The Wicked Cricket Column

Bm,

Thanks for your kind words. I am half way through reading 'Bob Dylan'. See what I can do! 

After the hugely successful ‘Wildlife Music Festival’ at Shoreham Airport last weekend, Sussex CCC continue their own Hove ‘T20
Cricketlife Music’ by booking a band whose musicianship is so accomplished that their members can morph into any musical style
you wish them to play.

Recently, they were called ‘Ourcoustic’ who performed rock music at the ground. Last night, several members of this same group
had changed into ‘The Sussex Jazz Trio’, playing soft pop and acoustic ballads. In fact, they made up their name as we chatted.



The guitarist of ‘Ourcoustic’, Chaz Roe, was now the trio’s keyboard player alongside drummer Adam Goddard. While saxophone
player Phil Kerry had been drafted in just for the evening. The previous singer and second guitarist were playing elsewhere, no doubt,
in another transmogrification.

This musical umbrella, depending on what style the members decide to play, are regular fixtures at East Sussex venues. On July 18th
an ‘Ourcoustic’ sextet play at the Denton pub ‘The Flying Fish’ for an outdoor BBQ.

www.flyingfish-denton.co.uk/

Anyone interested in booking them for a social occasion can contact Chaz on 07446 105 600. Email: chazroe@gmail.com

Don’t forget to specify the style of music, otherwise their set could become a little confusing.

'Beauty and the Beast'
____________________________

There was no call for the catch. When Henriques and Burns collided it was with a sickening thud. The crowd knew this was no ordinary
clash. The two players dropped to the ground like lead paper weights and remained motionless. Surrey fielders ran to their colleagues
and quickly beckoned for medical assistance. There was a foreboding hush from on-lookers and when the first ambulance drove on to
the outfield all their worst fears materialised.

It was three years almost to the day that Tom Maynard had died. The man at the Surrey helm during that tragic period, Chris Adams,
was in attendance commentating for ‘BBC Radio Sussex’. His appearance only gave this incident greater gravitas. Was fate repeating itself?



45 minutes and 3 ambulances later, to loud applause, the two fielders gently raised an arm from their stretchers as they were lifted into two
of the vehicles. At least, the young men were alive and now conscious.

The decision to abandon the game was accepted with understanding and grace. The ECB had been phoned for advice and protocol. The medical
staff had done a superb job throughout. Were there broken necks, backs, head injuries involved? 45 minutes seemed an eternity and as each
new ambulance arrived this only increased the horror. Some were expecting an air ambulance to appear.

Hindsight shows Henriques suffered a broken jaw in three places alongside required dental work. Burns had got off more lightly with facial abrasions
and cuts. And while on paper abandonment seemed a tricky decision, the sense of shock amongst the 8,000 or more in attendance made it an easy one.

Yet, the day had started with such promise. The forecast rain never materialised and instead a record crowd were treated to blazing sunshine that portrayed
Narnia in all its resplendent glory. Some waited to watch their batsman King for as numbers grew towards the 2.30pm start, the first question on people’s lips
as they entered the ground, “Is Pietersen playing?” and when affirmed a smile of joy appeared. Perhaps, 3,000 or more had come just to watch their cricketing
King hoping for another weave of his magic.

KP and his 223rd Autograph



Meanwhile, the youngsters wanted his autogragh and with KP fielding at deep long on, groups rushed up to him at the boundary rope between Sussex wickets
hoping for his signature or a selfie which Pietersen duly obliged to the acknowledgment of an applauding crowd. He dropped a difficult chance much to their
joshing but later caught an easier one from Will Beer to make up for any previous embarrassment. And his appearance was made all the more surreal when
intermittently the tannoy offered the latest updates on the England v New Zealand 50 over match. How could someone so feted and talented not be playing 30
miles down the road at ‘The Ageas Bowl’?

For, after the match abandonment, KP was again star of the show as more youngsters waited eagerly around a roped off area. And while Sussex players obliged it
was Pietersen they had come to see. After 25 minutes of frantic signing he walked up the steps toward the pavilion only to be accosted by a Surrey staff member.
A frazzled KP, with two injured colleagues weighing heavily on his mind, responded to a comment with irritation, “Look, I have just signed over 200 autographs down
there!” and duly marched into his waiting sanctuary to gain further news.

What other cricket ground offers such stunning views?



Meanwhile, Arundel CC was enjoying a financial day not seen for many a year. The vast car parking areas were close to bursting; the grassy knoll was twenty five rows
deep; 40 minute queues to buy beer and lager; other long queues at vendor outlets selling everything from ice-cream and donuts to chips, burgers and sausage rolls.
No-one had anticipated the size of crowd and the ground was struggling to cope... And then the wicked witch cast her evil spell.

They say life is like a box of chocolates. June 14th, 2015, was a strawberry cream with cut glass.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJh59vZ8ccc

And, do we. He'd be perfect

Here are examples of the 'Sunday Arundel Experience' and its emotional extremes.

Below is Kevin Pietersen talking to a group of youngsters and then allowing selfies
after he has just caught Will Beer. His actions are applauded by the near-by
crowd.



(Pics: Pete Mountford)

Not long after the two fielders collide and the next scene is this.



www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-3123608/Rory-Burns-Moises-Henriques-rushed-hospital-Surrey-pair-suffer-nasty-field-collision-going-catch.html

And for those who spent the last two days in the wilds of Wales.

www.sussexcricket.co.uk/news-1/statement-on-natwest-t20-blast-match-at-arundel

Very interesting news.

Without actually using the F word, the announcement gives the impression that the ECB is looking for some franchises to step forward. "Potential teams will be invited to make expressions of interest".

I suppose the womans' game has the advantage of not being bogged down in 19th century traditions.