Talking Cricket: West Country fair heads for big day at Lord's (17 August 1999)

17 August 1999

Talking Cricket: West Country fair heads for big day at Lord's

Sybil Ruscoe

Stay away from the M4 on Bank Holiday Sunday - because the West Country will be heading for Lord's. Two of the least fashionable counties, Somerset and Gloucestershire, have earned the big day out. It's like Stoke and Shrewsbury getting to the FA Cup final.

The NatWest semi-finals produced some fantastic cricket. I know it was a bit one-sided at Taunton in the end, but you can't help rejoice in Somerset's achievement.

The fans have been starved of success since the glory years of Garner, Richards and Botham: in recent seasons, five semi-finals without making a final. But on Saturday, the recent run of 'always the bridesmaid never the bride' was banished by a team of jobbing cricketers led by an inspiring and intelligent captain, Jamie Cox.

The Somerset vibe even extends to the wives and girlfriends. On Saturday, they sat side-by-side close to the pavilion, an attractive band with their own unique blend of team spirit. They barely contained their derision as the Surrey superstars of Stewart, Butcher and Thorpe swaggered out to the middle, lambs to the slaughter. The women went mad as the wickets fell and the city boys meekly climbed the steps back to the dressing room.

On Sunday, it was cider, whistles, hooters and tambourines as the NatWest circus moved to Gloucestershire v Yorkshire, at Bristol. This contest was a lot closer with nail-biting periods of expensive bowling from Yorkshire's 'Ginger Spice', Ryan Sidebottom, and Michael 'Muscles' Cawdron for Gloucestershire.

"Get yer 'air cut," shouted Gloucestershire fans as Sidebottom was hit for 23 off one over. "We've got work tomorrow," barracked Yorkshire fans as Cawdron, sock poking out of bowling boot, took his time being tonked for 20 off the 49th over. But as the sun set, it was the 'Shire' fans who'd booked themselves a second visit to Lord's this summer.

The crowd at Bristol was a mixture of the modern and the traditional, combining to create that special atmosphere of the one-day English game. You can smell the beer and the coffee poured from ancient Thermos flasks that have done umpteen summers of duty.

The pensioners in their socks and sandals, the women in their skirts and 'pop socks' for extra protection against the cool summer breeze that wafts across the outfield. Flimsy tubular-metal deckchairs, pre-war binoculars, wicker picnic baskets and Sixties Tupperware are each summer unearthed from some dark, cobwebbed cupboard and arranged alongside the scorecards to form that eccentric collection of cricket-watching paraphernalia.

As an impartial spectator, you can enjoy the cricket, but as the presentations are made on the balcony, you are left wanting. There's a place in your heart that wishes you were a true fan of the winning side, there's just a hint of envy as you see the Gloucestershire fan rolling down the road drunk with victory.

If you don't support a county cricket team, start today, because next season it could be you and your team heading for Lord's.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)