and candid tale set in the England dressing-room, as stand-in captain James
McCall tries to get his exhausted team across the line in the deciding Ashes Test.<b> </b><br />
<br />
Reviewed by: Tim Wigmore - <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2018/08/25/moment-dig-numbers-quite-surface-level-england-team-analyst/">here</a>; Paul Edwards - <a href="https://www.espn.co.uk/cricket/story/_/id/24480728/paul-edwards-reviews-test-nathan-leamon">here</a>. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Signed copies</b> available; event price - <b>£5</b> (r.r.p. £8.99) <br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: black;">Everyone </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>welcome</b> - no dress code, no formalities, just </span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>great cricket chat</b></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">!</span></span></span><b> </b></span></span>
<br />
<div>
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£15 </b>a year / </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£5 </b>a meeting</span></span></span></span><b> </b></div>
<div>
<br />
<b>Venue</b>: Brewery Bar, <a href="http://www.kingwilliamcottingham.co.uk/contact">King William IV</a>, Hallgate,<b> Cottingham</b> HU16 4BD, <b>7.45pm</b>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b>Map</b>: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hBbnm">here</a><b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b>Raffle</b>: top <b>prizes </b>monthly - including 3 pairs of <b>YCCC </b><b>match ticket </b>vouchers<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E: <b>ercsoc@gmail.com <span style="font-family: inherit;">/</span></b> T: <b>01482 861848</b><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>PROGRAMME 2019/20</b></span><b> </b><br />
<b>2019</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>9 October</b>:<b> <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/09/meeting-9-october-2019-nathan-leamon.html">Nathan Leamon</a></b>, England performance analyst; author of CricViz software, <span style="color: black;"><i><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24480728/paul-edwards-reviews-test-nathan-leamon&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNE9MREvPV8UyIj3hynsuxy6gBUVOQ" href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24480728/paul-edwards-reviews-test-nathan-leamon" target="_blank">The Test</a></i> and </span><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="color: black;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn%3D9781472131249&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNEWlXpxrb7UxqKlNIQiuzTEslqCpg" href="https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn=9781472131249" target="_blank">Hitting against the Spin: How Cricket Really Works</a></span></i></span><b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>13 November</b>:<b> Derek Pringle</b>, ex England & Essex CCC all-rounder; journalist and author of <i><span style="color: black;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/nov/27/ian-botham-derek-pringle-memoir-cricket&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNFRlN9pxQn3gcKM4GQe-lQzYoiC5g" href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/nov/27/ian-botham-derek-pringle-memoir-cricket" target="_blank">Pushing the Boundaries: Cricket in the Eighties</a></span></i></div>
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<b>11 December</b>: <b>Steve Kirby</b>, ex Yorkshire CCC paceman, MCC Head Coach; now Derbyshire CCC Assistant Coach </div>
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</div>
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<b>2020</b></div>
<b>8 January</b>: <b>Richard Pyrah</b>, Yorkshire CCC; ex all-rounder, now Assistant Coach<b> </b></div>
<div>
<b>12 February</b>: <b>Jonathan Doidge</b>, BBC Radio; Yorkshire CCC ball-by-ball commentator</div>
<b>11 March</b>: <b>John Barclay</b>, ex Sussex CCC opener & captain;
MCC President 2009/10; President, Cricket Society & English Schools
Cricket Association; Director of Cricket & Coaching, Arundel Castle
Cricket Foundation </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3DBsHDdg4O9IDHJ3H1pM30N7rMX1FnUhWBf9xmVAaDkahZLP4O7TOK2P44CnfTsQGg4I0_ClSavOnepUvIfP35JLDhX8xNMYIhPJdVRn3REK7_FE2vYaSexGOcaLW8n20eDWCjFlDEE/s1600/murphy-012.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3DBsHDdg4O9IDHJ3H1pM30N7rMX1FnUhWBf9xmVAaDkahZLP4O7TOK2P44CnfTsQGg4I0_ClSavOnepUvIfP35JLDhX8xNMYIhPJdVRn3REK7_FE2vYaSexGOcaLW8n20eDWCjFlDEE/s320/murphy-012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pat Murphy entertains - February 2019</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-73607551765709285942019-03-21T13:44:00.001+00:002019-03-29T15:25:09.185+00:00East Riding Cricket Society - 2019/20 Programme <div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYlq6J-0P29q6YpbQAFYZZkjH4OLbAHPfoGdHiheXBFEL7VARt4fQEzOkk_m7WkHLZZ3_edbH7tTQ32ENudm-QufytOLXEX1ZM0B-BMRnn5vo9gvpqNjhjV8yxVu_zN9PYJNwVGXseLs/s1600/butcher-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYlq6J-0P29q6YpbQAFYZZkjH4OLbAHPfoGdHiheXBFEL7VARt4fQEzOkk_m7WkHLZZ3_edbH7tTQ32ENudm-QufytOLXEX1ZM0B-BMRnn5vo9gvpqNjhjV8yxVu_zN9PYJNwVGXseLs/s320/butcher-003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Alan Butcher - March 2019</span></td></tr>
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A packed house enjoyed a superb evening with March speaker <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/02/"><b>Alan Butcher</b></a> [left]. Great stories, sharp analysis and an all-action replay of a Michael Holding over - terrific stuff! Thanks also to Alan, fellow speakers and members and friends old and new for a memorable winter. Among many other highlights: <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2018/11/"><b>Malcolm Nash</b></a> - on his 'Six Sixes' duel with Garry Sobers;<b> <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2018/08/meeting-10-october-chris-lewis.html">Chris Lewis</a></b> - from World Cup Final to prison cell;<b> <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2018/12/">Mark Robinson</a></b> OBE - on the challenges of coaching elite women's sport;<b> </b><a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2018/08/meeting-14-november-steve-patterson.html"><b>Steve Patterson</b></a> - on his pride in the YCCC captaincy and plans for his new, young team;<b> <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/01/">Pat Murphy</a></b> - on a kaleidoscope of names from fifty years in journalism and broadcasting.<span style="color: black;"><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><b>East Riding Cricket Society</b> is flourishing in its comfortable home - the Brewery Bar, <b>King William IV</b>, <b>Cottingham</b> - with more <b>top speakers</b> lined up for <b>2019/20</b>. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Getting 'closer to the action' are: </span></div>
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<li><span style="color: black;"><b>Nathan Leamon</b>: England Test, 1-Day and T20 analyst; ECB Lead for Research & Innovation; author of <i>The Test</i> (2018) - review <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24480728/paul-edwards-reviews-test-nathan-leamon&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNE9MREvPV8UyIj3hynsuxy6gBUVOQ" href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24480728/paul-edwards-reviews-test-nathan-leamon" target="_blank">here</a>; <i>Hitting against the Spin: How Cricket Really Works</i> (2019) - preview <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn%3D9781472131249&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNEWlXpxrb7UxqKlNIQiuzTEslqCpg" href="https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn=9781472131249" target="_blank">here</a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><b>Derek Pringle</b>: ex England & Essex CCC all-rounder; former chief cricket correspondent - <i>Independent</i> and <i>Daily Telegraph</i>; author of <i>Pushing the Boundaries: Cricket in the Eighties</i> - review <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/nov/27/ian-botham-derek-pringle-memoir-cricket&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNFRlN9pxQn3gcKM4GQe-lQzYoiC5g" href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/nov/27/ian-botham-derek-pringle-memoir-cricket" target="_blank">here</a>; now a freelance journalist writing regularly for <i>The Cricket Paper</i></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><b>Steve Kirby</b><i>: </i>ex Yorkshire CCC, Gloucestershire CCC & Somerset CCC paceman; ex MCC Head Coach; now Assistant Coach, Derbyshire CCC</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><b>Rich Pyrah</b>: ex Yorkshire CCC all-rounder, now Assistant Coach at the club</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><b>Jonathan Doidge</b>: BBC Radio's new Yorkshire CCC commentator </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><b>John Barclay</b>:
ex Sussex CCC opener; President of the Cricket Society and the English
Schools Cricket Association; Director of Cricket and Coaching, Arundel
Castle Cricket Foundation; MCC President 2009/10</span><b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b></li>
</ul>
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<b><span style="color: black;">Everyone </span></b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>welcome</b> - no dress code, no formalities, just </span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>great cricket chat</b></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">!</span></span></span><b> </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£15 </b>a year / </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£5 </b>a meeting</span></span></span></span><b> </b></div>
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<b>Venue</b>: Brewery Bar, <a href="http://www.kingwilliamcottingham.co.uk/contact">King William IV</a>, Hallgate,<b> Cottingham</b> HU16 4BD, <b>7.45pm</b>
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<b>Map</b>: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hBbnm">here</a><b> </b></div>
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<b>Raffle</b>: top <b>prizes </b>monthly - including 3 pairs of <b>YCCC </b><b>match ticket </b>vouchers<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">E: <b>ercsoc@gmail.com <span style="font-family: inherit;">/</span></b> T: <b>01482 861848</b><b> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>PROGRAMME 2019/20</b></span><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>2019</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>9 October</b>:<b> Nathan Leamon</b>, ECB Lead for Research & Innovation; England Test analyst, 2009-17; author of <span style="color: black;"><i><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24480728/paul-edwards-reviews-test-nathan-leamon&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNE9MREvPV8UyIj3hynsuxy6gBUVOQ" href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/24480728/paul-edwards-reviews-test-nathan-leamon" target="_blank">The Test</a></i>; </span><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="color: black;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn%3D9781472131249&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNEWlXpxrb7UxqKlNIQiuzTEslqCpg" href="https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/books/detail.page?isbn=9781472131249" target="_blank">Hitting against the Spin: How Cricket Really Works</a></span></i></span><b> </b></div>
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<b>13 November</b>:<b> Derek Pringle</b>, ex England & Essex all-rounder, chief cricket correspondent, <i>Independent</i> & <i>Daily Telegraph</i>; author of <i><span style="color: black;"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/nov/27/ian-botham-derek-pringle-memoir-cricket&source=gmail&ust=1553259560601000&usg=AFQjCNFRlN9pxQn3gcKM4GQe-lQzYoiC5g" href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/nov/27/ian-botham-derek-pringle-memoir-cricket" target="_blank">Pushing the Boundaries: Cricket in the Eighties</a></span></i></div>
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<b>11 December</b>: <b>Steve Kirby</b>, ex Yorkshire paceman, MCC Head Coach; Assistant Coach, Derbyshire<b></b><br />
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<b>2020</b></div>
<b>8 January</b>: <b>Richard Pyrah</b>, ex Yorkshire all-rounder; Assistant Coach, Yorkshire </div>
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<b>12 February</b>: <b>Jonathan Doidge</b>, BBC Radio's new Yorkshire CCC commentator</div>
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<b>11 March</b>: <b>John Barclay</b>, ex Sussex opener & captain; MCC President 2009/10; President, Cricket Society & English Schools Cricket Association; Director of Cricket & Coaching, Arundel Castle Cricket Foundation <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pat Murphy entertains - February 2019</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2993061668030665078.post-23248009872518547912019-02-17T13:29:00.000+00:002019-02-17T13:29:18.766+00:00Meeting 13 March - Alan Butcher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiCGaPv4MDkIaREAYI18x4A3BCiSJXh7CiEH0OWlfuLFNzWn-CBN69Q6xLa4-Hwj9Mz80FQLZbfi-9qa7AQ2EPTpgKERgYDQsjfV6UCyz-nF6p1po8fFCd6nc4qetns0cnh9SxLssark/s1600/butcher-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="319" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiCGaPv4MDkIaREAYI18x4A3BCiSJXh7CiEH0OWlfuLFNzWn-CBN69Q6xLa4-Hwj9Mz80FQLZbfi-9qa7AQ2EPTpgKERgYDQsjfV6UCyz-nF6p1po8fFCd6nc4qetns0cnh9SxLssark/s320/butcher-001.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
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Part of a cricketing family which includes his sons Mark (Surrey & England) and
Gary (Glamorgan & Surrey) and brothers Ian (Leics &
Gloucs) and Martin (Surrey), <b>Alan Butcher</b> played just one Test and one ODI in his 20-year first-class career, scant reward for this stylish Surrey and Glamorgan opener, named in 1991 among Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year. On retirement Alan took on coaching roles with Essex and Surrey, returning again to The Oval in 2006 as Head Coach. But his greatest challenge came during his time as Head Coach of Zimbabwe (2010-13), presiding over the national team's return to Test cricket after a self-imposed six-year exile. Alan recounts his experiences in <i>The Good Murungu</i> - <span style="font-family: inherit;">shortlisted for the </span>Cricket Society/MCC Book of the Year Award- describing how he fashioned a team out of a dispirited and disillusioned group of players, and offering a fascinating insight into sport and society in this beautiful but troubled country.<br />
<br />
<b>Signed copies - </b>buy on the night or pre-order by e-mail - <b>£10</b><br />
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<b>Read more</b> about <i>The Good Murungu</i> [<a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/1020143.html">here</a>]; Alan recalls Surrey teammate Sylvester Clarke [<a href="https://www.wisden.com/stories/long-room/alan-butcher-sylvester-clarke-surrey">here</a>]<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Everyone welcome</b> - no dress code, no formalities, just </span><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>great cricket chat</b></span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">!</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£15 </b>a year / </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>£5 </b>a meeting</span></span></span><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>New member offer</b>! <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Join now for 2019/20 to enjoy <b>free 2019</b> match-day access to Emerald Headingley <b>East</b> <b>Stand</b> & <b>Long Room</b></span></span></span><b> </b>(normal charge - £5 a day)</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b>Venue</b>: Brewery Bar, <a href="http://www.kingwilliamcottingham.co.uk/contact">King William IV</a>, Hallgate,<b> Cottingham</b> HU16 4BD, <b>7.45pm</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b>Map</b>: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hBbnm">here</a><b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b>Raffle</b>: top <b>prizes </b>monthly - including 3 pairs of <b>YCCC </b><b>match ticket </b>vouchers<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">E: <b>ercsoc@gmail.com <span style="font-family: inherit;">/</span></b> T: <b>01482 861848</b><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>PROGRAMME 2018/19</b></span><b> </b><br />
<b>2018</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>10 October</b>: <a href="http://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2018/08/meeting-10-october-chris-lewis.html"><b>Chris Lewis</b></a><i> </i>(Surrey, Leics, Notts & England)</div>
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<b>14 November</b>: <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2018/08/meeting-14-november-steve-patterson.html"><b>Steve Patterson</b>, <b>Mark Arthur</b> & <b>Andy Dawson</b></a> (YCCC) + AGM (7.15pm)</div>
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<b>12 December</b>: <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2018/11/meeting-12-december-malcolm-nash.html"><b>Malcolm Nash</b></a> (Glamorgan) <br />
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<b>2019</b></div>
<b>9 January</b>: <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2018/12/meeting-9-january-mark-robinson-obe.html"><b>Mark Robinson</b> OBE</a> (Northants, Yorks & Sussex; Head Coach, England Women)<b> </b><br />
<b>13 February</b>: <a href="https://ercsoc.blogspot.com/2019/01/meeting-13-february-pat-murphy.html"><b>Pat Murphy</b></a> (BBC Radio 5 Live) <br />
<b>13 March</b>: <b>Alan Butcher</b> (Surrey, Glamorgan & England; ex-Head Coach, Zimbabwe)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZl6rMTNtp-FnVHAhGu8hzYWHVkwQH34yofuEKUQ67BjpDoGwOJ4hPeEW72hyphenhyphenQW_1u-ss5RADmtSTafj58rEWRxdQnvW2RuHOMYoDkGPwMI38i8OdLjP4Xg-XPbpSoJ4K1wB9w83JicQ/s1600/patterson-005.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZl6rMTNtp-FnVHAhGu8hzYWHVkwQH34yofuEKUQ67BjpDoGwOJ4hPeEW72hyphenhyphenQW_1u-ss5RADmtSTafj58rEWRxdQnvW2RuHOMYoDkGPwMI38i8OdLjP4Xg-XPbpSoJ4K1wB9w83JicQ/s320/patterson-005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">YCCC's Steve Patterson, Mark Arthur, Andy Dawson - Nov '18</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com