GOOGLIES & CHINAMEN
An Occasional Cricketing Journal
Edition 228
December 2021
Spot the Ball Competition
Out and About with the Professor
Well…they can’t say we didn’t warn them. I suppose it is just possible that Harrison and Hutton don’t study every edition of Googlies and Chinamen, but had they done so they would have found a number of references to racism in cricket and in Yorkshire cricket in particular (G&C No. 5, 224, passim).
The August edition carried what I thought was both damning and ironic evidence about the institutional racism in Yorkshire in the form of the 2019 annual squad photo: 35 faces and only two non-white: Rafiq and the physiotherapist. Yorkshire publishes this squad photo very proudly in the annual year book and I’m sure that a great deal of thought and work goes into this publication. But seldom surely can an accused have offered better evidence to the prosecution. In case this might be thought of as an unrepresentative year, I had a little flick though the other yearbooks that I have. It is not a comforting task. The equivalent numbers for five earlier years are: 2018 36 staff, 3 non-white (Rashid is in this one); 2017 32 and 2; 2016 34 and 4 (Pujara added); 2016 23 and 3; 2014 30 and 4.
Now this might seem like a strange, even eccentric exercise, but if any organisation wanted to parade its credentials as one that is institutionally racist could it have succeeded better than Yorkshire have with their own publication?
The whole story now is both familiar and woefully depressing. It also has a wearily predictable structure: the whistle blower finds the strength of character somehow to publicise wrongdoings; official denials follow; the whistle blower’s bona fides are then attacked; others come forward to corroborate; officials then volte face and admit that “some mistakes may have been made” or some other nonsense and, of course, “lessons” (and how many thousands of times have we heard that phrase) “will be learned”. The final act, which has yet to happen and I hope never does, is that of “critic capture”: the whistle blower is recruited to right the wrongs that s/he has identified and to validate the supposedly good intentions of the now chastened officials. And then? Well, things can go on as they were.
We have all seen the evidence of this being played out. As late as October 28th the Yorkshire website carried this statement from Roger Hutton: “the Club and everyone connected to it should be proud of the work that the Club has done to improve diversity and inclusion”. I wrote to him to ask if that was truly his view – he did not, unsurprisingly, reply. Rafiq was attacked from all sides and it would be a naïve person, I think, who could not see some coordinated effort in this. It is the cheap barristers’ trick to attack the character of the accuser: he had a drink problem (he admitted it), he had been anti-Semitic (not unknown in Muslim communities -he admitted it), he had sent sexually explicit material to a girlfriend…and on and on. What, any sensible person would ask, has this got to do with institutional racism in Yorkshire cricket. Answer? Nothing, of course. It is just a puerile attempt to turn the victim into the culprit.
A second line of attack came from Agnew and the like who questioned his decision to go back to Yorkshire (the, hardly concealed implication, being that he was intent on “making trouble”). Rafiq’s answer? He had to put food on the table for his family and Derby didn’t have the funds to offer him a contract. It is not that unusual that in the workplace people have to endure abuse in order to earn a living…although perhaps not in Agnew’s case.
We are now in the “learning lessons” phase and the hotline is open and taking calls. And then what? I’m sure that Lord Patel is a man of good intentions but the issue is not one of individual acts of racist abuse (although that is the easy thing to call out and expose) but of Institutional racism – of procedures and policies and habits of thought that end up with an almost white squad in the Yorkshire photos. Nor, let’s be honest, is the issue confined to one county, nor even, of course, to cricket. Moreover some still don’t appear to think it a problem. Arthur has never apologised, nor (as yet) has Moxon. Vaughan is “sorry” that Rafiq was upset, which is almost worse than saying nothing at all.
So…will things be better in future. Perhaps, a little, but it would be far too easy to view the much commented-on comparison between Rafiq’s composed and emotional performance in front of the Select Committee and the squirming of Harrison and Hutton, as a victory for right and justice. That, if it happens at all, is a generation down the track…and a generation too late for Rafiq.
This and That
I noted the following somewhat belated announcement:
“Middlesex Cricket can today confirm that Stuart Law, who has been at the Club since January 2019, has left his position as Head Coach.
After an extensive review of the Club’s first eleven performances over the last three seasons, conducted by the Club’s Cricket Committee, Law has been informed that he will not complete the fourth and final year of his scheduled contract as Head Coach with Middlesex and will leave the Club immediately.
Alan Coleman will take the role of Interim Head Coach to oversee the squads’ return to winter training when the players report back for duty in November.
Speaking of Stuart Law’s departure from the Club, Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Cornish, commented:
“We would like to thank Stuart for his efforts across three seasons as Head Coach of Middlesex. His passion and dedication to the role have and never will be questioned.
“It is always sad when committed people leave the Club and things do not work out as all parties would have hoped, and Stuart leaves Middlesex with our thanks and best wishes.
“Our on-field performances have not been up to the standards we require. The review and the outcomes resulting from it have not been taken lightly, and the Cricket Committee will be actively involved in the search for a replacement Head Coach.
“I give my assurance to all members and supporters that we have ambitions to be a Club that is competitive in all competitions, and with the talented young home-grown side that has been developed here at Middlesex, I have no doubts that this can be achieved.”
I understand that Angus has also had his role reduced so there will be big changes next year but will that result in an improvement on the pitch?
In the World Cup England were always going to have a bad game and they needed to get it out of the way before the knockout stages. New Zealand have become a bogey team for them, and the writing was on the wall when England had to bat first. England’s mantra that they can get anything chasing is shared by New Zealand. I didn’t see anything of the final stages as I was away by then.
One of the more remarkable innings played in the latter stages was played by the veteran, Shoaib Malik, who in the match against Scotland reached 54 not out from just 18 balls in an innings which included 6 sixes.
The Rangers are doing too well for my liking. They are starting to look real contenders for promotion which would create an agony season next year as they got thumped by the Premier league sides in turn. To make matters worse I saw Fulham look very unimpressive at Preston yesterday and so they may be falling away as contenders themselves.
The Manchester United fans have long been a suspect bunch and they have recently demonstrated that they are not really interested in watching football matches. Recently when their side have not been winning at half time, they have left the stadium in droves. Where do they go, what do they then do? Presumably they return to their homes bedecked with photos of Sir Alex and play tapes of matches from the last century when no other sides had the audacity to beat them. Perhaps they should arrange fixtures every week against Latvia Women to make them feel good?
I can’t get interested in the India v NZ series which is being broadcast in the mornings at present nor in the South Africa Netherlands matches shown later. Why aren’t the England team getting proper match practice in Australia? We will no doubt after the initial poor performance be told that they were fully prepared for the fray but had mysteriously achieved this status without match practice.
Morgan Matters
What a lot of Kock! Q de Kock withdrew from SA's T20WC match v WI after "refusing to take a knee": is this just pure racism? Or something else?
Ex-Yorks man Azeem Rafiq has accused Yorks of protecting its staff after they said they would take no action against any of its employees following an independent report on allegations of racism.
"Contrite" Quinton de Kock is prepared to take the knee if he is selected again for SA.
Two Oz Test players have died: all-rounder Alan Davidson (92) and off-spinner Ashley Mallett (76). Davidson played in 44 Tests and Mallett in 38.
Kent and England seamer Alan Igglesden, diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour 22 years ago, has died aged 57. He played in 3 Tests and 4 ODIs.
Yorkshire have been suspended from hosting international cricket and face the prospect of additional financial sanctions following the club's botched handling of Azeem Rafiq's racism allegations. Two further Yorkshire board members (H Malik and S Willis) have joined chairman Roger Hutton in resigning over the club's response to racism experienced by Azeem Rafiq.
M Ramprakash has re-joined Middlesex as a batting coach.
Azeem Rafiq has settled his employment tribunal case with Yorks amid praise and an apology from Kamlesh Patel (the new chair of the club) for "lifting the lid" on the racism he encountered while a player at Headingley.
The November Cricketer is excited that George Dobell, until now only a one column per month man, is joining "our editorial team on a full time basis from November 15th". George says that the ECB were "too soft on Yorkshire's racism disgrace". TV commentator and former Oz batsman Michael Slater was arrested and charged with stalking and harassment offences over an alleged domestic violence incident. Liam Livingstone says that his "shaky red-ball technique" explains why he has been overlooked for the Ashes tour. Ex-England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn keeps wicket in Yorkshire club cricket and "hopes to represent Cornwall Over-50s". Andrew Samson says that J Root is now "right up there" with D Bradman and V Richards as a Test batsman. Mike Brearley tells us a story (probably apocryphal) about Derek Randall saying "we should rise like a pheasant", "actually it's a phoenix" said someone "I knew it were a bird beginning with f" said Derek.
Apparently John Major once said to Tim Lamb "I don't envy you Tim: it seems there are more politics in cricket than there are in politics". Apparently Clare Connor is currently both the ECB's head of women's cricket and also MCC's president. Ex-Lancashire seamer Kyle Hogg "hasn't sulked since retiring" he has been "a roadie, a navvy and now he is back coaching". Joe Root remains the no 1 ranked Test batsman in the world despite several others boasting superior averages eg K Williamson, S Smith, M Labuschagne and V Kohli. Phil Tufnell's new book "How not to be a Cricketer" is reviewed by editor Huw Turbervill who says that Phil is a "colourful character indeed” but gives the book only 3 stars. Barney Ronay tells us that "Mark Wood is the fastest bowler in the world" and "probably he is the fastest bowler England has ever produced".
Ron Flowers is dead aged 87, he won 49 Eng caps.
If you cannot get interested in the Yorkshire racism row (like me) there is precious little other sports news of interest at present.
Mike Hytner in the G says that U Khawaja and T Head are now set to fight it out in a practice match between Oz and an Oz A team on 1 Dec to win the no 5 Test spot vacated by M Wade.
Middlesex have developed a Diversity and Inclusion Activation Plan that aims to address four critical areas: i) to build trust between Middx Cricket and all players, parents, guardians and stakeholders; ii) to ensure the composition of the Board, management and senior playing squads reflects the demographics within the county; iii) to address any bias or perceived bias, whether conscious or unconscious; and iv) to promote cricket as a vehicle for social cohesion in London bringing communities together.
Tim Paine has stepped down as Australia Test captain over a historical investigation into sexually explicit texts to a female colleague. This led to a misconduct investigation after she made allegations against him in 2018. He said he was "exonerated" but is stepping down as he has learned that his texts were set to be revealed publicly. Tim Paine will miss the Ashes series after confirming that he would be taking a leave of absence from all cricket and will be unavailable for the foreseeable future. As expected, Pat Cummins is the new Oz Test captain with Steve Smith as his deputy.
South Western Districts' SLA Sean Whitehead took all ten wickets in an innings of a South African 1st class match as they beat Eastern Storm by 120 runs. His 10 for 36 were the best figures in SA domestic cricket for 115 years.
T20 World Cup team of the tournament
The Cricketer compiles its team of the tournament
After scoring an unbeaten 32-ball 71 against Australia, Jos Buttler was already a worthy contender for this XI. However, he cemented his place with his 101 not out against Sri Lanka – his first T20I century, producing an innings which showcased patience and devastating aggression in equal measure (he took 45 balls to score his fifty and a further 22 to reach three figures). No one scored more than his 13 sixes during the tournament while he was also largely solid, if not spectacular, with the gloves.
The player of the tournament, David Warner arrived in the UAE with little game time under his belt and started slowly against South Africa, scoring just 14 runs. However, he returned to form against Sri Lanka, blasting 65 runs from 42 balls, before scoring two half-centuries (either side of a 49) in his final three innings to help Australia to the title. Only Babar Azam (who we’ll hear more about shortly) scored more than his 289 runs while no one could match his 42 boundaries (32 fours, 10 sixes).
The tournament’s leading run-scorer and one of the players who can consider themselves most unlucky to have missed out on the final. Babar Azam scored four half-centuries, more than anyone else in the tournament, and failed to pass 30 on just one occasion (nine versus New Zealand). His best innings? The 152-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan (himself unfortunate to miss out on this XI) to help Pakistan thrash India by 10 wickets.
He was deemed surplus to requirements in two of Sri Lanka’s matches and scored just six against Netherlands, but Charith Asalanka came alive in the Super 12s to finish the tournament as his side’s top scorer – and fifth in the overall standings. The 24-year-old thrashed two rapid half-centuries against Bangladesh and West Indies while his lowest score in the Super 12s was 21. Sri Lanka’s white-ball future looks promising with the 24-year-old in the top four.
Mitchell Marsh was written off by many early on in the tournament (including by this writer) and was briefly dropped for Ashton Agar during the Super 12s. However, at the business end of the tournament he proved his worth, scoring a 32-ball 53 against West Indies to secure qualification for the last four before saving his best performance – 77 not out off 50 – for the final to win the World Cup for Australia and deservedly collect the player of the match award. Consider his doubters silenced.
Several players were in the running for this position, with England’s Moeen Ali, Pakistan’s Asif Ali, Aiden Markram (South Africa) and David Wiese (Namibia) all considered. However, for his boundary-laden 73 (48 balls) in the crucial New Zealand match as his fellow batters fell away and a crushing half-century against Scotland, Najibullah Zadran gets the nod. He oozed raw power against the Black Caps, taking apart one of the best bowling attacks with ease, and was the only Afghan batter to pass fifty in the tournament.
The tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 16 wickets from 30 overs and the second-best economy (5.20) of any player to bowl more than 15 overs – Jasprit Bumrah (18.4 overs) conceded just 5.08 runs per six balls. Wanindu Hasaranga failed to take a wicket in just one of his eight innings and picking up three three-fors along the way. He also excelled with the bat, scoring 119 runs and a half-century against Ireland. His best performance came against England in the Super 12s where he took 3 for 21 and conceded just two boundaries before scoring a quickfire 34 from 21 balls.
Speaking after the final, Glenn Maxwell described Adam Zampa as a "superstar" but that description barely scratches the surface. The leg-spinner took 5 for 19 against Bangladesh to record the best figures by an Australian bowler at a T20 World Cup, took the joint-second most wickets in the tournament and conceded more than a-run-a-ball just twice in seven innings. Arguably T20 cricket’s premier spinner.
Another competitive berth, with South African’s Anrich Nortje and Dwaine Pretorius and Scotland’s Mark Watt all considered for selection. However, Josh Hazlewood gets the nod after key spells against West Indies (4 for 39) and New Zealand (3 for 16) at the back end of the tournament. Australia’s best bowler in the final and their second-best bowler in the tournament after Zampa.
New Zealand and world cricket’s leading powerplay and death bowler. Trent Boult, the swing king, took at least one wicket in every match bar one – a rare off-day against England – in the tournament and was on fire in two of New Zealand’s crunch matches, taking 3 for 17 against Afghanistan and the wickets of Aaron Finch and Warner in the final. The jewel in the Black Caps’ bowling attack.
He doesn’t have the numbers to match some of the other bowlers in the competition but Shaheen Shah Afridi, playing in his first T20 World Cup, gifted us the one of the moments of the tournament when he ripped through Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli to tee-up Pakistan’s famous win. He was also masterful against Australia’s top order, removing Finch for a first-ball duck and was unfortunate to be on the receiving end of Matthew Wade later in that match. A very bright talent.
In memoriam
Nigel Biggs
Anyone associated with South Hampstead during the second half of the twentieth century would be familiar with Nigel Biggs who died in November. He enjoyed his cricket but never played to a high standard, which of course didn’t matter. In the seventies days of maximum social activity he served as Social Secretary which included presiding over the grand Centenary Ball. He was always an affable companion which made him an excellent club man. He also supported the Rangers.
Peter Butler
A few Googlies readers will be familiar with Peter Butler. I worked with him in the seventies at Touche Ross and played soccer with him for the Tristars. Peter went on to become a name in the City as well as being actively involved with Essex County Cricket Club and Southend United. He has been an occasional contributor to Googlies over the years.
Bill Hart
I apologise for failing to include the following from Bob Peach in last month’s edition
Way back in April 1962 a prospective member arrived at South Hampstead for his first match. After six hours in cold, wet and heavy rain on a losing side he clearly thought we were all stark raving mad, especially the captain. Nevertheless he stayed and played for twelve years or so much to the benefit of the club until the little white ball prised him away.
Bill proved a most welcome top class fast bowling addition to a strong team with several other fine cricketers which from the mid sixties to early seventies was one of the best sides in Middlesex and London.
Bill took nearly 1000 wickets and played several important innings in a competitive team in which he was probably the most competitive, and which on some occasions stretched the diplomatic skills of his captain; and on others displayed much enthusiasm for successful team and individual performances.
This was exampled by his celebration of a last over hat trick to defeat close rivals Hornsey in 1963 which was reported in their centenary booklet “this was bowled by a man whose attitude at 2 minutes to 7pm and a likely draw was much the same as at 11.30 am with a new ball and a juicy wicket.”
Off the field Bill made equally competitive and robust contributions to our winter soccer team, and the computerisation of individual and club statisticalrecords.
In his post playing days he became the enthusiastic prime mover of several reunions at which follow up arrangements were announced before the current event had hardly started.
Across the earlier playing years and these subsequent occasions Bill’s company and cricketing achievements were much appreciated and enjoyed by colleagues. The forebodings of a soggy day in April some sixty years ago maybe forgotten but have been replaced by longstanding friendships and pleasurable memories for many.
Odd Man Out
The odd man out in the last issue was Keaton Jennings who was the only one of the bunch not to average over 50 in the County Championship in 2021.
Barnet Matters
Many of the outrageous hairstyles in the Premier League belong to those whose lives matter but mention should also be made of some of the silliness exhibited by their white brethren. In particular, the Leeds midfielder, Kalvin Phillips, has chosen to shave his head up to a high line below the plateau of his upper scalp. Above this line he has allowed his hair to grow to such an extent that he is able have it braided into dreadlocks which he bunches up in a knot whilst playing. Gareth Southgate is clearly enamoured of this grooming and has included Phillips in his national team.
Whilst at the London Stadium the Algerian Said Benrahma has opted to bleach his hair and then forward comb it in a Caesar style.
Ged Matters
For reasons I don't quite understand, I have no photographs from 2009 in the "Charley The Gent" collection - just a video of Big Papa Zambezi Jeff Tye handing out the Heavy Rollers shirts on the morning of the first day. It might just be that the photos from that year never reached me and therefore are omitted from what I thought was a canonical collection.
My log records that it was a bumper year for Heavy Rollers, attendance-wise. Ashes years tended to be like that. Here is the Heavy Roll call:
Big "Papa Zambezi" Jeff Tye;
Nigel "Father Barry";
Charley The Gent Malloy;
The Boy Malloy;
Harsha Ghoble;
Biff;
Tufty Geoff Young;
David "Peel" Steed;
Dan "Peel" Steed;
Ged Ladd.
On arrival the night before (29th July), I recall that there was a bit of a scramble for the "better rooms" at Harborne Hall, although by that year (our second at the venue) I had concluded that the larger rooms at the top of the old building had some disadvantages to them such that my own preference was for a well-located slightly smaller room. I thus avoided the potentially contentious debate by deferring to my elders while still getting what I wanted.
Day One was a bit of an anti-climax, certainly cricket-wise, as it rained for much of the day. I'm pretty sure that The Steeds would have smuggled in some wine boxes disguised as picnic-bag chillers and a fine picnic to go with it too. I recall that nephew Paul "Belmonte" was at the ground that day and joined us for a while during one of the many rain breaks.
I also recall that, at one point, I was so "mentally unoccupied" while wandering around in a rain break that I allowed a young blond Npower saleswoman to persuade me to change energy suppliers on a promise of, I blush to admit it, £200 off my energy bills for switching. Npower retained my business for several years after that.
The most ridiculous moment of the match was around our seats at the start of Day Two. By this stage of our proceedings, Charley "The Gent" was curating a fair bit of the Day Two picnic. As is Chas's way, he was busying himself sorting out the contents of several bags of goodies at the start of play. Despite several of us saying to Chas that the day's play was about to begin, Chas was looking down in his bags when Graham Onions took a wicket with the first ball of the day. Chas was disappointed missing that ball, but then returned to busying himself with his bags. Despite several of us warning Chas that Onions was running up to bowl his second delivery, Chas continued busying himself, eyes down inside the bags...missing the fall of Michael Hussey for a primary - the second ball of the day.
Naturally Chas then gave the game his undivided attention for the attempted hat-trick ball and several subsequent deliveries of the ordinary variety.
We got plenty of play to see on the second day, although the mood of excitement was lessened because the weather forecast for Day Three was shocking, so (even during the exciting Day two) there was a sense that the match was inevitably destined to be a draw.
Googlies Website
All the back editions of Googlies can be found on the G&C website. There are also many photographs most of which have never appeared in Googlies.
www.googliesandchinamen.com
Googlies and Chinamen
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An Occasional Cricketing Journal
Edition 228
December 2021
Spot the Ball Competition
- Michael Vaughan: After the problems at Yorkshire, I think that we had better stop calling Australians Aussies.
- Stuart Law: I don’t know what I did wrong. I lowered expectations so far that the members thought that we had done well when we were Runners Up in Division Three.
- Jonathan Agnew: So, what did Gary Ballance call KP when he was in the England team?
- Steve Smith: Oh, hello Jos. I didn’t think you were coming for the Ashes.
Out and About with the Professor
Well…they can’t say we didn’t warn them. I suppose it is just possible that Harrison and Hutton don’t study every edition of Googlies and Chinamen, but had they done so they would have found a number of references to racism in cricket and in Yorkshire cricket in particular (G&C No. 5, 224, passim).
The August edition carried what I thought was both damning and ironic evidence about the institutional racism in Yorkshire in the form of the 2019 annual squad photo: 35 faces and only two non-white: Rafiq and the physiotherapist. Yorkshire publishes this squad photo very proudly in the annual year book and I’m sure that a great deal of thought and work goes into this publication. But seldom surely can an accused have offered better evidence to the prosecution. In case this might be thought of as an unrepresentative year, I had a little flick though the other yearbooks that I have. It is not a comforting task. The equivalent numbers for five earlier years are: 2018 36 staff, 3 non-white (Rashid is in this one); 2017 32 and 2; 2016 34 and 4 (Pujara added); 2016 23 and 3; 2014 30 and 4.
Now this might seem like a strange, even eccentric exercise, but if any organisation wanted to parade its credentials as one that is institutionally racist could it have succeeded better than Yorkshire have with their own publication?
The whole story now is both familiar and woefully depressing. It also has a wearily predictable structure: the whistle blower finds the strength of character somehow to publicise wrongdoings; official denials follow; the whistle blower’s bona fides are then attacked; others come forward to corroborate; officials then volte face and admit that “some mistakes may have been made” or some other nonsense and, of course, “lessons” (and how many thousands of times have we heard that phrase) “will be learned”. The final act, which has yet to happen and I hope never does, is that of “critic capture”: the whistle blower is recruited to right the wrongs that s/he has identified and to validate the supposedly good intentions of the now chastened officials. And then? Well, things can go on as they were.
We have all seen the evidence of this being played out. As late as October 28th the Yorkshire website carried this statement from Roger Hutton: “the Club and everyone connected to it should be proud of the work that the Club has done to improve diversity and inclusion”. I wrote to him to ask if that was truly his view – he did not, unsurprisingly, reply. Rafiq was attacked from all sides and it would be a naïve person, I think, who could not see some coordinated effort in this. It is the cheap barristers’ trick to attack the character of the accuser: he had a drink problem (he admitted it), he had been anti-Semitic (not unknown in Muslim communities -he admitted it), he had sent sexually explicit material to a girlfriend…and on and on. What, any sensible person would ask, has this got to do with institutional racism in Yorkshire cricket. Answer? Nothing, of course. It is just a puerile attempt to turn the victim into the culprit.
A second line of attack came from Agnew and the like who questioned his decision to go back to Yorkshire (the, hardly concealed implication, being that he was intent on “making trouble”). Rafiq’s answer? He had to put food on the table for his family and Derby didn’t have the funds to offer him a contract. It is not that unusual that in the workplace people have to endure abuse in order to earn a living…although perhaps not in Agnew’s case.
We are now in the “learning lessons” phase and the hotline is open and taking calls. And then what? I’m sure that Lord Patel is a man of good intentions but the issue is not one of individual acts of racist abuse (although that is the easy thing to call out and expose) but of Institutional racism – of procedures and policies and habits of thought that end up with an almost white squad in the Yorkshire photos. Nor, let’s be honest, is the issue confined to one county, nor even, of course, to cricket. Moreover some still don’t appear to think it a problem. Arthur has never apologised, nor (as yet) has Moxon. Vaughan is “sorry” that Rafiq was upset, which is almost worse than saying nothing at all.
So…will things be better in future. Perhaps, a little, but it would be far too easy to view the much commented-on comparison between Rafiq’s composed and emotional performance in front of the Select Committee and the squirming of Harrison and Hutton, as a victory for right and justice. That, if it happens at all, is a generation down the track…and a generation too late for Rafiq.
This and That
I noted the following somewhat belated announcement:
“Middlesex Cricket can today confirm that Stuart Law, who has been at the Club since January 2019, has left his position as Head Coach.
After an extensive review of the Club’s first eleven performances over the last three seasons, conducted by the Club’s Cricket Committee, Law has been informed that he will not complete the fourth and final year of his scheduled contract as Head Coach with Middlesex and will leave the Club immediately.
Alan Coleman will take the role of Interim Head Coach to oversee the squads’ return to winter training when the players report back for duty in November.
Speaking of Stuart Law’s departure from the Club, Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Cornish, commented:
“We would like to thank Stuart for his efforts across three seasons as Head Coach of Middlesex. His passion and dedication to the role have and never will be questioned.
“It is always sad when committed people leave the Club and things do not work out as all parties would have hoped, and Stuart leaves Middlesex with our thanks and best wishes.
“Our on-field performances have not been up to the standards we require. The review and the outcomes resulting from it have not been taken lightly, and the Cricket Committee will be actively involved in the search for a replacement Head Coach.
“I give my assurance to all members and supporters that we have ambitions to be a Club that is competitive in all competitions, and with the talented young home-grown side that has been developed here at Middlesex, I have no doubts that this can be achieved.”
I understand that Angus has also had his role reduced so there will be big changes next year but will that result in an improvement on the pitch?
In the World Cup England were always going to have a bad game and they needed to get it out of the way before the knockout stages. New Zealand have become a bogey team for them, and the writing was on the wall when England had to bat first. England’s mantra that they can get anything chasing is shared by New Zealand. I didn’t see anything of the final stages as I was away by then.
One of the more remarkable innings played in the latter stages was played by the veteran, Shoaib Malik, who in the match against Scotland reached 54 not out from just 18 balls in an innings which included 6 sixes.
The Rangers are doing too well for my liking. They are starting to look real contenders for promotion which would create an agony season next year as they got thumped by the Premier league sides in turn. To make matters worse I saw Fulham look very unimpressive at Preston yesterday and so they may be falling away as contenders themselves.
The Manchester United fans have long been a suspect bunch and they have recently demonstrated that they are not really interested in watching football matches. Recently when their side have not been winning at half time, they have left the stadium in droves. Where do they go, what do they then do? Presumably they return to their homes bedecked with photos of Sir Alex and play tapes of matches from the last century when no other sides had the audacity to beat them. Perhaps they should arrange fixtures every week against Latvia Women to make them feel good?
I can’t get interested in the India v NZ series which is being broadcast in the mornings at present nor in the South Africa Netherlands matches shown later. Why aren’t the England team getting proper match practice in Australia? We will no doubt after the initial poor performance be told that they were fully prepared for the fray but had mysteriously achieved this status without match practice.
Morgan Matters
What a lot of Kock! Q de Kock withdrew from SA's T20WC match v WI after "refusing to take a knee": is this just pure racism? Or something else?
Ex-Yorks man Azeem Rafiq has accused Yorks of protecting its staff after they said they would take no action against any of its employees following an independent report on allegations of racism.
"Contrite" Quinton de Kock is prepared to take the knee if he is selected again for SA.
Two Oz Test players have died: all-rounder Alan Davidson (92) and off-spinner Ashley Mallett (76). Davidson played in 44 Tests and Mallett in 38.
Kent and England seamer Alan Igglesden, diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour 22 years ago, has died aged 57. He played in 3 Tests and 4 ODIs.
Yorkshire have been suspended from hosting international cricket and face the prospect of additional financial sanctions following the club's botched handling of Azeem Rafiq's racism allegations. Two further Yorkshire board members (H Malik and S Willis) have joined chairman Roger Hutton in resigning over the club's response to racism experienced by Azeem Rafiq.
M Ramprakash has re-joined Middlesex as a batting coach.
Azeem Rafiq has settled his employment tribunal case with Yorks amid praise and an apology from Kamlesh Patel (the new chair of the club) for "lifting the lid" on the racism he encountered while a player at Headingley.
The November Cricketer is excited that George Dobell, until now only a one column per month man, is joining "our editorial team on a full time basis from November 15th". George says that the ECB were "too soft on Yorkshire's racism disgrace". TV commentator and former Oz batsman Michael Slater was arrested and charged with stalking and harassment offences over an alleged domestic violence incident. Liam Livingstone says that his "shaky red-ball technique" explains why he has been overlooked for the Ashes tour. Ex-England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn keeps wicket in Yorkshire club cricket and "hopes to represent Cornwall Over-50s". Andrew Samson says that J Root is now "right up there" with D Bradman and V Richards as a Test batsman. Mike Brearley tells us a story (probably apocryphal) about Derek Randall saying "we should rise like a pheasant", "actually it's a phoenix" said someone "I knew it were a bird beginning with f" said Derek.
Apparently John Major once said to Tim Lamb "I don't envy you Tim: it seems there are more politics in cricket than there are in politics". Apparently Clare Connor is currently both the ECB's head of women's cricket and also MCC's president. Ex-Lancashire seamer Kyle Hogg "hasn't sulked since retiring" he has been "a roadie, a navvy and now he is back coaching". Joe Root remains the no 1 ranked Test batsman in the world despite several others boasting superior averages eg K Williamson, S Smith, M Labuschagne and V Kohli. Phil Tufnell's new book "How not to be a Cricketer" is reviewed by editor Huw Turbervill who says that Phil is a "colourful character indeed” but gives the book only 3 stars. Barney Ronay tells us that "Mark Wood is the fastest bowler in the world" and "probably he is the fastest bowler England has ever produced".
Ron Flowers is dead aged 87, he won 49 Eng caps.
If you cannot get interested in the Yorkshire racism row (like me) there is precious little other sports news of interest at present.
Mike Hytner in the G says that U Khawaja and T Head are now set to fight it out in a practice match between Oz and an Oz A team on 1 Dec to win the no 5 Test spot vacated by M Wade.
Middlesex have developed a Diversity and Inclusion Activation Plan that aims to address four critical areas: i) to build trust between Middx Cricket and all players, parents, guardians and stakeholders; ii) to ensure the composition of the Board, management and senior playing squads reflects the demographics within the county; iii) to address any bias or perceived bias, whether conscious or unconscious; and iv) to promote cricket as a vehicle for social cohesion in London bringing communities together.
Tim Paine has stepped down as Australia Test captain over a historical investigation into sexually explicit texts to a female colleague. This led to a misconduct investigation after she made allegations against him in 2018. He said he was "exonerated" but is stepping down as he has learned that his texts were set to be revealed publicly. Tim Paine will miss the Ashes series after confirming that he would be taking a leave of absence from all cricket and will be unavailable for the foreseeable future. As expected, Pat Cummins is the new Oz Test captain with Steve Smith as his deputy.
South Western Districts' SLA Sean Whitehead took all ten wickets in an innings of a South African 1st class match as they beat Eastern Storm by 120 runs. His 10 for 36 were the best figures in SA domestic cricket for 115 years.
T20 World Cup team of the tournament
The Cricketer compiles its team of the tournament
- Jos Buttler (England, wk)
After scoring an unbeaten 32-ball 71 against Australia, Jos Buttler was already a worthy contender for this XI. However, he cemented his place with his 101 not out against Sri Lanka – his first T20I century, producing an innings which showcased patience and devastating aggression in equal measure (he took 45 balls to score his fifty and a further 22 to reach three figures). No one scored more than his 13 sixes during the tournament while he was also largely solid, if not spectacular, with the gloves.
- David Warner (Australia)
The player of the tournament, David Warner arrived in the UAE with little game time under his belt and started slowly against South Africa, scoring just 14 runs. However, he returned to form against Sri Lanka, blasting 65 runs from 42 balls, before scoring two half-centuries (either side of a 49) in his final three innings to help Australia to the title. Only Babar Azam (who we’ll hear more about shortly) scored more than his 289 runs while no one could match his 42 boundaries (32 fours, 10 sixes).
- Babar Azam (Pakistan, captain)
The tournament’s leading run-scorer and one of the players who can consider themselves most unlucky to have missed out on the final. Babar Azam scored four half-centuries, more than anyone else in the tournament, and failed to pass 30 on just one occasion (nine versus New Zealand). His best innings? The 152-run stand with Mohammad Rizwan (himself unfortunate to miss out on this XI) to help Pakistan thrash India by 10 wickets.
- Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka)
He was deemed surplus to requirements in two of Sri Lanka’s matches and scored just six against Netherlands, but Charith Asalanka came alive in the Super 12s to finish the tournament as his side’s top scorer – and fifth in the overall standings. The 24-year-old thrashed two rapid half-centuries against Bangladesh and West Indies while his lowest score in the Super 12s was 21. Sri Lanka’s white-ball future looks promising with the 24-year-old in the top four.
- Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
Mitchell Marsh was written off by many early on in the tournament (including by this writer) and was briefly dropped for Ashton Agar during the Super 12s. However, at the business end of the tournament he proved his worth, scoring a 32-ball 53 against West Indies to secure qualification for the last four before saving his best performance – 77 not out off 50 – for the final to win the World Cup for Australia and deservedly collect the player of the match award. Consider his doubters silenced.
- Najibullah Zadran (Afghanistan)
Several players were in the running for this position, with England’s Moeen Ali, Pakistan’s Asif Ali, Aiden Markram (South Africa) and David Wiese (Namibia) all considered. However, for his boundary-laden 73 (48 balls) in the crucial New Zealand match as his fellow batters fell away and a crushing half-century against Scotland, Najibullah Zadran gets the nod. He oozed raw power against the Black Caps, taking apart one of the best bowling attacks with ease, and was the only Afghan batter to pass fifty in the tournament.
- Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka)
The tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 16 wickets from 30 overs and the second-best economy (5.20) of any player to bowl more than 15 overs – Jasprit Bumrah (18.4 overs) conceded just 5.08 runs per six balls. Wanindu Hasaranga failed to take a wicket in just one of his eight innings and picking up three three-fors along the way. He also excelled with the bat, scoring 119 runs and a half-century against Ireland. His best performance came against England in the Super 12s where he took 3 for 21 and conceded just two boundaries before scoring a quickfire 34 from 21 balls.
- Adam Zampa (Australia)
Speaking after the final, Glenn Maxwell described Adam Zampa as a "superstar" but that description barely scratches the surface. The leg-spinner took 5 for 19 against Bangladesh to record the best figures by an Australian bowler at a T20 World Cup, took the joint-second most wickets in the tournament and conceded more than a-run-a-ball just twice in seven innings. Arguably T20 cricket’s premier spinner.
- Josh Hazlewood (Australia)
Another competitive berth, with South African’s Anrich Nortje and Dwaine Pretorius and Scotland’s Mark Watt all considered for selection. However, Josh Hazlewood gets the nod after key spells against West Indies (4 for 39) and New Zealand (3 for 16) at the back end of the tournament. Australia’s best bowler in the final and their second-best bowler in the tournament after Zampa.
- Trent Boult (New Zealand)
New Zealand and world cricket’s leading powerplay and death bowler. Trent Boult, the swing king, took at least one wicket in every match bar one – a rare off-day against England – in the tournament and was on fire in two of New Zealand’s crunch matches, taking 3 for 17 against Afghanistan and the wickets of Aaron Finch and Warner in the final. The jewel in the Black Caps’ bowling attack.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)
He doesn’t have the numbers to match some of the other bowlers in the competition but Shaheen Shah Afridi, playing in his first T20 World Cup, gifted us the one of the moments of the tournament when he ripped through Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli to tee-up Pakistan’s famous win. He was also masterful against Australia’s top order, removing Finch for a first-ball duck and was unfortunate to be on the receiving end of Matthew Wade later in that match. A very bright talent.
In memoriam
Nigel Biggs
Anyone associated with South Hampstead during the second half of the twentieth century would be familiar with Nigel Biggs who died in November. He enjoyed his cricket but never played to a high standard, which of course didn’t matter. In the seventies days of maximum social activity he served as Social Secretary which included presiding over the grand Centenary Ball. He was always an affable companion which made him an excellent club man. He also supported the Rangers.
Peter Butler
A few Googlies readers will be familiar with Peter Butler. I worked with him in the seventies at Touche Ross and played soccer with him for the Tristars. Peter went on to become a name in the City as well as being actively involved with Essex County Cricket Club and Southend United. He has been an occasional contributor to Googlies over the years.
Bill Hart
I apologise for failing to include the following from Bob Peach in last month’s edition
Way back in April 1962 a prospective member arrived at South Hampstead for his first match. After six hours in cold, wet and heavy rain on a losing side he clearly thought we were all stark raving mad, especially the captain. Nevertheless he stayed and played for twelve years or so much to the benefit of the club until the little white ball prised him away.
Bill proved a most welcome top class fast bowling addition to a strong team with several other fine cricketers which from the mid sixties to early seventies was one of the best sides in Middlesex and London.
Bill took nearly 1000 wickets and played several important innings in a competitive team in which he was probably the most competitive, and which on some occasions stretched the diplomatic skills of his captain; and on others displayed much enthusiasm for successful team and individual performances.
This was exampled by his celebration of a last over hat trick to defeat close rivals Hornsey in 1963 which was reported in their centenary booklet “this was bowled by a man whose attitude at 2 minutes to 7pm and a likely draw was much the same as at 11.30 am with a new ball and a juicy wicket.”
Off the field Bill made equally competitive and robust contributions to our winter soccer team, and the computerisation of individual and club statisticalrecords.
In his post playing days he became the enthusiastic prime mover of several reunions at which follow up arrangements were announced before the current event had hardly started.
Across the earlier playing years and these subsequent occasions Bill’s company and cricketing achievements were much appreciated and enjoyed by colleagues. The forebodings of a soggy day in April some sixty years ago maybe forgotten but have been replaced by longstanding friendships and pleasurable memories for many.
Odd Man Out
The odd man out in the last issue was Keaton Jennings who was the only one of the bunch not to average over 50 in the County Championship in 2021.
Barnet Matters
Many of the outrageous hairstyles in the Premier League belong to those whose lives matter but mention should also be made of some of the silliness exhibited by their white brethren. In particular, the Leeds midfielder, Kalvin Phillips, has chosen to shave his head up to a high line below the plateau of his upper scalp. Above this line he has allowed his hair to grow to such an extent that he is able have it braided into dreadlocks which he bunches up in a knot whilst playing. Gareth Southgate is clearly enamoured of this grooming and has included Phillips in his national team.
Whilst at the London Stadium the Algerian Said Benrahma has opted to bleach his hair and then forward comb it in a Caesar style.
Ged Matters
For reasons I don't quite understand, I have no photographs from 2009 in the "Charley The Gent" collection - just a video of Big Papa Zambezi Jeff Tye handing out the Heavy Rollers shirts on the morning of the first day. It might just be that the photos from that year never reached me and therefore are omitted from what I thought was a canonical collection.
My log records that it was a bumper year for Heavy Rollers, attendance-wise. Ashes years tended to be like that. Here is the Heavy Roll call:
Big "Papa Zambezi" Jeff Tye;
Nigel "Father Barry";
Charley The Gent Malloy;
The Boy Malloy;
Harsha Ghoble;
Biff;
Tufty Geoff Young;
David "Peel" Steed;
Dan "Peel" Steed;
Ged Ladd.
On arrival the night before (29th July), I recall that there was a bit of a scramble for the "better rooms" at Harborne Hall, although by that year (our second at the venue) I had concluded that the larger rooms at the top of the old building had some disadvantages to them such that my own preference was for a well-located slightly smaller room. I thus avoided the potentially contentious debate by deferring to my elders while still getting what I wanted.
Day One was a bit of an anti-climax, certainly cricket-wise, as it rained for much of the day. I'm pretty sure that The Steeds would have smuggled in some wine boxes disguised as picnic-bag chillers and a fine picnic to go with it too. I recall that nephew Paul "Belmonte" was at the ground that day and joined us for a while during one of the many rain breaks.
I also recall that, at one point, I was so "mentally unoccupied" while wandering around in a rain break that I allowed a young blond Npower saleswoman to persuade me to change energy suppliers on a promise of, I blush to admit it, £200 off my energy bills for switching. Npower retained my business for several years after that.
The most ridiculous moment of the match was around our seats at the start of Day Two. By this stage of our proceedings, Charley "The Gent" was curating a fair bit of the Day Two picnic. As is Chas's way, he was busying himself sorting out the contents of several bags of goodies at the start of play. Despite several of us saying to Chas that the day's play was about to begin, Chas was looking down in his bags when Graham Onions took a wicket with the first ball of the day. Chas was disappointed missing that ball, but then returned to busying himself with his bags. Despite several of us warning Chas that Onions was running up to bowl his second delivery, Chas continued busying himself, eyes down inside the bags...missing the fall of Michael Hussey for a primary - the second ball of the day.
Naturally Chas then gave the game his undivided attention for the attempted hat-trick ball and several subsequent deliveries of the ordinary variety.
We got plenty of play to see on the second day, although the mood of excitement was lessened because the weather forecast for Day Three was shocking, so (even during the exciting Day two) there was a sense that the match was inevitably destined to be a draw.
Googlies Website
All the back editions of Googlies can be found on the G&C website. There are also many photographs most of which have never appeared in Googlies.
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