Philip Larkin
Hi everyone !
50 years after my first visit to Lords - for MCC v Australia on Saturday 27 May 1961 - I have finally got to watch from the Pavilion.
Middlesex v Sussex in the CB40. And Sussex members are allowed to sit on the Pavilion !!
I have loved watching cricket all my life.
Of course for the Cricket itself, but especially for the time spent with Friends.
On this special occasion it was a very real privilege to be joined by Bob Ayres, a MCC member for 30 years, who was able to show me round the Pavilion.
Thank you so much, Bob !
As I sat on one of the iconic white benches in front of the Pavilion there were so many memories of previous visits to Lord's.
From my first visit 50 summers ago, watching with Dad from high up in the Warner Stand.
Bill Lawry and Norman O'Neill both scoring centuries.
And Young Jim Parks keeping wicket .... did I ever tell you about the day I watched cricket with Jim !!!
Seeing Sussex beat Warwickshire in the 2nd ever Gillette Cup Final in 1964.
And Kent beating Somerset in 1967.
And Lancashire beating Kent in 1971. Jack Bond taking a brilliant catch at deep mid off in the evening gloom to get Asif Iqbal out for 89.
Watching England v India from the Nursery End on my birthday in 1974 with Pete and Peter Williams.
Centuries from Amiss, Denness & Tony Grieg in England's 629.
And Australia beating Pakistan in the World Cup final in 1999.
4 wickets for Shane Warne, Pakistan all out for 132. Australia won by 8 wickets.
In 2003 attending Anthony Cuming's retirement party in the Media Centre.
And after "Sir" Geoffrey, it will be "Lord" Ric to sum up the last 50 years.
Well, Aggers I've loved cricket, but I've always known that "What do they know of Cricket, who only Cricket know ?"
Best bowler: Shane Warne.
Best batsman: Must be a Richards, but I couldn't decide between Barry & Viv.
( Of course, I never saw the Don play .... )
Best captain : Lord Ted .. naturally !!
Favourite player : Young Jim ... never in doubt !!!
Best player I have played with : Dave Green
And Australia winning again.
This time in the First Test v England in 2005. Australia won by 239 runs.
As I trudged up Wellington Road to St John's Wood Tube station I thought the series was likely to be 5-0 to the Aussies, with England lucky to score nil.
Little did I know that 2005 would be one of the greatest Ashes series ever.
And then in 2009 watching from the Mound Stand with his Family as Rory Cox top scored for Eton against Harrow.
His Dad not daring to watch, not able to miss a single ball
And Rory hitting a Big Six - surely it landed in St John's Wood Road !!
Cox for England the crowd cried; and they were right to.
As my favourite journalist, Simon Barnes, wrote:
"In sport, and more or less only in sport, we can cast our eyes once again over the sepia-tinted heroscape of lost youth."
What can I tell you of the game ?
Sussex 239 - 5
Middlesex 240 -3
But despite a third defeat in a row in the CB40, Sussex secured their place in the semi-finals.
Come on you Sharks !!
Will it be back to Lords on Saturday 17 September ... I hope so !!
Mike Yardy lifting the Cup, just as Lord Ted did all those years ago.
Lord Ric
PS
And in answer to your question : the Pork Pie tasted wonderful ! Best ever.
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