Home Thoughts From Abroad

Well not exactly abroad, but I have been spending some time in Yorkshire, leading to a serious restriction on my cricket watching time. I only managed to get along to the opening day of the Glos – Middlesex game that started back at the end of April. In fact, I didn’t even manage the whole day, as we had an important cheese tasting session to attend on that Friday evening. I know its all about priorities, and fortunately the cheese was very good. 

Two things come to mind when the phrase “Home Thoughts From Abroad” is used. There is the Lyrical poem by Robert Browning, appropriate as it starts by bringing to mind the glorious awakening of the British countryside in April and May. I don’t think that a such a joyous lyrical poem would have been written, after the decidedly soggy April that most of us experienced this year!

The other, is a song, of the same name by Clifford T. Ward which references that poem. It contains the line “How is Worcestershire?” Something I’ll return to later. 

But the first let’s talk a little of the play that I did see.

The day saw me preparing for another chilly occasion. It looked like being an overcast sort of day, that would potentially see the requirement for gloves again. How wrong I was! By mid-afternoon, I was regretting my lack of sun cream and a hat. The long-sleeved T-Shirt, was a nuisance and deciding not bring along any cold water was another stupid decision.

Fortunately, though the cricket was excellent. Glos came into the match after a spirted defeat away at Sussex. Our star in that game, with excellent contributions with bat and ball was Zafar Gohar. Sadly though, he was injured during the pre-match warm up for this game, so he had to drop out. The Glos attack  would be predominately made up of their fast bowlers, all of whom are looking lively this year.

Initially Middlesex looked pretty comfortable, before 3 wickets fell in quick succession. Zaman Akhter making the initial break though 17 balls later Marchant de Lange had 2 wickets to his name. Then another period of batting stability saw Middlesex take lunch at 105-3. Honours fairly even.

Our small gathering, and those around spoke briefly of the upcoming Glos AGM, there were fears (sadly later confirmed ) that the Glos finances appear to have been run with the same level of fiscal prudence as the Truss/Kwarteng double act which bankrupted the nation a while back. 

When play resumed the Glos attack set about the Middlesex batters with urgency. With Marchant de Lange at the helm, Glos rushed Middlesex out for just 203 inside 60 overs. Last season poor de Lange only took 6 wickets in a summer cut short by injury. Today he took 6 wickets in a few hours, showing what a potent force, he can be. Also good to see young Dom Goodman take a couple of wickets in a good performance. 

After a couple of seasons when we have struggled to pick up bowling (or batting) bonus points, this was a day to savour. 

As mentioned previously, I couldn’t stay for the whole session after tea. Before I left though, poor old Chris Dent was out. It was he, that was the late addition to the team following Zafar’s injury. Dent apparently has a back issue himself, which may be affecting his early season form.

We tasted 10 different cheeses at the excellent L’affinage Du Formage in Westbry Park. Once for each Middlesex wicket. And there were some very tasty deliveries in their selection.

The next day we set off for Yorkshire, so kept tabs from a distance as the game ebbed and flowed. Finally ending in another drawn game in Bristol.

Whilst we were away there were a couple of sad pieces of cricketing news. First up was the situation with very promising Glos player Ben Wells. A routine screening diagnosed that Ben has a heart condition which requires him to give up the game immediately. The last time I saw him play was last year, in what turned out to be his last game. Fittingly he scored his maiden century that day. And what a great one it was. What a shame that he won’t be able to add any more to that. Fortunate though that his condition has been detected, and steps taken to make sure that his long-term health is good. We all wish him well.

Earlier I mentioned that Clifford T. Ward song, and that line “How is Worcestershire?” Well, tragically the answer was soon to be “very sad”. Just after the new of Ben Wells, we heard of something even worse. The young Worcestershire spin bowler Josh Baker had passed away at just 20 years of age. 

Now I can’t say that I knew Josh well as a player, it is though very clear to see how loved and respected he was. Both as a player, and a person. I hope that the outpouring of love for Josh from all around the cricketing world, can go some small way to helping his family, friends and colleagues, as they try to come to terms with his devasting loss. I’m sure that Worcestershire will ensure that his name shall live on for a very long time.

That song goes onto to say.

“Oh, and by the way,

How’s your broken heart?

Is that mended to.

I miss you.

I miss you. I really do.

A sentiment that that many in Worcestershire will share.

This has been an unusually serious post from me. But it’s important to remember that these young cricketers, that we cheer on, and yes, sometimes moan about, are just like you us. We all have things to deal with. Often these are unexpected and hugely challenging. Ben and Josh are an all too real example of this.