The Last Match; and the First.

This is about cricket, but it is also about life

The Last Match by Colin Philpott & Kit Monkman

55 years on from my First Ever Visit who’d have guessed that after Stumps on Day 2  of Sussex v Yorkshire I would be making my way to the Boundary Rooms at the sea end of the ground to see The Last Match?

The Last Match tells the story of the 1939 match between Sussex and Yorkshire played Hove on the day Germany invaded Poland. Two days later, Britain responded and war was declared.

Whilst other county matches were abandoned, the Sussex and Yorkshire teams refused to stop play – Young Jim’s dad was having his Benefit Match !! -  and in a game of high drama, Yorkshire triumphed over Sussex.

The play’s central character is bowling legend, Hedley Verity who played his last ever first-class match that day, taking 7 wickets for just 9 runs.

Four years later he died of his wounds after fighting in Sicily.

Sussex v Yorkshire, always a keenly anticipated game.

Of course, way back in May 1960 it was the very first game I ever saw at Hove. 
You know the story: Lord Ted whacking Fred Trueman to all parts of the ground for his 96.

But there were a couple of Legends at the ground in August 2015.

Heavy Sunday morning rain, which prevented any play until after lunch, meant that there were fewer than 1,000 spectators in the ground on the third day, as opposed to the 3,500 who attended on Friday and the near-2,000 who turned up for the second day.

Yet the sun was shining again by the time Mike Yardy - in his penultimate championship appearance at Hove, having announced that he will retire at the age of 34 at the end of the season - made 124, his 22^nd first-class hundred.  

He is the last survivor of Sussex’s historic 2003 championship triumph, a club captain for four seasons, and the winner of seven domestic trophies and a Twenty20 World Cup winner in 2010.

He will be missed.

But what of the other Legend?

His career stretches way back to the 1960s.

They still talk about the three catches he dropped off my bowling at Sanderstead one Saturday afternoon long, long ago !

And he still reminds me of the day I got out (bowled playing my trade mark shot: whipping the ball from off stump through midwicket) in the last game we ever played together !!

These days he’s very much the Senior Professional, playing his cricket in New Zealand, including for the NZ Over 60’s.

It was Gideon Haigh who wrote in The Times a few weeks ago that Form is temporary, Class is permanent & Legend … well, that’s indestructible.

There’s only one Young Man to me.

Watching our beloved Sussex play, sitting together in the sunshine at the Cromwell Road end ... it just doesn't get any better !

It been great to watch cricket with you at the Nevill, with Bishopp, Chris Vickery and all the Boys.

Come back soon, Pete !!

We’re into the final few weeks of the Season.

Some tremendous days out:

At Lords for day one of the Ashes v the Aussies.

Amazing results across the five Tests, with the pendulum swinging from one game to the next.

At the Nevill; just wonderful to see such good crowds, especially as it was rumoured that Kent wouldn’t be playing there this year.

And plenty more besides; the Ageas Bowl, Arundel and the rest.

Another really enjoyable season !!

As we head into September, Sussex are fighting relegation from Division One… so fingers crossed for some good results, especially against fellow strugglers Somerset & Worcestershire.

We started with The Last Match.

So let’s finish with the First.

This Friday I will be attending my first Women’s Test match: England v Australia in a T20 under the floodlights at Hove.

I'm delighted that Mrs Lambourne will be coming along.

(Editor: so that’s the Picnic sorted!!)

But there’s another guest …

We first met over 35 years ago.

How many cricket picnics has she packed for me over all those years?

But she’s never, ever been to a game.

This Friday that all changes…

Welcome to the County Ground, Mrs P !!

Why read a Lord Ric Cricket Blog, when you can be in one. ^©

See you soon !!

Lord Ric of Beckley Furnace