The Wicked Cricket Column

Members Forum: Boundary Rooms: June 2nd: 10am-11am

Around 50 people attended the June Sussex CCC Members Forum where numbers were boosted by the promise of a discussion
on the club match fixing allegations concerning the 40 over game against Kent in August 2011. Those taking questions from the
floor were Jim May (Chairman), Zac Toumazi (CEO) and Mark Robinson (Team Coach).

Jim May opened proceedings by reiterating how “incredibly shocked” the Club are about these allegations concerning two former
Sussex players, Lou Vincent and Naveed Arif, who have been charged for allegedly fixing the said game. May continued by saying
how delighted the club were by the support gained from both Club Members and those involved in cricket since these revelations
emerged a few weeks back. Mark Robinson then stated how “disgusted to the core” and “how angry” the players felt where
“The whole Club is hurting”.

May offered a little more background to proceedings. Back in August 2011 when the match-fixing allegation emerged, the information
was on “a need to know basis only”. Presumably, the only ones who needed to know were the Club Chairman, CEO and Team Coach.
That everyone else including Club directors, staff and players, were not in the loop.

The match was duly investigated by the cricketing authorities and apparently cleared. Those in the know presumed that was the end of it.
However, investigations were continued by the ECB ‘Anti-Corruption Unit’ under the leadership of Chris Watts.

Robinson stated the Sussex players did not know of such allegations until the information was leaked to the world media around 2 weeks ago.
That the rumours which had been flying around since November 2012 and then highlighted by a Peter Hayter article in the ‘Daily Mail’ last
summer were dismissed as idle gossip because the match had already been cleared.

What came over from the floor and the questions asked is the overwhelming support from Sussex Members. There is a sense of betrayal too,
at how the allegations were leaked when still under investigation.

The ECB are fully backing and supporting Sussex and May said the Club had complete confidence in the ECB 'Anti-Corruption Unit'.

Zac Toumazi explained that he had received one email from a Sussex supporter asking for a refund on the match but he reiterated
the overwhelming number of communications had been supportive.

The reason for the sudden Press Conference at 'Merchant Taylor’s School' last Tuesday was instigated by the Sussex leadership who wished to
be more proactive.This was reinforced by the players whom on the Sunday had held a meeting. They wanted to express their outrage and
disgust at the allegations. Toumazi also explained that in the near future there will be a joint Press Conference held by the ECB and Sussex
CCC when further information emerges.

The overall sense is of a club in shock, where the primary role of the Team Coach now is to make sure this upset does not affect the eleven
players on the pitch. But as Robinson believes, these present upsets will make the club stronger and bring everyone involved with Sussex CCC
closer together.

Out-Grounds

The other hot topic of the morning was on Sussex CCC out-grounds. Given the close shave of nearly losing the Horsham festival this summer, where
only a wealthy benefactor saved the day, various Members were concerned about the future of Horsham and Arundel.

One said how much he loved attending games at out-grounds and preferred the atmosphere to more corporate county environments. Both May and
Toumazi warned Members that both Horsham and Arundel are under threat due to the high overheads involved. Attracting more business sponsors
and local advertising was vital if they are to survive. Toumazi stated they had contacted close to 260 different businesses in the Horsham area and
received just a £100 donation. As May said, the Club cannot afford to lose money on the festivals - particularly when it costs ££tens of thousands to
set up and where attendance figures are not increasing.

Various ideas were discussed including an annual rotation system between Horsham and Arundel; and with permission from the ECB setting similar
fixture dates each season. The Club are determined and committed this year to find a way of resolving the financial challenges the two Festival
out-grounds face.

Eastbourne was mentioned as another possible venue but as May said the adjacent football pitch diminishes the potential capacity. Robinson pointed
out that one negative aspect of festival cricket is the Club has no control over the pitch and its condition. 

 

Members Forum: Boundary Rooms: June 2nd: 10am-11am

Jim May opened proceedings by reiterating how “incredibly shocked” the Club are about these allegations concerning two former
Sussex players, Lou Vincent and Naveed Arif, who have been charged for allegedly fixing the said game. ... Mark Robinson then stated how “disgusted to the core” and “how angry” the players felt ...

May offered a little more background to proceedings. Back in August 2011 when the match-fixing allegation emerged, the information
was on “a need to know basis only”.

The match was duly investigated by the cricketing authorities and apparently cleared. Those in the know presumed that was the end of it.
However, investigations were continued by the ECB ‘Anti-Corruption Unit’ under the leadership of Chris Watts.

Robinson stated the Sussex players did not know of such allegations until the information was leaked to the world media around 2 weeks ago.
That the rumours which had been flying around since November 2012 and then highlighted by a Peter Hayter article in the ‘Daily Mail’ last
summer were dismissed as idle gossip because the match had already been cleared.

The overall sense is of a club in shock, where the primary role of the Team Coach now is to make sure this upset does not affect the eleven
players on the pitch. But Robinson believes, these present upsets will make the club stronger and bring everyone involved with Sussex CCC
closer together.