Fear no more the heat o’ the sun

 

Fear no more the heat o’ the sun,

Nor the furious winter’s rages;

Thou thy worldly task hast done,

Home art gone, and ta’en thy wages.

From Cymbeline by William Shakespeare

Hi everyone!

I was making up the rolls for the picnic - Cheese with Coleslaw and Tongue with Philadelphia - when Mylo asked me:

Dad; I didn’t think that there was a Sussex game today.

Where are you off to?

I had to “confess” that I was going to a Kent IIs game.

Ever since I had seen the Fixture ... I’ve been really, really looking forward to it.

Kent IIs v South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) at The Nevill, Tunbridge Wells.

The 65^th anniversary of the first County game I ever saw…

Kent v Sussex on 7^th June 1958.

I knew it was going to be a Day of Memories.

For me... well, I know only too well that my worldly task has (almost) done. 

I was going Home.

I caught the local train from Bickley to Orpington, where I changed on to the mainline service to Hastings.

As the train passed through Sevenoaks and Tonbridge, I was thinking back to that very first game … and the 100s I have watched since.

It was time for the Exam Question:

What is the Purpose of Cricket? 

Reaching Tunbridge Wells, I walked up Grove Hill Road and into The Grove.

But reaching Claremont Road – rather than taking my traditional route down Madeira Park – I walked along Farmcombe Lane and then Farmcombe Road.

I soon reached No. 102, from where Dad & I had set off on that Saturday now long, long ago.

Exactly 65 years on; I re-traced our steps ... along Cavendish Drive and then Upper Cumberland Walk.

Over the railway line:

And by the Tunbridge Well Tennis Club into the Nevill.

Just in time for Start of Play at 11 o’clock.

The famous Rhododendrons were in full bloom:

I sat on the grass at The Railway End, very near where Dad & I sat all those Seasons ago… and where I have always sat!

Stephen Niker – for long a Head Honcho at Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club  - was already there.

And we were soon joined by The Lads.

You know The Lads … Of course, you do!

They’re the ones where you measure friendship – not by Years, but by Decades

The Lads at the Railway End

Kent soon took the final two SACA wickets and needed 179 to win.

The Lads were Telling the Tales ... the ones we all love to tell.

Piers Morgan was stumped by Bish … yet again!!

I was telling an unlikely story about Young Jim Parks … well, you all know that one!!!

 

Marcus O’Riordan was out for 16 caught Rizvi bowled Bilal.

And Ben Compton for 10 caught Mahmood, with Bilal again the bowler.

Mo Bilal looked a good player, with match figures of 5 for 112 and 53 in the first innings.

 

At lunchtime I walked across the ground, inspected the pitch and … thought about playing Softball Cricket.

OK; I only thought about it!!!

 

There was time for a quick chat with the Kent IIs’ Captain Marcus O’Riordan.

And a well-deserved Half of Harveys in the Pavilion.

 

After lunch the Kent Nos. 3 and 4 made good progress.

The No.4 Will Harby played well.

Just 18 years old, his 41 not out off 75 balls was well-composed. 

But it was the No.3 that took the eye.

He was the One Player I had gone see.

At lunchtime when I spoke with Marcus O’Riordan I said that the No.3 was a Unique Player.

And that I hoped he would go on to score 100.

And so it proved … his 105 not out off 120 balls (with 13 fours and two sixes) lead Kent to victory.

 

It had been a Wonderful Day!!!

 

At the Railway End there was talk that in Season 2024 Kent may play two One Day Cup games at The Nevill …

Keep your eyes on the Fixtures!

Ol’ Ric

Sitting at the Railway End

 

PS

So that just leaves Two Questions

Who was the Kent No.3?

And

The Exam Question: What is the Purpose of Cricket?

 

Well, the No3. was born in Hastings – like me!

And used to play for Sussex – unlike me!!

His name is Harry Zacariah Finch … the only Zacariah EVER to play First Class Cricket.

I was so delighted when he reached his century.

May Harry go on to have a long & successful career with the Old Rivals: Kent.

---

And the Exam Question?

Well, exactly 65 years ago there was One Player I had gone to see…

He was batting No.4 for Sussex.

He too scored a century.

His name is Young Jim Parks …

I’m still talking about it!!

--

Sir Jim Ratcliffe founded INEOS and is Britain’s Richest Man.

He owns football clubs in France and Switzerland and is currently bidding for Manchester United.

As well as owning INEOS Cycling and INEOS Team UK, which competes for the Americas Cup.

He described his Purpose…

“One should, if one can, try to maximise the number of days that are unforgettable.” 

Interview with Matt Dickinson in The Times on 29 April 2019

The Purpose of Cricket?

Memories Forever

As I made my way back to Tunbridge Wells station, I knew that over 65 Seasons (and with hopefully a “few” more to come) Cricket has served its Purpose with me…

The Nevill: A Million Memories