The Wicked Cricket Column

It's official! The iconic gasholder at 'The Oval' has been granted Grade II listed status. 

Gasholder No.1, as it was known when first built in 1847, was the largest of its type in the world before being rebuilt between 1877 and 1879, just before The Oval hosted the first England Test match in 1880.



The wrought-iron structure was given protected status on account of its historical, architectural and technical background, as well as its importance to the landscape in the borough of Kennington.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35709747
historicengland.org.uk/listing/what-is-designation/listed-buildings/

The gasholder joins the ranks of other notorious examples:

Rise Hall, East Riding of Yorkshire
Battersea Power Station, London
Capel Manor House, Horsmonden, Kent
Coliseum Theatre, London
Manchester Town Hall extension, Manchester
Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge, Middlesbrough
Shibden Hall, Calderdale
St John's Jerusalem, Kent
Trellick Tower, London
Broomhill Pool, Ipswich
BT Tower, London
Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London
Birmingham Back to Backs, Birmingham
Surbiton railway station, London
The Kursaal, Southend-on-sea

I hope no-one nominates 'The Cricketers Pub' adjacent to the Hove ground, for in 3 years time the Club won't be able to turn it into a block of flats. Perhaps, 'Cromwell Court' would be a better choice. 

Rod is back - my favourite Rod - the punk rocker and enfant terrible of the county cricket suits - the Hilton Hotel diner-Rod who ditched the ECB and furrows the brow of Jabba the Hutt with his taunts and jibes of the freemasonry farrago between certain county vested interests. And he’s at it again - that Bransgrove bruiser!

Keep 'em Honest Rod



Charles Sale in the Daily Mail writes, “Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove has caused ructions at the top of English cricket by accusing the game’s powerbrokers of using ECB positions to favour their own counties.

“Bransgrove’s allegations were made in an incendiary email sent to county chairmen ahead of Monday’s summit to introduce major changes in domestic Twenty20 and the County Championship.”

“Surrey, Somerset and Glamorgan are named as being over-represented on the decision-making committees and accused of using that fact to secure international matches.”

The ECB should never have rejected Rod. After all the money, effort and challenges faced, the ‘Ageas Bowl’ was completed, finally, for International cricket status and powerful influences within the sport were lauding the redeveloped venue resplendent with its 4 star hotel, stating it was now in the top 3 of the best cricket grounds in the land only for Jabba to reject the Bransgrove advances with a typical arrogant dismissive and the inference, “You’re not one of us. Remain the outsider of our cosy CCC establishment.”

The punishment? Being fobbed off with minor Tests and lowly ODIs more suitable for Gloucestershire, whereas Trentbridge, Edgbaston, Swalec and even the Riverside were given the greatest gift of all - an Ashes match or in the case of Notts, two!

Sale continues, “The Hampshire man claims Surrey were able to agree a long-term staging agreement for The Oval. 

“He also claims Glamorgan’s Paul Russell and David Morgan engineered an Ashes Test in Cardiff and that Taunton was given international status, despite its ‘questionable compliance’ with ECB requirements, while Clarke and Andy Nash were ECB directors.”

“Bransgrove riled, ‘These decisions cannot be regarded as “beyond suspicion”. I remain utterly convinced that outcomes have been contrived.’

“Rod wants a motion put forward that no county with board representation could be represented on the key committees. But it’s understood the ECB will not allow it. Bransgrove said: ‘I have nothing more to add apart from the wish to improve ECB governance.’”

Jabba the Hutt aka Giles Clarke



And what does Jabba do? Threaten legal action. So, that’s the answer to resolve a feud that has been simmering for 8 years?

I agree with much of what Rod proclaims. The Glamorgan ECB ‘Tafia Mafia’ of Morris, Morgan and Co contrived not one but various Test matches whilst utterly cocking up the financial redevelopment of the 'Swalec’ leading to a 70% haircut on the Cardiff City Council’s and other business loans. A classic heist on the local taxpayers only the ECB could achieve.

As to Somerset, Giles Clarke’s pally, pally, former county chairman influence - naturally, the club are gaining preferential treatment where, once more, Bransgrove feels the aggrieved outsider.

Critics might argue there is another side to the ‘Ageas Bowl’. Bransgrove is no squeaky clean oil-skin salesman himself. His dodgy association with Keith House at Eastleigh Borough Council is legendary. Perhaps, this is merely a story of sour grapes and olives?

One hopes though the Hampshire punk rocker holds on to his grievances and keeps the ECB honest. One never tires of this South coast soap opera.

www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/519152.html
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/30531311
www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/13726709.Ageas_Bowl_pavilion_named_after_Rod_Bransgrove/
www.ageasbowl.com/cricket/news/catherine-zeta-jones-joins-rod-bransgrove-at-grand-opening-of-the-hilton-at-the-ageas-bowl/

If you think the Rose Bowl is inaccessible with no transport links (it has!), you should try Dubai!  As much as I liked the old County Ground at Northlands Road, it was
restricted for car parking, and the station was as far away as Hedge End station is, so I can't agree with you, I'm afraid.  The Rose Bowl is superb.

Lg,

was a Test ground required in Hampshire?

The same argument could be used against Durham, Glamorgan and Somerset. The 'Ageas Bowl' is the only International ground
based around the South Coast, neatly located between the London mega-two and the West Country.  I would question the feasibility
of Taunton. Why, when already the West have two other International venues in Glamorgan and Gloucestershire.

That makes no sense at all.

On the previous forum there were many discussions about the saturation of international cricket grounds in England. There are nine in total,
perhaps, four too many, which places great pressure on the ECB to fairly award ODIs and Tests. The redevelopment of Glamorgan's ground
was encouraged by the ECB as they desired to realise Wales in the E(W)CB. A huge shame they completely cocked up the financial aspect of
such a venture.

As for Durham it seems to be in no-man's land. The Riverside makes no sense when the Midlands and North already have three established
venues. One feels like Frazer... the ground is DOOOOMED!

www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/675623.html

The Slaying of a Former International Cricketer and the Creation of a Formidable Musician
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Watching the successful media rise of former Surrey and England International batsman, Mark Butcher, is a joy to behold. I was at Hove when Butcher had just joined the ranks of SKY Sports and to say he was as nervous as a kitten is an understatement. The guy was quaking in his shoes on the Andy Mackay grown-grass as the cameras pointed to him and he had to deliver a live two minute summary on a Pro40 game.

Since, he has grown and matured into his SKY punditry offering incisive and, at times, controversial insights, and for over three years has stood up for the need of a Franchise EPL.

‘Cricinfo’ now call on him for regular video and podcast chats about the general state of cricket and Butcher has become the odd couple alongside George Dobell where regular jousting jibes and put downs is all part of their friendly banter. Butcher is also good friends with the ‘All Out Cricket’ magazine staff where Phil Walker, Jo Harman and Ed Kemp regularly rub shoulders with the Surrey man and give him preferential journo treatment; but there is another talent lurking in the background which makes Butcher an even more amiable and likeable man and someone you wish to form an acquaintance with - his music.



Cricketers and music have never been comfortable bedfellows. Bradman played the joanna; Kiwi Jeremy Coney is a fair all-round musician and often delivers his cricket commentary both verbally and physically like a lyrical Aria; but it is unusual to find such a combo. And like his punditry Butcher continues to gain confidence with his musical skills. A fine although derivative blues-style guitarist, it is his voice which best expresses this growing all-round assurance. Butcher has an excellent vocal delivery which like a fine wine improves with age.

The Australian equivalent is Brett Lee but he lacks the subtle nuances and overall vocal depth and like recent Home Ashes series is blown away by Butcher’s far greater abilities. Even so, Lee is BIG IN INDIA and has made greater strides into the music business. The Australian former seamer has a sensitive side quite opposite to the fiery revenge-fest so memorably depicted when bowling to Piers Morgan in the Aussie nets a few years back.

www.alloutcricket.com/cricket/features/cricketers-and-musicians-in-perfect-harmony

The fast bowler began his musical journey as part of the rock band Six & Out. He played bass guitar for the band that also has as its members former international cricketers like Gavin Robertson and Shane Lee (Brett's brother).

Four years back, Lee went a step further, recording a duet - called You're the One - with the legendary Asha Bhonsle. The duet, part of the latter's Asha and Friends' album, reached number two position on the Indian music charts. Lee then toured India for live shows with a new band, White Shoe Theory. Lee was quoted as saying, "I've always joked that I was a musician who used his sport to prop himself up.”

AB de Villiers is another cricketer with a strong musical association. Like Lee he has sung with various Asian musicians alongside South African singers although listening to the clip below, he has a reasonable voice but with little originality or depth.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=12zUOGNanwA

But, to repeat, there is no comparison to Mark Butcher as you’ll note if you listen to excerpts from Butcher’s more recent album. Check his website out located at the bottom.



At age 13, Butcher had started playing the guitar and was already writing songs and playing live on stage before signing for Surrey CCC. Initially, he formed The Mark Butcher Band, a soul and r’n’b band, for whom he was the main vocalist and guitarist. When teammate Ben Hollioake was killed in a car accident in 2002, Butcher, who was inconsolable at the time, sang a ballad at his funeral and even wrote a song in his remembrance.

After retiring from professional cricket in 2009, Butcher turned his attention more to music and began a duo with fellow guitarist Matt Taylor (The Motives/Snowy White Blues Project). They released an album titled Songs from the Sun House in 2010, which had taken two years to write and record. This was well received by the public. The album was even described by legendary guitarist, Eric Clapton, as “great stuff - especially the singing.” The duo played several gigs at the Royal Albert Hall.

Next, Butcher joined The Boom Band. The group was lauded by the great Van Morrison who stated, "This band is great. They're on the money." Whilst specialist music publications have consistently praised the music.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp1KK0tElvo

Formed in 2013 by Butcher side-kick Matt Taylor and drummer Steve Rushton (Imelda May/Jeff Beck), their debut gig was at The Half Moon, Putney in London. The group are a bunch of mates jamming and playing for their own amusement as well as for the audience, but the talents on show make it an event.

The group comprise of 4 guitarists (!) The line-up is: Paddy Milner on keys and vocals (Jack Bruce Big Blues Band), Jon Noyce on bass (Gary Moore, Jethro Tull), drummer Steve Rushton and Matt Taylor, Jon Amor (The Hoax), Marcus Bonfanti (Ten Years After) and Mark Butcher on guitars and vocals. All seasoned musicians, this collective offer an exciting, eclectic mix of music, with different band members contributing songs and sharing lead vocal duties. There’s a strong flavour of blues, some southern rock, a healthy dose of country, a bit of funk and even a smattering of retro-pop. This variety is reflected in the 14 tracks on their recently released debut album.

www.music-news.com/review/UK/11639/Album/The-Boom-Band

During 2016, The Boom Band are playing regular live dates around London and England alongside Butcher's own solo gigs. 



markbutchermusic.com

The results of the February Hove Waitrose 'Community Matters' charity where the Sussex Supporters Club were one of the 'contestants'
ended as expected.

unofficialsussexccc.freeforums.net/thread/3/softandfluffys-wicked-cricket-blog?page=52

Results: Oasis Project: £516. Ripple Pond: £322. Sussex CCC Supporters Club: £162



A very fair and correct outcome.

As discussed previously, it felt awkward that Sussex were involved when there are so many other local charities who are far more eligible
and needy for charitable donations.



This month, the three are: 'HFT Sussex', 'Hove Stroke Club' and 'Hove & Adur Sea Cadet Unit'. It is no surprise that the 'Hove Stroke
Club' are way ahead and rightly so.

An unusual piece in the financial magazine 'The Economist' on T20 cricket. It is odd because the finances of the game are not
even touched upon. The article is worth reading just for this one liner. (Also, fun to see a magazine refer to KP as 'Mr Pietersen'.)

The appeal of Twenty20 is simple: it is cricket—staid, old-fashioned village-green cricket—on speed.

It reminds one of the Robin Williams famous quote who described cricket as "Baseball on Valium." This comment
was made in the early 1980s, so a lot has happened since then!

www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2016/03/economist-explains-8