Cricket's County Championship kicks off today with Newly promoted Hampshire opening up their account with a 'local derby' at home to Sussex at the Rosebowl. Do any of you follow county cricket? If so, who do you follow? Hampshire? The county you live in? [like boo hiss Sussex fan Meowth ]
I'll be there either tomorrow or Tuesday (assuming Sussex haven't won by then) and will provide an abridged version of the day's events.
I have certainly followed Hampshire I used to walk round the boundary with the latest scorecards those were the days when Desmond Eager was club secretary oh so many years ago - I was at Bournemouth when they won the county championship and our openers were Barry Richards and Gordon Greenidge never a better opening partnership the like for Hants has in my opinion and not been equalled - good luck to Hampshire for the upcoming season
What a player Richards was, Greenidge too but Barry was the stylist he just made it look so easy, only Gower for me had more flair, he made it look like he was half asleep sometimes. And yes I know he played for Hampshire too. But that's the beauty of cricket, if you lose, at least lose to something special.
A great recovery from 23-3 leaves Sussex just ahead on 300-6, tomorrow morning could be where the match is decided, if Sussex push on and pass 350 before 110 overs it will be tough for Hampshire to force a win. If Hampshire bowl them out quickly it could be an interesting finish. I was pleased to see Wright got stuck in, we have a pretty strong batting line up still. Ben Brown continues to improve, Sussex can manage without Prior it seems.
Going back in years I was pleased when Derek Shackleton got an England cap - honest as the day is long. On a personal note I was forced to leave the County ground in Southampton as I had gone there with my uncle who imbibed a bit too much in the beer tent and Frank Tyson was bowling to Roy Marshall who was giving him some and my uncle let Tyson have it in colourful terms when aforementioned Desmond Eager came down from on high and told him to leave which meant as a minor I had to leave also - funny what you remember when prompted.
I remember being at Bournemouth when Proctor tore us a new one in the Gillette Cup. I was gutted fpr days.
Anyone remember David "Butch" White the fast bowler who fancied his hand with the bat in one day cricket ? I remember as a teenager seeing him play at the old United Services ground in Portsmouth, smashing the ball all around the ground in a run chase. The short boundaries helped of course, but it wasgood to watch ! 'His batting was limited, and tended to be agricultural', was how Wiki summed it up His best bowling figures were 9–44 against Leicestershire at Portsmouth in 1966.
Ervine and Wood have pulled it back for Hants who were 95-7 earlier. Meanwhile Kevin Pietersen will be pissing himself at England's current scorecard in Antigua!
Day 2 and the Martlets are in the box seat. I shall be at the bowl tomorrow, if the last wicket goes early Sussex might put Hampshire back in.
Well I have just arrived and Sussex have decided to bat again. A corporate decision? You have to wonder if that's how it is these days, Sussex could have wrapped this up by tea today. Perhaps I'm being cynical in my old age! Anyhoo I can enjoy some nice strokes from Nasher and Lake.
Middlesex follower here!! Looking at the batting line-up it is going to be murder watching them. Robson and Compton are hardly the quickest at making runs plus. much of the line-up is very fragile. The bowling too looks very ordinary with at least one of Finn and Harris prone to being carted all around the field. They lack any kind of class spinner and are therefore prime candidates for relegation!!!!
