August Newsletter 2011
Vintage Cricket Newsletter
August 2011
There is certainly plenty of good things happening in the World of Cricket.
England continue to dominate, Zimbabwe are taking their first steps back to cricketing redemption and how good to see that the 2015 World Cricket Cup will actually be a World event with the Associate countries being given a fair opportunity to be involved. Cricket will continue to spread and develop if the so-called minnows are given a World Cup incentive to improve and perform at the highest levels of limited over cricket.
In this newsletter read about:
- Latest news on the expanding 6th World Vintage Cricket Carnival to be held in Wellington in March next year
- Coinciding with the 3rd Test Match between New Zealand and South Africa to be played at the iconic Basin Reserve and Vintage Cricketers and their friends and families will be special guests.
- Three great excursions for Vintage Cricketers and their friends and families by train to the wonderful Wairarapa-home of Carnival sponsors Tui Breweries, host of some of New Zealand’s best boutique wineries and a great destination for garden and farm visits.
- The expanding number of entries includes teams and players coming from all parts of the cricketing world to be part of the Carnival-great destination and great cricket.
- Lyn McConnell’s take on a controversial book by past ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed and also his thoughts on one of the great sports films, Fire in Babylon.
- Lynn’s thoughts on the England Cricket team…no 1 at the moment but for how long?
- The outstanding Eastbourne Cricket Club situated on the Harbour’s edge in Wellington-one of the first clubs to sign up to host games at the Carnival. A game at Eastbourne is not to be missed as the club not only provides a great ground but also outstanding hospitality and friendship.
- A welcome back to Geoff Howarth, past New Zealand Captain who will be leading the Internationals on a tour of the North Island of New Zealand before taking part in the Carnival at Wellington. There are still places available in the Internationals for those who would enjoy the experience playing with a great group of players from various parts of the world.
- Over 60s cricket has become an integral part of the Vintage Cricket Carnival with the teams in the Over 60s Section having their own grouping and the option to select their own opponents.
- Wellington is one of the great destinations-culture, restaurants, bars, National Museum, fantastic harbour, places to go and things to do plus some wonderful cricket clubs and personalities.
And a new extensive website has been launched on www.vintagecricket.com that contains more information, more opinions, details of Cricket Carnivals and Tours and includes our regular McConnell’s Corner and For the Love of the Game features. Take a look and enjoy the chance to express your opinion on cricket matters that interest you.
And we are now on Facebook-just click here and take the opportunity to keep up with all matters relating to Vintage Cricket and beyond.
Looking forward to hearing from you and to maybe enjoying your company at a Carnival, Schools Challenge or on one of our tours.
Yours in cricket,
Peter McDermott
Vintage Cricket Office
Level One, 250 Mahurangi East Rd
PO Box 78
Snells Beach 0942, New Zealand
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6th World Vintage Cricket Carnival, Wellington, New Zealand-18th to 24th March, 2012
Third Cricket Test: South Africa v New Zealand, Basin Reserve, Wellington-23rd to 27th March 2012:
Now part of the Vintage Cricket Carnival, the 2nd and 3rd days of the Test Match will be special days for all those attending the Vintage Cricket Carnival who wish to enjoy competitive Test Cricket at one of the world’s great boutique Test Venues. On Saturday 24th March, Vintage Cricketers, Officials, Supporters and Friends will be able to purchase tickets and enjoy hospitality at the Vintage Cricket marquee and view from a specially designed Vintage Cricket seating area. Lunch will be provided and an ongoing bar service will be offered. Numbers unfortunately are limited but the 1st 200 who apply will be welcome to be part of a fabulous day at the Test. Full details of prices for admission and for being a welcome guest of New Zealand Cricket, Cricket Wellington and Vintage Cricket will follow. But if you are interested please let us know by email Dianne at Dianne@vintagecricket.com
Three Great Excursions on Big Day Out, Thursday 22nd March 2012:
The Big Day Out will offer 3 great options for the chance to visit the Wairarapa province north of Wellington. All three excursions will depart from the centrally located Wellington Railway Station on an exclusive Vintage Cricket service and will travel through the outskirts of Wellington, alongside the Harbour, through Hutt City, and the Rimutaka Ranges to the quaint country town, Featherston. There the participants will split into their selected option and a day touring and enjoying the various activities applicable to their selection. At the conclusion of their touring all three groups will rejoin the train at Featherston for travel back to Wellington Rail Station and transfer back to their accommodation.
Option One: Wine Lovers- From Featherston Railway Station you will travel 20 km’s to the Martinborough Wine Village. You will then visit the first of the four vineyards included in the tour. Lunch is included in this tour package at one of the delightful cafe's the area has to offer. After lunch the tour visits the remainder of the days selected wineries. The final visit of the day is to the Martinborough Wine Centre or IN.GRE'DI.ENT Cafe for a further glass of wine or coffee or tea along with a delicious cheese platter. You will have time to wander through the interesting range of retail shops and galleries that make up the Martinborough Village before departure from Martinborough for the Featherston Railway Station around 3.45pm.
Option Two: Beer Lovers- You can get a Tui beer anywhere in New Zealand, but there is only one place you can experience it all-Tui Brewery- the Holy Grail of beer! You will enjoy a personal guided tour around Tui Brewery followed by a warm welcome at the bar. Enjoy beer tasting and a visit to the Tui Museum. Enjoy a Kiwiana lunch at the Tui HQ Café followed by a visit and tasting at a local Wairarapa vineyard before transferring back to the Railway Station for the return to Wellington.
Option Three: Garden Lovers- This tour visits two absolutely stunning gardens, one the very formal “Richmond Garden” in Carterton which is one of the only four New Zealand gardens to be given a New Zealand Garden of International Significance status. The other, "Assisi" is a non-traditional garden set high up above the Wairarapa Valley offering some of the most amazing views of the region. Lunch on this tour is included at the historic “Gladstone Inn”, the winner of a Hotel Association of New Zealand’s Best Country Hotel award, as well as a visit to one of the award winning vineyards in the area. You will finish the day with a visit to Greytown, New Zealand’s oldest planned inland town with its main street dotted with many lovingly restored Victorian homes and shops. You will join the train at the little historic Woodside Station for the return journey to Wellington.
Prices and full details will be advised to Team Managers in the next month or so. Look forward to good turnouts to what will be a great Big Day Out.
Team and Player Entries: Where are they all coming from?
New Zealand:
Geyserland Googlies; Cambridge Antiques; Counties Crocks; Nae Nae Nondescripts; Whitby Wanderers; Fingletoads Internationals; Eastbourne; Tawa Turtles; Fingletoads Merlots; Hamilton Planks; Fingletoads Chardonnays; Marton Ol’ Fellas; Johnsonville; Karori; Taita; Sri Lankans Wellington; Petone-Riverside; Nae Nae Presidents; Brooklyn and there are more entries in the pipeline.
Australia:
Mackay Nobros; Outback Emus; Victoria Over 60s (2 teams); Wheatons; Newcastle Lords Taverners; Australia Cricket Society; University of Western Australia; UNEX of Armidale; Bundaberg Vets and the door is still open for those others who have expressed interest.
Canada:
Vancouver Island Vagabonds
England:
Shropshire Over 50s; The Forty Club
South Africa:
Western Province Cricket Club
India:
Beyond Boundaries Cricket
USA:
Hollywood Golden Oldies
Barbados:
Barbados Masters
Plenty of room for more teams and entries welcome…just follow this link, complete your entry and enjoy the fun.
McConnell’s Corner
Book Review:
Sticky Wicket by Malcolm Speed, former CEO of ICC, released March 2011.
“This is a book that had to be written, and by someone who was on the inside of cricket during some of its more turbulent times.” – Richie Benaud
The state of world cricket is a constant subject of debate. This is especially as the power base shifts from the traditional English enclave at Lord's where the old countries, England, Australia and South Africa, although its influence was decreased during the apartheid era, held sway to the financially-dominant Indian sub-continent.
The ICC may have moved from Lord's to Dubai but that geographic shift was only part of the seismic move in the world game – a move that has best been demonstrated by the emergence of IPL and the way it has been accommodated so swiftly, yet without regard to traditional cricket demands. The fees involved are more important to the players, as West Indian captain Chris Gayle demonstrated, and as New Zealanders showed ahead of their last tour of England when they joined the tour late.
While getting inside this change is not always easy, unless some scandal erupts which puts emphasis on one aspect of the relationship between India and the rest, former ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed witnessed it at first hand and has recounted his experiences in a fascinating book 'Sticky Wicket'.
Speed felt that India's influence was not a negative – all could benefit from the sale of television rights to the insatiable Indian market.
He commented: "I think it is a great advantage for cricket...India's revenues are sustainable if the game is well governed in India by honest men of wisdom, ability, enthusiasm and sound judgement. Therein lies the threat, the potential weakness and the challenge that faces the game in the sub-continent."
Speed had his own concerns when accepting the job and said he believed the key indicators in a sporting organisation were 'respect, influence and an appropriate level of control', and as he considered the ICC role, he asked if he would have the support of all members, including India, to achieve this?
But Speed said he never achieved the qualities he desired in the organisation once Jagmohan Dalmiya became president of India's board of control (BCCI). He outlines many of the problems they experienced during his leadership term, and beyond, when Dalmiya's successors were his nominees for the role.
Speed said that he was far from confident that those who bore office for the BCCI had the ICC's best interests at heart. His relationship with India is described by Speed in full, and is too lengthy to repeat here but he did feel the description of him in one Indian newspaper as one of the 'least-liked men in India' wasn't a bad effort.
The fact that Speed was in the last months of his role as chief executive during the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies, also provides much substance in his book. Undoubtedly the death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was the big news event of the tournament, and Speed's backgrounding of the episode is enlightening, right down to the fact that the pathologist who made the comments which led to the suspicion of Woolmer having been murdered, had no formal pathology qualifications and his only medical qualifications were achieved after three years study at a university in southern India.
He wrongly diagnosed that the hyoid bone in Woolmer's neck was broken – it wasn't. And a panel of pathologists who reviewed the case found that the blood which resulted in the pathologist believing that Woolmer had been strangled was caused by the pathologist's faulty dissection of Woolmer's body.
All of which occurred during the media circus which was created by the deputy commissioner of the Jamaican Constabulary Force, Mark Shields. Speed was unimpressed with the efforts of the publicity-seeking Shields.
Speed's own view, after an open verdict was delivered in the coroner's inquest, was that Woolmer died of natural causes. His heart was dangerously enlarged, he had suffered several heart attacks and he was overweight and a diabetic.
In terms of many aspects of world cricket during the 10 years in which Speed was involved, his side of the story in several major incidents including the 'monkeygate' scandal involving India and Australia in 2008 and the August 2006 incident in which umpire Darrell Hair accused Pakistan of ball tampering during a Test in England, makes his book a key document in understanding what happened during one of the more turbulent eras of the great game.
His book makes clear the difficulties facing administrators of the game and provides a better understanding of the controversies that are so commonplace nowadays.
Sticky Wicket is a must for anyone with the interests of cricket at heart.
Lynn McConnell
Email: lynn@vintagecricket.com
Fire in Babylon
Coming its way to a cinema or a DVD shop near you is a classic cricket film that is well worth seeing.
Don't be fooled by the title, Fire in Babylon , nothing biblical but certainly historic, it is a retrospective look at one of the most dominant eras in cricket history, that of the West Indies during the heyday of their fast bowling stranglehold on the world game.
In a modern day, cinematic version of that masterly study of West Indian cricket and what it means to its communities, C L R James' Beyond A Boundary, Fire in Babylon captures outstandingly the method and intent of the fast bowling assault fired firstly by Clive Lloyd and secondly by Viv Richards during the late-1970s and 1980s.
Bowlers like Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Colin Croft, Malcolm Marshall, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose held the cricket world in their thrall during this unrelenting era which now seems like ages ago – especially given the decline of West Indian cricket since.
As an aside, it will be interesting to see future studies of just how much West Indian cricket's fall was a result of this era, or if other matters are responsible. However, a cast of the characters of the era make it clear just how much being involved in those days was a reflection of the players wanting to make a statement.
Equally, it was the humiliation in Australia at the hands of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson that set the wheels in motion for the tactics Lloyd adopted, and it was also the unfortunate comments of Tony Greig that England would make the West Indians grovel that provided the spark to the revolution.
Greig's comments were ridiculous and coming from a transplanted South African who had to escape the apartheid regime to fulfil the potential that his government was preventing millions of blacks from fulfilling in his own country they were ignorant. If ever there is a top 10 list of motivating comments for why events occurred in sport his will be near the top of the list.
Lloyd, Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Croft, Holding and Deryck Murray all have their say on what fuelled the West Indies attack and it makes for compelling viewing. Given the full treatment on the large screen this is quality film making and a clear example of just how dramatic sport can be when unleashed in this manner.
Don't miss it. Fire in Babylon is on the way to being one of the great sports movies.
Lynn McConnell
Email: lynn@vintagecricket.com
England Number One Again At Last….but for How Long:
No-one would deny England their right to be regarded as the No.1 Test team in the world at the moment. Their domination of India, following on from their recent spate of success against Australia, has clearly demonstrated the side's placement on the world scene. It is reward for consistency, as these rankings must always be - consistency of selection, performance and opportunity taken by those lucky enough to receive it.
Whenever teams achieve these sorts of goals the method of success seems so obvious that it sometimes defies belief that it took so long to get there.
This is especially the case among leading nations. For countries like Pakistan, New Zealand and the West Indies, of the longer placed teams in the top echelon of international play, the lack of resources mean they are less likely to challenge for the top place. Theirs is a once in a generation opportunity while England, Australia, South Africa and India each have the resources to be among the leading sides in the world on a much more consistent basis.
That they are not always in that position comes down to organisation, planning for the future and player development – something Australia, after such a long period of domination, is struggling with at the moment.
But it has been a long road for England to achieve its ranking and, perhaps most of the top countries, it is the team that could be said to have most squandered its resources over the years. However, after the initial steps put in place by Duncan Fletcher, it has been Andy Flower's good fortune to be able to build on that and make England the force that it should be in the world Test game.
What then for India? It has suffered heavily from injury concerns during the series in England and that is unfortunate. But against that it needs to be asked if the injury list is surprising given the amount of cricket India's players are now subjected to. The blind dedication to the IPL must have an impact on player performance and the workload is not something that looks like lessening in the immediate future. After the Test series with England, they play a one-day series of five ODIs. They go home to play in the Champions League. Following that the West Indies turn up for a series in India and once that is over it is off to Australia in December for a four-Test series.
India's Australian preparation? A warm-up game of four days in Canberra! That will be a severe test of Indian skill as Australia looks to regain some of its lost prestige.
India's other factor is the ageing nature of its batting lineup especially. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag are all over the hump and can't go on forever.
In the meantime England are set to play a Test series in the United Arab Emirates against Pakistan where their status as No.1 will come under its first assault.
For the moment England can bask in its new-found status while others can absorb the lessons of team, and performance, building and make their own bid for No.1 status. There is no doubt that when there is a more even spread of performance among the leading nations Test cricket takes on an extra edge for the fans and that continues to make the longest form of the game still the most appealing.
Yet another fascinating southern hemisphere summer is in prospect.
Lynn McConnell
Email: lynn@vintagecricket.com
Great Little Host Club: Eastbourne Cricket Club, Wellington
One of the 1st Clubs to sign up to be part of the Vintage Cricket Carnival was the iconic Eastbourne Cricket Club situated on the eastern edge of Wellington Harbour.
Approximately 30 minutes drive around the Wellington Harbour, Eastbourne is a delightful seaside village that hosts a successful and well-managed club with great playing facilities and excellent clubrooms.
The Eastbourne Cricket Club hosts extensive junior cricket on weekend mornings and senior cricket in the afternoons. The Club is excited about their involvement in the Vintage Cricket Carnival. Enthusiastic Chairman, Phil Sissons has said that teams lucky enough to play H W Shortt Park in Eastbourne can be assured of a warm welcome, great hospitality and some good cricket.
For wives, partners and supporters visiting Eastbourne with their team there is plenty to do and see if they need a spell from watching cricket. The village has cafes, a delicatessen, a book shop, restaurants, a small supermarket, several takeaways, a fresh fruit & vegetable shop, a dairy, a pharmacy, an antique shop, pub (tavern), beauty salons, gift shops, a butcher, a computer shop, and a woman's fashion boutique.
There is a regular trans-harbour ferry service between Wellington and Eastbourne, which docks at the Days Bay wharf in Eastbourne and at Queen's Wharf close to down-town Wellington. The ferry provides an intriguing and enjoyable (and occasionally rough) alternative to the road journey and may be something teams and supporters could consider.
It is a privilege and a pleasure to have Eastbourne Cricket Club as a popular and delightful host club for the Vintage Cricket Carnival. It will be an enjoyable destination for those clubs that make the trip around or across the harbour.
Geoff Howarth and his Happy Band of Internationals:
Former New Zealand Captain (1979 to 1984) will be returning to Vintage Cricket (having previously attended Carnivals in Perth, Barbados and Stratford upon Avon) and will be resuming his role as captain of the Internationals team. The Internationals are a group of players from various parts of the world who do not have a team but want to take part in Vintage Cricket Carnivals.
In the past players have come from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Barbados and England. Standards vary but great fun and good games are guaranteed. The Internationals have been represented at all 5 previous Carnivals and there are a number of players who have played with them more than once.
In March 2012 the team will be touring the North Island of New Zealand from Friday March 9 until Saturday March 17 when they will arrive in Wellington to take part in the 6th World Vintage Cricket Carnival. They will be visiting Auckland, Tauranga, Rotorua and Lake Taupo and will play 3 games prior to the Carnival. The Carnival concludes on Saturday March 24 with players having the option to stay in Wellington to watch Days 2 and 3 of the Test Match New Zealand v South Africa at the Basin Reserve Test Ground.
There are still places available in the Internationals so if you are looking for a team to join, a tour to enjoy and a couple of weeks of fun, friendship and good cricket just drop us an email to internationals@vintagecricket.com and we can send you full details and an invite to be a member of a unique team of cricket enthusiasts and supporters.
Prices per person start at Au$3,305 per person share twin (excludes international airfares). Look forward to hearing from you and to providing you with the chance to play under a previous Test Captain.
Over 60s Cricket at the World Vintage Cricket Carnival:
A new and welcome feature is a special section of the Carnival for teams of players over the age of 60 to enjoy cricket with and against like-minded (and aged) teams. The Victorian Over 60s are bringing 2 teams to play in the newly established section and they will be joined by teams from around New Zealand including Fingletoads Merlots, the Internationals and NaeNae. Over 60s cricket is growing in various parts of the cricketing world-particularly England and Australia and more recently New Zealand.
If you and your team wish to enjoy the Over 60s cricket experience and believe us it is competitive on the field and fun and friendship off just let us know as you make your entry. We are anticipating at least 6 teams and probably more taking part in the Over 60s.
Interested in being part of the
Over 60s section e-mail us and let us know.
Wellington: Coolest Little Capital in the World:
From culture to coffee, music to movie-making, Wellington’s sights and sounds will leave you wanting more. If you’re into the outdoors Wellington offers action-packed adventure activities, picturesque walks around the beautiful harbour and hills, the magnificent Te Papa National Museum, Oriental Bay-a golden sand inner-city beach, magnificent botanical gardens, bars, restaurants and a wide range of attractions all in close vicinity to the central city.
Check out the Weta Cave in Miramar, Wellington which screens a first-ever behind-the-scenes look at Weta-the studio behind production of the Lord of the Rings movies. The visit features interviews with Weta co-founders Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Jamie Selkirk and provides an exclusive insight into the creativity and imagination that goes into crafting the art of Weta.
In the mini-museum, you come face to face with some of the characters, props and displays from your favourite movies. Read the stories of how they were brought to life and learn about the artists who created them. Entry to the Weta Cave with its museum and film screening is absolutely free - come and enjoy with us.
Learn more about all that Wellington has to offer at www.wellingtonnz.com and don’t forget the 3 great Big Day Out excursions that the Carnival will offer.
Wellington and its environs-great place to visit and enjoy
The Last Word:
As always we use our favourite quote that perfectly sums up Vintage Cricket…..
At a time when cricket is taking off in unprecedented ways at the top commercial levels your presence reminds us that the soul of cricket still resides in the hundreds of thousands of players from many different backgrounds in many different places who play the game socially for the love of it promoting respect and understanding amongst people in the process.
Wellington and its enthusiastic cricket fraternity is waiting to welcome cricketers over the age of 35, their teams, supporters, wives and partners and even the umpires to come to a great destination to enjoy a celebration of the great game of cricket.
