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July 14, 2007
Ropes, regulations...and rain
Posted by Will Luke on 07/14/2007 in Quadrangular series, Ireland, 2007
Ireland v West Indies, Quad series, Clontarf, July 14, 2007
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A decent crowd defied the rain
© Will Luke
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4pm - Get off my grass
When me and my brother were growing up (our mother would dispute my use of the past tense if she reads this), a neighbour several doors away who owned a large garden used to roar "get off my grass" whenever we'd walk over it on our way to and from school. He was known henceforth as Mr Get Off Man by us, our parents, and all our other neighbours. And he must surely have been here today, disguised as a lady in her forties, who was screaming at everyone and anyone who dared step across the boundary rope. All this is perfectly understandable, I suppose, but it's nevertheless a ridiculous state of affairs that a young boy of six or seven can't step inside the rope by a foot, cheering his heart out, to stop the ball and throw it back to one of his West Indian heroes. Bah humbug.
Quote of the day (suitable for print)
"My janitor has a better sweep than you," from a very thirsty member of the crowd to Niall O'Brien.
2.40pm
It's nearly quarter to three and the rain has relented for the past two hours. It's even warm out there, but West Indies' bowlers haven't been happy with the run-ups, prompting the farcical sight of the groundsman using a leaf blower (surely one of the world's more pointless inventions) to dry the area where their front foot takes off from. All the while, the now beery crowd have been slow-clapping the farce - but shortly before yet another inspection, there was at least one little bit of excitement for the crowd. Phil Simmons, Ireland's West Indian coach, and a couple of his players started throwing a "whistling missile" to eachother, from one end of the ground to the other. It was captivating viewing, at least for your correspondent and, with each dropped catch, the crowd roared with mock delight.
But what a farce it's been. The crowd has swelled in excess of 1000 - I'll try to find out exactly how many later - and still the bowlers moan. Rumours (inevitably) circulating around the ground are that West Indies don't even want to play, a sentiment I refuse to believe. Sure enough, five minutes ago, the umpires finally received the all clear from the bowlers and play will begin at 3pm.
12.20pm
Clontarf. as I've mentioned before, is a beautiful ground. But it really comes to life when the sun breaks free and the crowds fill up. 500 tickets were pre-sold for today's game between Ireland and West Indies, and another 1000 are expected - maybe more if the weather holds. White, plastic chairs are appearing from nowhere and breeding fast; with a privet-hedge-backdrop almost entirely around the ground, it looks quite a sight.
And what a mixture in the crowd. West Indians, South Africans - and (need you ask) a sizeable contingent of excitable Indians. Ever the opportunists, and armed with miniature digital cameras, they have descended on the players' tents for impromptu photos. Some of the players obliged, wearing Colgate-white smiles; others were less accommodating (and understandably so) but, all in all, the atmosphere is genial and happy. It's a real family day out and we're just praying the weather can hold to allow for a contest out in the middle. It's no less than Clontarf and its army of volunteers deserve. And, as I write, up go the umbrellas and down comes the rain. And it's teeming. Well, it was short and sweet.
July 12, 2007
The locals of Clontarf
Posted by Will Luke on 07/12/2007 in Quadrangular series, Ireland, 2007
Irish cricket really is a family affair. I had a long chat with a local, Jim Gallagher, this afternoon at the friendly, picturesque ground of Clontarf, who was enjoying several pints of Magners. He pointed out Ed Joyce's father, and several other parents of current and former cricketers fluttering around the boundary edge. Today's third umpire - whose name eludes me - was also milling around sharing jokes and tales with everyone. The atmosphere is more like a club match than an international - and the press conferences are held on the steps by the car park, with the burger-and-chips van's engine still whirring. All very Heath Robinson, as my Dad would've said, relaxed and good fun.
Today's match was attended by three journalists, Chris Gayle, and 20 autograph hunters. It's a frenetic two minutes of sound bites and quite clearly the future.
Clontarf really is a beautiful ground - but I very nearly missed the delayed start due to my taxi driver not understanding my ridiculous estuary English. "Clontarf cricket club please," was my humble request, but he simply couldn't decipher where I wanted to go. Before reaching for my pen and paper, he cried "ClonTARF!", slapping his hand on the steering wheel in a euphoric gesture of victory. We were on our way.
But back to Mr Gallagher. Towards the end of the day, Imran Khan, West Indies' media manager, kindly asked whether I would like to speak to Fidel Edwards. I agreed, and grabbed a pen and paper to write a few notes and come up with a unique question which no one had ever asked him. Ever. Bereft of inspiration, I asked Jim and his friends. It was a dreadful mistake.
"Ask him whether he prefers Clontarf or Stormont!" came one, which was met with "oohs" and jeers and even a "that's brilliant!" from the others. "Does he know that West Indies have played four times the number of one-dayers at Clontarf than Ireland? Ask him that" was the second request (an interesting point, though). And the third? "How does he rate the West Indies women's side?"
Fortunately for Fidel, and probably for me too, he was unavailable.
July 11, 2007
Scoreboardless at Stormont
Posted by Will Luke on 07/11/2007 in Quadrangular series, Ireland, 2007
Much of the first 94 overs we witnessed on Wednesday were humdrum. But before Netherlands imploded, and Kevin O'Brien came to the fore, the real drama was to be seen outside the boundary.
The day began under clear blue skies, in a sea-blue media tent, in which we discovered our umbilical cord - the internet - had been cut off. It somehow worked its way back into life once we'd discovered the best (and most awkward) position to sit with our laptops, but worse (or better, depending on your point of view) was to happen.
Towards the end of Ireland's innings, the scoreboard packed up. Gone. Finished. Apparently a fuse had blown, which sounds easily replaceable. But in spite of the engineer's best efforts - which included receiving detailed maps of the fuse box being emailed to him - the board shut up shop for the day. Much arm-waving was seen from the referee's box where Chris Broad, sat directly opposite it, was officiating, but not even he could fix it.
The lack of a scorecard prompted the announcer to reveal the scores every two or three overs over the impressively ear-shattering PA system, seemingly located inside my eardrum - a situation which caused much hilarity. With Netherlands fielding the indecipherable Eric Szwarczynski and the tongue-twisting Bas Zuiderent, there were frequent amusing pauses. "The incoming batsman is...Bas......Zweedurran...t". Well, at least he got their first names right. Also spotted around the boundary was West Indies' coach, David Moore, who, camoflaged in civvies, gave a knowing nod, no doubt keeping a close eye on Ireland's progress ahead of their clash on Saturday.
West Indies really are taking these games seriously, which is just what the tournament needs.
July 10, 2007
Gally and Channerpor
Posted by Will Luke on 07/10/2007 in Quadrangular series, Ireland, 2007
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Lone ranger: West Indies did have some support at Clontarf
© Will Luke
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If I had any doubts lingering that I was in Ireland (or that I have Irish blood by my maternal Grandmother), then they have all disappeared now. I had to take a short bus ride this morning and in doing so got chatting to the driver, who I approached cautiously, to ask for directions.
I'm a Londoner who uses buses every day and, via a plethora of warning signs, am advised not to to approach - let alone speak to - the man behind the wheel. It beggars belief what might happen if I did; London bus drivers are generally a depressive bunch who eye all passengers with immense caution. But Jim, my Irish bus driver for 10 minutes today, couldn't have been more welcoming.
In fact, he even gave me a little detour to show me some sights. He tried to, anyway - the road was blocked and we had to reverse. But what other country would this happen in? In the brief 10 minute journey, I spoke to him about cricket - "Ah, it'll never take in Ireland, will it? I like water polo m'self" - Guinness, Princess Diana and speed humps. He wasn't a cricket fan, however. At the ground in Clontarf - a picturesque little place with white-washed fences, every bit the small, local club - only a smattering turned up. True, it was a week day - and the weather threatened to tear down in true Irish style. So where were they? Has the effect of Ireland's stellar efforts in the World Cup amounted to nothing?
Perhaps, but perhaps not. When leaving the ground, a mother and her four boys, all no more than six or seven years old, approached me to get "Gally" and "Channerpor's" autographs. When I told them the match was finished, they were mortified. So disappointed was Connor, the youngest, that his mother chastened him for saying "Jaysus". Perhaps Chris Gally and Shivnarine Channerpor will oblige four young Irish fans on Thursday.
July 9, 2007
'The Windies are coming'
Posted by Will Luke on 07/09/2007 in Quadrangular series, Ireland, 2007
All that is good in a city (and much of it that is bad) can be discovered in the first hour after landing, via that mine of knowledge, the taxi driver. In my limited experience, they are an indigenous group more-or-less identical the world over: fiercely patriotic, but aware of a city's pitfalls. And you learn so much from them.
And so it was that Connor, my guide and driver for the morning, told me all about Dublin, and not a lot about the cricket. Unsurprisingly he was completely unaware that a Quadrangular series was about to take place in the city he was born and raised in, but was pleased and amazed that West Indies ("the Windies are comin'? Fantastic!") were in town. No advertisements, no flags or posters - not a thing was to be seen promoting the tournament. The chequered blue and black flags forlornly draped on lampposts and pot-plant holders were for a Celtic football contest.
Of course, this comes as no surprise but it's a familiar and faintly depressing trend that an international series might go completely unnoticed. We will have to see whether the Irish Cricket Union's decision to lower the ticket prices - excellent though it is - is sufficient to entice the locals to Clontarf tomorrow. I fear not.
Connor's interest in cricket stemmed from the World Cup. Sat in a dingy local - "I love it, but it's certainly not one for the tourists" - supping "the milk" (Guinness, apparently), he and his friends were busily talking about everything and nothing when one local, propping up the bar, began shouting at the TV. Within an hour, most of the pub were pumping their fists and cheering Ireland on (against Pakistan), oblivious of the rules but attracted to the green uniform on the pitch, and the throng of distinctly Irish-looking fans in the crowd.
But that, for him, was that, as far as his knowledge and interest of cricket went. If the weather will allow it, a strong performance from the hosts would do wonders for local interest and promoting the game to a wider Irish audience.
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