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 enterance, 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 attend for a few short hours on only one of the four days. Hence it is regreatable 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 oppounity 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 on Zim, schooled in SA, and played club level in Zim & Eng) was willing to travel from Canterbury for the occassion.
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 oppounity 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's all so short-sighted. So many people administering the game have so little empathy with the people who follow it. Could you email me? I'd like to ask Arundel Castle CC if they'd be happy to extend an invite to you for one of the days... neil@mwp.co.za
There is a great deal the ICC and SA cricket do v poorly, and its hard to visually see what they do right .. but they have all the high cards.
Betting on the IPL cricket has never been as strong - the latest qualifier traded GBP 230 M on the legal exchanges. The other stuff is now very much a poor relative and its easy to see the IPL season getting longer and longer.
Jansen / Markham especially have been in fine form during the IPL .. maybe they can give the Aussies something to think about, thou they are judged at only having a 35% chance to win.
I think that overstates the chances, but hope its a contest.
Made my way down from London to watch a day of cricket between my two home nations. Had no idea this was a members only event, and got told to leave after trying to pay for a ticket to enter, even though there were only about 50 people at the ground.
So I walked around the ground to a part of the ground that were unmanned by security, and open to the public and walked right in, took a seat as Temba was walking in. Needless to say I stood out from the crowd because of what I was wearing and the security was back once again and I was briefly escorted out 😂
Anyway, disappointment aside, the point I want to make is that if cricket ever wants to move to a game that grows globally (like rugby is doing) then games like this should be open to the greater cricketing community (paid or not) and kids encouraged to come out and watch teams go through their processes, breakdown some barriers between the cricketers and the people that hold them in such high regard. The money generated at ACCC from an event like this could be beneficial for grassroots cricket in the area or even less fortunate cricketers at the ACCC.
Role models build the game and make sure there is a future generation of youth that enjoy test cricket at a minimum.
Regardless of the five hours round trip, I'll be at the final next week supporting the Proteas!
Thanks for doing the homework on this - apart from the spectator issue, I can't think of another cricket match that's been so secretive. Even the start date and scores have been tough to find for the casual googler at times. And there I was thinking there might be a live stream - hopes quickly dashed!
There just seemed to be no realisation amongst the administrators that a 'practise match' has its own appeal for some fans. A chance to watch elite cricketers doing their thing without the burden of a result to worry about! grrr...
Made my way down from London to watch a day of cricket between my two home nations. Had no idea this was a members only event, and got told to leave after trying to pay for a ticket to enter, even though there were only about 50 people at the ground.
So I walked around the ground to a part of the ground that were unmanned by security, and open to the public and walked right in, took a seat as Temba was walking in. Needless to say I stood out from the crowd because of what I was wearing and the security was back once again and I was briefly escorted out 😂
Anyway, disappointment aside, the point I want to make is that if cricket ever wants to move to a game that grows globally (like rugby is doing) then games like this should be open to the greater cricketing community (paid or not) and kids encouraged to come out and watch teams go through their processes, breakdown some barriers between the cricketers and the people that hold them in such high regard. The money generated at ACCC from an event like this could be beneficial for grassroots cricket in the area or even less fortunate cricketers at the ACCC.
Role models build the game and make sure there is a future generation of youth that enjoy test cricket at a minimum.
Regardless of the five hours round trip, I'll be at the final next week supporting the Proteas!
Made my way down from London to watch a day of cricket between my two home nations. Had no idea this was a members only event, and got told to leave after trying to pay for a ticket to enter, even though there were only about 50 people at the ground.
So I walked around the ground to a part of the ground that were unmanned by security, and open to the public and walked right in, took a seat as Temba was walking in. Needless to say I stood out from the crowd because of what I was wearing and the security was back once again and I was briefly escorted out 😂
Anyway, disappointment aside, the point I want to make is that if cricket ever wants to move to a game that grows globally (like rugby is doing) then games like this should be open to the greater cricketing community (paid or not) and kids encouraged to come out and watch teams go through their processes, breakdown some barriers between the cricketers and the people that hold them in such high regard. The money generated at ACCC from an event like this could be beneficial for grassroots cricket in the area or even less fortunate cricketers at the ACCC.
Role models build the game and make sure there is a future generation of youth that enjoy test cricket at a minimum.
Regardless of the five hours round trip, I'll be at the final next week supporting the Proteas!
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 enterance, 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 attend for a few short hours on only one of the four days. Hence it is regreatable 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 oppounity 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 on Zim, schooled in SA, and played club level in Zim & Eng) was willing to travel from Canterbury for the occassion.
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 oppounity 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.
Hi Kingston,
It's all so short-sighted. So many people administering the game have so little empathy with the people who follow it. Could you email me? I'd like to ask Arundel Castle CC if they'd be happy to extend an invite to you for one of the days... neil@mwp.co.za
Which club are you with
Cricket loves shooting itself in the foot...
Hi Neil,
There is a great deal the ICC and SA cricket do v poorly, and its hard to visually see what they do right .. but they have all the high cards.
Betting on the IPL cricket has never been as strong - the latest qualifier traded GBP 230 M on the legal exchanges. The other stuff is now very much a poor relative and its easy to see the IPL season getting longer and longer.
Jansen / Markham especially have been in fine form during the IPL .. maybe they can give the Aussies something to think about, thou they are judged at only having a 35% chance to win.
I think that overstates the chances, but hope its a contest.
That is an absolutely ridiculous situation!
Made my way down from London to watch a day of cricket between my two home nations. Had no idea this was a members only event, and got told to leave after trying to pay for a ticket to enter, even though there were only about 50 people at the ground.
So I walked around the ground to a part of the ground that were unmanned by security, and open to the public and walked right in, took a seat as Temba was walking in. Needless to say I stood out from the crowd because of what I was wearing and the security was back once again and I was briefly escorted out 😂
Anyway, disappointment aside, the point I want to make is that if cricket ever wants to move to a game that grows globally (like rugby is doing) then games like this should be open to the greater cricketing community (paid or not) and kids encouraged to come out and watch teams go through their processes, breakdown some barriers between the cricketers and the people that hold them in such high regard. The money generated at ACCC from an event like this could be beneficial for grassroots cricket in the area or even less fortunate cricketers at the ACCC.
Role models build the game and make sure there is a future generation of youth that enjoy test cricket at a minimum.
Regardless of the five hours round trip, I'll be at the final next week supporting the Proteas!
Let's go boys!
Thanks for doing the homework on this - apart from the spectator issue, I can't think of another cricket match that's been so secretive. Even the start date and scores have been tough to find for the casual googler at times. And there I was thinking there might be a live stream - hopes quickly dashed!
There just seemed to be no realisation amongst the administrators that a 'practise match' has its own appeal for some fans. A chance to watch elite cricketers doing their thing without the burden of a result to worry about! grrr...
Made my way down from London to watch a day of cricket between my two home nations. Had no idea this was a members only event, and got told to leave after trying to pay for a ticket to enter, even though there were only about 50 people at the ground.
So I walked around the ground to a part of the ground that were unmanned by security, and open to the public and walked right in, took a seat as Temba was walking in. Needless to say I stood out from the crowd because of what I was wearing and the security was back once again and I was briefly escorted out 😂
Anyway, disappointment aside, the point I want to make is that if cricket ever wants to move to a game that grows globally (like rugby is doing) then games like this should be open to the greater cricketing community (paid or not) and kids encouraged to come out and watch teams go through their processes, breakdown some barriers between the cricketers and the people that hold them in such high regard. The money generated at ACCC from an event like this could be beneficial for grassroots cricket in the area or even less fortunate cricketers at the ACCC.
Role models build the game and make sure there is a future generation of youth that enjoy test cricket at a minimum.
Regardless of the five hours round trip, I'll be at the final next week supporting the Proteas!
Let's go boys!
Made my way down from London to watch a day of cricket between my two home nations. Had no idea this was a members only event, and got told to leave after trying to pay for a ticket to enter, even though there were only about 50 people at the ground.
So I walked around the ground to a part of the ground that were unmanned by security, and open to the public and walked right in, took a seat as Temba was walking in. Needless to say I stood out from the crowd because of what I was wearing and the security was back once again and I was briefly escorted out 😂
Anyway, disappointment aside, the point I want to make is that if cricket ever wants to move to a game that grows globally (like rugby is doing) then games like this should be open to the greater cricketing community (paid or not) and kids encouraged to come out and watch teams go through their processes, breakdown some barriers between the cricketers and the people that hold them in such high regard. The money generated at ACCC from an event like this could be beneficial for grassroots cricket in the area or even less fortunate cricketers at the ACCC.
Role models build the game and make sure there is a future generation of youth that enjoy test cricket at a minimum.
Regardless of the five hours round trip, I'll be at the final next week supporting the Proteas!
Let's go boys!
Went there with guest passes and not allowed in!
Unbelievable.