Autumn 2016 - No. 13 The Newsletter of Stourbridge & District Society Founded 1972

FROM THE BOUNDARY CHAIRMAN'S VIEW

disturbing and radical change to have enjoyed this summer A the game of cricket is scheduled I watching Club, County, and to come into effect in 2018. Country. The England & Wales Cricket It's late August and the cricket Board (ECB) has announced that the surgeons have their knives ready game’s structure will be overhauled. to dissect and rearrange the game The ECB’s controversial proposal we love. is to start an 8-city franchise T20 I am certainly not in favour of competition in 2018. The will result the changes that are about to hap- in counties being re-grouped into pen in our game. areas, centred on the location of the The ICC has many areas of nearest Test venue. concern and none of us want to This move could well be the thin see empty Test venues. However, end of the wedge. It is likely to lead if we concentrate on this country, to the centralisation of cricket and the Club and Academy County poses a threat to the future of small structure with its passionate sup- county clubs, grounds and ultimately port and membership, which is the cricket as we know it. feeder and life blood of cricket as What can be done? I suspect not a we know it - surely this should be lot, as far as T20 is concerned. But, maintained at all cost. I have pre- you can express your support and viously said they must not change concern for the future of the game the ingredients - has Kraft im- by signing the national petition. proved Cadbury? The address is: I witnessed recently a young www.saveourcounties.com girl with her score book at one of Don Kenyon and Martin Horton our local club games keeping an tourbridge CC will celebrate its walk out to face the Australians in 1961. immaculate record of the match. S 175th anniversary in 2017 and framed full colour photo will be presented to When I asked her how she be- our Society plans to mark the event A Stourbridge CC, in recognition of the fact came interested in cricket she re- in a very special way by compiling a that Don and Martin both played for the Club. plied "my grandfather and father book about the fifteen cricketers who They later became first and second presidents had both played". She had been have played for the club and also respectively of our cricket society. told the basics of the game and as represented their country. Smaller-sized framed copies will be given to a result begun to understand and We invite S&DCS members to Mrs Jean Kenyon and Mrs Margaret Horton. enjoy, wishing nothing more on a participate by writing a pen portrait, a Copies of the picture are available to members! magnificent sunny afternoon than personal memory or a favourite anec- to be at cricket. dote about any of the fifteen - more 2016/17 Subs Offer! Cricket must never fall out, or details on the back page. take its basic structure for granted nnual subscriptions are now due and remain un- adly, Backspin seems to have A changed for the fourth successive year! because of its failure to advertise S come to the end of its all-too- Members are again offered the chance to renew in ad- the game. BBC Sport treats vance of the new season at a reduced rate. cricket with total contempt, along brief innings. The retro-magazine’s editor, pub- INDIVIDUAL Membership fee: with many more potential avenues lisher and chief bottle washer has to £12 if received by 18 Oct. £15 if paid after that date of promotion. There is, however, be applauded for his efforts, but the JOINT fee: £15 (2 adults at same address) a glimmer of light emerging with many of Asian origin joining and title could nor survive on sentiment Cheques, payable to Stourbridge Cricket Society, to be alone, especially as it carried no ex- sent to: Ken Workman, playing club cricket. ternal advertising or sponsorship in 15, Ridge Road, Kingswinford, DY6 9RB This winter will be most inter- any of the issues. Added to which, the esting to say the least with all that Membership cards will be available for collection is happening both at home and nation’s chief newsagent demanded a at the October meeting. hefty £10k for shelf space. abroad. England's tour to Bangla- If there is any chance of a revival, If you wish to make a voluntary donation to the desh and India will be a signifi- members of cricket societies must Society, please add your chosen amount to your cant examination of how good cheque. they are. surely be the target audience! It is simply too good a publication [Persons who have not paid by 31 December 2016 Mike Tomkins to lose! will be removed from the membership list]

Stop Press : So far only one entry received for the hypothetical Gents v. Players match! (See last issue) It’s not too late to submit your teams!

Dave Nicklin (President) Committee Members: Mike Tomkins (Chairman); Anthony Collis (Secretary / Editor); Ken Workman (Treasurer); Terry Church (Programme Secretary) Wisden noted: ‘Three times Steele “They were all spectacular, Marshall, Northants, Derbyshire & England hooked Lillee and he also cut effec- Roberts, Holding, Daniel, Garner, they tively, but above all he played in a calm just grew taller!” isden (1976) correctly described and calculating manner’. Greig came in David recalled facing W David Steele as ‘a bespectacled, at 49/4 and Steele repaid his skipper’s after a night out with Bedi and Mushtaq grey-haired, 33-year-old batsman from faith by sharing a partnership of 96 and who introduced him to the delights of Northamptonshire’, almost as if each reached 50 before being bowled by a curry. He not only had the runs, but next feature was unworthy of a player on his Thompson thunderbolt. “Thommo was day got the runs, by way of a century! Test debut. deadly quick; what he lacked in consis- On the county circuit, Steele admired David Stanley Steele was our penul- tency, he made up with aggression. He Tom Graveney most of all. “Mind you, timate guest of our 2015/16, having been had me caught twice, but both were no at Worcester in 1964, Keith Andrew our guest fourteen years before. balls. He was deranged!” dropped him on 32 off my . He The specs are still worn, the grey hair went on to get 132, which was his hun- has whitened and the hero of 1975 is dredth hundred.” now aged 74, but the bulldog spirit re- He had a great regard for Colin Mil- mains. Steele by name; steely by nature; burn. “Despite weighing 17-stone plus, the description befits the man who stood he was remarkably quick on his feet. He defiant and cocked a snook against the was an excellent close fielder at short- fastest and most hostile bowlers of the leg where he caught many catches in one past forty years. of his two stomachs. He batted superbly, Born into a Staffordshire mining particularly if he had had a skin-full the family, Steele’s early cricket was influ- night before. At Eastbourne, we needed enced by his uncle Stan Crump, who 199 to win; Ollie and Mister Prideaux coached and taught him the rudiments of (David stressed the Mr) opened and the game. At the age of 16, he was play- made 201 for no – Milburn 141, ing for Staffordshire and three years Mr Prideaux 51.” later, Steele was pro for Hartshill CC. David admitted he had run out many “How did you get from North Staffs of his partners. “I was a good judge of a down to Northampton?” a member run – for me! I moved to Derbyshire and asked. “Down the M1” rejoined Steele. in 1981, I was with . Brian Crump, David’s cousin, recom- I called for a run, but there was a mix-up mended him to Ken Turner, who per- in mid wicket. In the interests of self- suaded him to join Northamptonshire in preservation, I dived in, just before 1963 where he stayed 18 years. Steele and Lillee shared mutual re- Geoff, who was going to the same end. When took over the Eng- spect. “Dennis never let up. He was al- The wicket-keeper shook his head and land captaincy in 1975, he asked various ways on target and never gave any down said ‘you’re in, but your mate’s not umpires to name the best uncapped bats- the leg side.” In turn, Rodney Marsh told happy’. By close of play I had 54 and men on the county circuit. David Steele Steele that he was driving Lillee round returned to a dressing room in stony was the unanimous response and so he the twist because he always got into line, silence. To make matters worse, a noose came to Lord’s for his debut against didn’t flinch or show fear as others did.” was hanging from a beam. I tried to and Jeff Thompson who Away from that match, David re- cheer Geoff up by saying I did it for the Eric Morecambe famously referred to as called other notable cricketers of his day. team, as I would get a hundred next day, ‘the great Australian female, Lillian He admired for his courage. which Miller would not have done. I Thompson’. Against the West Indies his body was duly kept my side of the bargain. Steele recalled the dressing room red raw. He brushed sympathy aside by “A few weeks later, we met tension until “Eric came in to wish us telling people to look at the state of the Northants in the NatWest Final at Lord’s good luck. He took one look at the hairy ball. “Close believed he could do any- and Geoff was batting and we needed torso of and exclaimed, thing until, in one Somerset game, he one run to level the scores off the very ‘You weren’t born – you must have been took over as wicket-keeper. He realised last ball. The ball was hit, the batsmen trapped!’” his limitations as he conceded 63 byes.” ran, the throw came in and Miller dived Steele was called into action, when Of the other bowlers Steele regarded to make his ground and win the match became the first of Lillee’s most highly were Sylvester Clarke, by losing fewer . I congratulated four lbw victims. However, he very ‘mean with lethal intent’; Mike Procter him, ‘You deserved that!’ and added, nearly was out before he was in! He ‘whole-hearted despite bowling off the ‘You’ve gained a yard of pace since last made his way down the stairs and kept wrong foot’; Flavell and Coldwell, two time!’” going until he reached the bottom where of the best, both ‘crafty and aggressive’; Finally, David recalled his benefit a groundsman redirected him back up- his Northants’ colleague David Larter season when he persuaded a local stairs and through the Long Room. ‘very fast, but injury prone’; and, of butcher to sponsor him. He ended up “As soon as I got onto the pitch, course, the West Indians. Steele must with 1,756 lamb chops – one for every I felt the anticipation in the crowd. Far have had a death wish as he enjoyed run scored. “It took us 3½ years to eat from being overawed, I thrived on the halting Griffith in his run-up in order to them!” atmosphere, set on the challenge ahead.” wipe his glasses! 17 March 2016 Att. 82

The toast to cricket at The Cricket Society’s Spring Dinner in London recently was made by Pat Pocock of Surrey and Eng- land. One of his finest performances was against Sussex, who needing just 5 runs to win lost the match due to Pocock taking 7 wickets in 11 balls and 5 in the final over – he said he didn't turn any of them. He told many humorous anecdotes including one about the great Arthur Jepson, who as an umpire often gave out batsmen if their talking irritated him! [More opposite] Dave Houghton unashamedly were to occupy the crease, Dave enjoyed playing Birmingham which they did until after lunch on the League cricket with West Bromwich with Dave Bradley (BBC H&W) third day! Dartmouth. He had other coaching as- Houghton recalled the dismissal of signments with Derbyshire, Netherlands, ur final guest of the 2015/16 season Sachin Tendulkar who was out for a Somerset and most-prized of all, he was O was born in 1957 in Bulawayo, the bronze (third-ball) . Egyptian-born, lured back home to coach the national former capital of Matabeleland in South- 46 year-old, off-break bowler Athanasios team. ern Rhodesia. was the man responsible, Now back in England he coaches David Laud Houghton made his début who included the scalps of Azharuddin Middlesex, where he admires Nick for Rhodesia (so-named after U.D.I.) and in his figures of 5/86 off Compton, who is determined to regain his against Transvaal in November 1978 and 50 overs. England place. recalled that Graeme Pollock also played Compton shares Houghton’s dislike of his first game for the opposition follow- the shortened game, notably T20. Until ing his relocation to Johannesburg. In his now Dave had responded politely to next match, Houghton took over as Bradley’s prompts, but on this issue, he wicket-keeper and kept for the rest of the did not hold back. “Middlesex retain a season. His team mates included Barry baseball guru simply for T20 batting. Dudleston, Brian Davison, Paddy Clift, Afterwards, I then have to teach them to and John Traicos. bat properly. T20 is in danger of killing Dave admitted that he didn’t get on the golden goose. T20 is as close to well with Fletcher, who, in the following cricket as squash is to tennis.” season became of the team, now In the second innings, Dave re- cumbersomely renamed Zimbabwe- sponded to members’ questions. He rates Rhodesia. In a match against Transvaal, Yorkshire very highly and likely to domi- Houghton injured his hand and Fletcher nate English cricket for some years. Their sent him into the covers when Graeme biggest problem will be keeping their Pollock was batting. Dave admitted that large squad happy. The best of the rest the captain knew what he was doing as are Notts, Middlesex and Warwickshire. the hits Pollock made were so well Asked about the decision to reduce placed, Houghton was rarely called into the number of teams in the top division, action. Dave was vehement in his opposition to Houghton’s early career as a wicket- the change and claimed, “Most coaches keeper was partly due to his time as his India replied with 307 after which hate the idea. There have been so many country’s hockey goalkeeper. In addition, Zimbabwe had reached 146-4 (Houghton changes in the last 20 years that the pub- he kept goal at football and was proud 41*) by the end of the match. All but one lic are getting fed up with the way cricket that he kept Bruce Grobelaar, the future of the Zimbabweans were making their is being run. It is no longer a game; it is Liverpool ’keeper, out of his club team in Test debuts; Traicos had played for South just a way to make money. The new sys- Bulawayo. Africa in the 4-0 trouncing of Australia in tem will lead to a two-tier system At the end of the 1979/80 season, Z-R 1969/70, though he did not influence the whereby the strong will get stronger. left the South African Cricket Union, in outcome. He thus holds the unique record Worcestershire have already proved the order to further their application for Test of having played for two different coun- point – too good for Division 2, not recognition. They were granted affiliate tries, over twenty years apart. strong enough at the higher level.” status, but would have to wait 13 years Dave was Zimbabwe’s first Test cap- One member wondered why fitness for 5-day cricket. tain and scored a total of 1,464 runs (av. coaches had not identified James Taylor’s “During that period, cricket stagnated 43.05) in the 22 Tests he played during serious heart condition earlier. Asked if as many players such as 1992-97. He was never out in Tests with- he had faced Allan Donald, our guest took up other more immediate chances. out scoring. His highest score of 266 was replied that he regarded Donald as “a The facilities deteriorated as unemploy- made against Sri Lanka in 1994/95 on his pretty decent bowler”. He lamented that ment grew to a staggering 90%. The home ground at Bulawayo. Hick had not been able to succeed at Test country is still suffering from a chronic After leaving his homeland, Dave level, but admitted that the West Indians lack of foreign investment. Consequently Houghton came to England and took up exploited his vulnerability early in his many excellent sports clubs, offering coaching. He confessed he would like to innings. many sports, quickly deteriorated through have played , but all the A very enjoyable meeting ended at lack of funds due to a vast number of overseas spots were taken, due to the rule 9.45pm and with it a highly successful members simply not paying their subs.” then in force of only one overseas player 2015/16 season was brought to a close. When status was granted per county. The nearest he came was Sincere thanks are extended to Terry in 1993, Zimbabwe met India at . when Duncan Fearnley invited him to Church for yet another varied and highly Nobody gave them a chance, but Hough- become captain and coach of the county’s entertaining season’s programme. ton played a captain’s innings with an second XI. On his second day in post, innings of 121 to boost his side’s total to Dave was elevated to first team coach 14 April 2016 456 all out, off a whopping 214.2 overs. after the county parted company with Att: 74 He admitted that the team’s tactics Kevin Lyons.

[Continued] Pat finished his speech by saying how important it is for touring cricketers to have some knowledge about the countries they visit, which is not always the case. Phil Tuffnell, while on tour to New Zealand, went down to breakfast one morning in his hotel and was told there was no bacon available. Aghast he commented, “I just don’t understand it, you’ve got 10 million sheep in this country so how come there’s no bacon?” [The Cricket Society News Bulletin #573] Oct 20 David Smith (Warwickshire) David played 197 matches for Warwickshire during 1973-85. He served as CEO for Leicestershire and latterly for Northants. His younger brother, Paul spoke to the Society in 2012. Nov 17 Mike Newell (Nottinghamshire) Now Director of Cricket of Notts CC, Mike played 102 games for the county during 1984-92, and also served as coach. Dec 15 Tm Jones / Ken Workman Tim will tell the story behind his biography of Don Kenyon, who served as a national selector while still an active player. Ken will recite some of his own and other cricket poems. Jan 19 Paul Pridgeon (Worcestershire) Wall Heath-born, right-arm fast-medium bowler, Paul played 240 games for Worcs during 1972-89. His BB was 7/35 v Oxford University 1976. He played for Stourbridge. Feb 16 Derek Brewer (MCC CEO) He played for Warwickshire 2nd XI, before ‘forging’ a career in finance. Mar 16 Dennis Breakwell (Somerset & N’hants) Brierley Hill-born, Dennis played 231 f-cc matches 1969-84.

Programme of Speakers - 2016/17 Apr 13 Annual General Meeting (at 7pm) followed by Valuation Event (8pm) (Further details below)

Society on Tour – Lord’s and The Emirates First impressions were not immediately favourable but once inside and on our tour the mindset changed and some am 10 March 2016 and everyone is on time! However, areas can certainly be described as opulent. For “the anorak” 8 three unavoidable “drop outs” meant that forty nine mem- there is always a fascination with dressing rooms and, as with bers and friends embarked on this year’s trip. A brief comfort the Etihad, no comfort had been overlooked in the home- stop on the M4 and although heavy traffic meant that we quarters whilst in the visitors section minor irritations were crawled the last few miles to St John’s Wood we were, never- noted such as the table in the centre of the changing area be- theless, right on time for coffee in The Tavern. ing higher than in the home dressing room, so that players on Divided into two groups we were then led on a conducted opposite sides were not visible to each other. Petty but all part tour of Cricket’s headquarters. Both knowledgeable and ame- of the mind games. Marketing forces meant that at the end of nable our two guides were excellent. Unfortunately the Me- the tour the exit was through the club shop or as it is now dia Centre was out of bounds due to maintenance work but known “£Marketing Experience”. we were able to watch as the new Warner Stand was being A thoroughly enjoyable day with both tours giving a won- built. An all too brief time in the Museum was followed by derful insight into the workings of two top sports clubs with a the customary visit to the Lord’s shop but soon sandwiches very different fan base. My thanks to everyone who came, for were being scoffed on the coach as our driver battled with the your support and also for your adherence to the timetable, almost gridlocked streets en route to The Emirates, home of which meant that we arrived back at Stourbridge at the antici- “The Gunners”. pated time of 8pm. Terry Church

Valuation Event Match Report Stourbridge Test XV 13 April 2017 Worcs 2nds v. Durham 2nds Urgent action required!

embers are invited to bring fter an absence of 26 years, the e have identified fifteen Test play- M items of cricket memorabilia for A return of Worcestershire 2nd W ers who will be the subjects of our expert valuation at the above meeting. XI, was warmly welcomed by mem- Society’s tribute to the 175th anniversary After the AGM, Mark Hannam bers of both Stourbridge CC and our of Stourbridge CC. (Fielding’s of Stourbridge) will talk Society. The names are: Ted Arnold, Tip Foster, about various areas of collecting before The visitors proved too strong as, Dick Howorth, Roly Jenkins, Don Kenyon, appraising members’ own items after batting first they declared at 450-8 Martin Horton, Peter Richardson, Dick the interval. and then dismissed the home side for Richardson, Jack Flavell, Glenn Turner and First, we need to ascertain the level 188 and 167, to win by an innings & Imran Khan, who all played for Worcester- of response to the idea. We ask mem- 95 runs. shire. Four others, who played for the club, bers to submit a list of items for valua- Two positives for the hosts but not Worcs., are Willie Quaife (Warwks), David Larter (N’hants), Phil tion on the form (available at the sea- emerged from the match. Chris Rus- DeFreitas (Various) and Simon O’Donnell son’s early meetings). Alternatively, sell took 5/90 including the wickets (Northumberland). forms can be obtained on request to the of Hickey (80) and Muchall (108) editor at the address below. If you have who shared an opening stand of 189. If there are any omissions, please let us know urgently as the clock is ticking! no email, a S.A.E. will be appreciated. Zen Maliq, top-scored in each in- Please bring the completed form to nings with 57 and 38. The hosts The committee invites members to get in- the next meeting or send to the editor. missed Rhodes and Hepburn, both volved by writing a pen portrait (please do Updated info will be shown in the away with the senior squad. contact the editor beforehand) or sharing Winter edition of Boundary View. At Amblecote: 7-9 June 2016 an anecdote or two. For further informa- tion email [email protected] Newsletter Deadlines

Deadline for receipt of copy is for each Issue is (Last Friday of Month) Autumn (August) Winter (November) Spring (February)

Preferably all articles should be typed and emailed to the address below The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse the publication of any material submitted without further reason. Editorial Contact Details: E-Mail: [email protected] Phone: 01384 442244 Snail Mail: 34a Chawn Hill, Old Swinford, Stourbridge DY9 7JB The Stourbridge & District Cricket Society is a member of the Council of Cricket Societies www.sdcs.councilcricketsociety.com