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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 26, 2020 12:22:11 GMT
With all professional cricket in England suspended until the earliest date of May 28th, some players have been doing their bit to help those most in need. In fact, the very best in people come to the fore during a crisis, highlighted yesterday when 405,000 of them, in just 24 hours, volunteered to help the NHS, a figure which has now surpassed 500,000. The BBC Website report that two England internationals have transformed their jointly-owned pub into a village shop to help the locals. Applause for seamers Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney. Broad should have been running in for England on their tour of Sri Lanka, while Nottinghamshire team-mate Harry Gurney was preparing for a stint in the IPL. Covid-19, of course, has scuppered all of that. Instead, the pair are re-opening one of the pubs they co-own in Upper Broughton near Melton Mowbray as a takeaway and village shop. Not only are they helping to feed the local community, but also making sure their staff get paid. A free delivery service is also available for the over-70s and NHS workers in the local area. The pub/village shop is called the Tap and Run. Watch Videowww.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/cricket/52041558"We are allowing people to pick up essential goods without the need to visit a supermarket,” explains Gurney. “Here, we've got the essentials where it will be easier and safer for people to shop.” He continues, ”It's been quite full on. We're essentially trying to launch a whole new business in a couple of days. People have been great, donating baskets for us to put fruit in and furniture for us to stack tins on." Broad who quickly says his focus is not on cricket at present, adds: "It's a very difficult time at the moment and we saw it as an opportunity to help the community. We're being very careful, only letting two people in at a time to the shop and offering a hand sanitiser on arrival.” The dynamic duo along with experienced publican Dan Cramp, bought their first pub, the Three Crowns in Wymesfold, Leicestershire in August 2016. Their second, formerly the Golden Fleece, was bought two years later in Upper Broughton where £350,000 was spent on renovating it. The newly named Tap and Run usually operates as a gastropub with a distinct cricketing theme until this week's lockdown occurred. The pub interior features include a wine cellar displaying personalised scoreboards and a red leather cricketing corner.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 26, 2020 13:10:22 GMT
Our Coach describes how he is coping with lockdown in Adelaide, Australia. For after returning from South Africa, Jason is in quarantine. He explains, "I am under a self-isolation order by the government. I’m staying in my mum’s house and my mum has moved in with my family. So, I am on my own sitting in her place, which is just around the corner from mine.” He adds, “I get packages of supplies dropped off by my family. I hear the doorbell ring and go to the door where I see the family standing 30' away.”
A fascinating and insightful interview. Congrats to Sam Keir for an excellent read.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 27, 2020 9:51:49 GMT
Here's another one to wash your hands and sing Happy Birthday to, courtesy of the Club media office.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 27, 2020 12:15:54 GMT
During unprecedented times, it is surprising what one learns about cricketers whether this may be a hidden entrepreneurial talent (Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney) or humanitarian bent. Our very own Ravi Bopara is one such surprise. For behind the facade of professional cricket lies a restaurant and take-away food King! In normal circumstances, Ravi would be preparing for the start of a fresh challenge with Sussex CCC after departing Essex and leaving behind 17 years playing at Chelmsford. Instead, The Cricketer Magazine reports, Ravi this week tweeted that Tooting's Sam's Chicken would be offering free food to all NHS staff. What is the connection? Ravi owns and runs this restaurant and take-away food shop in Tooting High Street, an outlet he bought ten years ago. The actual company was founded in 1990 by Sri Lankan Sam Chandrasinghe, with the opening of his first restaurant in Wealdstone, Harrow, North West London. Today, the chain has 34 outlets stretching from Watford to the Isle of Wight with a majority residing in West and North West London. The restaurants are open at the moment as takeaway services only due to the regulations of the lockdown and while the all-rounder recognises the financial hit that will come with the deal for his particular shop – especially in these uncertain times - it is about far more than that. Ravi explains, “I don’t think it’s a particularly tough decision to make, to be honest. It affects your cashflow and that sort of stuff, but you’ve got to look over that. It’s the greater good, isn’t it?" He continues, "They’ve been working hard for us lot, for everybody. It’s only right that we give back.” His outlet resides close to St George’s Hospital. On the first evening of the offer, there were close to 100 takers. On Tuesday, its first full day, there were 300 more. Ravi’s Tooting purchase was the fulfilment of a long-time ambition. “Sam is a good friend of mine,” he explains. “I used to eat at Sam’s Chicken growing up when I was at school. I always said that I wanted to have my own chicken shop, so I didn’t have to pay for the food. And then, there came a time where it was almost the perfect moment to get one and I happened to know Sam as well.” Ravi’s brother and parents are more involved on a day-to-day basis running it as Bopara goes about his cricket, although he pops in whenever the time allows. As to the present lockdown. “It’s just weird,” Bopara comments. “It’s almost like the season has just ended. Guys have got nothing to do now. I think the worst bit is having no facilities to do anything in – no gym, nothing. It’s a strange one because there might not be any cricket this summer." Adding, "It’s so weird sitting at home this late in March, knowing there’s not going to be anything going on. A lot of players might struggle with it because you’re not used to it." Ravi concludes, "There’s something exciting about pre-season normally because you know what you’re working towards. Everyone wants to start well and everyone is back on a level playing field at the start of a season. But to have that ripped away from you by this virus is probably going to leave a lot of cricketers feeling lost over the next month or so.”
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 27, 2020 12:51:52 GMT
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 28, 2020 11:56:48 GMT
The ECB are considering installing coronavirus checkpoints and isolation units at cricket grounds in order to resume playing International games behind closed doors. England's Test series with West Indies, for example, is due to start at The Oval on June 4th. ECB Director, Steve Elworthy, told The Guardian newspaper. "We're mapping out what international matches might look like behind closed doors." He explained this would require a sterile "bubble" to ensure the identification of anyone in the vicinity who was carrying the virus. The government’s initial advice around mass gatherings prior to the current lockdown was 500 people or fewer, and Elworthy is using that as a basis for discussions. "That was guided by the potential impact on critical services like paramedics and doctors,” he continued. "You would likely have to work within that number [essential matchday staff]. "Then you have to think about medical provisions, creating a safe and sterile environment around that venue, so that everyone who comes in is clear. So it's how you test them at the gate, the isolation units that you have to put in. These are considerations we are thinking about."
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Post by flashblade on Mar 28, 2020 12:10:52 GMT
The ECB are considering installing coronavirus checkpoints and isolation units at cricket grounds in order to resume playing International games behind closed doors. England's Test series with West Indies, for example, is due to start at The Oval on June 4th. ECB Director, Steve Elworthy, told The Guardian newspaper. "We're mapping out what international matches might look like behind closed doors." He explained this would require a sterile "bubble" to ensure the identification of anyone in the vicinity who was carrying the virus. The government’s initial advice around mass gatherings prior to the current lockdown was 500 people or fewer, and Elworthy is using that as a basis for discussions. "That was guided by the potential impact on critical services like paramedics and doctors,” he continued. "You would likely have to work within that number [essential matchday staff]. "Then you have to think about medical provisions, creating a safe and sterile environment around that venue, so that everyone who comes in is clear. So it's how you test them at the gate, the isolation units that you have to put in. These are considerations we are thinking about." Fair enough, but let's make sure that testing facilities are sufficiently available to the general publlc before cricket (or any sport) is allowed to have this facility.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 28, 2020 12:28:11 GMT
Fb, Spot-On! The key to this whole pandemic is giving out a simple testing kit to all the public and not just VIPs. Once everyone can test themselves and if found to be negative, are then given a medical card by their doctor to confirm this, which, if need be, is presented to the sports ground ticket office before entering. If positive, stay indoors and self-isolate. Meanwhile, Sussex CCC release their latest news on the Covid-19. As expected, very much a Joe Dulce 'Shaddap you ground' and all Sussex cricket. sussexcricket.co.uk/news/covid-19-update-club-activity-0(Change the word 'face' to 'ground') www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFacWGBJ_cs&list=RDsFacWGBJ_cs&start_radio=1&t=0
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 28, 2020 14:28:48 GMT
Why isn't Sussex CCC Twitter included in this tweet?
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 28, 2020 14:52:53 GMT
Just an idle Saturday afternoon thought? This week we have learnt that Stuart Broad and Harry Gurney have transformed their gastropub into a shop for locals and offering FREE deliveries to NHS Staff and the elderly. This week we have learnt that Ravi Bopara and his Sam's Chicken outlet in Tooting has offered FREE meals to all NHS staff from St George's Hospital. We learn today that England Women's Cricket Captain, Heather Knight, has become an NHS Volunteer. While in Asia, top cricketers both past and present are donating large sums of their own money to combat Covid-19. Meanwhile, three member of Hailsham CC are delivering care packages to NHS staff and those who need it most in this testing time. gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/coronavirus-cricket-world-rallies-to-combat-covid-19-1.70655691www.wscountytimes.co.uk/sport/cricket/coronavirus-cricket-club-sussex-providing-support-nhs-staff-amid-covid-19-pandemic-2518672Which poses the question, what are our Sussex CCC cricketers doing? Bored and forlorn, unable to practice or attend an outside gym, healthy, young and virile... couldn't they be doing their bit? Our Captains Luke Wright and Ben Brown, shouldn't they be holding aloft the torch of humanitarian good, by helping out the community under the guise of the Sussex Cricket Foundation? What a perfect moment to give back to the local people, to show that Sussex players are on the frontline of assisting those in need during this very challenging time. Go on Sussex CCC make your supporters proud.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 29, 2020 12:36:06 GMT
So you wanna know how professional cricketers around the world are coping with the lockdown? Have a look below. Oh no young Jof! Good job the alarm worked. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/52071124
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 30, 2020 9:07:49 GMT
Off-piste, but some welcome positivity amidst all the present fear and anxiety.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 30, 2020 12:01:28 GMT
Oliver Rayner, once Brenda's favourite player and part of the '3 Amigos' spinning trio before leaving Sussex for Middlesex in 2011, has announced his retirement. The BBC Website reports that Off-spinner "Ollie" has decided to retire after his release by Middlesex at the end of last season. The cynic might suggest no other county offered him a job, so he realised his time as a professional cricketer was up. The 34-year-old took 313 first-class wickets at an average of 33.26, 51 of them to help Middlesex win the County Championship title in 2016. Rayner also claimed 94 victims in limited-overs cricket. Ollie was a mixed bag at Lord's. His best season was, not surprisingly, 2016. While a useful bat, he never quite reached the top spin level, lacking the appropriate and required skills. Rayner had a short loan spell at Hampshire in 2018 and spent the second half of last summer with Kent. In a tweet he wrote: "It was tough admitting that my career has come to an end. I've been very lucky, had times that I will cherish and met some truly wonderful people, too many to single out! 'The great game'." Good luck Ollie with your new life.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 30, 2020 12:26:02 GMT
The Mail on Sunday report that England's professional cricketers are to take a pay cut if the coronavirus delay goes on, with the ECB set to unveil a financial support package for clubs. The newspaper states that players are seemingly willing to take a wage cut which seems appropriate when the vast number of working people in Great Britain are facing desperate financial hardships. Meetings to discuss how to ease the financial losses caused by having no matches have taken place between all of the game’s stakeholders during last week. In contrast to football and rugby, there has been no immediate impact, but cash-flow issues are expected to hit counties between April 12th — when the first round of County Championship matches were scheduled to begin — and May 28th, the date to which the campaign is currently suspended. This leads to an obvious question: Will those county members who have paid their full membership get a refund depending on how many Championship games are lost? The key to the whole "Corona Calamity" is the T20 Blast. This must and has to go ahead given it is the primary financial lifeline for the 18 counties. Let's be honest, the Championship does not bring in much money for clubs, but the Blast does. Referring to an earlier post, whilst the majority of Britain's workers face harsh financial hardships, professional cricketers are at present, still receiving their monthly pay check for doing absolutely nothing, except staying indoors and mucking around with PlayStations and social media. Surely, this is the time for our Sussex players led by Captains Luke Wright and Ben Brown, to do their bit and assist in the various ways possible, at present, to help the local community face these challenging times. Go on Sussex CCC make your supporters proud.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Mar 30, 2020 12:46:50 GMT
No comment.
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