Tony Greig - Part 3

As the numerous tributes to Greigy pour in from around the world, the one word they all have in common is 'charisma'. How true! With the exception of a certain Sir Ian Terence Botham I can't think of another England player who has so inspired and led by example.

Whether he was captaining Sussex or England all eyes fell on Tony Greig. He was simply a man amongst men. I remember seeing him play at the Saffrons one cricket week and all us boys spent the whole morning session with our backs to the game, just watching Greigy sitting on the balcony with his St Peter bat (and flat batting gloves) propped up against the old Saffs pavilion's wooden balcony. We almost cheered when the third Sussex wicket fell, just because it meant that the skipper was coming in to bat. And he didn't let us down. His high backlift, thumping great checked drive, all topped off with his raised collar and Sussex cap. He looked the absolute bees-knees!

Fortunately being on the ground staff that week, we also got to bowl in the nets. (I had already taken  great pleasure in getting David Steele out 3 balls in a row!) We had of course hoped to bowl to Tony but after a couple of loose ones down the leg side, he'd seen enough. However, the thrill of saying I've bowled at Tony Greig lives with me to this day. Alongside facing John Snow in a proper match, it is still right up there as a cricketing memory.

Tony Greig always took the role model aspect of his captaincy very seriously and I can still recall him asking me in his thick accent if I was "reading and absorbing" the contents of his latest book. I don't know about "reading and absorbing", more like breathing, inhaling and swallowing down every single morsel of knowledge his book imparted. A number of his tactical ideas have stayed with me to this very day and I always reckon the fact that I was a surprisingly successful schoolboy and club captain (better skipper than a player actually) was solely due to the brilliant cricketing education I got from his books and watching him in action.

My final memory of Tony Greig is of meeting him again, some three years ago at the annual Bradman Dinner at the SCG in Sydney. A little worse for wear, I managed to persuade myself that I really ought to go and thank Tony for the wonderful contribution he made to my (cricketing) life. Normally, the next morning, I would have kicked myself for having interrupted Greigy at his table and blurted out Chardonnay inspired words of thanks. However, whilst obviously very bemused by the gibbering idiot in front of him. He took my intrusion with good grace and I managed to thank him as a Sussex man and England fan for all the enjoyment he had given over the years. And I comforted myself that murky hungover morning that I had done the right thing, because I felt that you never know what my happen to someone/or to you before you get a chance to thank them again.

Given the very sad news this week, that thought came back to me once more with great alacrity and I am so grateful that I got to shake the hand and thank the man who did more to install a lifetime love and passion for the wonderful game of cricket than any other person.

The magnificent Tony Greig (Sussex & England) R.I.P.



Andy Franks
Hong Kong 1/1/2013

Tony Greig - Part 2

A "take-no-prisoners attitude" allied with flair was one of the many tributes paid to the former England cricket captain Tony Greig, who has died at the age of 66. Greig, who was admired for his skills as a player, commentator and innovator, suffered a heart attack at his Sydney home in the early hours of Saturday morning, having fought lung cancer for more than two months.

Born in Queenstown, South Africa, he captained Sussex and earned 58 Test caps for England, 14 as captain. Renowned as a tenacious all-rounder, in his latter years he became known for his enthusiasm and wilfully provocative style in the commentary box, where he served in England and Australia.

Greig's controversial leading role in Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket ultimately led to his playing career winding down. Dennis Lillee, who along with Greig was one of the main players in the evolution of WSC, said: "He had a take-no-prisoners attitude which helped him lead England with flair and toughness." Richie Benaud echoed that sentiment, saying: "Everything he did was strong. It might not go right but it was strong."

Sir Ian Botham said Greig was a "flamboyant and extrovert" figure who "changed cricket for everybody as we know it now. He revolutionised the game. The players of today have a lot to be thankful for in Tony and Kerry Packer."

Bob Willis, another former England team-mate, was a dissenter against WSC but admitted it ultimately benefited the sport. "It was a torrid time back in 1977. People took very entrenched positions and it wasn't very pleasant being a Packer player in county cricket but I think some of us realised our mistakes. Tony had a tremendous effect on my career. He persuaded me to get really fit and that totally revolutionised my career. I never had another injury and went on to take over 300 Test wickets. It's a very sad day for cricket. Sixty-six is no sort of innings."

Nasser Hussain praised Greig, "a dramatic sort of guy with the blond locks and his collar up", for revolutionising cricket, while the England and Wales Cricket Board chairman, Giles Clarke, described him as "magnificent and fearless".

Geoff Boycott had offered him advice about combating cancer. "Tony was mentally ready to tackle the disease and prepared for his chemotherapy in the new year. His death is a huge shock."

Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, the Australia coach Mickey Arthur and the Test captain Michael Clarke added their tributes, while Australia's prime minister, Julia Gillard, said the country had lost "one of sport's iconic voices".

- The Guardian

Tony Greig - Part 1

Tony Greig was my cricketing hero. He is my cricketing hero. Will always be my cricketing hero.

• First up. He was Captain of Sussex County Cricket Club. My team. Tony's team. Our team! 
• Second up. He was Captain of England. My Country. Tony's team. An average team.
• Third Up. He was the man who not only loved cricket but also recognised and was prepared to fight for the rights of working cricketers. (ok, ok, maybe not all cricketers. But...)

I first saw Tony Greig at Hove, cracking a belligerent fifty against a dull Northants/Notts/Warwicks... who cared attack. He was IMPERIOUS. Gray Nicholls. High Stance. High back lift. SMASH! BIFF! THUMP! RUNS GALORE!

With Greigy, alongside the mighty John Snow, I was hooked. How lucky was I? My County had the two best players in the World! And the most inspirational Captain too...

England's best spinner*

MONTY













* After Swanny of course...

Sussex Twenty20 Champions

Good Old Sussex by the Sea

Dwayne Smith's blistering 59 from 26 balls gave Sussex a 63-run win over Somerset in the Twenty20 Cup final.

The all-rounder blasted three sixes and seven boundaries as Sussex scored 172-7, aided by a late 46-run stand between Chris Nash and Yasir Arafat.

Somerset made an explosive start thanks to Marcus Trescothick (33), but his wicket sparked a dramatic collapse.

Seamer James Kirtley (3-9) was the pick of the Sussex bowlers as the county claimed the trophy for the first time.

Saturday's victory at Edgbaston will go some way to compensate Sussex for their defeat to Hampshire in the Friends Provident final. Both finalists are also assured of a place in the lucrative Twenty20 Champions League in India.

Somerset captain Justin Langer elected to field first under the lights after winning the toss in order to utilise the control of South African new-ball pair Alfonso Thomas and Charl Willoughby. And it was the latter who made the early breakthrough when Murray Goodwin, whose 73 against Northants guided Sussex into the final, was caught behind by Craig Kieswetter for seven in the second over.

Expansive strokeplay from new batsman Rory Hamilton-Brown, alongside Luke Wright, ensured Sussex maintained their early momentum during the six-over powerplay.

But their promising 32-run partnership came to a tame end when indecision between the wickets saw Wright run out by a direct hit from Kieswetter.

The dismissal brought Smith to the crease, and he announced his arrival with two boundaries in three deliveries, much to the delight of the sizeable Sharks contingent at Edgbaston.

Max Waller, who went for 11 runs from his solitary over during the semi-final win over Kent, ended Hamilton-Brown's stay, trapped lbw for 25 in the 10th over, although replays suggested the ball would have comfortably missed leg stump.

However, Smith maintained his onslaught, launching leg-spinner Waller high into the stands for a 95m-long six before reeling off a brutal straight-driven maximum and a subtle late cut behind square for four off Ben Phillips.

Despite Smith's pyrotechnics, Sussex, who beat Northants in their semi-final, continued to lose wickets at the other end, slumping to 80-4 when Ed Joyce was deceived by a slower ball from Peter Trego. Smith brought up his 50 from just 23 deliveries with another brutal straight six off Waller in an eventful 14th over before drilling the next two deliveries for successive boundaries.

However, Waller avenged his earlier mauling when he had Smith stumped attempting to switch-hit a short leg-side delivery over point.

Captain Michael Yardy followed seven balls later, but late resistance from Nash (28 from 22 deliveries) and Arafat (20 not out off 16 balls) pushed Sussex to 172-7.

Somerset's response was impressive as Trescothick, who smashed 56 from 32 deliveries against Kent, brought up his 1,000th Twenty20 run with a boundary.

The left-hander then twice launch Wright into the stands for leg-side sixes as the Sabres raced to 34-0 from just three overs.

But just as Trescothick threatened to cut loose, he top-edged a catch to Hamilton-Brown at deep cover off Kirtley, ending his entertaining 15-ball innings.

Langer feel soon after, bowled misjudging an Arafat delivery while James Hildreth was dismissed for one in the eighth over.

Somerset's innings began to subside when leg-spinner Beer had the dangerous Kieswetter stumped for his second wicket of the night.

With the run-rate rapidly accelerating towards double figures, Trego attempted to alleviate the pressure with two successive sixes off Beer.

But any distant hopes of victory evaporated when the all-rounder was caught attempting another huge hit by Smith at long on.

Kirtley entertained the crowd with two wickets in two balls before victory was sealed with 16 balls to spare when Thomas drilled a simple catch to Yardy at short cover.

Corky does it again

There ain't no stopping Dominic Cork as he helped propel Hampshire to a deserved victory over Sussex in the FPT final at Lords.

Poll Results - 5

Who will win the unofficial 1st test?

1= Australia hold on for a draw.
1= Sussex moral victors
3= Result unimportant as Australia not recognised as a First Class team.


Jardine Verdict: You chaps & chapesses know your stuff!

Sussex scare Australia rigid

Ashes Tour - Day 4 Hove

Australia were denied a confidence-boosting win ahead of the Ashes series as Carl Hopkinson earned a draw for Sussex in the tour match at Hove.Hopkinson claimed the only century of the match as Sussex made a decent attempt of chasing the 418 off 92 overs they needed for victory. The 27-year-old eventually fell to Ben Hilfenhaus for 115.

The home side refused to throw in the towel after his dismissal but they ended up short, closing on 373-7. Sussex started well as they chased their target, Mike Yardy and Chris Nash putting on 87 runs in 24 overs. Yardy raced to his 50 off just 55 balls with 10 boundaries and Nash was just starting to accelerate when he sliced a drive to backward point off Peter Siddle for 27.

By lunch Australia skipper Ricky Ponting was using both of his spinners on the dry, turning pitch and it was Marcus North who claimed the wicket of Yardy - who reached 67 before pushing the ball to Michael Clarke at slip. Paceman Brett Lee struggled with over-stepping but he did remove Rory Hamilton-Brown leg before for one while Hopkinson hit his 50 with his third six off North.

Sussex began the final session needing 181 but Hopkinson and Luke Wright continued to attack in a stand of 81 in 13 overs. The mark is a new fifth-wicket Sussex record in this fixture, beating the 72 put on by Tony Greig and Peter Kirsten in 1975.

Hopkinson was spared on 69 when Ponting dropped a straightforward catch off Hauritz but the spinner finally took his first wicket in the next over when Wright deflected a glance onto leg stump.

Hopkinson, who has not played a Championship game for the county this season, reached his hundred by coming down the pitch to drive North through the leg side for his 12th four and was eventually caught behind trying to run a delivery from Hilfenhaus down to third man.

The first Ashes Test between England and Australia begins in Cardiff on 8 July and the boys from The Jardine Report will be there to bring you up to date reports - Assuming the internet connection works!

Jardine Verdict: A great performance by Sussex who so nearly clocked up their second consecutive victory against the Aussies. An inauspicious start for Hauritz.

Sussex put Aussies on the back foot

Ashes Tour - Sussex v Australia Day One

Australian tail-enders Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz struggled to keep Australia in the game against Sussex on day one of the first match of their Ashes tour at Hove. The tourists lost opener Phil Hughes (15) and captain Ricky Ponting (8) early on as they slipped to 114-5.

But Michael Clarke (45) and Brad Haddin (69) staged a minor recovery before Lee (47no) and Hauritz (65no) took the score to 349-7 at the close.

South African seamer Pepler Sandri was the star for Sussex as he took 3-73. The debutant quickly removed opener Hughes, who has had a hotly disputed stint at Middlesex earlier this summer. The self styled New Bradman had his middle stump uprooted after making 15 from 26 deliveries.

Sour-faced Aussie skipper Ponting punched two backfoot strokes to the boundary in front of nearly 6,000 staunch Sussex supporters. The Hove crowd, justifiably acknowledged as the most discerning cricket spectators in the world. Were delighted to see Ponting edge a Luke Wright ball to keeper Andrew Hodd before Simon Katich and Michael Hussey stabilised the innings with a third-wicket stand of 65.

However, Katich then fell to Sandri one short of his half-century and his dismissal prompted the loss of three wickets for one run in the space of 10 balls as he was joined in the pavilion by Hussey and Marcus North. Australia were on their knees at 114-5 but Michael 'Pretty boy' Clarke and keeper Haddin brought some resilience to the middle order.

Haddin was in attacking mood and hit three sixes and seven fours in his 69 before holing out to Sandri off Ollie Rayner's bowling. Rayner then followed up the wicket by snaring Clarke caught and bowled as the Aussies again stuttered at 232-7 against what was mainly a Sussex second XI

Former Test quick Brett Lee and spinner Hauritz gave a some late authority to the Aussie innings. Hauritz reached his 50 first and hit 12 fours as he reached a beligerent 65 by the close, while Lee struck a six and five fours to reach 47 in an unbroken stand of 117 as Australia ended the day some way short of their expectations.

The first Test against England starts in Cardiff on 8 July and Haddin knows the Australia team have plenty of room for improvement.

"I think Sussex bowled quite well and put the ball in some good areas early on then, in the afternoon, they had a couple of good spinners going in tandem," said Haddin.

The wicket-keeper also commented that he'd heard "this pitch compares a lot to Cardiff". It is good to see that misinformation is alive and well at this stage of the tour.

Jardine Verdict: For the best team in the world this has to be an encouraging start against farily average opponents although Sussex will be disappointed not to have polished off the visitors tail. Australia on the other hand will be somewhat dismayed at the failure of their middle order. Day One - Sussex on Points