Cricket

IAN THOMSON RIP

There must be something in the Sussex air that inspires longevity as in 2018 five our of the last six surviving Test players wore the six martlet sweater of Sussex CCC: Don Smith, Hubert Doggart, Alan Oakman, Ian Thomson and Jim Parks. With the recent passing of Ian Thomson, only Jim Parks [...]

August 5, 2021 // 0 Comments

A thriller at Hove

When the T20 rose in popularity it was feared that the 50 over format would feel the squeeze. It had tradition, a variety of sponsors from Gillette to Cheltenham and Gloucester Building Society to the NatWest Bank. It was above all the format for the World Cup. Its latest competition sponsored by [...]

August 2, 2021 // 0 Comments

Withdrawal and well being

One of the features of this year’s sport has been the withdrawal from participation by elite sportswomen and sportsmen. Naomi Osaka was followed by Simone Biles and the latest is Ben Stokes. Generally the media attitude is sympathetic. Gone are the days when Frank Bruno was cruelly mocked by the [...]

August 1, 2021 // 0 Comments

More thoughts on Sussex sport and the Hundred

Yesterday I had intended to go to Hove Cricket Ground to see the Sussex Sharks v Kent Spitfires in the Royal London 50 over match. Except for a window in the afternoon there was no play and the game ended “no result’, Sussex’s sixth such ending in all competitions. It was little consolation [...]

July 31, 2021 // 0 Comments

The Hundred/a spectator’s view

I watched both the women’s and men’s Hundred on television and to my surprise enjoyed both. This said I believe it has more drawbacks than attractions. First is association. Neither Brighton nor Sussex have a franchise. The nearest venue is Southampton where the Ageas Bowl hosts the Southern [...]

July 23, 2021 // 0 Comments

Cricketing Lives/Richard H. Thomas

This is less a compendium of the lives of colourful cricketers than a broad sweep of cricketing history to the present day. Charlie Blythe It’s well informed, witty and entertaining but did not tell me much I did not already know. It’s particularly interesting on Victorian cricket, an era [...]

July 20, 2021 // 0 Comments

Sussex Sharks don’t bite

There was a familiar batting collapse which we associate more with the red ball side as the Sharks were easily defeated by Gloucestershire. Bob Tickler – my guest – is normally the most jovial of souls but I can confirm his post that he was utterly stressed out by his email problem on [...]

June 26, 2021 // 0 Comments

The World Test: is it worth it?

The World Test Final had another day ( the fourth day) rained off yesterday and – although there is a reserve day and better weather forecast today at the Ageas Bowl – a draw seems likeliest and the question needs to be raised whether it is worthwhile in what is already a congested [...]

June 22, 2021 // 0 Comments

Crowd control

It’s an ironic issue that English football – having moaned the absence of crowds – is now presented with a tricky problem by their return. The problem is “taking the knee”. Gareth Southgate has consulted the England players who are in favour. Fans are not and even [...]

June 13, 2021 // 0 Comments

England v New Zealand (third day)

After the washout on Friday we were rewarded by a glorious sunshine yesterday. We were also treated to the now familiar phenomenon of an England batting collapse. Joe Root went first ball and the wickets continued to tumble all morning. Only a stand between Ollie ‘Naughty Step’ Robinson and [...]

June 6, 2021 // 0 Comments

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IAN THOMSON RIP

August 5, 2021 // 0 Comments

There must be something in the Sussex air that inspires longevity as in 2018 five our of the last six surviving Test players wore the six martlet sweater of Sussex CCC: Don [...]
Thinking the unthinkable

August 5, 2021 // 0 Comments

Last week brought media reports of a new study undertaken by Professor Willie Stewart at the University of Glasgow which apparently demonstrates that professional footballers [...]
Write around the world/BBC4

August 4, 2021 // 0 Comments

I was attracted to this programme presented by actor Richard E Grant for several reasons. Firstly, I had seen his programme on the art of The French Riviera and enjoyed it. [...]
Olympic coverage

August 3, 2021 // 0 Comments

Like my colleagues on the Rust I find the back drop of empty seats in the stadiums a distinct turn off. In the week of track and field I miss the winning athlete draped in [...]
It’s about everything – and nothing …

August 3, 2021 // 0 Comments

As I begin my post today, reflecting upon some of the issues thrown up by the Olympics currently belatedly taking place in Tokyo, I’m conscious that I’m sailing gingerly [...]