Back in the 1980s and 1990s, in my memory, England players would turn out for their county. Nowadays, England players don't. Sometimes there is one of the endless international fixtures; sometimes there is just a chance for them to rest.
Presumably, they rest to reduce their chances of getting injured. But in the 1980s David Gower or Ian Botham played half the Cricket County Championship season, and the full international season. I also liked the fact journeymen would play for 15 seasons for a team (and earn a benefit), giving their heart and soul to a county - without coming close to England. Nowadays, teams prefer to pick those ineligible for England - for a few matches, and bus them back home, before busing in a replacement.
Shame really. I know very few people watched it in the flesh - and very few still do - but I as a Man of Kent felt something for. Does any still follow Cricket County Championship?
For those who don't know, this is Chris Tavare, who played from Kent, Somerset and England from 1974-93. He was an aggressive batsman, except when he played England, when he was instructed by the authorities to score slowly - which he certainly did. We, at Kent, knew his true class!
5 comments:
Well, I for one will be following it, but I'm sure that's no surprise. Having been away for the best part of 10 years I haven't seen any cricket in that time. Of course, now that I'm back I'm still not seeing any on TV, but that's a whole other subject. I'm toying with the idea of getting Sky Sports for the Ashes.
Kent are playing their first match today, just up the road from me. I didn't feel an overwhelming desire to go. However, we've managed to get free membership for the kids, which does get us a few freebies as parents. So we're going to see them v Scotland (what?) on May 4th. I'm not sure what my wife will make of it. She'll probably be ready to leave after 20 minutes.
And who can possibly forget the mighty Tavare? But what about the other stalwarts: Neil Taylor, Simon Hinks, Steve Marsh, Mark Benson, the Cowdreys, Chris Penn...those were the days.
I'll be following Surrey's fortunes this season (albeit from a distance these days) and I do miss my little trips to the Oval. I'm not sure that the County Championship was ever very well attended - nothing like the following that Kent seem, or seemed, to be able to generate. But the Sunday 50 Overs games always pulled in more of a crowd.
I remember when we went down to one of the first county 20/20 games a few years ago - the place was absolutely packed, the atmposphere was electric, and there was even a Mexican wave of empty beer glasses and other detritus…great fun.
Interestingly the IPL seems to be able to challenge international cricket in terms of coverage, even when its being played in South Africa. Obviously the presence of the big name players drives this, yet another reason that the England "Stars" won't be turning out for their Counties anytime soon. As far as I can see those on Central Contracts only ever turn out for their counties when they are dropped from the national side and are struggling for form, or if they are coming back from an injury. Which probably means as a county manager you don't actually want England players in your squad.
On a separate note the Lashings Cricket Team was here in the UAE a few weeks ago palying some local sides. Stars of the past like Adam Hollioake, Graham Hick, Devon Malcolm, Saqlain Mustaq all in attendence. Unbelievably Henry Blofeld was doing the commentry (and consuming quite a bit of wine). They set up a temporary pitch in front of the Emirates Palace and charged a nominal entry fee. People were encouraged to picnic on the boundary rope and they did 20/20 games. It was brilliant.
i too follow the county championship but i know by the middle of the season my enthusiam will have dipped and i'll be distant viewer struggling to maintain a close grip on the table and the fortunes of my team, Yorkshire.
I'm familiar with Tavare, but i never saw him in action, just too young!!!!
Enjoy the season, i think it's one of those great english institutions we should all relish and wallow in from time to time!!
I agree about county cricket coverage seeming to be in decline. Scores are relegated to a tiny zone somewhere amongst the back pages and there seems to be no report of the actual day's play in any of the tabloids. Maybe because there is so much international cricket - the IPL seems to be of more interest even though it is not being played here. Maybe when the 20-20 cup comes in June there will be some more coverage.
Despite having lived in London for the past 20 years I still follow Kent and my day is that little bit happier when they or Tottenham Hotspur win. Whilst both are attractive teams, neither seem to win much. The Kent team of the 80s included Dilley, Ellison, Underwood, Alderman and Baptiste but as I recall did not actually win anything even though they did reach 3 limited overs finals. Since then I have found the teams not nearly as memorable. They did win things in the last 2 years but have now been relegated to division 2.
Whilst I think 20-20 is a good thing I can't but help yearning for the old days of the B&H cup, NatWest trophy and Sunday John Player League. Memories, memories...
I'm not convinced the split into two divisions has helped. It just means that half the sides have no interest in the championship - they can't win it and they won't play the top teams. 20/20 is no comparison to the skill and strategy of a four innings game. Sure, you get the tension of a close finish from time to time; you get the thrill of quick scoring; but you don't get the suspense of the challenge over time between batsman and bowler. And a close finish - rare though they are - over four or five days is worth so much more than a close finish after two and a half hours. Never have bothered to watch a game of county championship cricket though. I kept meaning to suggest we pop along to cricket week in Maidstone one year but now we have both left the town...
Post a Comment