Hampshire Cricket History

I’m a big fan of Cage Cricket so pleased to be at Eastleigh’s Hub tonight to see the unveiling of the latest specific Cage space – painted by the users. Given the monsoon conditions, the game didn’t last too long but they played! Stuart Robertson (Hampshire Cricket) and Members’ Chairman Terry Crump (under a big umbrella) were both there – Simon Young is the driving force and the coffee and hot dogs (indoors) supplied by Sainsburys (a good Hampshire cricket name) were most welcome:

I’m engaged in a delightful correspondence about music with one of the respondents to my questions, keith Fray. We share a real fondness for some artists – I used to feel my loves for music and cricket were rather separate things but not always these days – blimey even the Chairman’s a rock guitarist (I’m thinking of HS Altham at this moment …)

Anyway, Keith thinks that as part of the survey (now about three quarters through) I should have asked you to name your all-time best ever Hampshire XI

Good idea Keith

So I will

Stick it on here as a Comment or email me (dave.allen@port.ac.uk) and I’ll include it

Criteria? I’d suggest none or make your own (how many overseas etc?). Otherwise pick a team that could compete in any format – for example if you think George Brown would have been a great batsman/wicketkeeper/fast bowler in the Championship and 50/40/20 overs stick him in. If you think Michael Lumb was only special in short stuff, leave him out.

Jonathan Lord is one of the respondents to my questions about supporting Hampshire cricket. He was born on the opening day of the 1953 season (Hampshire v Essex at Southampton) but his family moved to Scotland in 1959 and he has supported them since from north of the border.

He first saw Hampshire play v Kent at Gillingham on 13 August 1966 – about which there is an odd tale which some of you may remember:

This was a Saturday, just three days after Hampshire had lost in a knock-out semi final for the first time (at Worcester). The game at Gillingham was one of those experimental Championship games that year, when the first innings was limited to just 65 overs although Shackleton (6-59) and Cottam (4-46) ensured that Kent only lasted into the 61^st over anyway. Barry Reed was dismissed immediately but on day two Hampshire reached 209-4, a lead of 64 when their innings was closed! Fortunately this ridiculous idea was shelved after one year. Kent then saved the match by batting for 135 overs in scoring 262 all out (Shackleton 44-25-45-2)

I’m hoping Jonathan gave the last day a miss!

I am working my way through the responses to the ‘Supporters’ questions. I’m about a third of the way through the first group and it’s very interesting. I shall get this first set done before I start asking for more but if anyone out there is still planning to submit please do.

Here’s a great little story in John West’s response:

A story from May’s Bounty, Basingstoke. I was watching from the town end next to the sightscreen. The steward operating “the rope”, who did not know me from Adam, asked me if I would take over his rope duties whilst he went to the on-site bookies to check his bets! I politely declined.

Thanks John (you should have offered to share his winnings!)

Take your pick really. I was once a passionate football player, coach and fan – even did the odd game as a Ref – but my passion is long gone and now I just look on from a distance.

But this weekend is rather different and surely unique in the history of football in Hampshire. This is particularly because of the FA Cup where Basingstoke have a replay, Eastleigh are through and on Remembrance Sunday the meeting of Pompey and Aldershot is perfect. Tomorrow Havant & Waterlooville play Preston who I can recall watching in a Cup Final (on TV) – but because I’m married to a Gosport girl I’m hoping especially that they can win this afternoon and then draw Pompey at home in Round Two (!).

Meanwhile in the League, Bournemouth are terrific (no-one really believes Bournemouth is in Dorset do they?) and from a Pompey boy born-and-bred (and still here) my congratulations to that lot along the road – second best team in the country. Good for Hampshire, well done.

That may be the first and last football message here, but it is a remarkable weekend.

Sussex want to charge ‘reciprocal’ members ground entry. They’ve decided to sign every available pace bowler in the country (Mills, Shazad …) and need more ‘dosh’ to pay for them.

… at the Ageas Bowl, although when I was over there today Michael Carberry had been in the nets with Giles White. Chris Wood was about too. I enquired of one or two people about Michael Bates but there is no definite news of a new county yet.

The story which has been circulating over the past couple of weeks is confirmed today on the BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-29850119

It mentions as stars who played there the Duke of Edinburgh and WG Grace (who only ever played there in a Festival game or two)

No Richards, Marshall, Mead, Greenidge etc