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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 18, 2020 16:41:02 GMT
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 21, 2020 15:08:27 GMT
Only Chris Gayle could get away with such a theatrical catch.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY fellow Virgo. Let's be honest, if you bowl Gayle full toss lollypops what do your expect. |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 21, 2020 15:12:21 GMT
May I suggest that Ian Bell will be viewed by history as one of the most underrated English cricketers in the last 40 years.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 21, 2020 15:53:00 GMT
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 22, 2020 11:07:52 GMT
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 23, 2020 8:30:57 GMT
 Andy Winter, a keen Sussex supporter, a hero of the Brighton and Hove homeless, and a cousin of Matt Prior, is celebrating his 35th Anniversary working for the 'Brighton Housing Trust'. The Argus publishes a lovely piece about him today. www.theargus.co.uk/news/18738996.andy-winter-celebrates-35-years-brighton-housing-trust/?ref=ebAndy also writes a blog and occasionally discusses Sussex CCC. Below is an example from the past. andywinterbn1.wordpress.com/tag/sussex/Back yonder I met Andy and his father in the Pavilion at the Hove Cricket ground. I had no idea who they were. We were simply Sussex supporters watching a day's play of Championship cricket. What transpired was a fascinating tale about a young Matt Prior, whom it turned out, was a cousin. Here is the story below. "MATT PRIOR - THE BOY"There I was sitting in the Pavillion eating my cheese ploughman when a middle-aged man and his father joined me at the table. An enjoyable conversation ensued and to my surprise out came a tale of intrigue and wonder about England and Sussex batsman/keeper - Matt Prior. Andy Winter is the man. He had brought his father, a retired vicar, to his first ever Sussex home match. Andy is a renown Sussex supporter and until recently wrote a regular cricket column for the local 'The Latest' magazine. It turns out, Andy's sister's long-term partner is the Aunt of Matt Prior.
Every Christmas Matt and his parents would fly over from South Africa to join the family clan in Peterborough. "Even as a 5-year-old Matt would be hitting a ball against the outside wall, hour after hour. His dedication then was extraordinary," explained Andy.
He showed me on his mobile-phone a series of Matt childhood photos. "This one here shows his first cricket injury." A cut above his right eye from a ball. "Matt always had a strong desire to become successful," he continued. "As a youthful teenager he had his cricket career already mapped out. He partly chose British citizenship (His mother is South African - father English) because he knew Mark Boucher was ahead of him in the South African keeper ranks. As he told me, 'I won't get a look-in for 10 years'. I was surprised by his focus and ambition at that young age."
When Matt came to live in England at the age of 11, he had a full South African accent but quickly dropped it, so by the time Matt joined Brighton College, a year later, was as English sounding as all the other boys.
A story which Andy's father told me was Matt's desire for the high life. "We visited a wealthy South African family. They had a large house. Matt turned to me as we entered - he couldn't have been more than eight - and said, 'I want to live in a house like this one day.'" Andy and his family are delighted with Matt's success. It's a thrill every-time he does well on the field. "I don't see him much now. Perhaps, once or twice a year. I was given free tickets to his benefit launch but I don't bother him during a home game. He's working."
Andy tries to see a few hours each day of every Sussex home championship game. He's not a great fan of OD matches and prefers the CB40 over T20. A personal thrill was meeting Christopher Martin-Jenkins at a Sussex charity event. "I couldn't believe it. Who should sit down next to me at the table but CMJ. He is my favourite radio commentator and writer. We chatted for two hours. I was in heaven!"
The talk about South Africa was enlightening. My question being... why do so many South African players do well in England. As the joke goes:
Q: Where do the English team stay when they tour South Africa?
A: With their parents.
“It is the mentality. They hold a strong desire to succeed. It is driven into them when very young,” explained Andy.
He originally comes from Newlands, Cape Town, where members of his family remain. A brother has helped coach some leading South African cricketers when youngsters. They include spinner Paul Adams and all-rounder JP Duminy.
“Some players are half-castes (also known as cape-coloured) and come from poor backgrounds. Professional sport is a way for them to leave their poverty. Therefore, the motivation is very strong. Some like JP Duminy are enjoying wealth today far beyond their wildest dreams. I heard recently that a number of South African players are investing their IPL money into highly expensive properties and are paying cash!”
It was a true privilege meeting Andy and his father.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 25, 2020 15:22:31 GMT
The 'Highlander' Calum MacLeod
___________________________________________________When news was announced that Scottish International batsman, Calum MacLeod, was coming to Sussex to play in the T20 tournament, after fears that Phil Salt might disappear off to England for much of the competition, as often with Sussex, it was a case of who is he?  What didn't help is that on his first appearance for the Club against Hampshire on September 10th, he scored the princely sum of 1. This was followed by 19, 9, 22, 2 and the highest to date, 40 runs against Essex, where alongside George Garton, he helped steer Sussex to an all-important win and a home QF against Lancashire. Agreed, it can take some players a while to adapt to English conditions as well as settle in to a new side, so his recent score, no doubt, was met with some relief by the coaching staff. In fact, it even prompted Adrian Harms to secure an interview with the Scot, which is a slap on the back for doing well. MacLeod will be 32 years-old in November. Born in Glasgow, his family originally comes from the island of South Uist in the Outer Hebrides. He has represented the Scottish National Cricket side since 2008 including at the 2015 World Cup and 2016 World T20 tournaments. He has played county cricket in England for Warwickshire (2008), Durham (2014) and most recently Derbyshire (2018). MacLeod has played 49 T20Is for Scotland, as well as 66 ODIs, with eight hundreds in the latter format, including an unbeaten 140 from 94 balls at the Grange in June 2018, as Scotland posted a formidable 371 for 5 against England, and held on for a famous six-run win. So, he is no mug with the bat. MacLeod's predictable nickname is Highlander or Scot. He is also an accomplished right-arm medium-fast as well as spinner and has taken 13 wickets for Scotland. Since joining Sussex some weeks back, by his own admission, he has found things frustrating. MacLeod tells Harms about his recent success: "We only needed almost a run a ball when we (Garton) came together, but it’s easier said than done to do that, especially the way T20 cricket is played these days. When you’re coming up against two quality spinners on a wicket that’s offering something, it’s going to be tough. We just didn’t want to give them a sniff." He continues, “Once we did the hard work of getting in and settled, I think it was our responsibility to go on and try and put a match-winning score on the board. It was Garts again doing a brilliant job, but it was nice to get some runs too." What Sussex are finding hard to find is a batsman to come in after one or both of the openers are out, hopefully, with a good score already on the board, to either consolidate or take the innings on from there. Delray Rawlins is not experienced enough to carry out this role, yet, and McLeod has had difficulty playing at the top of the order, even though he opens for Scotland. The Scot's highest score against Essex was after coming in lower down which may suit him better. He says, “It was nice to get some runs and contribute as well. It’s been a touch frustrating so far because I think it’s been just around the corner for me. I’ve had a couple of knocks where I felt I’ve been in, but not capitalised on that, and they’re the ones which frustrate you the most as a batter." MacLeod reflects, “To spend some time out in the middle against Essex and play not a ‘typical’ T20 innings by using my experience a bit more probably helped as I was able to bat for a longer period." Adding, “To now have the opportunity to play in a quarter-final, it’s brilliant.” Let us hope MacLeod takes his recent form on to the latter stages of the competition. sussexcricket.co.uk/news/macleod-cant-wait-quarter-final-chance-after-vital-innings-chelmsford
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 26, 2020 14:05:51 GMT
After close to 9 months of the Sussex Cricketer Pub being closed, boarded up, looking forlorn and dismissed to the happy-bin of many treasured memories, finally, the grim-reaper has arrived to put it out of its final misery.  E's passed on! The Sussex Cricketer Pub is no more! It has ceased
to be! 'E's expired and gone to meet 'is maker! 'E's a stiff! Bereft of
life, 'e rests in peace! 'E's kicked the bucket, 'e's shuffled off 'is mortal
coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin' choir invisible!!
This is an Ex-Sussex Cricketer Pub!!
The Argus tells us that building constructor, Roffey Homes, has finally started work to transform the once memorable pub into a 37 flat apartment block to be named Tate Residences. The Developer says, "The new building will be a beautifully crafted collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments, and exceptional three and four bedroom penthouses." The building will also have a bar and restaurant with its own sun terrace on the ground floor and there will be commercial space and parking alongside. And with the presence of the Brighton & Hove Green Party breathing down the developers' neck, Roffey Homes are proudly pronouncing that this new apartment block will become an “eco-friendly landmark”, whatever that means. The master plan for the site could take as long as seven years to complete, but at least, the old Tate Gates will be reinstalled at the cricket ground’s entrance alongside a new clock tower. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Sussex CEO, Rob Andrew, told The Argus that the £20 million scheme would boost the coffers and secure long-term cricket at Hove. He said, “Our facilities can be improved and there are many aspects which would make them more efficient and financially effective, allowing us to offer a better range of events and activities at the ground and supporting our community work across the county." Andrew continued, "Our phase one redevelopment of the south west of the ground will provide us with the funds necessary to invest in the further ground improvements we need to ensure our future here in the heart of Hove." Adding, “Sussex CCC have been here nearly 150 years and hope to remain here for another 150.” www.theargus.co.uk/news/18750307.work-starts-site-knock-sussex-cricketer-pub-hove/ |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 27, 2020 18:05:14 GMT
How brilliant for the Adams family and I am so delighted for Grizz. Success runs in the genes and why Chris should be back at Hove
and coaching the Sussex youngsters.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 28, 2020 15:40:36 GMT
Luke And Wishing Him Well(s)
___________________________________________________Gently place a coin in a Hove wishing well(s) and send out a positive thought for Luke, his young family and cricketing future. While some Sussex CCC supporters could see the writing on the wall, for others his contract release at the end of this ‘odd season’ came as a shock, leaving them angry and upset at the way the Club had treated the opening batsman. After receiving a tweet from the legendary Sussex follower LordRic52 aka Ric Piper, this sense of injustice is apparent. He writes, “To me it seems incredible. He wasn’t even given a final game at Hove!” Adding, “I am very disappointed in how Sussex implemented their decision.” Perusing Luke Wells’ own tweets after his departure announcement, there is, not surprisingly, sadness and disappointment. Followed by: Piper continues, “Not picking Luke for any of the BWT games seemed cruel (compared to Harry Finch who played in them all). And especially not to give him one last game for Sussex.” He continues, “Luke didn’t always score big, but I always believed Luke was giving his very best shot (no pun intended). I am very, very sad that Mr Wells will no longer be playing for Sussex.”  Wells FamilyUnfortunately, Wells may always be best remembered as part of a Sussex CCC family dynasty similar to the Cowdrey one at Kent. Not only was he overshadowed by the previous feats of his father Alan and uncle Colin, but one sensed an added pressure on his shoulders to carry on the Wells tradition. I remember the great excitement when Luke made his Club debut in 2010. Here was the next Jim Parks father/son on display where expectations were already high before he even played a shot. So, it must have been with immense pleasure in May 2017 that Luke finally ‘trumped’ his father when batting against Durham at Hove, as he rattled up his Sussex best score of 258, beating his Dad’s highest by 5 runs. He told the Argus, “His was 253 and I’ve always wanted to try and beat him on something! I’ve got quite a few first-class runs to go but I think I’ve got him on the highest score now.” Adding, “It was cool to beat it.”  Trumping Dad's Highest ScoreTypically, his father did not see him pass the mark having attended the match the day before. The Argus sums up the pressure Luke must have experienced throughout his time at Hove, when journo Brian Owen wrote, “Then (Luke) went off to check he had beaten the mark set by dad Alan during a stellar career which saw him captain Sussex and play for England.” You’ve got to feel sympathy for anyone following in the footsteps of a successful parent. Extreme examples include Sir Winston Churchill’s son, Randolph, or Margaret Thatcher’s daughter, Carol. And while, Alan Wells did not come near to their fame or achievements, his son Luke not only has the pressure to emulate him, but then improve on his father’s achievements. Nearly always it becomes a hiding to nothing. And while Jim Parks junior did emulate his father by playing for England, he was never going to beat his Dad’s 1937 feat of scoring 3,003 runs and taking 101 wickets in the same season, especially when he was a wicketkeeper! Meanwhile, Luke Wells stats are interesting. 141 first class games, 7,779 runs scored, batting average 35.19, eighteen 100s, thirty three 50s… and then there was his bowling too. 69 wickets, 1 fifer (5-63) at an average of 45.97. Compare this to his Dad: Alan Wells played for Sussex from 1981 to 1996 and captained the side from 1992 to 1996. He played one Test and one ODI for England and scored 21,099 first class runs at an average of 38.57. And his Uncle: Colin Wells played 2 ODIs for England, scored 14,289 first class runs at an average of 33.07, scoring twenty four 100s and sixty seven 50s. Would you want that pressure bearing down on your shoulders throughout your playing days at Hove? What didn’t help is that Luke tried very hard to play the OD format, but it is not in his set-up. His was to be the solid and reliable Championship opening bat more in the mould of an Alastair Cook than a Phil Salt, but Luke was neither. While each season there would be a high score or two, his inconsistencies were often too apparent, only rubbed in more recently when he ventured off to Australia during the Winter months to play for Casey-South Melbourne, where he shone very brightly indeed, scoring in one innings 290, just five runs short of legend Bill Ponsford’s Melbourne district record. Yet, back at Hove it was a similar frustrating, inconsistent Wells who graced the county cricket pitches getting out to similar wafting outside the off-stump shots which begged the question: Was he learning from his previous mistakes? And add to this his general form which quickly waned after Jason Gillespie became Head Coach... If you cannot play white-ball cricket, then you’ve gotta be a top top red-ball player instead and Wells never hit that high road consistently.  Father and SonYet, his career remains full of promise. Luke will be 30 years-old in late December, so a batsman about to reach his prime. Certainly, other counties will show interest and while the talk is of Kent or Surrey making a bid, in such uncertain Covid times, any county interest should be viewed as a bonus. Imho, Wells playing for another side may do him a world of good. Not only will the family dynasty pressure be lifted from his shoulders, but a new vista, energy and challenge could be exactly what he needs right now. I am sure along with all other Sussex supporters, I wish Luke the very best for his future cricket career. Whether, he will beat his father’s 21,099 first-class runs is to be seen, but at least Luke is now a third of the way there. 
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Sept 29, 2020 12:54:53 GMT
"Has Wokeness Gone Completely Raving Bonkers Mad?"
_______________________________________________________________________I am sorry, it takes a lot to shock me, but this story from Skysports is the most warped example of “wokeness” I have seen to date. And it is all due to this photo.  Photo 1 (before)Skysports head the article: Essex promise diversity education after Muslim player alcohol incident: Batsman Feroze Khushi sprayed with beer - Essex admit celebrations fail to meet their inclusive values and pledge to do moreWhat perverse wokeness is this? After a great victory being sprayed by champagne, beer or whatever alcohol to hand, is not only a right of passage for a young sportsperson on a winning side, but an experience you cherish and treasure. You feel you are one of the team, one of the lads or lassies. But wait, is this heading because the player involved is Muslim where within their religion, alcohol can be frowned upon and why the photo shows the young 12th man, Feroze Khushi, recoiling? And yet the Englishman to the right is rejoicing at the fact that beer is about to be poured down his gullet. Surely, 21 year-old Khushi who made four appearances during the group stage for Essex, but not in the Final, was merely instinctively recoiling and his action had nothing to do with the fact it was alcohol. He could just as easily have recoiled if it had been a bottle of water. The article continues, “Essex have vowed to provide further education on cultural diversity after a Muslim player was sprayed with alcohol during celebrations of their Bob Willis Trophy success. The club admitted the celebrations failed to meet their inclusive values and pledged to do more.” What? "The club has worked extremely hard and will continue to bring cricket to anybody and everybody, and educate on diversity, but further work needs to be done across both sport and society in general, to widen people's knowledge and make them more aware of cultural differences.”  Photo 2 (after) with a laughing KhushiNow here is a question: When Mushy, Rana Naved and Yasir Arafat were playing for Sussex CCC, given the number of victory celebrations the club enjoyed, were they ever sprayed with champagne, beer or any other form of alcohol? And if they were what happened then? No doubt some of these former Pakistani Club players revelled in the celebrations and were spraying the other Sussex players left, right and centre too. This is not only humiliating for Essex's victorious players after winning the BWT, but makes a mockery of sporting celebrations in general. And, no doubt, it is also embarrassing for Khushi, who is wondering what all the fuss is about. Critics might argue that 'if' he holds strong religious views about alcohol, then the Essex players should have told him to leave the balcony before the celebration began. So what then? Avoid all spontaneity and leave Khushi on the sidelines? Not a good signal for team morale and embracing diversity. And surely Khushi must have known that the team were on the balcony for two things only: First, to take the Bob Willis Trophy in hand and second, to celebrate the achievement by spraying alcohol around. One could argue the Pakistani was at fault. And finally, has anyone actually asked Khushi whether he was offended by the incident? The woke brigade, as expected, have quickly jumped on the incident and transformed it into yet another political googly. For example, Sajid Patel, a co-founder of the National Cricket League in Essex and East London said, "I found it very, very offensive... The photo of someone pouring alcoholic stuff on him – that was diabolical... It’s brilliant to see Essex win the title again, but also frightening to see this is happening." If my grandchildren are going to be banned from celebrating their sporting victories in the future, in case a non-Christian instinctively recoils and is then 'supposedly' offended by a droplet of alcohol on their clothes, or worse, ordered to attend a re-education camp to learn the intricacies of cultural diversity, there is everything to fight for against this woke insanity. Bring it on Laurence Fox and your new anti-woke political party. news.sky.com/story/laurence-fox-controversial-actor-launches-political-party-to-fight-the-culture-wars-12083457But, amidst this madness, let us not forget the Essex players achievement which Skysports, at least, remind us at the end of the article. "Essex re-asserted their status as the leading side in English cricket's red-ball format by claiming the inaugural Bob Willis Trophy after a five-day draw was settled on first-innings runs. The Chelmsford side are the reigning county champions, having also taken the honour in 2017, and now have a third red-ball title in four years." Ah, sounds like Sussex CCC of old. www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12163/12084976/essex-promise-diversity-education-after-muslim-player-alcohol-incident
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Post by joe on Sept 29, 2020 15:59:35 GMT
I know some Muslims who drink alcohol in the same way as some Jews eat bacon and some Christians take the lords name in vain. It is the responsibility of the individual player to remove himself from the situation if it will offend. What reason, other than celebrate as they’ve always done, would players have champagne and beer in hand congregating on the balcony at Lords after winning a trophy?
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Post by liquidskin on Sept 29, 2020 18:48:46 GMT
I know some Muslims who drink alcohol in the same way as some Jews eat bacon and some Christians take the lords name in vain. It is the responsibility of the individual player to remove himself from the situation if it will offend. What reason, other than celebrate as they’ve always done, would players have champagne and beer in hand congregating on the balcony at Lords after winning a trophy? Maybe he thought they were gonna drink it. It's always confused me. I see you got a little like from Flash there - this is a social/racial injustice Flash. That's why a stink has been kicked up. |
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Post by liquidskin on Sept 29, 2020 19:10:11 GMT
And on Wells, that person is totally right. Wells has been treated despicably by the club since lockdown. To not give him the chance to prove himself and earn a new deal this season was diabolical. We gave a 16 year old a game for Christ's sake. No question Wells has underperformed for a few years now but he was owed this chance. Who made this decision?
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Post by flashblade on Sept 29, 2020 19:20:42 GMT
I know some Muslims who drink alcohol in the same way as some Jews eat bacon and some Christians take the lords name in vain. It is the responsibility of the individual player to remove himself from the situation if it will offend. What reason, other than celebrate as they’ve always done, would players have champagne and beer in hand congregating on the balcony at Lords after winning a trophy? Maybe he thought they were gonna drink it. It's always confused me. I see you got a little like from Flash there - this is a social/racial injustice Flash. That's why a stink has been kicked up. If you think that, then I guess that means you're woke - congratulations! |
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