SA's 'secret' WTC final warm-up

Unless you're prepared to pay £147 to join Arundel Castle Cricket Club

Cricket has an endearing habit of punching itself in the face and failing to promote the game. And there are precious few people prepared to own up: “Yeh, that was me/us. That was my/our punch. Sorry.”

Take the four-day practise match between South Africa and Zimbabwe at the picturesque Arundel Castle Cricket Club. The Zimbabweans recently played their first Test match in England for over two decades and, despite being hammered by an innings inside three days on the field, won many friends off it.

Despite a few grumbles from Englishmen about South Africa being ‘lucky’ to have reached the World Test Championship final the Proteas are largely the popular choice for the neutral supporter – the appeal of the underdog – and the English do enjoy an Australian defeat.

The match was the perfect opportunity for both teams to win over more admirers in a low-key fixture amidst charming surrounds. Instead, it will be played, in the words of a Zimbabwe Cricket press release, “…behind closed doors.” But that’s not quite true. It turns out, paid-up members of the Arundel Castle Cricket Club can go along for just £12.

The match will not have first-class status and probably won’t even resemble much of a contest. South Africa will definitely want game time for all of their 15-man squad while the Zimbabweans are keen for as much exposure as possible for as many of their own squad before their next big assignment – two Tests against South Africa in Bulawayo at the end of June, straight after the WTC final.

But that’s not the point. Sometimes the pleasure is in merely watching top cricketers bat and bowl. A London-based friend of mine booked a day of work in order to go and watch Marco Jansen bowl: “He’s so exciting on the telly, I just wanted to see him live.” Then he discovered that he wouldn’t be able to get into the ground. So,he called the club and spoke to Georgina:

“She said that the match is closed to the public as South Africa are seeing it as ‘purely a training session’. I was told that the ECB and CSA have agreed that the match will basically be played behind closed doors. Members of Arundel Cricket Club have to purchase a ticket to attend, costing £12 per day. She said I could become a member by paying £110, plus a one-off joining fee of £25, and then £12 for the ticket,” said my friend. The ECB? What have they got to do with this?

I asked the Proteas media manager whether the decision to (sort of) play the game behind closed doors was true. “It wasn’t a request from our team,” was the reply.

I asked the ZC media manager whether it came from them: “The match is being organised by the ICC and I suggest you get in touch with their media department,” came the reply. The ICC? I asked them, but received no reply.

I contacted the Arundel Castle Cricket Club directly and received this:

Dear Neil,

Due to ICC regs - the match is available for our members only. To become a member pls click on the link below. The cost is then only £ 12pp (you are allowed to bring in up to 4 guests under your membership).

James.

James Rufey

Director of Cricket & Chief Operating Officer

Arundel Castle Cricket Club Limited

Arundel Park | Arundel | West Sussex | BN18 9LH

01903 882 462

cricketatarundelcastle.co.uk

I asked James to clarify which ICC regulations did not permit spectators at a match between two international teams. I did not receive a reply.

Confession time: I understand that my frustration is completely disproportionate to the significance of this event. It is only one of hundreds of occasions I’ve witnessed when the game’s overseers rate their own interests far more highly than those who actually keep it alive.

*There’s still time to buy me a coffee before I head to London and Lord’s to bring you ring-side coverage of ‘The Ultimate Test’. And remember, a paid-subscription is only one coffee per month!