It's time to take guard

The mind lays by its troubles and wanders. Things seen, and things heard.

 All those men of Sussex, led by Lord Ted and Young Jim. 

They will not come again, but others will, and we shall in time recall their deeds. 

The summer is about to begin. 

It's time to take guard. 

Saturday 18 April 2015: The Times, Michael Henderson 

Sussex have made a good start to the season, beating newly promoted Hampshire away in the Championship earlier in the week.

So it was with a spring in steps that John Squire made our way on the short walk from Chatsworth Square, past the recently renovated Palmeira ...  

     ... to the Ground for the First Visit of the Season: Sussex v Worcestershire in the Championship Day 1.

Sussex won the toss & batted.

Opener Luke Wells was soon out for 9.

The Sussex No. 3, Matt Machan, would not have played for Sussex but for Michael Yardy falling ill the previous day and Chris Nash going down with a hamstring injury.

His first seven scoring shots were fours. Then, after a couple of singles, he flicked Shantry over midwicket for six and reached his fifty off just 27 balls with a virtual replica. 

He was on a remarkable and unbeaten 87 not out from 63 balls when lunch arrived, with Sussex 153 for one. After the break Machan reached the third century of his career by lifting Shantry for another six over midwicket. He had faced 70 balls. 

Matt went on to complete a career-best 135 before skying a catch to deep midwicket, having faced 100 deliveries and struck 18 fours and four sixes.

 

The Sussex innings closed on 345, with Worcestershire reaching 45 without loss by Close of Play.

The First Visit of the Season is always a chance to look forward to the coming months.

All the usual grounds to visit: Arundel, Beckenham, Horsham, Lords (including for England v Australia in the Ashes), Southampton, the Nevill at Tunbridge Wells and  - of course  - lots of days at Hove.

I hope you will be able come along!

But the First Visit  is also a moment to look back to seasons past.

In just over a fortnight's time on 7^th May I will be celebrating an Emerald Anniversary: 55 Years since my First Ever Visit (to see Sussex play at Hove).

Many of you will know the story of that day. 

Driving with Dad from Farmcombe Road across East Sussex, playing tennis ball cricket with him on the outfield and, as  I went to sleep, the advice that Dad gave me, advice for a Lifetime. 

But there was a Third Man (no pun intended !) with us that day.

On Friday 15 May he turns 80.

   Who was he?

   What the crucial part he played on that Saturday long, long ago?

The next Lord Ric cricket blog - to be published on the Third Man's birthday - will explain all ... ...

Lord Ric of Beckley Furnace