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.
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.
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