The Wicked Cricket Column

South Africa 'A' at Arundel: Day 1
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Arundel Castle Cricket ground was as it should be: Majestic, sublime and emblazoned by glorious sunshine. And while a few spectators muttered about the £5 parking fee and the £10 admission to watch a Sussex 2nd XI v a South Africa 'A' side with overseas players few had heard of, the majority seemed not to care. They were at Narnia-land where the reality of terrorist atrocities and towering infernos could be forgotten for a day; where the sound of willow on ball and the chirping of black-headed herring gulls was all that mattered.

The Must View to See at Arundel CC which attracted a steady trickle of spectators throughout the day



And the attendance number for this middle-class retreat of panamas and picnics was impressive too. Not so much a sprinkling but a robust stream. In true media guestimate around 600 people and then let's add another 150 or so because Arundel is such a great place; the gathering bolstered by children from a local school who had been invited to attend free of charge. There was even a hospitality tent for the match sponsors, Jennings Financial, as well as another for Arundel Members and local business dignitaries alongside Sussex CCC Board Members including Bob Warren, David Bowden and Jon Filby. Not forgetting the usual burger bar and ice-cream vans and the excellent food and drink always offered at the ground.

On the field the cricket wasn't too shabby either.



Sussex won the toss and elected to bat and opener Will Beer (who would have thought back in 2009 when leg spinner Will was lauded for helping Sussex win the T20 Trophy that almost 8 years on he would be the opening bat for the 2nd XI!) was met with a fiery bouncer first ball that deflected off his shoulder for 4 byes. But he quickly settled and along with his partner, Harry Finch, enjoying his first taste of professional Captaincy, added 83 runs for the first wicket. Beer was first out for 27 and Finch quickly followed with 48. Unfortunately, a mini collapse then occurred with 2 further wickets falling (Salt and Smith) and at lunch Sussex were 90-4 with South African quicks, Mulder and Olivier, taking 2 wickets a piece.

A sentimental tale, perhaps, but a small group of Dutch cricket lovers are allegedly touring English cricket grounds
this summer - so you may see this banner again.



Delray Rawlins and Jonty Jenner dug in after lunch and proceeded to retrieve the Sussex innings with a commanding partnership adding 100 runs before tea. I have already raved about Rawlins potential and alongside his Windies colleague Jofra Archer are two of the most exciting prospects seen at the club since the budding Prior and Yardy.

I stayed to watch Rawlins get his 50 and on returning home was delighted to note, although sad too, that he fell 4 short of 100 yet proffered 172 run fifth wicket partnership with Jenner (68). It turned out to be an excellent day with 325-7 at close of play and rather pooh-poohed the concerned who questioned whether a 2nd XI could survive more than 2 days against the Proteus, the 'A' team or not.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKO41001

The BIG new experiment for county cricket begins in 10 days time around the country when floodlit Championship matches kick off in a blaze of late June sun. Only one such match has been featured before - a trial game between Kent and Glamorgan at Canterbury in 2011.

Ten of the eighteen first-class counties will stage day-night fixtures with pink balls this summer. Whether floodlit Championship cricket has any success in widening the fan base remains to be seen, but one thing that can be assured is that it will not bankrupt the counties because of excessive electricity bills. With sunset not due until around 9.20pm, the floodlights will probably only be used for the final session. The controversial Duke pink balls used are renown for being less receptive to swing, so counties who are top heavy with seamers may find they are at a disadvantage.



Sussex are part of the first wave of 7 counties to be staging this format when they play Gloucestershire beginning June 26th. There is a feeling that more will attend this four day game due to its novelty.

The decision for the counties to be part of the FL experiment is explained by Tom Harrison, the ECB's chief executive: "Edgbaston has already staged an historic day-night Test, and it's great that the counties, and the Specsavers County Championship, will also get involved as it's important for us to arrange a full round of fixtures to give our England players the chance to experience the conditions. But just as we wanted to assess the impact of making Test cricket more accessible by changing the hours of play, the counties have really embraced the potential of Championship matches that stretch well into the evening when people have finished school or work."

Some suggest day/night Test matches will remain the future as every means is considered and trialled to attract more people to cricket. There has already been great success in countries like Australia.

Sussex CCC are introducing a Day/Night Ticket, allowing you full entry into the ground from 12.30pm, for the standard gate price of £17. The club are also offering a stand-alone Night Ticket which allows entry into the ground from 4pm, when the player’s take Lunch, for only £10. Both tickets are available throughout the duration of this match. The match is due to conclude each evening around 9:15pm. 

www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/story/1068221.html

Watching Essex v Notts this evening on TV - the commentators remarked the floodlights were barely taking affect.  They also looked at the pink balls - Cork and Allott thought with the pronounced seam it would swing.  They staged an experiment with the pink ball involving Broad and Cork bowling at Luke Wright.

2015,

Thanks for your kind comments. Stunning indeed! Let's see Billy
back in the 1st XI.

dfl,

Did the ball swing?

 Sums up his season to date.

Luke Wright Twitter

Can't say I saw it. Lovely ball I am told! 😂😂🙈

Stuart Broad Twitter

Did we class that as a 'leave'?

The actual SKY video of 'that' ball!

www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/cricket/10918403/broad-bowls-with-pink-ball?utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral

Meanwhile, Luke gains some extra commentating experience under his belt.

www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/cricket/10918402/record-run-chase-review

Huge congrats to Notts for their run-chase, btw. Peter Moores is a natural inspiration.

JAMES RUFEY INTERVIEW
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James Rufey was appointed Arundel Castle Cricket Executive Secretary in August 2013 and has since brought a renewed dynamism to the Club. So what is James’ background and what ideas has he to maintain and improve this magical, unique and wondrous cricket ground?
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My research strongly suggests you are an Arundel CC man through and through?

Definitely. I captained my primary school here in 1988 at the age of nine years-old. That was my first experience of the ground. I remember thinking ‘Wow, what a place. I want to come back.’ Then, at fifteen I wrote to Johnny Barclay asking if I could help out with the cricket coaching. I started off picking up tennis balls, putting out cones, making teas and coffees for the coaches; helped out with rolling the pitch, cutting the outfield, all to gain work experience while at school. Basically, I did everything and eventually gained my coaching badges. All the while, I loved playing here too. I must have been involved in at least 15 matches.

What standard of cricket did you play?

At first, I was a leg spinner and played some matches for the Sussex Colts. I did OK as a youngster but then I grew which you can see. I then became more of a bat and went on to enjoy club cricket to a reasonable level like many others. I captained Middleton CC at the age of 20. Later I played for the SPL side Chichester during the school holidays after being appointed Head of Cricket at Gordonstoun. 

So, cricket has been a major part of your life?

Yes, it has. My father played for a local club. I went along to watch him. At the age of 13, I began playing senior games for Middleton 2nd XI. My childhood heroes were Ian Salisbury and Shane Warne. While I enjoyed a lot of success at a young age, I was lucky to have a level-headed father who pointed out just how difficult it was to become a professional cricketer. Leg spin is unusual and tricky! And by the age of 15 it became obvious I was nowhere near the standard required. 

You’ve been abroad to play cricket too?

I had a gap year and wanted to play in Australia. Being good at sport is a great way to travel. A friend suggested I should join the club Richmond City in Melbourne which I did and had a great time. I have also played in Kenya and India.



When you were appointed as the Arundel CC Executive Secretary, it must have felt like coming home?

This is my dream job. I enjoyed my previous employments but there is no place like Arundel. It is a very special place and my role here is so multifarious. It covers everything from marketing and business development to social media, finance, HR, IT, arranging cricketing/charitable activities, ground management and overseeing a small team of staff. The role has really expanded in recent years. 

Did you have ambitions and aims when you joined?

You must keep up with the times. Johnny Barclay remains the face of Arundel and is synonymous with the place. But underneath that I’ve gently approached local businesses within a 30 mile radius seeking out sponsorship, hospitality days etc.. What I realised was away from the Sussex CCC Festival week, very few come here. So, I have invited Companies to come and see the ground and that’s working well. Today, we have a local Finance Company as our sponsor and they have a hospitality tent. A few years back that might not have happened. Also, Membership is increasing. Over the last 3.5 years it has grown by over 200 Members giving us our first significant rise in Membership revenue for quite awhile.

Your fixtures this season look impressive.

Johnny and I work well together and this new energy has allowed us to create a very strong fixture list. We have an excellent relationship with the ECB. They provide us with ten or more ECB days a season which offers a fantastic variety of cricket from internationals and disability to Sussex CCC games and Women’s Super League matches. 

So, how can you expand what is already a very successful ground?

We are in a very good place right now. I don’t think we can improve on our fixture list and its fantastic variety. That is what our Members want to see. They can go to Hove or the Ageas Bowl for the County Championship games but here we offer them different types of matches. 

We have worked hard on improving the Indoor Cricket Centre. It is the only one in the area and a lot of local clubs use us. We have freelance coaches on tap and this all helps to grease the financial wheels.

A criticism that Arundel has faced in recent years has been a slow pitch. What’s been done to improve the wicket?

Pitches are funny things where people hold differing views. When I was young I always loved playing on the Arundel pitch. But three years ago we carried out a lot of work improving the square. Our Head Groundsman gained guidance from Sussex CCCs Andy Mackay. He deep scarified it and took three inches off the top. We also laid a new pitch for high end matches and this season we have definitely seen a difference. Several cricketers who have played on the wicket all their life have told me recently that this year there is more pace and bounce. Although, it’s never going to be like The Oval because we lie on chalk. 

I believe your first match of this season was a Duke of Norfolk XI v a Bangladeshi side and Chris Adams was the Duke’s Captain. Who decided upon this?

This was Johnny’s call. He knows Chris Adams well. Chris is the most successful Sussex Captain of all time judged on trophies won, and we knew James Kirtley was going to play. And on those days when you have a scratch side you require a strong and experienced captain to lead them. Chris also has a large Twitter following which helps put out the message. 

Chris did a great job and we are very grateful for his appearance. Kirtley bowled really well too. The match attracted around 1,000 people but if the weather had been kinder we could have doubled that figure.  

There was criticism from a few supporters that Sussex could have put out a stronger side against South Africa ‘A’ this week. What are your views on this?

It is Sussex’s divine right to pick the side they feel is correct for the match. And judging by these first two days their judgment has been justified. We support whatever side they pick. It is not for Arundel to dictate. The ground is renowned for offering opportunities for young players and Delray Rawlins and others have done really well this week. Close to 1,000 people attended the opening day, so we are very happy with the outcome.



There is a view that a majority of out grounds may not be holding 4 day championship games in the future because of a lack of interest from sponsors and corporate business. How may Arundel fair?

I think there will always be an appetite for 4 day cricket at Arundel across all the various sectors as the ground is so cherished. We are not like other venues. That is our strength.

Where do you go from here. Everything seems so hunky-dory and successful?

First, we must maintain our present high level of excellence. The key for next year is to keep a similar and varied fixture list where the ECB are fully aware of our ability to host International games. We need to make more people aware of us and encourage greater business support. While, the Arundel CC Foundation is a major part of what we do and Johnny does a fantastic job there raising money for charity. We aim to improve the dressing room facilities and update the indoor school too. 

One thing we have decided to continue doing is to have no permanent advertising or sponsorship boards around the outfield. We lose potential revenue by this decision but we don’t wish to spoil the views or the uniqueness of the ground. 

What influence does the Duke of Norfolk have over the ground?

He is our club President and a keen supporter but allows us to get on with things. The Duke’s teams are assembled by a match manager.  Although, the Duke does pick one side himself. The team who play in the annual Zingari match. That team always comes from his office.

What is your ground capacity?

It is 9,000 today and is, perhaps, one of the largest of the non-TMGs. In the past, it was higher and I believe the biggest crowd here since the War was for an Australian touring match in the late 1980s when around 12,000 attended. The largest in recent years was the Sussex T20 v Surrey when the match was abandoned after two Surrey fielders collided. Kevin Pietersen played and he helped attract around 8,500 to the ground.
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Arundel CC Fixture List 2017

www.cricketatarundelcastle.co.uk/fixtures.html
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To be fair I found the catering quite acceptable last week at the South Africa 'A' match. There are the caterers in the corner by the
top entrance where the sausage rolls are divine and where butter is used in the bacon rolls. Hooray! 

There was also the burger and ice-cream vans. A bar where lager was selling for £2 a pint! So no complaints there. 

One feels there has been an improvement in recent years although edit: (It would be) always nice to have a catering marquee and chairs
set up just for the hoi polloi like you and I.