LEFT ARM OVER
NEIL MANTHORP: Cricket Association hits mental issues for a six with support programme
It is a fine example of the game taking care of its own
At Widnes Cricket Club in north England the man animatedly selling raffle tickets in the bar shortly before the 7pm draw is also celebrating a half-century. It is almost 50 years since he played his first game for the club as a 17-year-old and he has been at the club, in various capacities, ever since. It is a fine example of the game taking care of its own, the salt-of-the-earth men and women who devote many, and often their best, years to the game that was first played in England and still has the most professional players. But for every story like Stan’s there is an equal, opposite tale — players who gave a decade to a career on the edges of, or at a modest level of, the professional game; men who were always there for the team, could always be relied upon. The unspectacular gatherer of runs or bowler of maidens. The guy who could be omitted when something flashier came along, only to be recalled when the bright new thing faded. Days and sometimes weeks away from home, even for t...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.