1718 Cricket, Football, Motor Racing and more Cricket

When I first completed what I had to say about Saturday and Monday at the cricket at Hove, watching the highlights of Sunderland at Bolton on Sunday and then the Spanish Grand Prix later on the same day, I was dissatisfied because although primitive impressionism in intent it failed to communicate most of my feelings. I did not post and worked on again on Thursday morning thus widening the time between experience and its attempted reproduction. Most art is a substitute for experience and becomes an historical reproduction once the work has been produced to the satisfaction of its creator, so this is now an historical reproduction, of an original creation, and a compromise.

Having transferred half the luggage to the car on Friday night I though I would be able to manage the suit and shirt over my arm, the haversack on one shoulder and the other hand controlling the handle of the case as I made my way from the Brighton Travel Lodge to the NCP car park. In the event it was a struggle and I reached the car with relief having stopped under the canopy of the VIP entrance to the Brighton Pavilion to change the luggage between arms. At the vehicle I prepared the haversack for the match and made the car as secure as possible placing all the luggage behind the seats with the exception of carry cover for the suit and shirts.

The entrance into Churchill Square via Debenhams was not yet open, or I was unable to open the door, so I used the previous route via the car park to the fourth floor, up a further floor on the escalator and out into the Square , remembering to note that there was a Habitat store, the store which once dominated contemporary interiors for the aspiring middle classes. What had been a novelty exploration on the Friday had become just another shopping centre the following morning. There were no leggy girls strutting their stuff on the simple stage.


The first bus stop of the line was for the 81A which stopped a few metres from the entrance to the Sussex ground. I knew the 700 went close. I did not know that another half a dozen buses went from the Square along the shopping street passing the ground parallel to the coast road. I presumed there were those wish travelled the coast road,

I arrived at the ground at twenty past nine, ten minutes before the gates opened and realised in my enthusiasm for the new day I had misjudged the time and had to wait with the handful of club Members also waiting to enter. This is the difference between County Cricket and Premiership and Championship Professional Football. In cricket the Members form the club, have collective power and individual relationships with the players if they wish. This the clubs are trying to change and have to an extent changed by halving the number of championship games and increasing the number of one day games with the 50 over, previously 60 over competition involving 10 days plus 3 for those reaching the final. The forty over game involves a two division league with promotion and relegation involving 8 days and the comparatively new 20 20 game 10 match days followed by a further three for those reaching the final and with the semi final and final played on one day, although both finals can be spread over two days to ensure a result if the weather is poor on the first. Thus there is a total of 64 days of championship cricket and a minimum of 28 one day events with a maximum of 34 for teams if they reach both finals.

It is however the one day competitions which brings in the money and in some instances where the 20 20 has taken off, substantial money to the hosting club. It also has to be remembered that for the individual club the comparatively small annual membership charge provides free entry and therefore no additional income for 32 championship days and 9 one day competitions, with extra income for the 20 20 matches, with a substantial discount for Members and similarly for the quarter final of the 50 and 20 over, the semi final of the 50 over if these are played at home. In my instance I pay only £90 for my potential of 41 days of cricket, plus car parking charge of £3.20 a day. There is only a loss for the club from these kind of figures which merchandise, catering, especially hospitality and other enterprise can supplement with hotels or apartments within grounds and in Durham instance a major health and fitness club.

The major money earner for the game is however the internationals with seven Test matches, potentially 35 days and an increasing number of one day events with this summer the world 20 20 series. The Home Club gets a substantial cut with everyone sharing the enormous profits as all games are televised, although a good selection of championship and one day club competitions games are also being shown.

Unlike football, away supporters are welcomed into the home Member facilities as long as they are members of the visiting side and this is part of the attraction of days when the weather is poor and the play can be boring because no result is likely. The majority of the domestic Championship games are no drawn, because of the weather and the way the pitches are prepared.

The bonus on Saturday was the free entry so in celebration I headed for Dexter’s restaurant and a full English breakfast, followed by two slices of toast with black current jam and three, if not four cups of coffee. I considered it good value at £6.95 and even more so to discover the price had been reduced to £5 for the week. I was well set up for the day. A day when the wind was cold and at first the sunshine uncertain.

The question which everyone wanted to know was for how long would Durham continue to bat and would they set a total which Sussex could chase. Sussex had come close the Durham’s first innings score of 380, all out for 363 giving Durham a lead of only 17 runs. Durham had batted well the evening before, but slowly and they appeared to be in no rush in the morning, Michael Di Venuto achieved his century but was out soon afterwards, having put on over 125 with Gordon Muchall who himself went on to achieve 106 runs not out with the help of Ian Blackwell 39 not out and the side declared at 299 for 4 leaving Sussex to obtain 316 in some 50 overs. I and the Sussex members regarded this a decision to play safe and go for a draw rather than risk losing. It revealed a lack of confidence in the ability of the bowlers to take wickets. Harmison and Plunket are well below their best and give away too many runs and Onions has been taken away for International duty along with Collingwood and who has been made Captain of the one day game sides.

Hopes were raised in the afternoon when Harmison dismissed captain Yardy for 12 and Joyce was out a few balls later for 3 and Sussex were 16 for 3. There was a good rally between Nash to ended the day not out 85 and Murray Goodwin who took the total to 71 but when he, and then Hamilton Brown and Luke Wright were out at 105 for 5 the prospects appeared very good. After three championship winning years there is a pessimistic air around the Sussex Members who still mourn the loss of their world class 100 wickets a season spinner. Last year they also struggled and were part of the group where relegation threatened.
But I had witnessed the Sussex first innings revival and Durham had failed to bowl out Yorkshire and then Somerset having two good opportunities to win games. This is what happened again for the third occasion running and captain Smith called it a day when Sussex had added 64 more runs without further loss. Durham’s bowlers and performed well but Sussex had equally avoided risks.

For the greater part of the day I had sat on a bench close to a tree overlooking one end of the wicket in the popular Member’s enclosure. I had not brought a hat and my the end of the day I had become quite brown. I walked down to the shopping road where there were buses every few minutes all stopping along Churchill Square. After crossing over and making my way down the side to NCP car park and dumping the haversack I motored the twelve or so miles between the two towns.

I watched Britain’s Got Talent after a makeshift meal using up what I had with me and with no inclination to go shopping or have an explore. I was tired and cold but the room was warm and cosy. I had a problem opening the door with the key card which had to be replaced. Possibly I had been inserting the card the wrong way round.

I woke early on Sunday and watched some of the football before Andrew Marr. Sunderland drew away to Bolton and the point could prove decisive. He played Kenwyn Wright up front in his own without Cisse who was on the bench and this worked well and confirmed what I have been saying for most of the season and that the two cancel each other’s effective than combining into a formidable force. One point against Portsmouth or Chelsea could do it.

Durham was to have a bad day at Bristol, humiliated by Gloucester who charged ahead with four wins from four games. The home side won the toss elected to bat scoring 301 for 8 with their 50 overs. None of the seven bowlers distinguished themselves. Apart from Breese with 47 the top order were awful with Mustard, Smith, Blenkenstein and Muchall all failing and Di Venuto 17 and Blackwell 23.

The sporting good cheer came in the Spanish Grand Prix where a tactical switch from three to two stops for Jenson Button secure him the win with his team mate second. It was not a memorable event in other respects.

And so again to cricket on Monday where the weather forecast was grim after the midsummer feel to the Sunday. The wind was gusting at storm level although there was no rain. I changed the overnight plan and took the vehicle to the ground although it was very early. I had made up the half baguette with ham and coleslaw and a flask of coffee and consumed the baguette and most of the coffee while reading Daily Telegraph which I had gone out early to buy while making a check on the weather. I will comment about the continuing disclosures by the Daily Telegraph about the expenses claims of Members of Parliament later in the week. I had successfully organised myself to be away before 9am when the 20 pence for 20 minute charged commenced. I had also been able to move the car from across the road to one of three space almost outside the hotel entrance.

Having stayed an hour in the car eating and reading I made my way to the ground arriving before 10.20 and still an hour and a half to before the commencement of play. I went into the main member’s lounge with Dexter’s closed as advised only to find that the £5 breakfast plate was on offer. Alas I had eaten the baguette so even the Bacon or Sausage roll did not appeal and when it did it was off the menu.
On both days, the Saturday and the Monday I had become engaged in conversation with interesting Sussex members as had been the situation on the first two days. In keeping with my general approach most of what passed between us remains confidential but there was one aspect of my long talk with a retired police inspector which justifies sharing as it was the subject of publicity when the incident occurred over a decade ago, The former police inspector was hit in his lower back by a metal bar wielded by a thug and required hospital treatment which included an x ray. When the consultant came to see him he stunned the patient by suggesting that he should shake the hand of his assailant at the first opportunity. The x ray revealed a growth to his spine which had it not been detected would have led to his death within two years. He would need an operation and asking how long this would take, he was told today. He lived to tell me the tale

Sussex won the toss and elected to bat and Joyce recovered from his Championship dismissals to hit a fine 127 and with Gatting put on 110 runs for the first wicket. They achieved 313 for six with their 50 overs and made scoring look easy although Durham’s bowled as well as they could. Durham then did well to begin with putting on 188 runs before the third wicket fell, that of Mustard fro 92. Several Durham batsmen had promising starts which came to nothing and the last eight wickets fell for 69 runs even though they were ahead on the runs wicket ratio for a time James Kirtley did the damage taking 6 for 60.

I spent most of the day on a bench in sunshine lashed by the wind in the Eastern Corner of the Member’s enclosure where players often passed by on the way to warm up at the net. As the sun went down, I and Sussex members moved from this corner into the other where the sun was able to penetrate. Instead of sun burn I experienced wind burn. I enjoyed the visit in which has become the last of the traditional County Cricket grounds and the Sussex members and staff were welcoming. I wondered if I would visit again and when.

1715 An excellent day despite wintry conditions

Yesterday was an excellent day despite wintry weather conditions. Although inclined for a lay in, or should it be lie in, I went looking for a car parking place as close to the Sussex Cricket ground as available around 8.30 am and found a free space facing the right way towards the sea front and a short walk from the main entrance. I then had an explore of the local shops and estates agents where the average rental of property is £1000 a month with several in £1400 to £1500 but where there was also a studio flat for around £500, Obviously it is about location and the ability to rent out during the Summer holiday season. I bought a cheese and onion sandwich and a copy of the Daily Mail and made my way into the ground and the Member’s lounge for a seat at a table immediately behind glass and with a large screen TV nearby. I read a little of the paper, did the wagon wheel word search, quickly getting the minimum average of 15 words and then floundering after 17, and then though I had the right starter for the code word but failed then onwards.

The skies were full of rain and the wind was exceptionally cold so before the match commenced I ordered a bacon roll which was a large bap well filled with bacon, and a cup of coffee for £ 3.40 remembering my £1.50 experience at the Ship and Royal back home. It was a salutary reminder of what the South regards as a normal costs of living.

My experience of Brighton is limited but there are some important memories. Going with my mother at the end of World War Two, it may even have been in war time with beaches closed off, mined with barbed wire and devices to handicapped a sea borne assault. I was dumped in the sea by the son of the my birth mother’s eldest sister after he had returned from a Prisoner of War camp in East Germany liberated by the Russians who raped and pillaged the enemy. I retained a fear of water into my adulthood. I attended a conference staying at the Grand Hotel. I visited as part of the Local Government Forum on Drugs. I made a couple of visits, days out one with my birth and care mothers. I visited as part of trips to Sussex Cricket Club. I have walked the remaining pier. I did come on a visit on my own when my mother was in residential care and I stayed at her former home, buying a copy of Peace News from a shop in the Northern Laines. Someone who was once important in my life when a young man and involved in the Peace movement became an academic administrator at a university in the area.

There are now two universities in the area whereas before 1960 there was none. The first, the University of Sussex was then created as a new red brick and with a reputation for being left of centre in its approach to the world and further education. It has a campus site outside of the town centre. Then with the subsequently development in which the Polytechnics transmigrated into Universities a new University of Brighton was created and which has developed campus sites not just in Brighton but neighbouring resort town of Eastbourne and Hastings, places which I visited as a child and once stayed on holiday at Hastings which was our least successful family holiday if I remember correctly. The number of students and staff will have increased significantly throughout the last decade because of government policy, academic reputation and popularity of the location.

Then there is the conference Brighton although my experience was that apart from a walk on the front there had been little opportunity to explore. I must search for the conference programme. There would have been a civic reception and dinner.

A lot people will be commuters living in Brighton and working in central London. When I worked for the Government’s Drug use advisory service on secondments I knew an administrator who did this.

During the same period I was also an advisor to Local Authority Drugs Forum (whose creation had been my idea and was the first local government organisation which represented all the separate representational bodies in the UK) we came on a visit to West Sussex and although based at Lewis (the place not the TV series) we had visited two advisory help services in Brighton, including a needle exchange service. The town had developed a community of gay people outside of London so there was a problem with HIV and it had always been a resort which attracted young people because of the season work opportunities.

Then there is Brighton the retirement area although rocketing property prices will have had it impact on those able to migrate here for retirement.

There will also have been a relocation here of asylum seekers and other displaced persons living on benefits because of the availability of accommodation during the period when the British seaside holiday was replaced by the short time flight to Spain and Greece and with Gatwick airport a quick train ride away and more people coming to the coast for day when the weather is fine. The road between London and Brighton used to be blocked with vehicles on the good summer weekends and bank holidays and with people making their way home slowly from early evening until the pubs closed on coach trips ( what were they called in those day charabanks?) or in packed special trains. Yes charabank is the correct spelling although it is also a character level 80 Troll Hunter to be precise in the World of Warcraft.

Then there are the mangers, the professionals and the service providing workers although my impression is that the latter are now are primarily new and old Europeans and students. I will try and find the time over the next few days to find out a little of the reality.

The sun did emerge, almost for a few minutes after lunch and left my comfortable and ideal position to climb the stairs to sit behind the bowler’s arm. The as I soon as a felt rain in the air I descended and retreated on bench backing on to the wall of Dexter’s the restaurant, so I did not block the view of those sitting at table for a late lunch or an early afternoon tea. When the rain stopped play I joined the dozens of other viewing the Test Match at Lords. It was a brilliant decision because Graham Onions of Durham in his first match took a second wicked in the same over, I missed the first, and then a third and later he took two more to finish with five wickets for 38 runs. The consequence is that anyone taking 5 wickets in an innings or scoring 100 or more runs have their names immediately added to a toll of honour board in the dressing room of the national side. It was the making of a legend. No one can alter what will be there for everyone to see in successive generations.

Returning to the field of play outside in the cold Durham were all out for 380 with Liam Plunkett not out for a career best of 94 and short of the fifth batting point. Sussex had an excellent start with 80 0n the board before the first wicket and then had an extraordinary collapse with five wickets going for 28 runs three were out each for 0 caught by the wicket keeper Mustard, one to Claydon and two to Liam. However then Hodd 101 and Luke Wright 67 came together and put on 150 before the next wicket fell and the Innings closed on Friday only 17 runs behind the Durham total, emphasising my feeling that a draw was the most likely outcome.

In the evening I watched an average episode of Taggart and had intended to watch Any Questions and the late political programme but went to sleep and missed the most significant political event so far this year which is likely to bring forward the end of the Labour Government.

1712 Sussex Cricket Ground by the Sea

I am behind in my writing because of two avoidable situations. The first was the a Microsoft Word programme temporary collapse when I had not saved the work, so engrossed had I become in the subject, and tonight have spent two hours going through everything in my motel room twice and everything in the car once in the hope of finding a little black wallet which contains my bus and metro passes. I suspect it fell in the car park although as the park appears to be run automatically with a central CCTV control monitored somewhere else there was no one to ask. I will have to see if there is a number to contact tomorrow to enquire if it has been handed in otherwise the intention of using the pass while I am away is abandoned and I will have to wait till returning home to seek a replacement.

This should not take away from an excellent day in the sunshine until tea time when sea fog swept in and the air was cold and damp.

I had awoken in the sunshine and decided to take the car to the cricket ground rather than use public transport, otherwise I may have discovered that the pass was missing first thing, delayed leaving to undertake a search and had a miserable day knowing that it was lost. Breakfast was coffee and a plain croissant and I made a flask of coffee to take.

It is over half a decade, possible close to a decade, since visiting Sussex County Cricket ground at Hove but it had not changed in any respect. This will not be so after the season ends in the Autumn. I learnt the details of the changes during the afternoon.

The ground is unusual in that it is completely enclosed by private gardens, private houses and blocks of apartments, with the exception of one narrow entrance sufficient for a private car to use to the north east corner of the ground where there is room for a couple of dozen member’s car available on a first come first served basis and with members with tickets can also use as pedestrians, and the main entrance at the southern end of the ground. In a very rough count there are something like 150 to 200 properties with views of the playing areas although some at a distance

At the main entrance end and within the grounds, the club sold the space for a multi story block of apartments although only those from the fourth level and above have a view of the playing area. Those below this level have no view, blocked by a curious two floor building comprising an education centre for school children plus a viewing area for them and the famous Gilligan Stand roof terrace. Here there are presently 27 groups of four seats considerably spaced apart both between the five rows and between each block as once upon a time before safety regulations were tightened spectators could bring their own seating up the three flights of stairs and on to the banked roof areas. I spent the day here from fifteen minutes before the start of play until just after six pm when it ended, apart from a walk round at lunch time and going into the member’s pavilion for a cup of tea late afternoon.

On the west side of the ground sideways to the wicket is the only area of seating stands with an area for non members and then the Members pavilion which has two long room areas, one with a bar and a coffee and tea with a cake deal in the afternoons for £2.40 and a similar deal with a bacon or sausage roll for £3.40 in the mornings. There are tables seating six from which members can view the play behind glass. I did not enter the second long room area but from the outside it appeared that it as here people were enjoyed a cooked breakfast which is served from 9.30 until the start of play at 11am. I presume the advertised one and two course lunch and full afternoon tea. There is a part covered upper tier to this stand and the lower tier also has a covered area where quaintly some of the seating at the back is of the traditional park bench.

The northern end, either side of the sight screen, has one of the rare remaining features of an English cricket ground as in addition to rows of park benches on banking there are deck chairs. Behind this area there are the outdoor nets and in the north west corner the indoor cricket school which appears to lead off from the Players Pavilion. The east side of the ground is also an anomaly in terms of today’s Test and one Day international grounds. There are no stands. In the northern end there is a single row of seating behind which cars of the disabled can be parked as they are in an area in the North East corner. This appeared to me to be tempting the fates because a six in this area could not just break a windscreen but severely damage the body work. The scoreboard is about a third of the way down the east side and is a two storey white washed brick building with a three sided clock, may be four, I forgot to check on the walk around

There are then some hospitality boxes and a Players Club area and then the previously Members only bar and food tent which reminded of the years of camping holidays and then the hospitality tents which can be purchased on a game by game basis in packs of ten for about £1000. The tents are called Marquees to go with the price.

I was able to find myself a car park place for £4 all day which is only 80 pence more that at Durham and just a little bit further away in terms of walking distance. However the man I asked for directions sent me to the Members entrance which meant I had to walk three quarters around the ground instead of a quarter. The cost of entrance is £13 a day for adults but non members can purchase entry into the Members Pavilion area for an additional £5. Along with visiting members from Essex, Kent, and Hampshire, Durham Members can gain entry for free. However as with the first match against Yorkshire the wicket was on the further end of the square so members in the Pavilion stand were some distance side on from the play, so I quickly moved to the Gilligan stand a little to left of the wicket as it was evident those immediately behind were part of a group of regular members who enjoyed familiar banter.

I was alone for the part of the morning on four seat group and then younger man, possibly in his late thirties sat in the fourth seat for a time, and then reappeared for the last part of the evening session. Another man this time in his sixties took the same seat during the after lunch session and he was joined for a short while just before tea by another man and a guest. The other man proved my source of information about the ground development as the club now has eleven million pounds in the kitty from their three championship winning years and development money from the ECB. The Gilligan stand is the first to be demolished and replaced by fixed sponsorships boxes with a three hundred and forty six seat top tier and a Sky TV area. The media appear to have a facility next to the Members Pavilion. There are also improvement to Members and Players Pavilions with latter returning restoration work in what has become a listed building

Sussex is the home of Paul Parker who during his decade with the club was nominated player of the year three or four times. He came to Durham as Captain in the early years and then rook up an appointment at a Boy’s Public School. Durham‘s opening Batsman previously played for Sussex and was voted their player of the year.

Durham won the toss and elected to bat and this appeared to be the wrong decision as three wickets fell for 41 runs and the score was 161 for 6 before Blenkenstein was joined by Liam Plunket and the two added just under 150 runs before Blenkenstein was out for 136. Liam was 65 not out at the close and with Thorp, Claydon and Harmison to come they will work hard to try and get another batting point before the innings closes. As Sussex do not have the same batting strength as Durham their early batsman will have to get the runs if they are to avoid a repetition of the loss last year. However the rain may affect the result.

It became cold as the Sea fret moved in late afternoon and the morning forecast indicates the possibility of rain.

I went on a little explore of my immediate area after checking the car and discovered I am close to a major shopping centre at Churchill Square where there are two bus routes to the ground and nearby an food sandwich store open from 7 am until 11pm. I shall get up early to buy sandwiches before taking my car to the ground where I may use the pavilion with rain forecast and the English breakfast is very tempting. Everyone appeared to be at the cinema which is next door and if rain stop play I am tempted by the film State of Play. I am yet to walk the pier.