Cricket writers are fine match

Huw Turbervill and Scyld Berry
The Relais Henley
Thursday, October 9

AROUND the time the players normally come off the pitch for tea we assembled at the Relais Henley to be treated to a wonderful early autumn reflection on the game of cricket and a sobering assessment of the future of the professional game.

Scyld Berry of the Sunday Telegraph (author of 500 Declared: The Joys of Covering 500 Cricket Tests) and the editor of the Cricketer, Huw Turbervill (author of The Final Test: The Uncertain Future of Cricket’s First-Class Game) were gently prompted to reminisce and speculate by the broadcaster Jim Rosenthal.

For an audience largely brought up on the exploits of a certain I T Botham in the Eighties to listen to Scyld’s reflections on his covering more than 500 test matches around the world was really a who’s who of cricket’s golden age.

Indeed, the timing was perfect as we prepare for another Ashes series with a considerable amount of optimism that former captain Joe Root might bring the urn back from down under at the swansong of his international career. What a joy that would be!

Any lover of the game would have been enthralled by the summer series against India. The skill and tension and doubt over the result until the very end of 25 days of sporting endeavour is perhaps the pinnacle.

However both men raised concerns that with this five-match format, the classic test series may not survive the advent of the white ball game and limited overs cricket.

There is no doubt that the various competitions will follow the money and even now some of us “young fogies” are warming to the hundred (100 deliveries per side) with their multi-coloured team kit and snack sponsors.

Two matches in a session (men and women) with lights and on-field comments from players does make for great family entertainment but as for developing the techniques to survive and flourish in the red ball game the jury is firmly out.

With so much information free on line Huw bemoaned the fact that it was increasingly difficult to get people to part with cash for the print media.

Gone are the days of the press bar and liquid lunches and an attention to detail that required a depth of knowledge without the benefit of slow-motion replays and typewriters clattering towards deadlines. Huw continues to captain his club fifth eleven with great pleasure and long may that continue.

Memories of special occasions were shared as we drew towards the close of play — of Sir Viv Richards, Imran Khan and Sir Ian Botham prompting my own memory of David Gower making 200 against in India in Birmingham. As he never looked like getting out there was no need to worry about the walk to the bar. Happy days indeed.

John Parnham