The Hand Surgeon 'Speaks'

County Championship lives and breathes

Time to indulge in a little fantasy. We are all more inclined to believe what we would like to be true and sometimes, provided it doesn’t involve war, politics or trade tariffs, even climate change, it is a harmless indulgence just to ‘go with it.’

The human attention span has decreased over the last half a century and is doing so faster now than ever before. Fewer books are read these days than in previous decades (although more are listened to than ever before) and, of course, there is fast food. One of the casualties of the new era is county cricket, we’re told. Nobody has the time to watch it anymore.

Well…judging by the photos sent to me and posted on a variety of social media, the first round of the County Championship was heart-warmingly well-attended – and the cricket was remarkable. Perhaps it was just the unseasonably warm, dry weather. But that doesn’t adequately explain it.

My friend and regular guest columnist here, Jonathan Knowles, spent his weekend at Lord’s and Chelmsford specifically to catch sight of Dean Elgar and Jimmy Anderson. As it transpired neither man played, but that didn’t detract from Jonathan’s enjoyment – or that of several thousand other supporters who saw fit to watch Essex make champions Surrey chase leather for a long time and Middlesex overturn a 100-run first innings deficit to put Lancashire under pressure in the fourth innings before both ended in draws.

The first argument about the changing nature of society is all true, I’m told by people who know better than me. The second is that more people work from home than ever before, fewer in offices, and work-time is more flexible than at any other time in history. Some businesses are still operating, pretty much, as they did during Covid lockdowns.

Despite the significant economic problems in the UK there is still more disposable income than in most other major cricket-playing nations and, at the risk of entering controversial territory, the fewest English players in the IPL for a decade may have been a signal for the ennui being experienced by an increasing number of fans. Will Smeed’s decision to unretire from first-class cricket (before he’d played a single game of it) and become available in all formats for Somerset was another tiny, but significant sign.

Another Somerset batsman, Tom Banton, who fell deeply out of love with the game a couple of years ago, scored 371 in the opening round against Worcestershire who, in turn, batted an extraordinary 200 overs in the fourth innings of their match in Taunton to earn a heroic draw having conceded a first innings deficit of 500. These are the stories which make an impression, linger, and change attitudes.

Keith Dudgeon, 29, has taken 232 first-class wickets at 25 apiece and has six 50s amidst a batting average of almost 20. The best of many journeymen in SA cricket. He was signed by the Paarl Royals in the SA20 where Joe Root’s eyebrows were raised in impressed surprise. He messaged England team-mate, Zak Crawley, aware that Kent were on the lookout for a good seamer and lower order batsman. They signed him. Dudgeon took 7-37 on the final day of their opening match to romp his new team to victory against Northants. These are the stories…

I admitted I was fantasising. The IPL has an unbreakable grip on the world schedule and Franchise T20 cricket has a hold over players who want to earn as much as possible – or, rather, be paid as much as possible. But who knows, some fantasies come true. The truth and irony is that T20 cricket has made first-class infinitely more exciting and watchable with vastly higher scoring rates, fewer draws and less fear of failure.

*My delusion may be caused by yesterday’s general anaesthetic and double hand-operation (Duypetrons Syndrome for those of you who know) and the pain tablets. And the curious challenge of typing with the tips of two index fingers. But, there is value in fantasies. Especially when they require lengthy commitment to turn into reality and create memories which last longer than the night.

(The surgeon says I’m good to go with a coffee so please don’t hesitate to click on the link if you’re inclined, and can afford it. And remember, a paid subscription is just one coffee a month. I’m saving up for my trip to Lord’s for the WTC final in June to provide you with a birds-eye view...)