Here's a couple of other classics from Johnners

"There's been a heavy fall of rain here at Trent Bridge but fortunately it didn't touch the ground."

"It is certainly cold here. The England fielders are keeping their hands in their pockets between b...s"

"You've come at a very appropriate time; Ray Illingworth has just relieved hiself at the pavilion end."

And finally, after Glenn Turner had been painfully struck in a sensitive area:

"Turner looks a bit shaky and unsteady, but I think he's going to bat on--one ball left."

Amongst all these experts....
aussie cricket team touring england in July 2005.
Looking for fixtures at quintessential grounds and clubs within 40 minutes drive from Manchester,Nottingham and London.
Any suggestions?
Are any of you poms associated with a club?

Sydney Steve..who did you play for?

University of NSW 1st Grade 1971-75, State Schoolboys 1970. That should tell you how old I am but I still aspire to playing Golden Oldies next year - maybe in Bombay/Mumbai.

Well Steve...I attended UNSW myself from 70-74.
In fact played lower grades for UNSW in 69-70.
I guess you would have had the "pleasure" of knowing R Pym and G Lawson.

You should be playing "masters" (over 40's) cricket in Sydney.

this has been a wonderful diversion and long may it wave, but all of your contributions lead me to conclude that the real answer to my question posed in the header, is "no."

Yup. Now, about the offside rule....

Oh it's easy really Elaine.

Once you've mastered the googlies and can spot the leg-breakers you're well on the way :)

Just don't volunteer to be silly mid-off. It's no fun being short extra square leg either ...

Maidens in a row are a big turn-off too. Can you imagine ;)

Did you ever get the tea-towel?
(I can send one if you like ...)

Steve

This really IS a most entertaining and informative thread!

Spygirl: "This really IS a most entertaining and informative thread".....

Which is more than can be said for cricket!

Jim

Steve and Sheila,
Lovely of you to offer to send the tea towels, but the shipping costs to the USA are much more than the value of the tea towels.
I do collect those, so I'll look for one on my next trip to the UK, or perhaps order on line and have it shipped to my hotel.
Thank you, and wish you no sticky wickets but plenty of leg overs.
Or should it be the other way round?

Patrick, very kind of you I'm sure to offer to explain the offside rule, but I won't accept your generous offer either.

I could use an aspirin though.

You all have no idea....but a short while ago, I attended a reception for a certain high-level official in the US Govt. I happen to know that this official is married to someone from Oz, and that this official is going down under for some holiday time. Because Spygirl has a good relationship with this person, she thought she would tease him and ask him about his knowledge of cricket, since Spygirl was much amused by this thread. Mr. Official looked at Spygirl and said, "oh of course I understand cricket, I play." Spygirl opens her mouth in astonishment, and asks you even like and understand test match cricket?" "Oh, sure" -looking at me like it was no big deal! And are you going to a match when you're down under? "Well no, Spygirl, it's not the season." Mr. Official is, of course 100 per cent American!

I found this quite amusing, in light of our discussion here.

johhj

I don't know the exact fixture dates, but -

Old Trafford In Manchester
Lords and The Oval in London
Trent Bridge in Nottingham
Edgebaston in Birmingham

at least half these grounds are likely to feature in the 2005 series....

Hi John J. I opened the bowling with Dick. John was Captain in our first year and then Rogers. When I left to go to Asia with Citibank Henry came up from the 2's to replace me and he then of course became stellar.I see Tony McHendry when we visit his winery Vinifera in Mudgee. Which team were you in ? I played C&S for the Nondescripts up till about 5 years ago and made it the combined team at 47yo. Then sadly I damaged my leg after bowling in the nets at Lindfield one day taking on the younger lads. However I'm now recovered and ready to roll after an up an coming 2 week holiday. Drop me an email.

Spygirl
A good place for faded colonial elegance is the Roshanarra CC in old delhi.
Your US official is correct...being winter it is not the season down here.
BIBB
We know the dates of the internationals next season.We aim to attend the
one dayer at Headingley, Leeds on July 7
and the first day of the Lord's test on July 21 (any MCC members here?)

Steve
Most interesting!
The Pym brothers play masters for Lane Cove (On his day Dick can still muster a quick yorker with that slinging action) I open for Lindfield.
henry had a nice piece about his first game in firsts in his autobigraphy.Against Sydney @Rushcutters..R Pym knocked over Rick McCosker's castle first ball.It was '75 when McCosker was opening for australia.

John J - if you are near the Oval at Lindfield soon, drop down to 168 on that road. We are on the left past Stirling's place and we will have a chat etc. I got my Uni Blue for cricket with Jock Martel and the Tasmanian.

So you live at leafy Lindfield and know Stirling. I think Stirling may have just got back from taking a sydney masters side to england.

I'll bet he has nagged you to play masters.There are two Lindfield masters sides...i play in the legends and we have a strong rivalry with Stirling's side.Most years Stirling puts on the local derby at his ground at mandalong.
Not a bad day apart from Stirling's long winded speeches (when he wins)
If you are considering masters cricket play with the legends NOT stirling's side!

Congrats on your blue.You have played at a level well beyond mine.My cricket at UNSW was fragmented and short in the 69-70 season...in the shires comp if memory serves me right.

I see you are off to BA. Went there on a cricket trip in the mid 90's.Have a drink at the Belgrano club and go out to Hurlingham for a game of golf.The boat trip around the delta is a good day trip but of course not a patch on sydney harbour.

See - most Aussies can talk cricket - shame on you, Neil! :o

John J, a few of my golden oldies mates went to B.A. early this year on a tour. Thanks for the tip, I must check my reciprocal clubs come to think of it. Please let me know when practice is and when I get back we will see how the body moves. My wife SydneySue used to coach a lower grade high school team. She took along some of my unused six-stitchers and announced to the boys " dont damage these balls, these are new balls, these are my husband's balls ". As you can imagine the laughter went on for some time.

It's all perfectly clear now.

Really? All I see is cloudy!