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[meanwhile] 28/5/2018 09:26

At my old school we played Rounders. I understand Cricket is similar, is that correct?

[brexitplus] 28/5/2018 08:42

Bukko

I agree that Rhodes was the better all round fielder, but at cover Bland was superb, plus a test batting average of 49. Both brilliant

My abiding memory of Bland is of Kent v South Africa in 1965 at Canterbury as a young boy. Before play started a net was set up with a single stump. The ball was rolled fast into open space and the tall Bland swooped on it and in one action knocked the stup over three times. It was really thrilling.

A good comparison from the Independent of 1998 sums them up.


“Cricket: Echo of the past - Colin Bland and Jonty Rhodes
Sunday 7 June 1998

Colin Bland played only 21 Tests, so how come he is so famous?

Here it is because of 1965 and the part he played in South Africa's only series win in England between the war and their ostracising from the international game. Not only did he make 906 runs on the tour at 37.75, including 127 in the last Test at the Oval, he also took the art of fielding to a new plane. He could be reckoned to save his side 50 runs a match and his sensational running out of Ken Barrington and Jim Parks at Lord's effectively turned the series. Barrington was on 91 and England were heading towards a match-winning lead when Bland ran from mid-wicket towards mid-on and in one movement scooped up the ball and threw down the stumps at the bowler's end, much to the amazement of Barrington, who thought he could run a comfortable single.

So did Rhodes model himself on Bland?

After a fashion, yes, although they are different animals physically. Bland cut a tall, athletic figure, a lean 6ft 1ins, graceful but very strong. Rhodes is a stocky 5ft 7ins and though quick would not tend to be described as an athlete.
But a similar type of character.

Not at all, actually. Whereas Rhodes is a real jack-in-the-box on the field, keeping up a constant stream of chatter for the benefit of team- mates and to the detriment of opponents - the West Indian Franklyn Stephenson was once so distracted he stopped, in mid-innings, to enquire if he was mad - Bland's secret was his stealth. Rhodes himself said Bland would "float anonymously, changing position surrepticiously" waiting for an unsuspecting batsman to play the ball to cover and not realise he was there.

But Rhodes is just as feared?

Absolutely. Bland's special quality was the stunning accuracy of his throw but Rhodes practises all aspects of his craft - "I had to be a good fielder because I cannot bowl and I'm not very good at batting." He also represented South Africa at hockey and believes playing that game gave him something extra as a fielder, giving him the flexibility to bend for the ball on the run. His ability to scoop up the ball and throw it, often off balance, in one movement, is unrivalled and by saving 30-40 runs an innings has made himself an almost indispensible member of the South African team.

[bukko] 28/5/2018 01:01

Brex+

"Bland was fantastic and well before Rhodes."

I have to disagree with you. He was indeed fantastic but no match for Rhodes overall

Bland fielded mainly at extra cover and mid wicket whereas Rhodes was mostly a cover point specialist which is the most difficult of those field positions for several reasons well known to players. One being in the comparative frequency and difficulty of catching opportunities at cover point

Mike Procter the former S.A Coach and all rounder who played for Gloucester said:
"If you wanted someone to field for your life, I would go for Jonty.
"Granted, there have been some brilliant fielders in this game - there was Clive Lloyd, who was a magnificent fielder, and both Peter Kirsten and Viv Richards in their younger days.
"There's also Ricky Ponting and Herschelle Gibbs today and then there was Colin Bland, who was superb in the longer version of the game.
"But, of the lot, I would have to go for Jonty as the very best."

[brexitplus] 27/5/2018 16:02

Mayers

You are obviously a bit like my dad!!!!

[minerve] 27/5/2018 15:58

You dirty rotter! LOL

[mayers] 27/5/2018 15:22

Brexit+

He is 31. I will leave you to draw any conclusions :-)

[meanwhile] 27/5/2018 11:18

An updated photo of my wallet in now available in 'My Profile'.

[brexitplus] 27/5/2018 09:00

Bukko

Bland was fantastic and well before Rhodes.

Mayers, if you don’t mind me asking, how old is your son. You having watched cricket in the early 50s he must be getting on a bit or you are very virile!!!

[brexitplus] 27/5/2018 08:57

Yertiz

Pity Exeter lost but well beaten. Saracens seem to have just reached their peak.

Liverpool should have played with only 10 men, ie minus the goalkeeper. Hilarious keeping. We have a local lad, only 16, better than that. Poor old m.

[bukko] 27/5/2018 00:27

An early post on the cricket theme referred to an (unnamed) S African fielder.

I think that must be Jonty Rhodes who was considered the finest cover point ever.

He saved many runs with diving stops and ran out countless batsmen trying a quick single. Some of his catches were truly amazing.

Here are a few examples:

[mayers] 26/5/2018 21:12

Brexit+

I think he is trying to say something, like a metaphor.
My son scored 76 (for the 2nd time in a week) but out of a total of 130-6 when I left: they lost. I had rather watch my son bat than Len Hutton when I was a boy and that is saying something.
There are only fragmentary clips of Watson and Wardle on Youtube (and outside his 364 very little of Hutton) but one clip (?Headingley 1953) does for a moment show Wardle hiding in characteristic delivery his left arm behind his back. Sadly he died of a brain tumour after surgery in 1985. I hope St Peter let him in as I hope to thank him for all the pleasure he gave me (granted of course that he admits me: hmm).

[brexitplus] 26/5/2018 18:06

So disappointing. No beef daube recipe.

And obviously knows nothing about cricket.

[meanwhile] 26/5/2018 17:54

How to Change a fuse in a standard 3 pin plug:

Before you start, you need to ensure the plug is disconnected from the mains and then identify the type of plug you have:
A moulded plug will usually have a pop out fuse holder between the pins.
A standard plastic plug typically has the fuse internally mounted and needs to be opened up.
A moulded plug is generally very easy to replace the fuse on – the fuse holder is popped out using a small flat bladed screwdriver or similar and then a new fuse can be seated and the holder reinstated. Again always check you are matching fuses like for like (or understand why you are changing the fuse rating if you are).
For a standard plug you will need a screwdriver (usually a flat headed screwdriver but will depend on the screws in that particular plug – take a look at the base).
1. In an anti-clockwise direction, loosen the screw(s) – typically this type of plug will have a larger central screw that holds the cases halves together; that’s the one to go for. You may not need to remove all the screws completely as the back of the plug should come away following a few turns of the screws.
2. Open the case and keep the back and the screw in a safe place for reinstating later.
3. Pull the fuse out, you will find the fuse within two metal holders inside the plug, sometimes these can be tight and need to be prised out, don’t worry if one of the pins lifts out with it initially – this just slides back through the case once the fuse is removed.
4. Replace the old fuse with a new fuse (making sure it’s like for like or that you really understand why it’s changing if it is).
5. It’s often worth just checking the terminals (the small screws that hold the cables in the plug) are tight at this point – a loose connection can cause overheating and an increase in current which may be why the fuse blew initially). Just try to tighten them with (usually) a small flat blade screwdriver to make sure they are nice and tight.
6. Return the lid of the plug and screw firmly. When secure there should be no movement from the metal pins that go into the wall socket.
7. If the fuse blows again, there may be an electrical fault not associated with the fuse. In this instance, we would recommend an electrician to carry out an electrical safety inspection to check the product.

[brexitplus] 26/5/2018 17:31

Have cooked my beef daube. Scalextric was last Thursday. Excellent evening.

[mayers] 26/5/2018 16:12

Yes, Lords is always lively pre-lunch on the first day and that could have favoured Anderson but the problems are wider than that of course. we are supposed to be masters in our own patch. Off to see my son open the innings for his team!

[brexitplus] 26/5/2018 15:23

Forgot about George Tribe. I think he was the pick of the bunch.

Yes, England pretty pathetic really. Poor bowling, poor batting and dropped catches. Plus should have bowled first.

[mayers] 26/5/2018 14:58

brexit+

You are right of course that Walsh was Australian and I had rather forgotten that with his being at Leics for so long. Unlike Dooland and Tribe who had played for Australia albeit in very few tests after the war, Walsh and Manning too, had not represented their country, so I imagine that after residential qualification as for the Counties, they would have been eligible for England selection: would not be very certain about this as the rules were much tighter then. You may know.

The coach's role you may well question in the light of the pathetic sequence of England results and England seems to be doing pretty poorly in the current match.

[brexitplus] 26/5/2018 08:10

Mayer

I believe Walsh was Australian like Bruce Dooland (LBG) and Jack Manning (SLA) who both came here after the war.

Perhaps Meanwhile could google a recipe for a beef daube for us as an alternative to hotpot. Don’t forget the orange peel and olives!!!! My favourite.

Also, can you enlighten me. Is part of the England cricket coach’s job description to improve the team?

[mayers] 25/5/2018 23:35

Brexit+

Watson has largely been remembered for his 109 in the Watson - Bailey stand at Lords in 1953, a rearguard action lasting most of the day which allowed England the later return of the Ashes at the Oval. I saw it on TV after school thanks to the kindness of family friends.
Appleyard was a wonderful bowler able to bowl off-spin and seam at medium pace. He was often unplayable on the uncovered pitches of those times, taking 200 wickets in his first full season. He had a very brief career due to pulmonary TB but nevertheless survived to his nineties dying only 2-3 years ago. He is buried at Bolton Abbey a few yards from the grave of Freddie Trueman.
Wardle was the master of orthodox and unorthodox left arm spin - his left arm was curled behind his back before he delivered the ball giving no hint as to whether the delivery was finger or wrist spin For much of the time he had to play second fiddle to Lock who teamed with Laker and whose action for his faster ball even then was considered suspect - it would not have passed today. Wardle was a pinch-hitter and something of a comedian. Hitting a six I saw him smash the glass panel of the upper storey of the Edgbaston pavilion, few noticing that he had run to hide in the shed where they kept the covers! His career ended prematurely with his dispute with Yorks and he was barred from the Ashes tour that winter. Sadly he died relatively young in his early 60s. He had just over 100 test wickets with a remarkably low average for a spinner.
Walsh was a superb left arm craftsman for Leics. not alas called on by England at a time when spinners were abundant
I look forward to a further menu from our friend MEANWHILE.

[brexitplus] 25/5/2018 22:15

Gower was brilliant. Saw him at Tunbridge Wells in 1981. Aggers was playing. Gower came in. After what seemed just a little later looked at the scoreboard and he was on about 40. An hour later got his century. Effortless. Chanceless. Beautiful driving through the covers. Fielders didn’t move.

I have read about Willie Watson but have never seen footage. Lots of players from that era I would have liked to have seen. Appleyard, Wardle, Tyson, Jack Walsh. The list goes on.

Re Woolley, I have a signed copy of a thin book of his reminiscences. I think he was in his 90s. Signature written by a spider!!!

[mayers] 25/5/2018 20:45

brexit+

Wonderful story, thanks so much. Perhaps only David Gower came near to Wooley in the effortless ease with which he scored. Willie Watson another elegant left-hander is in contention at his best. In the early 50s I endured a rainy day to see him hit 63 in the last hour or so - sublime,I can see his hooking and cutting at 60+ years as if it were yesterday. A year or so later I saw him hit a double hundred at New Road Worcester,having arrived there with Yorks 9 for 3 and shortly 16 for 4 but finishing 350ish for 7
A few years ago at Canterbury I bought a little book about Len Hutton and commented that like all boys we worshipped him then. "Not in the south we didn't" the seller said, "Oh?" I responded. " It was Compton" he said. Divisions were there then but how rich the game in reflecting these.

[brexitplus] 25/5/2018 17:58

No doubt about Tyson. Looks really fast on video. Snow was a lovely bowler. Seemed effortless.

Different era. My dad told me that, at the Angel cricket ground in Tonbridge, when Frank Woolley came into bat word quickly went up the high street, shops closed and the owners went to watch him. When he was out they left to go back to their shops. Star quality!!!