Cricket - a game for old bats?

That's a nice blog.

I don't think I knew Headingley was in Yorkshire. Get it mixed up with the Oval.

Well I love live cricket (not so keen on it on TV). I certainly wouldn't take my knitting, might miss something! I support Worcestershire (I know, they could be better) and DH supports Warwickshire so he thoroughly enjoyed the results last year. We sat there at New Road wearing our respective supporter's hats and although I, in the true spirit of cricket, applauded Warwicks, himself was not so kind to Worcs!

I got rather fed up with an older guy who kept shouting "why don't .............." that I stood up and said "because they are the professionals and you are not" which had a crowd of young chaps in hysterics.

At least in cricket there is no need to segregate the fans as they have to with football.

We have also been to some of the ladies matches which are much faster than the men's.

It is something we share and always a very pleasant day out, regardless of who wins or loses.

I love cricket, don't have a particular team I support, but am always keen on what Sussex is doing, coming from the south as I do. I was sitting watching cricket with my dad on the day war broke out. We lived in south London, and we were in Beckenham Place Park, a regular spot for me and my dad, when aircraft started zooming overhead. Everyone started to move away, and I remember hurrying home as fast as we could, although we did not get far because a policeman stopped us and insisted we take shelter in the police station which had been fortified. Later on I used to go with my boy friend (now husband) and support the local boys club, learning to score and take a proper interest. I still love cricket, so much more civilised than football (which I also used to watch with my dad, but now hate), and we have on a couple of occasions taken our son to Headingly to see the test matches there. Arundel is of course a lovely ground and we go there when we can. Roll on a proper summer when we can watch in comfort.

Our dream is to one day join the 'Barmy Army' but we would have to come into money to do that!

Yes, they are an odd crowd, but do a lot of good work I believe, and it must be great to be able to travel around and support the England Team. At one time when we were staying at Headingly we sat at meal times with a man who spent his life just following the England Cricket Team round the globe. I would have found that a little much, but how lovely to be able to choose to do that.

As a Yorkshire lass , born and bred, love of cricket was absorbed in the very air we breathed. When pregnant, I was under strict instructions to make sure I was within the county boundary to give birth to my DS, just in case he turned out to be a second Fred Trueman. In those days only Yorkshire-born players could play for the White Rose County. (No longer the case)

Happily I managed to do my duty. Sadly, DS was not up to the mark re cricket but he did manage to play Rugby League for English Universities at Murrayfield!

It was only after being taken to teh Sydney Cricket Ground - because the singer I was working with was taking part in a charity lawnmower race during an interval, that I learned to appreciate the atmosphere... I found yself back home watching the Test matches - before they migrated to TV channels I don't have... Lately I have watched part of some of the Indian matches being shown here... I suppose I have to admit to myself that I quite like cricket! And baseball, but that is another story...

Younger son was a good cricketer - almost got picked for Cheshire under 16s - he did make it for hockey but at least it doesn't take so long to watch a hockey match as it does to sit on the side trying to concentrate on cricket. When we lived in Norfolk, the easiest test ground to reach was Trent Bridge, a very pleasant ground. The Notts team at the time featured DS's idol, Richard Hadlee on whom he failed to model himself! We watched him playing for the county and for the NZ test side - a lovely bowling action. You see - I did become a kind of connoisseur. I do regret that cricket is no longer available on free to air TV. I can't afford to splash out on Sky sports so have to make do with highlights on Channel 5, when I have already heard what's happened during the day.

I'm pretty sure you are supposed to listen to cricket on Radio 3. Remember the giggly moments?

Remember this one? DD2 was a huge cricket fan in those days and she called me to the radio.

for years I took my kids ( or rather my husband took us all) to watch Somerset play cricket - both my son's were good - one was excellent- possible England material - but injured his knee & can no longer play. My daughter played for a while but she has a sight defect which means she cannot judge distances.

I no longer go as the cost of membership/match attendance is too much especially when added to the expensive train fare from home to Taunton

When we were in India a couple of years ago we kept an eye on the cricket and discussed it a lot with our driver who was also a fan. One night we went into the hotel and switched the TV on to watch England v India, a crucial match. It ended as a draw, not because they ran out of time but because the score was even! It was great to meet the driver the next day - honours even. Such happy memories.

Now when can we go and watch the Windies?

I like to watch a game of cricket! my grandpa took me to the Oval when I was a little girl and i got into it there!

At school I learned to play but was always too scared of the ball to be a good fielder!
As a head teacher I encouraged cricket in school. We were in an area where there were lots of Sri Lankan families and the boys payed very enthusiastically but the British kids moaned about wanting to play football but I would not let them play in the summer term!

I don"t think it is for old bats at all my GS plays for Warwickshire Bears at Edgbaston , B"ham and seems to enjoy it very much .

I also like watching cricket and do not consider myself an old bat . Nothing further from the truth !!!!!!!!!!!



Forest fires raging in Colorado where we are at moment , in Rocky mountains plus Colorado Springs 60 miles from Denver where we fly out from.
fingers crossed

My love of cricket stems from my Granddad playing with us in the garden. As the youngest for most of the time I was considered very good because I could catch the ball one handed (a proper cricket ball). My big sister hated it and I think we might have been a bit offish to her because she didn't do things like climbing trees and cricket.

I also love a game of French cricket with the family but have had to teach it to all the girls as they don't seem to have come across it before.

We watched South Today on BBC1 yesterday evening, and there were a group of people with learning difficulties playing at Arundel Castle Cricket Ground. We wished we had know about this, because we have a fondness for people with learning disabilities, and love cricket, and we know how much these people enjoy taking part in 'competitions' Any one else catch it?

Yes PrintmissI saw it and thought how beautiful Arundel Castle Cricket Ground is. I found the presenter, Sally Taylor, intensely irritating though!

Yes, Gagagran she does occasionally do that, but on the whole presents well, I think. Arundel Caslt Cricket Ground is a lovely place to just sit and watch the game - depending on the weather of course, and we are checking to see if the people with learning disabilities will be there next year, in which case we shall try to be there.

Thank you very much Gransnet - even my DH is rubbing his hands with glee at the thought of reading this!

Thank you Gransnet! Book will make excellent summer reading! I love anything Yorkshire. Harry Pearson looks and sounds a lovely Yorkshire man.

Does that include me then Jingle? ( being a Yorkshire Rose)

Yes. Includes you Gagagran.

Thanks Gransnet, looking forward to that.