Jackers didn’t enjoy flying at the best of times but it was particularly grueling in mid-90s India before the airports had all been upgraded and expanded.
What a lovely, masterful piece - brought a touch of hayfever to my eyes. That picture of Jackers on the flight doing his crossword with his B&H by his side is priceless.
Really outstanding article Neil, thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve read it at least 5 times and I continue to laugh and smile. I had the pleasure of joint the odd lunch or braai with Quirky, my Dad (Andre), and The Fox.
Dear Frankie, many thanks for the note, much appreciated! I gather your old man, Quirky and Jackers had their last lunch just a few weeks ago. Good for them... I haven't seen your Dad for years. We used to see quite a bit of each other in the 90s! Please give him my best regards... n.
Thank you, Neil. Happy 2021.Well written. Please keep your journal going.. I'm loving it. I can make no claim of being a cricket fundi at all... But, I absolutely love following cricket and always loved Jackers' commentary.. Always honest and insightful. I can just imagine his love for being one of the boys in the pub and enjoying a good time whilst on the road. RIP Jackers..
Hi Neil. What a wonderful obituary. I never met Jackers but he did give me so much joy watching him play and particularly listening to his commentary. I was at school in Grahamstown at the same time as Yvonne and matriculated in the same year as her. In fact after matric she, Meryl Farley (later Mrs Robby Muzzel) and I did a small boat trip from PE to Cape Town together as a celebration. If you are in contact with Yvonne please pass on my very best wishes.
A few cricket comments.
1. Why are so few back foot no balls being penalised? Most bowlers are frequently transgressing.
2. A couple of brickbats for commentators. The use of the term "As quick as a tracer bullet." A tracer is no quicker than a normal round. Secondly the constant referral to "lateral movement." Movement is movement. Any movement other than lateral is bounce.
Garrick, I will definitely pass on your bests to Yvonne - the boat trip sounds fabulous although I'm not sure I'd call PE to Cape Town a 'small' trip!
Now that the the third umpire is calling no-balls I think we'll find that a lot more are penalised and fewer are missed. And I completely agree with you about tracer bullets and lateral movement!
so enjoyed that Neil. Jackers would have loved that. Never short of a humorous comment in the depths of despair even. He loved life to the full. Hardships he swept away to make way for sunshine and funnies. He will be with us always
This is lovely, Neil. I just about recall Jackman as a player, but my main memory of him is as an outstanding commentator - knowledgeable, wise and genial, with the sort of fund of stories you only build up through many years on the English county circuit (or flying around India).
Beautifully written tribute about a wonderful man, cricket and commentator. Loved his commentary as do I miss yours on Radio 2000 Manners.
What a lovely, masterful piece - brought a touch of hayfever to my eyes. That picture of Jackers on the flight doing his crossword with his B&H by his side is priceless.
Fine tribute to a truly fine man - well written ‘Manners’!
Really outstanding article Neil, thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve read it at least 5 times and I continue to laugh and smile. I had the pleasure of joint the odd lunch or braai with Quirky, my Dad (Andre), and The Fox.
Thanks again
Frankie
Dear Frankie, many thanks for the note, much appreciated! I gather your old man, Quirky and Jackers had their last lunch just a few weeks ago. Good for them... I haven't seen your Dad for years. We used to see quite a bit of each other in the 90s! Please give him my best regards... n.
Thank you, Neil. Happy 2021.Well written. Please keep your journal going.. I'm loving it. I can make no claim of being a cricket fundi at all... But, I absolutely love following cricket and always loved Jackers' commentary.. Always honest and insightful. I can just imagine his love for being one of the boys in the pub and enjoying a good time whilst on the road. RIP Jackers..
Many thanks for the encouragement, Dave - I do appreciate it. Jackers was a great man and the absolute best company on tour. We will miss him...
Thank you Manners. RIP Jackers
Hi Neil. What a wonderful obituary. I never met Jackers but he did give me so much joy watching him play and particularly listening to his commentary. I was at school in Grahamstown at the same time as Yvonne and matriculated in the same year as her. In fact after matric she, Meryl Farley (later Mrs Robby Muzzel) and I did a small boat trip from PE to Cape Town together as a celebration. If you are in contact with Yvonne please pass on my very best wishes.
A few cricket comments.
1. Why are so few back foot no balls being penalised? Most bowlers are frequently transgressing.
2. A couple of brickbats for commentators. The use of the term "As quick as a tracer bullet." A tracer is no quicker than a normal round. Secondly the constant referral to "lateral movement." Movement is movement. Any movement other than lateral is bounce.
Any comments.
Best wishes for 2021.
Garrick Philp
Garrick, I will definitely pass on your bests to Yvonne - the boat trip sounds fabulous although I'm not sure I'd call PE to Cape Town a 'small' trip!
Now that the the third umpire is calling no-balls I think we'll find that a lot more are penalised and fewer are missed. And I completely agree with you about tracer bullets and lateral movement!
Thanks. Your comment regarding the third umpire is noted but I must confess that I have noticed no difference. Time will tell. Cheers
so enjoyed that Neil. Jackers would have loved that. Never short of a humorous comment in the depths of despair even. He loved life to the full. Hardships he swept away to make way for sunshine and funnies. He will be with us always
Dear Vince, Jackers would have wanted us to remember him fondly. He did want us to... he could be as grumpy as anyone, but it never lasted long. :)
Wonderful anecdotes - and the pictures to back them up. We should have sourced some pics from you when we did the book!
I had long forgotten about my old photos, Colin. It was only when I was reminiscing that I remembered the Russian cargo plane!
Manners, great article for great man. Thanks ' Old Boy ' .
Many thanks, Dex. Raise a glass to 2021 - and Jackers, old boy!
This is lovely, Neil. I just about recall Jackman as a player, but my main memory of him is as an outstanding commentator - knowledgeable, wise and genial, with the sort of fund of stories you only build up through many years on the English county circuit (or flying around India).
He was most certainly knowledgeable, wise and genial, Brian. We all learned a great deal from him over the years. :)
Your writing this year has found new level after new level. This is an excellent piece on a fantastic individual-you have captured him perfectly.
Best wishes for 2021
That is extremely kind of you, Mike. I do, very much appreciate that...
Beautiful piece. Beautifully written. Beautiful Jackman.
Not sure about beautiful, David, but if you smiled that's all that matters... :)