Hi everyone!
“ Harry Zacariah Finch was born in Hastings in Sussex “
Wikipedia
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As I was travelling down on Sunday morning on the train from Bickley to Canterbury for Kent v Sussex – Day 1, I was fully expecting a gentle day of County Cricket in the Kent Sunshine.
Indeed, there was plenty of Sunshine… but as for the Cricket, it was an Amazing Day !!
I changed train at Faversham and caught the connecting service to Canterbury East.
Glancing at Twitter, there was the first intimation of what was to happen.
Elizabeth Ammon is a cricket journalist
for The Times.
She tweets as @LegsideLizzy:
As I strolled up the Old Dover Road, with supporters of both teams, word had spread about the Kent players needing to isolate.
Information may have been in short
supply; but of Opinion there was plenty !
Was Knotty flying in from Cyprus to keep wicket for
Kent ?
I sensed the time had come for the one they call The
Bishopp, who I knew would be at the game.
I took my seat on the grass bank on
the hospital side of the ground.
I was soon joined by the Lads from
TW Borderers.
We’ve been watching together these last 50 years.
They are all Kent supporters … so Life has been very tough
for them !!
Bish Bishopp told me that he had his kit in the boot of
his car.
Time - and there is never need for
any excuse – for a telling of the game TW Borderers played away at Newick.
Let the scorebook show for ever that Piers Morgan was ... Stumped Bishopp !
In the photo - from the celebration of Kent's 150th Birthday - the gentleman in the front row in the blazer is Alan Knott.
In 2013 Wisden named Knotty in their Alltime World XI.
To His right is a gentleman in a grey sports jacket.
Now Knotty has his fans to be the
Greatest wicket keeper the game has ever known
But he never ever stumped Piers Morgan !!
(Editor: dear readers, many of you may be thinking very little is actually true in a Lord Ric Blog… but this tale definitely is !!).
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We were listening to updates from the Announcer.
He confirmed that Kent’s preparations had indeed been thrown into
chaos when an unidentified member of their Vitality Blast side tested positive
for COVID.
Heino Kuhn was named captain of an improvised Kent XI that
included five debutants: Jas Singh, Joe Gordon, Harry Finch, Dan Lincoln and Harry Houillon.
Separately, Sussex captain Ben
Brown was absent while self-isolating as a precaution.
Ollie Robinson – who was once on Kent’s books as a youngster - was the stand-in captain.
Unfortunately, Kent’s Ollie Robinson
was in the group of players self-isolating.
Always a taking point when there are Two Ollie Robinsons
playing !!
Understandably, the start was delayed until Noon to allow Kent to register their new players, after which they won the toss and choose to bowl.
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Google was in heavy use early on.
Which Kent League club does Jas Singh play for ?
Bexley.
Was the Harry Finch debuting for Kent the former Sussex Player ?
Wikipedia records that Harry’s
middle name is Zacariah.
There may be Two Ollie Robinsons … but there is only One Harry Zacariah !!
What is the 'Connection' between Harry Houillon, Phil Edmonds &
Lord Ric himself ?
You may need
to be an Only Connect fan for this … …
Lord Ric told
an Unlikely Tale about Fitzwilliam College … Could it really be true ?
Anymore than he was tipping - having only seen him play the once - Mr Houillon to be a future England Cricketer !
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The Sussex openers Haines and Orr
made a steady start.
The first wicket fell at 50: Orr caught O’Riordan (who plays his club cricket for Tunbridge Wells) bowled Singh; his first FC wicket !
Singh continued with his impressive
debut, taking 4 of the first 5 wickets to fall.
Podmore took the final 3 wickets.
Sussex were all out for a modest 181,
with youngster James Coles top scoring with 36.
So, shortly after tea Kent were batting.
The ever-dependable Ollie Robinson quickly took the first wicket - debutant Joe Gordon LBW for 8.
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As the clock ticked toward 17.45 – and with at least 45 minutes of play remaining – I reached Decision Time.
If I was to get back to Bickley in
time for the 20.00 hours Kick Off for England v Italy, I would have to leave.
That’s the trouble with the ‘Old & Foolish’ … they are far too hasty !!
If only I had stayed…
The Sussex website reports:
Sussex then fought back brilliantly with the ball
as … … Atkins had O’Riordan LBW for 18. The latter then went on the charge and
bowled Kuhn for eight, followed by Lincoln for nought.
Robinson had Houillon LBW without scoring before bad
light stopped play at 18:50 hours, with Finch 24 not out and Podmore unbeaten
on 3.
Kent were 69 for 5.
No Fool Like an Old Fool !!
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As we head on into July, still
plenty of Season 2021 remaining.
I really, really hope
that you’ll come along and watch with me this Season.
After all ….
Why read a
Lord Ric Cricket Blog, when you can star in your own.
See you soon!!
Lord Ric of Beckley Furnace
PS
I’ve been a Sussex supporter all my life.
And what I am about to say may well astound you …
Harry Finch is playing for Kent - the Old Rivals –
in this game.
As I noted above, he ended the day on 24 not out.
How could I possibly wish someone playing for Kent well for the rest of the game ??!!
Well, the blog started with:
“ Harry Zacariah Finch was born in Hastings in Sussex “
Wikipedia
Mr Finch
& I have never met.
We are not related.
But I too was born in Hastings.
The ‘Hastings Mafia’ looks after its own !!!
