INNOCENCE RECALLED...

A few disappointments lately in the relative serenity of the world of cricket - England losing the T20 World Cup semi-final;  New Zealand losing the final and the growing controversy over alleged racism in county cricket which has ended up with questions in the House and appearances before a committee of MPs.

Now there is a difference between racism, other unacceptable forms of discrimination and the dark arts of sledging and genuinely innocent banter.   Sometimes it`a a job to tell them apart without the context but the lines seem to be clearly drawn between the allegations surrounding racist remarks in places like Yorkshire and the good old fashioned wind-ups that added a certain piquancy between the likes of Glenn McGrath and Eddo Brandes.  

You might recall the occasion when the rotund lower order Zimbabwean  batsman arrived at the crease and proved difficult to remove.  In a fit of frustration, McGrath enquired,"Strewth Eddo, how did you get so fat?"  "Well, each time I make love to your wife, she gives me a couple of doughnuts."  After that exchange, Brandes didn`t trouble the scorers further as I recall.   

Now the photo above shows the old cricket ground in the Kentish village where, back in the 1950s and 60s I played cricket on Saturdays - the church in the background is where Mrs. S and I were married 60 years ago - and when those games were played between other nearby villages in a spirit of friendly rivalry - no leagues to worry about, unspoken respect for the game and for our opponents and courtesies such as clapping incoming batsmen to the crease and never questioning umpiring decisions.

Sounds innocent...sounds idyllic.... but that`s just how it was.  We  were blissfully unaware of any need to do or say anything that would disrupt the enjoyment of those sunny Summer afternoons.  On Sundays I played for another village team at Basted just a couple of miles away and the recent controversies at Yorkshire - and now Essex - have recalled to mind the annual game we had at Basted against a team from south east London - Dominica.  As the name suggests that was a team of gentlemen of Caribbean origin who looked forward each year to their game against us on that tiny ground on its Kentish hillside overlooking the Bourne Valley.

Those games were a delight, made even more so by the qualities of our visitors - their cricket, their personalities and the sheer fun of being in each others` company.  Never a word out of place, never anything crossing our minds but the enjoyment of those blissful days. 

It`s called innocence I suppose - of a different time, a different place and as I am often accused of having failed to grow up properly, I do look back on those years and wish they could still be here today.  So do people at Headingley, I imagine.  Just to confirm the mists of time and the recollection of innocence, here`s a photo of Basted Cricket team back in the days just before I joined them :- 

If only.......