The Wicked Cricket Column

Outreach: Thursday January 29th: Boundary Rooms: 10am-11.30am
______________________________________________________

The first of the monthly planned ‘County Ground Cuppa Get-Togethers’ was a great success with various Sussex players and staff
in attendance. This was an opportunity for supporters and those from the local community to meet up over a cup of coffee or tea
as well as chat to their cricketing heroes.

The initiative comes from Faye Russell, the club’s ‘CSR and Partnerships Manager’, who is working hard to bring the Club closer to
its community with the emphasis at this event on the elderly and those who feel lonely or isolated.

Around 50 people attended Thursday morning’s get-together. They included Sussex players Steve Magoffin, Will Beer and Tymal Mills;
coaching staff Mark Davis and Jon Lewis; and commercial manager Tony Cottey. Zac Toumazi walked the room with his usual aplomb
whilst Faye was busy promoting ‘Sussex in the Community’.

"A Proper Bloke!"



First off was Jon Lewis the newly appointed bowling coach, once described by Mark Robinson as ‘a proper bloke’. He is reveling in his new
role and no, there is absolutely no truth to the rumour that Gloucestershire had approached him to become their coach.

“I am feeling very excited about the new season,” he enthused. “We have two new seamers who can bowl in all 3 formats which offers us
greater flexibility and strength in depth.” Presently, Lewis Hatchett is playing in Barbados; Chris Liddle in Hong Kong; Steffan Piolet is playing
for the Sydney ‘Eastern Suburbs’; and Matt Hobden is part of the ‘England Development Group’. “We have one of the strongest fast bowler
line-ups in county cricket,” continued Jon. “This is a fantastic time for the club.”

How will he fair alongside Mark Robinson?

“Seamlessly,” Jon quips.

During the Winter he has worked closely with Steve Magoffin. “Steve’s in the best shape I have seen him. He has worked hard on his fitness
and been strengthening his knees. There is the hope he may play more OD cricket this season.” Jon also believes Sussex are in a position to
amass trophies once more. “I am 100% convinced we are good enough now. We have an excellent blend of youth and experience. A primary
goal is to win the Championship.” Adding, “I believe we can achieve this.”

He dismissed the notion that counties require a top spinner to do this. “Durham, Lancashire, they both won it.” Meanwhile, Jon points out Ashar
Zaidi has had a successful stint at the BPL. “Ashar required time to find his feet in Division 1,” he explained. “He understands better his strengths
and weaknesses. He knows now what shots to play and what balls to bowl at certain times of a game.”

The Future Opening Bowling Attack?



Who should idle up but Steve Magoffin, the hero of last season.

“I would love to play more OD cricket, especially T20,” he cheekily grins. “Just put me in a fielding position where I don’t have to run too much!”
He confirmed Jon Lewis’ comments. “I am feeling really good at present. My pre-season training has gone very well and I’m the best I have felt
for years.”

To keep himself motivated Steve is always learning new bowling tricks. “I have learnt how to adapt to the different English conditions as they change
all the time, particularly to flatter wickets.” Steve’s English passport should be with him by July, which in theory means Sussex can seek another
O/S cricketer. Coming to England has been a revelation for him after a difficult period of injury. “I love it here at Sussex and am really enjoying my
cricket. I intend to play for as long as I can.”

Steve already has one eye on becoming a bowling coach when retirement finally arrives. He has attained the highest Australian coaching level
and wants now to pass the ECB Level 4.

And his greatest moment wearing a Sussex shirt?

“It has to be Horsham and the Somerset game. 12 wickets for 31 runs,” he smiled. “That will be hard to beat.”

From majestic experience to raw youth and Tymal Mills has a waggy tail about him. “I am lovin’ it here,” he enthused. I reminded him that he’d recently
described Brighton as ‘a wicked place’. He laughs, “It was one of the reasons why I chose Sussex. I had talks with Worcestershire and Lancashire but this club
was always my number one choice.”

Overcoming a previous spinal injury is still top of his agenda. “I am much better and it’s more a case of learning to trust my body again,” he explains. “I’ve
been seeing a top neurologist in London. This season will be about monitoring the amount of bowling I do, so I don’t hinder my recovery.” Tymal is settling in
well and enjoying the local restaurants. He is a regular at the Hove ‘Bagelman’ and ‘Crafty Chooks’.

Formerly Refurbished Snooker Tables



Tony Cottey was buzzing around the room and he kindly gave me a few moments. Tony returned to the Club as a commercial manager in 2009 taking over
from Neil Lenham. After retiring from cricket, Tony had spent 5 years in Wales working for a company called ‘Absolute Snooker’ refurbishing snooker tables.

He offered an interesting piece of information.

In 2014, the Club made around £500,000 from off-field commercial activities. This season they hope to garner £650,000 and by 2018, the Club aim to break
£1m. Not bad progress given five years ago the annual sum was just £70,000. “There is still plenty of potential to tap in to,” Tony explained. “We are gaining
ever more commercial experience and now have momentum. I believe £1m a year is attainable.”

Meanwhile, Faye Russell was pleased with her first event. “I had no idea if anyone would turn up,” she smiled. “The players and staff who aren’t overseas have
been very amenable. They are a nice bunch of lads.” Recently, they have attended photo-shoots at schools and various other community events. She continued,
“I appreciate that during the season it is more difficult for them to get involved but the more they do the better it is for the Club and the community.” Concluding,
“I view it as cricket for social good.”

"Steve’s English passport should be with him by July, which in theory means Sussex can seek another O/S cricketer"

If you can change status mid-season? I'm assuming you can, but nobody was able to confirm for sure when I asked before. Perhaps in typically bureaucratic ECB manner, the county can deregister the player and then re-register him in the altered capacity?

Interesting comments from Lewis. Glos said they would announce their new coach by the end of Jan and it appears it's not JL. But they are also making a second coaching appointment once the head coach has been appointed and is in place to have an input in the selection process. West country media said at the time of Bracewell's departure that Lewis was a better fit for the number two role at this stage  rather than the top post.

Bit worried by Lewis's lack of homework on this, though: "He dismissed the notion that counties require a top spinner to (win the county championship): “Durham, Lancashire, they both won it.” Quite. And when Lancs won it, Keedy and Kerrigan took 75 wkts between them!

Phil Tufnell and Actor Chris Ellison’s talents as artists have made a return in the FREE Sussex glossy ‘etc Magazine’ after a lengthy
feature on this blog in early December. After some hacking and editorial hi-jacking the new-look feature is published today both
in the printed format and online.

etcmag.net/inner-artists/

Since the blog publication Chris Ellison’s latest film, the Brit gangster ‘We Still Kill The Old Way’ has been released on video and shown
in specialist cinemas to much critical acclaim. As Father Christmas left a WSKTOW DVD, this film comes highly recommended. Allegedly,
there is a sequel in the pipeline.



Phil Tufnell’s latest conquest of the masses is his appearance on Channel 4s ‘The Jump’ which first airs this weekend. Eddie The Eagle*, all is
forgiven, if this is how skiing has progressed in the UK.

www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/the-jump-2015-lineup-joey-essex-phil-tufnell-heather-mills-and-co-take-to-the-slopes-10007767.html

Perhaps, Phil can garner some ideas from Alan Partridge for future TV appearances? 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUTFm55I_9g



* Unbelievably, Hollywood are presently making a film about ‘Eddie The Eagle’ for a 2016 release. It stars ‘X-Men’ actor and Aussie cricket enthusiast
Hugh Jackman and the rising young Welsh star Taron Egerton who plays Eddie. Taron is causing a stir in the recently released film ‘Kingsman’
starring Colin Firth.

www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/551182/Hugh-Jackman-star-in-Eddie-The-Eagle-film

Where are they now?


www.smithsonianmag.com/history/whatever-happened-to-eddie-eagle-britains-most-lovable-ski-jumper-180949438/?no-ist

PS: Am desperately searching for a cricket link. Perhaps, the best one is the Essex CCC Mascot.

‘Sussex Cricket Society’ Celebrates 50th Anniversary
___________________________________________________________________

On 6th April 1965 England and Sussex CCC all-rounder, Alan Oakman, was leaving the Hove ground when suddenly he had ‘an
inspired and happy thought’. ‘The Sussex Cricket Society’ (SCS) was born.

Its original aims and objects were “to further cricket interest and enthusiasm and to provide a source of contact between cricket
lovers and to promote and conduct meetings, social functions and other gatherings."

SCS Tie from the 1970s



Fifty years on, the Society holds monthly evening meetings from October to March as well as two annual lunches and a garden party
during mid-summer. The group presently has around 400 members. Current membership is £15.00 per year for a single member or
£20.00 for a family, payable on 1st April. A newsletter is published eleven times a year. Whilst, today, that original inspired thought
remains happy given 84 year-old Alan Oakman is still the Society’s patron.

Impending events (held in the Spen Cama Pavilion - start time 7.30pm - unless stated)

February

10th: A talk from Sussex CEO Zac Toumazi

March

11th: A talk from Tony Borrington, former Derbyshire CCC
batsman/keeper

25th: SPRING LUNCH at the Boundary Rooms with speaker John Barclay.
___________________________________________________________________________

The Society prides itself on attracting at least one well-known author a year to give a talk. Last December Brian Scovell, who worked
as a sports journalist for ‘The Daily Mail’ and has written a number of sporting autobiographies, came to Hove. One attendee who writes
a blog under the name ‘The National Rust’ offered his opinions of the night.

He described the audience as ‘elderly’ and disagreed with Scovell’s view that Alistair Cook ‘only has 5 shots’. He went on to describe Scovell’s
prowess as a public speaker with the comment, “Brian is probably more confident with the written word rather than spoken one as his delivery
lacked a touch of animation.” Although, 'National Rust' did add, “There is certain integrity about him, which is not always an adjective one applies 
to describe a sports journalist.”

nationalrust.com/sussex-cricket-society-meets/

WG Grace Memorial



Society Salute

Each year SCS Members select their ‘Sussex Cricketer of the Year’ who is presented with a silver trophy and has his name placed on an appropriately
created Honours Board. In addition, when a player scores his maiden 1st class century for Sussex, or a maiden fifer, he receives an inscribed tankard
and a framed scorecard.

Meanwhile, the ‘George Cox Memorial Garden’, located in the North West corner of the Hove ground, is maintained by the Society from Members’ donations.
The Group also makes an annual contribution towards the maintenance of the W.G Grace grave at Beckenham cemetary as well as contributes donations
towards the travelling expenses of Sussex Youngsters playing overseas during the Winter.

'Sussex CCC George Cox - at the age of 52 took 17 for 106 against
Warwickshire at Horsham in 1926 - he went on to take 1,810 career
wickets'


www.sussexcricket.co.uk/blog-article/horsham-memories-old-george-rolls-back-the-years

SCS Contact Details

Honorary Secretary: Eileen Macdougall.
Tel: 01444 451815
email: scs@councilcricketsocieties.com

Robin Marlar Auction Update
_________________________________

The Robin Marlar Auction is moving ever onwards and upwards as the April 11th date looms less than two months away.
Catalogues will be on sale by the end of February (price:£5). The auction will also be online at www.the-saleroom.com
and should be up and running at a similar time for reserved bids.

Any queries email Jon Filby at: jonfilby@blueyonder.co.uk

I had the privilege of interviewing Robin Marlar last week. While excited by the impending auction he is also sad to see his collection go.
It has been collected over a 65 year period and represents a major part of his life. In fact, he only recently bought some water colours
by the former cricketer Nicholas Felix which are now in the sale.

Marlar was full of joyful stories including one about Felix who played single wicket matches for money. They became so renowned in
the 19th century that they attracted crowds of 20,000 where people bet on every ball. Some ask when spot-fixing first entered cricket -
probably during this period!

The Little and Large of 19th Century Cricket

 

Felix teamed up with a giant of a man called Alfred Mynn - they became known as the ‘Little and Large’ of this cricketing circus. In those days,
batsmen never wore pads. After one performance, Mynn was so badly injured around the knees and legs, and bleeding so profusely, he was
strapped to the roof of a stagecoach, to lessen the bumps and therefore the pain, which then took him from Leicester back to his home in Kent.
These Felix v Mynn matches became legendary.

Marlar’s particular interest in prints and paintings could be down to his family genes where several uncles are decent artists, although Robin admits
he can’t even draw a square.

He is delighted that Sussex are auctioning his collection as Robin wishes to give something back to the Club that gave him such an illustrious cricketing
career. The commission charge will go to the ‘Sussex Cricket Museum and Educational Trust’ (SCMET).

There are 434 lots in total which include seven prized items from the personal collection of former Sussex and England seamer Ian Thomson. The club
hope to raise around £80,000 from the auction.

The Engaging Charlie Ross



One highlight is the auctioneer on the day, none other than Charlie Ross. Perhaps, the most engaging of the TV antique experts. Robin explained that
he and his wife are keen fans of such shows and one day noted that Ross was wearing a MCC tie. It turns out he is a Member and keen cricket supporter.
That was it, Charlie had to mann the podium!

Other highlights of the auction include two Lawrence Toynbee cricket paintings (‘The Hook’ and ‘Colin Cowdrey Leading Kent off at Canterbury’). Robin
offered some fascinating anecdotal stories about the times when he and Lawrence played together for the Arundel Norfolk’s XI. These stories and others
are being published elsewhere. Please check out the April issue of 'etc Magazine'.

Ranji by SPY - Robin's favourite caricaturist



Robin will be attending the auction but with a heavy heart. Other memorabilia items which he'll miss are the two 32 set each Vanity Fair (Cricketers and Jockeys) -
he is a great fan of SPY - and the 35 series of Anderson lithographs known as the 'Sketches at Lords' of 1850s cricketers which used to hang in his plush Grosvenor
Place ‘Headhunter Company’ premise which he founded, located opposite Buckingham Palace.

One forgets how successful Robin Marlar became after leaving cricket, if you add in his time as cricketing correspondent for ‘The Sunday Times’ and being appointed 
President of both Sussex CCC and the MCC. He is also a Francophile which teases out several chapters and more stories.

Bm,

Good luck, the estimate is £4,000 to £5,000 and is Robin's, perhaps, most prized possession. It deserves a good home. I hope
you win it.