No Spectators...and the Answer is?

It's an "operational decision." Make one exception, Arundel Castle CC. Please?

This column won’t make much sense to anyone who hasn’t read the previous one, but plough on anyway if you don’t have the time to page back. Let’s start with a letter from Kingston which was posted for all to view at the end of the last one:

“I was born in Zimbabwe, grew up in SA, and live in Arun. That this knock-about between my two "home" nations was to be played on my very doorstep seemed like all my worlds aligning in the most unexpected way.

Unfortunately, I got the same questionable response from Arundel Castle Cricket Club upon enquiring spectator entrance, followed by the same ghosting when I attempted to question their very odd decision, and it didn't matter that I am a member of another cricket club only five miles down the river. CSA, ECB, Sussex Cricket, ZC... no response.

My health is not in the best state, and this shall likely have been the last chance I would have to see these teams live; and even then, I would probably only manage to muster the strength to attend for a few short hours on only one of the four days. Hence it is regretable that ACCC seem more determined to appease their membership rather than the broader cricketing and local communities, and the interests of the great game we all love. It seems very shortsighted on their part.

Suggesting that we become members in order to gain access to this match is ludicrous; I am already a member of a club in Arun, why would I want to join another simply to watch one match?

We have a former Zimbabwean U/19 player at our club who would also love the opportunity to reconnect with some former teammates whilst enjoying the sight of these Southern African sides hitting their straps, as would dozens of Saffas and Zimbo's in West Sussex and surrounds.

A school friend (like me, born in Zim, schooled in SA, and played club level in Zim & Eng) was willing to travel from Canterbury for the occasion.

Surely the SA players would welcome some support and well wishes from their fans? It would be a rare privilege for Arun locals to enjoy the sight of international players in their patch, and an ideal opportunity to expose our youth to quality players they have never seen live before.

Arundel Castle Cricket Club themselves are failing to use this fixture to showcase their idealistic picturesque venue to an audience that might never have had the privilege. It certainly leaves an impression on all whom have enjoyed its charms.

It is a crying shame.”

The ‘behind closed doors’ status of South Africa’s WTC final warm-up match against Zimbabwe was a mystery I was trying to solve when I wrote the first column. I can now, finally, provide an answer. An ECB spokesman told me it was an “operational decision.” When I asked what that meant, exactly, and which operations might be adversely affected by the attendance of spectators (other than Arundel CC members) he was kind enough to reply: “We’re happy to stay with ‘operational decision.’

Too much hassle? Not financially viable? Bit too much admin? A security thing? Who knows. It was ‘operational’. Shame. He also reminded me, again, that it was ‘basically a practise match.’ The Chennai Super Kings open their gates to pre-season IPL net sessions and regularly get attendances of 10,000+. For some people, it’s not just the game they’re interested in seeing, it’s their heroes. Cricketers are performers and the audience is their fuel.

Right, we’ll leave it there. With just two final thoughts: Cricketers are performers and some of their audience would be delighted to watch them ‘go through the motions’ before a game as important as the WTC final. Second, perhaps Arundel Castle Cricket Club – or the ECB - might reach out to Kingston with an invite to attend one, or part of one of the remaining three days of the SA vs Zim game. He shouldn’t be hard to find. If he is, I can help.

*We are all a bit nervous of ‘paid subscriptions’. I get it. If you’re worried about signing up to this newsletter for £4 per month, you can buy-me-a-coffee for the same price. I’m heading to London in two days to cover the WTC final for you… 😊