Terry Crump

HAVE BADGE WILL TRAVEL - A DYING BREED

By Terry Crump

The tradition of Committee Members of County Cricket Clubs  visiting and being hosted by the home sides’ Committee in County Championship matches, was very long established before I was elevated to the Position of Chairman of Hampshire Cricket Members’ Committee. In fact I was visiting County Clubs with my Hampshire Cricket Members’ Committee badge firmly in place on my blazer lapel before 2010. However, by the time I resigned the position of Chairman in 2016, the tradition was faltering and now, Hampshire no longer has a Members’ Committee. I was privileged to host guests of every County Cricket Club and even more privileged to be hosted by all but one County Cricket Club (I never managed to visit Durham CCC). The pleasure of visiting County Cricket Committee Facilities was always heightened by the anecdotes shared by long serving Committee men and the plethora of Professional Cricketers that populated them.

I’ve included the expression “A Dying Breed’” in the Title of this column because so many of the interesting people and cricketing legends I had the honour to share time with between 2010 and 2016 watching cricket have passed away. In addition, the make-up of the bodies that govern County Clubs had changed so radically that by 2019 fewer visitors made it to Hampshire as Committee Guests. Hampshire do still host visiting dignitaries but it is a role now fulfilled by Hampshire Cricket Vice Presidents.

To begin with, in the following pages, I recall some of the away fixtures I attended as Hampshire’s representative and the guest of the home side’s Committee.

The other part of the Column Title, “Have Badge will Travel”, is not surprising because it was the done thing to wear your County Committee Badge as a kind of entry prerequisite. The traditional fixed points in all County Club hosting is maintained to this day and are:

coffee and a welcome at the start of the morning, a ‘drink’ at Noon, a meal taken at the Lunch break in innings, a light snack at the Tea break in innings and then a ‘drink’ at 1700 in the final session of the day.

So here we go with “Have Badge Will Travel - A Dying Breed”. 

I’m going to start by writing an article once a month, with some interesting away wins for Hampshire, which you might find interesting. Some of you reading the articles may well have been at the grounds with me; your memories may be a little different but maybe that is because I was plied with wine and  sumptuous Lunches (although I never dozed off during play, honest!).

I’m going to begin at the beginning with a game that I very much enjoyed.

 17,18,19, 20 May 2010

Nottinghamshire v Hampshire at Trent Bridge

Going to Trent Bridge has always been a guilty pleasure. I love the Pavilion with its arched doorway, topped by a sun ray window; the NCCC inscription split by a red cricket ball and the steps that lead from that door to the green of the grass below. The iconic balcony on top of balcony frontage, the history the building represents and the fine players that have graced the playing area. 

I have many happy memories of times spent in the Committee Rooms with viewing balcony off to the left as you look at the Main Pavilion. Hours spent in the company of Stuart Foster, (the one time Chairman of Cricket), Bill Taylor and Basharat (Basher) Hassan, (past Nottingham professionals) and the incomparable historian and true gentleman Peter Wynne-Thomas; such happy times.

As I arrived in the Committee Room on May 17th, Stuart, Bill and Basher were waiting with coffee, handshakes and smiles. They were, as usual, confident of a win, not least because Hampshire had failed to get a victory yet, while Notts were going well, having won their last four.

Hampshire elected to put Notts in first, on a wicket that I was told was dry, already showing a few cracks and looked like it might be a bit lively. It proved exactly that,  as Hampshire took early wickets, Cork and Tomlinson taking two each, reducing Nottinghamshire to a miserly 29 runs. Notably ‘Tommo’ bowled a snorter that hit Hales’ pad plumb in front to send him back to the hut with a duck!

Lunch was fun for me that day with Notts five down, only one hundred and eight on the scoreboard and basking in the fact that the first session went to Hampshire without question. As was generally the case the Notts Committee were gracious but reminded me that there was a long way to go! After Lunch, Brown and Read gave good accounts of themselves in partnerships with Mullaney, who was finally dismissed, three short of a century when he edged one from Balcombe to Pothas. Franks batted solidly to a half-century and was still there when in the eighty fifth over Pattinson (lbw) and Shreck (caught Pothas) both fell to Tomlinson to give him a magnificent ‘fivefer’.  Good aggressive bowling by Cork and Balcombe was rewarded by two wickets each, Ervine got the wicket of the dangerous Brown (42) and  little ‘Harry’ Herath was magic, bowling fifteen overs, five maidens for only 19 runs in a Notts innings of 270.

Then it was Hampshire’s turn and our two openers Adams and Dawson walked out to the middle. Unfortunately Liam after finding the boundary only managed to face eight balls before edging one to Read off a good ball by Pattinson.

At the end of the day, Hampshire were 23 for 1 with James Tomlinson holding up one end as night watchman. I left the ground happy with an enjoyable day’s cricket and banter.

The second day dawned and I turned up to Trent Bridge in good humour and optimistic. The usual faces were there and I once again got a very warm welcome over coffee before play started.

Our Nightwatchman didn’t last long with Pattinson roaring in he found the edge and ‘Tommo’ nicked off to Read having scored 5. Chris Benham took guard and with Jimmy in good form the pair put on 115 before Shrek castled Benham (38). Jimmy was joined by that year’s overseas signing Neil McKenzie, who hadn’t shown much form in previous four-day games. Unfortunately for Jimmy, with no additional runs on the board in the next three overs, he nicked off to Read from an excellent delivery from Franks and had to walk, 4 short of what would have been an outstanding century. Hampshire now four down for 168. James Vince joined ‘Mac’ in the middle but went for a duck after only four deliveries from Franks. Sean Ervine  entered the fray, played steadfastly and with McKenzie took the score to 242 before Neil was out for a fine 55, ‘leg before’, to become Pattinson third of the day.  Ervine (31)stayed at the crease until the end, watching Pothas (22), Cork (11), Balcombe (4) and Herrath last man out for 1, as Hampshire finished with a decent 305.

Day three was bright and looking forward to a fine day of Hampshire bowling, I  walked around Trent Bridge watching the warm up football and fielding practice before a strong coffee and a couple of Notts hospitality biscuits on my own in the Committee Room. Bill and Stuart joined me as the play began and we watched the first twenty overs of the home team’s second innings as Shafayat, Edwards, Patel came and went. Hayles was in full attacking mode once he got his eye in. Although others never really got going, with Cork and Ervine bowling especially well, Hales reached his century and more (136) before Cork had him caught by Benham off a looser shot. Franks survived until Cork captured him with an edge to Pothas. 22 runs later Ervine cleaned out Pattinson and then got Shreck to waft one into the safe hands of Vince. Cork and Ervine finished with ‘4fers’, with Tomlinson and Balcombe taking one apiece.

Hampshire managed seven runs without loss in the 2 overs before the close and so I went back to my hotel contented.

I had a feeling that it wasn’t going to be plain sailing on Day Four. I only just made the start of play on the Thursday. It was going to be quite an ask to get 281 on a difficult track and our opening pair both fell within ten runs of each other for matching scores of 21 before Lunch; Jimmy Adams getting the slightest edge off a ball from Andre Adams and ‘Daws flashing at a ball from Franks that was too far outside the off stump resulting in him nicking off for Brown to ‘gather in’.  Adams and Franks were pressurising Hampshire, especially after the first break. Benham and McKenzie both looked good in the early afternoon and took us past the ‘hundred up’ before the dangerous Andre Adams got one to move one of Benham’s stumps from the vertical. Benham had done well and was only 5 short of a half-century. Vince came and went for 8. 

At Tea I was getting twitchy as we went in for the break at 178/4. ‘Slug’ (Sean Ervine) did well to get 26 off 54 balls but fell just after Tea, ‘leg before’ to one that Patel got to turn. Pothas (17) went and then in the next over Cork (1) holed out  to Hales on the boundary trying to smash one from Andre Adams. McKenzie was still there but we were still short of the mark when Balcombe was trapped with a rap on his Pad from a swinging ball from the dangerous Pattinson.

Overs were running out only 10 overs and 3 balls to go with odds on a Notts win. McKenzie was majestic, the Notts Skipper couldn’t seem to find field placing to restrict Neil McKenzie but when ‘Harry’ Herath walked down the steps and took his place on the stage I was none too confident, remembering how we had lost all ten wickets in the last session in the game against Essex. Herath looked a diminutive figure out in the middle but he played a GIANT’s role. 

Neil McKenzie hit two magnificent sixes and little ‘Harry’ cracked two boundaries as he managed 10 runs while ‘King Mac’ amassed a beautiful 115, smashing the winning runs with only seven balls remaining in the match.

McKenzie and Herath embraced in the middle and I had to remain unmoved (as was expected in a Committee Room - no gloating allowed) as I shook hands and said “well played” and “thank you” to my hosts.

I left as high as a kite. Hampshire had their first win and what a win! It was a stunning victory! 

HAVE BADGE WILL TRAVEL - A DYING BREED

By Terry Crump

My second match in this series of ‘Have Badge will Travel” is from August/September 2011.

Somerset v Hampshire

There are few grounds around the country that have remained unchanged in the past two decades and Taunton’s County Cricket Ground has changed considerably since I first visited it. The River Tone still ripples from the balls hit into it by Botham and Richards but in the past 14 years the old parts of the ground have disappeared with a new pavilion, the apartments that border the ground and new facilities taking their place. However, you can still see the same sight looking towards the two church towers (St James and St Mary Magdalene) and below that vista one can still see the Gimlet’s Hill seating; a place I still go and sit for a while in the early morning before a game begins.

I have memories that make me smile involving Roy and Lynn Kerslake, Richard and Sandra Parsons, Viv Brewer, Vick Marks and Brian Rose. There are many more people that over the years made me feel welcome, cheerful and comfortable as a representative of Hampshire Cricket at the home of Somerset County Cricket Club. For me, any day of cricket at Taunton begins with a walk from the Castle Hotel to the ground; out along Castle Bow, through the town via North Street, crossing the road into St James Street, past the Ring of Bells, onto Priory Street and hence in through the Gate. So it was on the last day of August in 2011. I’m generally optimistic at the beginning of any game, because as any cricket follower knows, anything one imagines can happen and usually does; just when you don’t expect it!

At the end of April Hampshire had been beaten into second best on our home ground by Somerset and despite my joy at welcoming a large Somerset Committee contingent, it was hard to smile and give the customary sporting handshake and “Well Played” to seal the finish. We had lost by 9 wickets after a fine first innings by Somerset led by a magnificent Trescothick Double Century. Here at Taunton the season was coming to a close with Hampshire fighting to avoid relegation from the top flight, with only two previous wins in the whole of the season. Hampshire had Somerset, Lancashire and Warwickshire to overcome to stay up, while Somerset were still in the race for the top spot. Marcus Trescothick was absent from this match and Alfonso Thomas, often a thorn in Hampshire’s side was named as Somerset Skipper. Hampshire elected to take to the field first and out walked Suppiah and Barrow to enthusiastic Somerset support. Suppiah faced less than a ‘score’ of balls before ‘Tommo’ took out his stumps for a very moderate return (3 runs). Chris Jones went in the seventh over, not playing a genuine shot to a good ball from Chris Wood, that clattered Jones’ pad and got the finger from Martin Saggers to send him on the path to the Pavilion. It soon became clear that Jimmy Adams had made the correct call to bowl first, as by Lunch, Somerset were almost down and out at 86 for 7.

Thomas held out for a while after Lunch, with Murali Kartik (59*) putting in a very resilient effort before Chris Wood found the edge of Charl Willoughby’s timber, that was gratefully pouched by Carberry. I was still in shock because Trego, so often a match winner against us, had gone very cheaply (4) to a beautiful ball by Dimmi Mascarenhas. So there it was, Somerset done for in the 59th over for poor pickings (204). ‘Tommo’s’ figures of 3/40 and ‘Imi’ Tahir’s 2/22 stand-outs in a bowling display that saw Wood, Mascarenhas and Ervine bowling exceptionally well and taking wickets at regular intervals. This was heavy stuff in the Committee Room and Somerset’s President, Roy Kerslake, looked stunned but was sporting in his congratulations; likewise the Somerset supporters around me. However, you could feel the optimism of the home team’s backers, quiet but clearly partisan. 

Hampshire’s openers were going to face a wicket hardly changed from the start of the day. Captain, Jimmy Adams looked very determined and Liam Dawson had his usual young swagger as they walked to their place centre stage. Unfortunately, in the first over Willoughby let fly a beauty that beat Liam’s defence on the third ball he faced to find his pad and he had to trudge back to the Pavilion with an imaginary quacking in his ear. That loss brought ‘Carbs’ to the crease. With a slow but steady approach to some challenging bowling, ‘Bison’ and ‘Carbs’ saw out the first day pretty much stroke for stroke (Adams 57*, Carberry 65*) to get Hampshire to 124/1.

I spent a great evening in the Brasserie at the Castle Hotel with some Hampshire supporters and retired feeling really positive.

Day 2 brought the customary welcome by the ground’s gatekeeper and I watched the warm-ups from a bench on Gimlet’s Hill. I was welcomed by Richard Parsons (a past Chairman and future President) whose handshake was the type that was vigorous and seemingly never ending. The Committee Room Steward (a man that had served coffee to visitors for over two decades but whose hands also shook vigorously, so that there was often as much coffee in the saucer as in the cup). The Steward did his duty and after greetings from the Somerset faithful, I settled down to watch a couple of outstanding innings that took Hampshire through Lunch and on to Tea without loss (373/1). Tea in the Committee facilities was not unlike Lunch; very quiet and resigned! The final session of Day 2 saw us lose 3 wickets: Carberry (for a magnificent 182), McKenzie (5) and Vince (6), all caught behind by a young, upcoming and exciting Keeper called Jos Butler. 1st September came to a close with Ervine holding up an end with 56*, while Jimmy Adams, playing a true Captain’s innings reaching his ‘Double’ (204*).

Oh how I floated back to the Castle Hotel, like a leaf riding the River Tome, calling in at the Ring of Bells for a ‘couple of sherberts’; before going out with a couple of nameless Hampshire Squad members for an Indian. Then a few (or more) beers in the Castle Bar.

I can’t say my walk to the Ground on the morning of Day Three was clear-headed but after a sit in the fresh air on Gimlet’s Hill and a black coffee, the day began with Adams falling to a good ball from his opposing captain that ended up off the edge into Butler’s very adequate gloves. Jimmy had played one of his best innings, a knock that can only be described as a tenacious and terrific 207. ‘Slug’ lasted another seventeen overs so close to a fabulous ton (98 off of 119 balls) falling following the loss of Michael Bates (15) who was another victim of Butler behind the stumps. ‘Woody’ chipped in with 20 off 14’. Then ‘Dimi’ played his part with a lovely 30 off as many balls, alongside a really terrific knock by Imran Tahir 22* off only 12 balls. When Dimi went ‘Tommo’ made 2* alongside ‘Imi’ before The Captain called a halt at Lunch with Hampshire at 627/9d.

Session Two on Day three saw Somerset’s first three batters dismissed for only 23 runs and I was becoming more and more excited, expecting Hampshire’s third win in four matches by the end of Day Three. As usual, I was wrong about not having to come back on the final Day.  James Hildreth (45), Jos Butler (35) and Peter Trego (32) did exceptionally well against some fine bowling by Mascarenhas and Tahir but it was Craig Meschede and Alfonso Thomas that started to show some real resistance. Somerset ended the day on 266/7 with Thomas on 79* and the weather looking doubtful for Day 4. I enjoyed a meal with a couple of fellow travellers and got an early(ish) night.

The 3rd September dawned grey and more than a little overcast. The main question wasn’t “could Hampshire win?” but “would the weather steal the win?” by letting Somerset hold out until the promised rain forced a draw. Somerset on 266 needed 157 to make Hampshire bat again and avoid an innings defeat, with rain certainly a possible helping hand if it arrived in time. Somerset didn’t flinch and Thomas, who went in on the previous day with his side 132 for six, faced 141 balls and hit 12 fours and a six. Somerset fought to hold out until they could benefit from the threatening rain break. Thomas added 15 to his overnight score before ‘Imi’ deceived him and caused him to mistime a full blooded drive straight to Captain Fantastic, Jimmy Adams, at mid-on. Murali Kartik knocked off 26 in an eighth-wicket stand of 50 and Steve Kirby hit 14 as part of a valiant fight. Even at the death last man Charl Willoughby took the fight to Hampshire, with grey menacing skies brooding and foretelling rain - Willoughby swung his bat to make an unbeaten 23. Somerset, still hopeful of a saviour in the form of rain squall, managed to last two balls past the 21st over of the day reaching 362 but the rain hadn’t arrived. 

Dimitri Mascarenhas’ three wickets were a reflection of his usual fine spells of bowling. Chris Wood took a fine catch at Point to give Tahir the final wicket of Kirby and a 4-fer. Hampshire had won in fine style by an innings and 61 runs. Hampshire got 23 points which gave us a chance of survival (that was not to be) and Somerset only took away 2 points which seriously curtailed their challenge, with the injury to Trescothick, without doubt, playing a part in their ultimate failure to secure that first ever Championship title.

My relationship with Roy and Lynn Kerslake, Richard and Sandra Parsons continues to this day. The company of Vick Marks and Brian Rose was educational but now sadly the lovely Viv Brewer is no longer alive, although his daughter-in-law (an especially nice lady) is on the Somerset Board. 

I love my visits to Taunton and I loved this 2011 visit in particular.

HAVE BADGE WILL TRAVEL - A DYING BREED

By Terry Crump

My third match in this series of ‘Have Badge will Travel” is from July 19th - 22nd 2012.

Essex v Hampshire

At the outset of this story I must say that Essex Members and Supporters are not very effusive in their appreciation of events during a match unless it is for their own county’s performance or Essex players individually. However, I have always found the Members and Committee at Chelmsford or Colchester welcoming and friendly in the main. I’ve not always seen eye-to-eye with certain members of their Committee or Officers but in general my welcome to the Committee Room has always been flawlessly warm. I have to add that the resignation of John Faragher in 2021, following allegations of racism at a Board Meeting in 2017, has always puzzled me because I always found him a Gentleman with nothing to suggest any racist tendencies.

On the Thursday (19th July 2012) the weather was overcast before play started but greetings from Nigel Hilliard, David Acfield, Trevor Bailey, Doug Insole and John Faragher were friendly and I knew that I’d hear some great stories from Doug and Trevor; the pair were and had been great friends for so many years. Hampshire elected to bat first and as play started it was a little cloudy but light levels were satisfactory enough for our openers Jimmy Adams and Neil McKenzie. All went well for the first seven overs as the dangerous opening bowler pairing of Masters and Napier tested the Hampshire Skipper and his number two on the batting order.  ‘The Iron Man’ was at this time a player forever growing in popularity with the Hampshire players and supporters. Then Masters generated some extra movement and Jimmy went, caught behind by Wheater. It proved to be ironic that Adam Wheater was first to bag a wicket and as it turned out the last wicket to fall. Essex supporters were ecstatic at the first success while I remained non-committal; the expected behaviour of all good visiting guests! McKenzie looked very comfortable. I was never sure how comfortable he actually was, because he was extremely superstitious. Neil hated stepping on the crease lines and before he faced each delivery, he would look at square-leg, then fine-leg, and then the bowler.  I was told that when he walked out to bat, every toilet seat in the dressing room facilities had to be down. That’s hearsay of course but he was ‘deffo’ superstitious. Anyway, from the tenth over for the next near twenty overs Neil and partner Bilal Shafayat put on fifty-six, with Shafayat leading the way until ten Doeschate trapped him leg-before with the scoreboard showing 64.

Another favourite, Simon Katich came and went and Hampshire were 70 for 3. Young Liam Dawson stayed around for a partnership with McKenzie taking us to 106. Sean Ervine joined McKenzie and built an important partnership of 110, going blow for blow, with ‘Slug’ slightly ahead in the scoring fest with 55 runs, facing 15 more balls than McKenzie until he became the fifth down; castled with a fine one from Masters. Wicketkeeper ‘Batesy’ batted staunchly facing 62 balls in a nice cameo performance of 27 to keep the ‘tins’ moving before he succumbed. At the end of a wonderfully productive Day 1, Neil McKenzie had scored his first century of the season (134 not out), carrying his bat throughout the day, hitting demonstrative boundaries in more than six hours at the crease. Hampshire were 303 for 6, I was a happy bunny and enjoyed a few sherbets at the hotel with a few players before following up with a curry.

Next morning as I arrived at the ground 30 minutes before play, the sky was greyer than a Pompey based Battleship and  almost at the same time that the umpires emerged it started to rain. By the time the Essex fielders had crossed the boundary rope it had become a heavy downpour. The ground soon became worse for wear and more attractive to wildfowl, that might have believed the lakes that formed on the outfield would be ideal breeding grounds. Those pools of water soon spread around  the outfield, forcing the ‘Umps’ to abandon the day. So, it was back to the hotel (all the way out in the sticks near Tiptree) to kick my heels and make my own entertainment; it’s a good job I’d taken a book (“Ashes 2010-11: England's Record-Breaking Series Victory”by Gideon Haigh).

Saturday dawned with fairly clear skies. I was hopeful not only for play but for Hampshire to press home their advantage.  We resumed on 303-6, with opener Neil McKenzie unbeaten on 134. The Essex bowlers took full advantage of any dampness in the wicket with the drying sun and before McKenzie could manage more than 5 runs to add to his overnight score; a ‘good un’ from Masters found an edge, with the catch pouched by a jubilant Wheater. Dimi Mascarenhas couldn’t add much in the way of runs in the book and he was comprehensively dismissed with a ‘corker’ from Napier. Balcombe and Briggs went cheaply leaving James Tomlinson not out on 6. Hampshire’s innings had reached 323. David Masters, Graham Napier and Ryan ten Doeschate had taken two wickets each, but Harbhajan Singh had been unable to find any real turn in unfavourable conditions for his magic spin. However after 44 overs he had fooled Briggs into a false shot that was caught by Smith.

I was not party to any discussion between Captains but bravely an arrangement to set up the game was contrived. Mark Pettini and Jimmy Adams agreed the target that Essex would be set. Essex came out, knocked off 18 and declared. Hampshire took to the middle for their second innings, Adams (23) and McKenzie (27) unbeaten before Jimmy called a halt declaring with 54 notched up. Essex needed an agreed 360. Out strolled Essex and the tension in the Committee Room was palpable. John Faragher was the most nervous I had ever seen him. Jaik Mickleburgh, only lasted one ball short of the start of the ninth over with 25 runs up for Essex; ‘Tommo’ knocking out the pegs. When Essex had made 60, Tom Westley was found out,  when a ball from ‘Balcs’ struck his pad and up went the finger of fate. At the end of the day, Essex had made 102 for those two losses. Billy Godleman's innings of 37, not out at that point, had seen him bat carefully for three hours, and Mark Pettini was unbeaten on 16. 

Day Four was going to be gripping and the Essex Committee had turned out in force, in the expectation of a win. Essex moved to 184 for 4 but then lost their overnight pair in the first hour. They had done their best in a nice little stand of 53 until the magic of Mascarenhas emerged, Pettini edging to Bates behind the stumps and then Godleman finding the welcoming hands of Dawson to put Essex under a bit of pressure. A half-century partnership between Ryan ten Doeschate and Greg Smith gave Essex hope as they went into the Pavilion for lunch with the match balanced on a knife edge.

Out came a revived and rested Tomlinson who got up steam, thundered in and dismissed them both for a score of 42. First, Smith drove one to ‘Bison’ at extra cover and then, ten Doeschate tried to cut Tomlinson, misdirecting it into the safe hands of McKenzie, well positioned in the gully. With those three quick successes, ‘Tommo’ seemed to have got Hampshire back in the driving seat; a win within touching distance. John Faragher was quietly standing beside me on the balcony of the Committee Room at this point in the proceedings. Worse was to come for Essex supporters as soon afterwards, Graham Napier drove hard but found Jimmy Adams, who took a blinding one-hander to give Tomlinson his third wicket. It was an outstanding 22-ball spell that only brought five Essex runs.

I thought it was all over, with Essex on 222 for seven and Hampshire rampant (I always did like the portents of a double Nelson). Once again (will I ever learn) the game of cricket was to prove me wrong! Essex decided to stage a fightback with a new super hero in Wheater, matching the unexpected and extraordinarily aggressive Harbhajan Singh. John Faragher was extremely animated as they tore into the Hampshire bowling making 68 in 16 overs. I was now convinced that Essex would win unless we could find something to break the partnership. Danny Briggs had the ball and in his usual relaxed run and left handed delivery style tempted Habhajan to charge down the track looking to smash a damaging six. The flight deceived him and he was left stranded as ‘Batesy’ whipped off the bails. John Faragher was apoplectic, and broke all normal sporting neutrality! Harbhajan stumped for 40 giving away his wicket was more than poor John could take! The loss of Harbajan Singh spurred on the diminutive Wheater, especially after ‘Briggsy’ trapped David Masters LBW with Essex still 53 short of their target.

Wheater wasn’t about to show the white flag and in an astonishing phase of play took the fight to the Hampshire bowlers, in particular David Balcombe,  with two successive sixes out of the ground.  Wheater scored 40 runs while number eleven, Tom Craddock, stood and watched open mouthed. John Faragher was pacing up and down the balcony in an over energetic frenzy as the scoreboard flicked the total ever upward. I feared defeat as the scoreboard displayed 357. Essex were about to complete a fantastic run chase, victory beckoned.

Hampshire hero James Tomlinson walked to his mark; two balls of his over left; he turned ran in and let the ball leave his fingers with Wheater on 98, focussed on a big finish to get the three runs and more to pass the 360 total required. Bat met ball and everybody in the ground watched as the now well worn cherry flew high in its parabolic path towards the boundary. You could have heard the smallest of pins drop. Essex men willing the flighted leather sphere to cross the plane of the boundary rope. Then the massive gasp as Sean Ervine seemed to appear from nowhere on the long-on boundary in the direct path of the ball. Then in what seemed to be be slow motion, as John and I watched, the ball nestled safely in the cup of ‘Slugs’ ample hands. Wheater last man out for 98, Essex three short. All out for 357. Hampshire players jumping around in celebration. Even I couldn’t help punching the air. The Essex Committee Room in total silence, shocked, deflated and all wondering why their man had not just taken three safe singles in the remaining overs including that Tomlinson delivery. I can still see the crestfallen Wheater, making his way off the field. Never has the phrase Hero to Zero been more appropriate. Essex finished the game with three points (a severe blow to their promotion hopes) while Hampshire collected 19 to keep alive their dreams of returning to the top division at the first attempt (that was not to be). One of my all time favourite away matches! What a win!

HAVE BADGE WILL TRAVEL - A DYING BREED

By Terry Crump

My fourth match in this series of ‘Have Badge will Travel” is from September 17th - 20th 2013.

Leicestershire v Hampshire

If you’re going to Grace Road and are lucky enough to get parking on the Ground, I’ll give you a massive piece of advice. Don’t park under the Lime Trees! I’ve been to Leicester’s home many times but I always forget my own advice and end up having to work hard to clean off the glue like gum exuded by those lime trees. So it was on 17 September 2013 that I turned up at the Grace Road Ground on a wet and thoroughly miserable morning. Grace Road has an extremely large footprint and while it only holds about 12000 people, its playing surface is vast, larger than any other in England. It also has a vast Committee balcony on the pavilion and is a welcoming venue.

Paul Haywood, the Chairman and John Allen welcomed me and gave me the news that play was unlikely according to the weather and the ground staff. After some talk about the state of cricket, our shared memories of David Gower and other things we had lunch and then gave up on the Day.

So it was that I was to witness a most remarkable game that was a display in Division Two of what had been common in the days of rain affected three day cricket in the past. Captain Jimmy Adams had lost the toss and Leicestershire had decided to field with Day Two’s early overs difficult for our openers as Matthew Hoggard showed his class in his opening spell bowling very tightly but with no luck. It was Jimmy Adams that fell first to a good catch by Niall O’Brien off the bowling of Ben Raine. Liam Dawson joined Sean Terry who had one of his better innings, finally succumbing when a good delivery from Shivsinh Thakor struck Sean’s pad for an LBW decision.

The rest of the day belonged to Liam Dawson and James Vince who took the score to 362/2.  Dawson on 136 (after over three hours at the crease) and Vince on 145, making his third successive Century. Their stand of 248 was such a pleasure to watch and I was so excited to congratulate Liam on his first Century of the season. Nine Leicestershire bowlers were left wondering what else they could have done with only Raine and Thakor having any success. I spent that evening in a happy haze.

Next morning play resumed for an annoyingly short time with only 2 runs added to Hampshire’s tally when rain intervened yet again before I’d even finished my morning coffee. The day was a wash out and for too much of it I just sat looking at a bleak scene. I spent it in good company; with Leicestershire Committee Members and I bemoaning the September weather, the state of the World and which was the best curry house to visit that evening.

Day Four dawned with a hopeful sun peeping through early clouds but the forecast was good. On arrival at the ground I was wondering what kind of draw I was about to experience. I was then told of the exciting agreement that had been reached.  Hampshire declared on their 364/2, Leicestershire forfeited their First Innings, Hampshire forfeited their second innings and the Leicestershire openers made their way to the crease to take up the fight.

In contrast to the on-loan Hampshire bowler, Matthew Coles, this was the last first-class appearance for England and Leicestershire man Matthew Hoggard. While Hoggard had taken no wickets, Coles’s performance was to be exceptional. Of course the ever reliable James Tomlinson was to play his very important part too.  I couldn’t believe the first 9 overs, as wicket after wicket tumbled to fine bowling by Coles and Tomlinson, reducing the home side to five down with a miserly 36 on the scoreboard, when Raine was sent back to the shed, looking back at scattered stumps, comprehensively bowled.

Tom Wells was stubborn, making a very creditable eighty-two off seventy seven balls, finally castled by another fine delivery from Coles. When Wells trudged back to his locker, Leicestershire had managed to increase the score to one hundred and fifty-five but the writing was on the wall. Sykes had faced twenty-two balls before ‘Tommo’ and Sean Terry combined to sent him back to a crestfallen Leicestershire Pavilion. At this point proceeding took a different turn, as both home and away teams and supporters gave a standing ovation as Matthew Hoggard walked to the crease for the last time, having announced his retirement earlier in the season.  It was heartwarming to see and hear the appreciation of a very fine cricketer.  Hoggard managed to score three and have his innings marked with n.o. penned beside his last entrance in a scorebook. Wyatt was snaffled up once again by Terry off the bowling of Tomlinson to bring the game to its end with Leicestershire 184 all out. Matthew Coles with a ‘5fer’ (5-75 off 17); James Tomlinson a ‘4fer’ (4-60 off 15.2) and Brathwaite (1-20 off 5).

I left Grace Road in a sticky car, happy that I’d seen the final appearance of Matthew Hoggard and witnessed an arrangement between two Captains worthy of a game in the 1960’s.

HAVE BADGE WILL TRAVEL - A DYING BREED

By Terry Crump

My fifth match in this series of ‘Have Badge will Travel” is from September 2014.

Glamorgan v Hampshire

Walking from the Car Park to the entrance at Sophia Gardens on 23rd September 2014, I couldn’t help remembering the glory and euphoric feelings I experienced there in 2012, when Hampshire won the t20 Trophy, in that famous ‘Double Year’. I was hoping that I was going to be as excited and joyful at the end of this game, the culmination of massive efforts by Hampshire to regain their place at the ‘top table’. It was clear that after three years in Division Two, much rested upon the games in Cardiff and in Chelmsford. Would Essex and Glamorgan make Hampshire sweat and fall at the final hurdle? All this was rushing through my mind as I was greeted with the offer of a coffee from David Morgan. I looked out at the playing surface from up high in the Stand, also admiring the view with the River Taff glistening in the morning sunshine. I accepted David’s hospitality, briefly chatted about what was to come and was reminded about Hampshire’s fighting spirit that had enabled them to achieve ‘draws’ during the season, even when games had seemed lost. I agreed but then smiled as I told him he shouldn’t get his hopes up thinking of a draw. With David laughing, I made my way pitch-side to wish Dale Benkenstein Jimmy Adams and the team good fortune as they finished their warm-up session. James Tomlinson looked even more hirsute than the previous week against Kent, his season long beard was as bushy as a box hedge at Hampton Court.

Jimmy Adams won the toss and decided to bat first. He must have wondered if his decision was misguided as Hampshire looked in real trouble when their fifth wicket went down with only 53 on the scoreboard. Will Smith, having already passed 1000 runs for the season went cheaply for a ‘Pavarotti’, caught behind by Wallace off a swinging ball from Allenby. Dawson lasted three balls before Allenby had him caught for a ‘Duck’. Jimmy Adams then fell for another half-a-score, this time dismissed by a Wallace and Wagg combination. Tom Alsop came and went for a less than majestic score of one run; going the same way as Dawson, caught by Cosker off the bowling of Allenby. Out strode the diminutive figure of Wheater to join Vince, only to shuffle back to the Pavilion with a ‘Golden Duck’ after Allenby got one to hold its line, rapping Wheater’s pad with a crack that sounded like a 0.22 bullet hitting the stable door. 

At Lunch I was somewhat discombobulated and although I couldn’t be rude and remain silent, I barely took part in conversation. I was dismayed to say the least. After Lunch , with 91 on the board, Vince played a loose drive but was dropped by David Lloyd. Following that drop and despite the earlier carnage, James Vince stuck to his task and when Ervine joined him, the pair started to turn things around, reversing the momentum of the match. When finally, after Tea, James succumbed, caught by future Hampshire player Anuerin Donald off the bowling of Bull, he had accumulated a very fine 144. Sean Ervine was joined by Chris Wood, at that time developing into a fine red ball player. Sean and Chris kept up the pressure in a partnership of 32 before Wallace and Wag did for ‘Slug’ who had made a wonderful 107, his second Century in two games. Woody outstayed the next man in, Matt Coles, who only lasted five balls, adding a miserly single to the score, which now stood at 313. Immy (Imran Tahir) was in a scoring mood; Woody managed 35; James ‘the Beard’ Tomlinson struck 7, being last man out, with Tahir left not out on 22. Hampshire had managed 357 after a disastrous first morning. Thus, the first Day ended with yours truly ‘well pleased Boyo” to use the vernacular. 

Day Two dawned with some grey in the sky. I breakfasted and set off to the ground and met up with several other Hampshire Committee Members for a good catch-up with the Glamorgan hierarchy. Of course, much of the talk was about what might of happened if Vince hadn’t been dropped and Hampshire had been 91 for 6 on Day One. Cricket is such a game of ‘ifs and buts’. Hampshire took to the field and knew that they must take advantage of the fantastic recovery of the day before. Three balls into the second over of the day Matt Coles bowled Bragg and Jimmy’s men celebrated without inhibitions. I was hoping that Jacques Rudolf would not have a good day and Chris Wood didn’t disappoint me when he bowled Rudolf for 29, with Glamorgan’s score on 50. Two balls later Wood in a fantastic spell castled Chris Cooke and it was Fifty for Three. Jim Allenby hung around with his Captain Mark Wallace until, after Lunch, Woody found an Allenby edge, the catch taken comfortably by Will Smith in the Slips. Woody was bowling magnificently and finally broke the Wallace-Lloyd partnership in more ways than one; breaking two stumps as he comprehensively ended the Glamorgan Skipper’s innings of fifty-one. Five down for one hundred and nineteen. Anuerin Donald went for four as Coles took over the role of wicket taker; having already taken the wicket of Lloyd earlier in the day. Then it was the turn of Imran Tahir, bowling Wagg (23) and trapping Dean Cosker (4) lbw. The last wicket went to Tommo, a precursor to what was soon to be a legendary spell in Glamorgan’s second innings. 

When Glamorgan’s first innings ended at 172, many expected Jimmy to enforce the follow-on but with Essex hot on our heels, Bison wasn’t going to risk being beaten and falling short of promotion. Our two openers, Jimmy and Will built a partnership of 79 before Smith edged one to Wallace behind the stumps off the bowling of Allenby. Daws went cheaply (8), Wallace snaffling an edge off the bowling of Cosker. Bison continued to pile on the runs until he too submitted after scoring a fine ninety-one, holing out to Bragg off Cosker. Day Two ended with Vincey and Tom Alsop in the middle with Hampshire three down on 175; a lead of 360. It was great to see the smiling face of Chris Wood, later in the evening, basking in the feeling of success after his ‘4fer’. The news from Chelmsford was that Essex were well on top of Worcestershire and Hampshire couldn’t afford to let slip their advantage over their Welsh opponents. 

On Day three the weather was good but rain was a possibility on Day Four. That was a worry because all sorts of permutations came to mind. A Hampshire loss, even from this strong position, might mean Essex could overtake us and Worcestershire would go up with them. Could we dare dream that Essex would beat Worcestershire but would not gain enough points to overtake Hampshire if they won! Out in the middle, Glamorgan were doing their best to be competitive and when Alsop (12) was sent back to the dressing room Hampshire had reached 195 for 4. Then a mini disaster as Wheater (14) was out with Hampshire having reached a ‘Double Nelson’, causing some, of a superstitious nature, to wince, especially when Vince, two short of his half-century was dismissed, caught by Wagg off the bowling of Hogan; with three little ducks still on the scoreboard. Slug (21), Woody (1), Colesy (10) and Immy(1 n.o) brought the total to 258 and Skipper Adams declared with nine down. 

Maybe the fact that Tomlinson didn’t have to bat, helped his energy levels but something must have happened! I had never seen Tommo, the ‘bearded wonder’, so intense. He was inspired, running through the top six in Glamorgan’s batting line up with a terrific spell of bowling that has become legendary, especially for those Committee Members, Members and supporters that had made the journey across the Severn Bridge.

I was seriously thinking he’d take all ten but Matt Coles brought me back to reality when he bowled Wagg. Aneurin Donald, ninth man down, was strong for a while, making a creditable 59 off 60 balls. Woody and Immy had chipped in with wickets and before I knew it Kieran Bull was bowled by Tahir to send Glamorgan back to the Hutch on 152.

It wasn’t even four-o-clock; Hampshire had won and the celebrations could begin. Despite Essex beating Worcestershire by an innings, they still ended up in third place. However, their win meant that we were Champions three points better off than Worcestershire! The atmosphere was exhilarating and I was on cloud nine as I walked around the Ground to the dressing room area with other Committee Members. Hampshire voices were bouncing around the walls inside, as they celebrated their victory. It wasn’t long before the Champagne corks were popping; the team, managers, coaches and our scorer were on the field, posing for amateur photographers. Then it was time for “the Captain of our ship” to hold up the Cup with the “Division Two Champions” board fronting their celebrations in the official photograph. Tommo was centre stage, all smiles and happy to sign autographs and be interviewed as he was lauded by all. It was a wonderful sight, I felt elated and happier than I’d been for a long time. I had waited three seasons for this moment, I had only seen one defeat in the sixteen games played and Hampshire had never been out of the top two all season. When I had taken my fill of the scenes of victory I made my way back to the Committee area to be met with the generosity of the Glamorgan President who had opened a bottle of ‘shampoo’ for our Committee and sportingly toasted our ‘top of the table’ success. That’s what I call the true spirit of cricket! Later that evening, while celebrating, my thoughts turned to adventures that next season would provide as we took our place, once more, on the Division One stage.

HAVE BADGE WILL TRAVEL - A DYING BREED

By Terry Crump

My sixth match in this series of ‘Have Badge will Travel” is from June 2015.

Sussex v Hampshire

Sunday 7th June - Tuesday 9th June 2015

The season had opened with a loss at home; Sussex outplaying Hampshire, having made a first innings score of 444 and then dominating Hampshire with the ball. I love our games against Sussex and I love recalling this game in the glorious sunshine of June 2015, because so much sticks in my mind.

By the time we went to Hove in June, we hadn’t had any success, and our return to the top table wasn’t going at all well.  Hampshire were bottom of Division One and finding life a lot more difficult than they had in Division Two. Nevertheless, entering the ground at Hove on the 7th June, I, like all Hampshire supporters, was excited about the prospect of revenge over our nearest rivals. The Hove track had twice been criticised by recent opponents and had seen a couple of nasty blows being received by batters.

Before meeting the home hosts, I stood in the bright sunshine looking at the ground while leaning on the banister rail of the steps leading to the Sussex Committee Room. I knew our luck was in when a local seagull dropped a welcome message onto the shoulder of my Navy Blazer. When I finally arrived for coffee with a vast number of my friends on the Sussex Committee, I had spent a very long time trying to wash the remnants of the aerial bombardment from my clothing.

Apart from my brush with the local birdlife, discussion has focussed on our chances as visitors, and of course, the Sussex contingent were more than confident! Talk revolved  around the pitch and the Hampshire team’s decision to leave out Tomlinson, Wheal, and Dawson in favour of new overseas signing Jackson Bird, Danny Briggs, and young Sean Terry. Everybody in the room was also wondering how speedy Fidel Edwards’ performance would be.

Sussex batted first, and boy-oh-boy did they get out of the traps flying. Bird was being punished while Edwards, quick as he was, made no early impression as the home side quickly went to 47-0 with opener Wells hooking like it was going out of fashion and Yardy so dismissive of Bird’s early bowling.

I was very glad when Gareth Berg came on to bowl and he soon had the wicket he wanted, as Well’s nicked off to Vince in the slips. Bird and Berg were more threatening in tandem and had hit the pads several times.  However, the Umpires didn’t seem to have any inclination to raise the finger. 

Then Hampshire had a quarter of an hour to be joyous about, as Sussex went from 88-2 to 88-4. Bergy was bowling as well as I’d seen him bowl, enticing Yardy, who was swinging hard, to clobber one straight to ‘Smudger Smith’ at gully and then finding the edge of the bat as Joyce tried to pulverise the ball, only to have James Vince ‘pouch the pill’ with a magnificent diving catch that brought the house down.

At Lunch on that bright summer day, Sussex had reached 125-4 thanks to Nash and Wright.

Lunch in the Committee Room was a happy place, the weather was fabulous, the cricket was exhilarating and both hosts and guests were enjoying the spectacle of County Cricket along with a bumper crowd.

After lunch the Hampshire bowling lacked consistency and Bird bowled far too short far too often, paying the price as Nash and Wright put on 50 in no time at all. And then, after a delightfully extravagant partnership of 115, the unusual happened.

Hampshire’s bowling was not troubling the Sussex pairing and Bison decided to give Vince the cherry. His first over was a maiden. In his second over he was hit for a massive six by Wright then on the last ball of his short spell, he served up a long hop which Nash couldn’t resist trying to loft for a maximum only to carelessly find the capable hands of young Terry. So Nash gone for 48 and the partnership was broken. Briggs was at the other end to continue his spell and the very next ball, following the demise of Nash, Danny somehow managed to get one to rise sharply onto the glove of Wright (59) and into ‘Slugs’ grasp at first slip. Oh my, what a commotion….

Sussex now 202-6. What had looked so promising for the boys from ‘Sussex-by-the-Sea’ was now looking less threatening. It transpired that the rest of the Sussex batters succumbed rather easily with Robinson (6), Brown (now Hampshire’s Championship Skipper) going for seven, the wonderfully named Flynn Hudson-Prentice (15) and Magoffin (11) leaving Hobson not out with a zero. At tea, Sussex had left the field with a first innings total of 251. Berg had a 4fer, Bird took three, Briggs and Edwards one each, leaving the part-timer Vince with an unexpected one for seven.

I love the evening session on a warm summer evening and as I supped by cheery cup I was looking forward to a Hampshire innings to remember. I got one! Jimmy Adams and Sean Terry took their places on the Sussex stage and it all went well for a while, batting didn’t seem too hard, on a less than advantageous track for the home bowlers, and progress to a total of twenty-eight was uneventful.

Skipper Jimmy Adams never normally counted himself unlucky but today of all days saw him the unluckiest ever. Steve Magoffin bowled a loose one to Sean Terry who met the ball with the middle of his bat and sent it bullet-like back the way it had come. Somehow, Magoffin got his hand to it, deflected it onto two stumps, which flew skyward, leaving poor Bison stranded as he backed up. As ‘Jimbo’ made for the hutch he was crestfallen and Hampshire were one down for thirty-one. Sean Terry was dropped on twenty but was next wicket down when he had managed 30 and Hampshire had reached 44. I, like so many, was a fan of Michael Carberry and as he walked to the middle I was expectant. It wasn’t to be Carb’s day and although he hit one into a balcony for a maximum, his innings was short lived when he was caught behind by Ben Brown off a nicely angled rising ball, which Carbs was forced to fend off.

Despite the beauty of James Vince’s batting, others were finding things a bit more difficult and Will Smith (7) only lasted in the middle for eight overs before Robinson trapped him LBW with one that straightened.  As the day ended James Vince was batting beautifully and had made his first half-century of the season with Danny Briggs holding up the other end as Nightwatchman with 116-4 showing on the scoreboard as the Hampshire batters walked off.

As I reflected on the days play, while enjoying a cold libation in the Hove Members’ Bar, I was a truly happy man. Both Hampshire and Sussex were showing they were unafraid to commit to their shots and had moved the scores along at an enjoyable four an over. I thought it to be finely balanced, ‘Even-Stevens’ so far and at that point, one of my favourite day’s play.

I was bathed in morning sunshine as I sipped coffee on the balcony before play on Monday. My hosts, as usual, were friendly, welcoming and like me, ready for a day of good competitive red-ball cricket with its twists and turns. Hampshire were 135 behind Sussex as Vince and Briggs, yet to score, took up the fight. Briggs, continued to play his part as he had in the role of Nightwatchman, knocking a few runs off until he was caught by Brown, trying a shot more suited to T20, to a ball by Robinson.

Vince continued to look good and had been joined by Wheater, who had taken the bull by the horns and was scoring fluently. Then for Vince it was all over as he put bat on ball in an undistinguished flap at a delivery from Hobden and edged perfectly to a grateful Ed Joyce at first slip.

Vince had looked set for a ton but had to make do with 76. Sean Ervine joined Wheater and between them took our score to 197. Then Ervine tried to steer Hobden’s straight ball away, misjudging it and going LBW on 15, despite looking aggrieved when, after what seemed ages, the finger went up .

Out came ‘Batman’ to join ‘Wheats’ and by Lunch the pair had steered Hampshire to 264-7 with some aggressive shots and despite Hobden rattling Berg’s head with a blow on the helmet. I spent Lunch discussing the track (which seemed to have settled into a mostly benign state) and watching crowds wandering inside the boundary, with the beautiful sight of youngsters copying their heroes in mock games around the ground.

The Sussex bowlers were struggling and Wheater and Berg brought up their 100 partnership (97 balls). Wheater only took 82 balls to reach his Century, with Bergy starting to cut loose as Hampshire hit 334-7. Wheater, on a ‘Nelson’, was caught Joyce bowled Wells and Edwards only lasted 12 balls for a miserly 2 runs.

Bird made 6 before Matt Hobden got his own back, fielding as Berg attempted a second run; even with his bat stretching to cut the crease he was short when Hobden scored a direct hit. Berg was distraught and back in the Pavilion on 99 after such a spirited innings. Hampshire had amassed a very worthwhile 392, dominating proceedings for much of the day. 

An early tea was called but I preferred a quick cold lager before Sussex took the field in a rather precarious situation, with a long session to play and a determination not to give the match away. Fidel was steaming in from the Cromwell Road end, with his slingshot deliveries challenging the batsmen, while Jackson Bird’s efforts, from the Sea end, had seen Yardy take consecutive boundaries.

Then Fidel bowled a corker which Wells (0) edged wide to third slip. Sussex were 14-1 and under immense pressure as Edwards was warming to his task. He was bowling with pace and on an excellent line, soon sending one stump cartwheeling as he beat Machan(1). Next he had Yardy(15) LBW and Sussex were rocking. Joyce and Nash started to steady the ship at 61-3 but Gareth Berg hit on the helmet in his innings did the same to Ed Joyce which unsettled him and a few balls later he nicked one off Berg to a grateful Vince.

Now it was Nash and Wright hoping to repeat their first innings determination and get their side out of the mire. Fidel Edwards was bowling lightning fast and at one point the Hampshire Skipper set up something I’d never seen in a First-class game, almost a long-stop rather than a slip. I later found out that Edwards had suggested it as a possible catching position for Wright in case his aggressive batting led to a top edge flying long.

I’ve never seen that field since!

Chris Nash(50) went LBW to a bullet ball from Edwards and Magoffin was called upon as a Nightwatchman and with Sussex on 142-5 the day ended.

On Tuesday morning (9th June) all the talk in the Committee Room over the morning coffee before play started was all about the pace of Fidel Edwards and whether Sussex could find an answer, through Wright, to put enough runs on the board to pressure Hampshire into a second innings panic. Fidel Edwards rested after last evening’s blistering session, ran in from the Cromwell Road end and picked up where he left off taking only four balls to remove Magoffin(0) caught Vince; a fine 5fer return for some outstanding bowling by  Edwards.

Sussex responded well with Brown, next in, and Wright bravely taking on Bird, Edwards and Berg. 

Fidel Edwards made Brown’s life miserable, hitting him three times and watching Danny Briggs put down a gold plated chance when Brown was on twenty.

It looked like Brown and Wright would make things very difficult for Hampshire, the bottom side, making a good fist of it and adding 120 runs. Briggs had tried unsuccessfully from the Sea end, to make use of the wear and tear caused by Edward’s follow through. Nothing seemed to be working for Hampshire. Bird was getting ‘tonked’ to all corners, as Sussex grew the lead to 79 by passing 220 for 6. Then almost on the stroke of Lunch, a break through. Brown had made his half-century and called for a quick single. However, an outstanding bit of field craft by Will Smith hastened the end of the Sussex fight back. ‘Smudger’ was quick off the mark from cover, deftly picking up the ball and with only one stump in view at the striker’s end, miraculously hit that stump to run-out Luke Wright(84).

Brown, like Wright, looked utterly distressed and it got worse. Jackson Bird had bowled even more erratically on changing to the Cromwell Road end but he ran in near the end of his fifth over of the spell and somehow found a part of the pitch that spat up the ball viciously and trying to protect himself Brown gloved it into the hands of Ervine in the slips. Lunch interrupted proceedings with Hampshire sensing a chance to make the next session a short one. 

Sure enough the restart heralded the inevitable end of the Sussex innings with the last men going quickly to leave Hampshire needing 126 to complete their first win of the season.

Hampshire looked good when Adams and Terry began the chase. They scored freely to take Hampshire to 36 without offering up a chance. Jimmy Adams was finally out to a brilliant catch by Yardy off the bowling of Luke Wells with 65 still required for victory. For once, I didn’t feel twitchy; my confidence on a high, just waiting to drink in the heady feeling that a sound thrashing of Sussex on their home patch would bring; bearing in mind we’d lost the last nine times we had visited Hove.

Young Sean Terry (as brave as his father) was hit on the thumb by a nasty riser but continued and made a useful 62*; Hampshire making the required runs despite losing Carberry, Vince and Smith all going cheaply trying to blast their way to victory. It was a welcome win, lifting Hampshire up the table and restricting Sussex’s points haul. I can still feel the excitement as I thanked the Sussex Committee hosts for their excellent hospitality and congratulating them on their part in a memorable game. I remember this game as if it were yesterday and I’ve always paid my respects to the flying gulls on every visit to Hove since that early morning on 7th June 2015.

Hampshire’s first win of the season by 6 wickets was, 

I think, our saviour that season and not the Hampshire win at Trent Bridge which I have written about as my all time favourite game (2015 - Nottinghamshire v Hampshire)