A view from the Gully (20 May 1999)

20 May 1999

A view from the Gully

Tawfiq Aziz Khan

The English weather was in play on Tuesday at Canterbury. Not happy after inducing an initial delay of some 90 minutes before the scheduled start, rain started again after lunch and threatened to stop the proceedings at one stage. England with an easy job of overhauling a modest Kenya total was actually alarmed by the prospect of no play after they had batted for 20 overs. It would have been a disaster for them sharing points with Kenya in a match that was well within England's grasp. The Canterbury cricket ground, home for the county Kent, has a long tradition. The St. Lawrence Cricket Ground in old Dover Road was opened in 1847 and known at that time as Beverly cricket ground. The St. Lawrence Ground is the only cricket ground in Kent that is owned by a county club, according to the Wisden Guide to Cricket Grounds.

The pavilion was built in 1900 at a cost of £2,340, and refurbished and renamed the Stuart Chiesman pavilion in 1970. The Iron Stand was constructed in 1897 and renamed the Leslie Ames Stand in 1973 after the great English wicketkeeper. A lime tree stands within the playing area on the Old Dover Road side of the ground and was once cleared by a hit from Sir Learie Constantine, the great West Indian cricketer, the only player to have accomplish this feat, so far.

From Alfred Mynn, the first of cricket's heroes, Fuller Pilch and Felix, to JR Mason, APF Chapman, Frank Woodley, Leslie Ames, Dough Wright, Godfrey Evans, Colin Cowdey, Derek Underwood and Alan Knott, Kent have had actors to do honours to their stage. Pakistani Asif Iqbal was also an overseas professional for this county in the 70's.

Despite an early setback the Kenyans rode on Tikolo and Shah, and as Odumbe played most irresponsibly the depth of the African lions was pitifully laid bare by Darren Gough coming in for his second spell. As long as Tikolo was in charge there was always hope for them. This elegant batsman is in a class of his own and can walk into any top team any day. Sad though, it is true that we do not have any batsman of his class in Bangladesh team. Mullally did the job against Sri Lanka and here at Canterbury, Gough, who bowled so superbly at Lord's also, delivered. But in all fairness it must be said that in such conditions, when the 'natives' were seen trying to keep themselves warm, the Africans did well to surpass the 200-mark again within a span of four days.

When England started the modest chase, fifty precious minutes had already been lost to lunch which could have been shortened. When play had to be stopped after 20 overs, Stewart was a worried man. Forecast was depressing but when play resumed Nasser Hussain and Graeme Hick, who is in fine tune of late, went about their business in right earnest. A delayed start had no effect whatsoever on the playing conditions, especially the light. In spite of the overcast sky and occasional rains, visibility was never hampered. This is the beauty of English weather. That is why they don't need lights in their cricket grounds; play can continue well into the evening on normal summer day.

England must be feeling very happy with full points from two matches and bracing themselves for the tougher ones ahead.

Source :: The Daily Star