groups, clubs & societies : cricket club : reports archive : december 2002


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Reproduced from the December 2002 / January 2003 issue of the Glenside News


As another year comes to an end, it is sometimes an occasion to take stock of what is happening to our game of cricket. As far as our Club is concerned nothing much has changed. We still struggle to raise a team for League matches, do not play more than two or three friendly fixtures and, with the demise and friendly popularity of our daily ticket system, we struggle financially.

We did win one battle, however. In spite of all the set backs connected to the Foot and Mouth outbreak and being away from the ground for over a year, we managed to restore the wicket to a good condition and, due to the right weather and a heavy roller, got rid of the countless cattle hoof prints. The mole problem was eventually solved as seven were caught and the damage repaired. We are lucky to have a small band of willing (and knowledgable) workers.

The only real alterations to our local cricket next year will be the start time of all League matches. A resolution was passed making matches up to August start at 2pm (30 mins earlier) and 1.30pm thereafter (again an advancement of 30mins!). With most of our League Cricket played on Sundays, that will play havoc with more than a few Roast Beef and Yorkshire Puddings.

Another suggestion put forward is in the umpiring region. An idea has been mooted that a panel of neutral umpires be formed to officiate in Division One (that's us). At the moment it is hoped to appoint just one neutral umpire per match, using the home umpire as well. As far as I know, no indication of the powers of the home official have been thought out. Neither, I believe, has the question of payment to the neutral officials. If they do get paid - either a fee, expenses or both, who provides the money? I reckon the League should.

In the Test Match at Brisbane (ended Sunday 10th November 2002) we totalled just 79 to be defeated by an immense 384 runs. On two occasions in the past we have scored less than this in one innings and still one!

In 1886/87 at Sydney we scored 45 in our first innings but went on to win by 13 runs. In 1894/95, in our first innings we made only 75 but won the game by 94 runs.

There have been twelve occasions in the past where we have scored less than 79 in one innings of a Test against Australia. Five in this country and seven in Australia - four in the first innings and eight in the second. Australia won nine of these games, one was drawn (in 1997 at Lords) and we won just two. Makes grim reading, doesn't it?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Peter Kiely



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