It's a Hat-Trick at Cheltenham - Sax's blog
19 July 2013
A direct debit must have been set up with God this year as the weather ordered for the last two weeks would have cost too much to be settled in one lump sum. However there was rumour that the sale of the land to build the flats at Nevil Road did contribute to the costs after something had to be done to rectify the wet and dreary affair we were subjected to here last year. The sun shining across the College Ground at Cheltenham did not produce a win last weekend however with a 2 wicket, fourth day loss to Kent and a 6 wicket defeat to Warwickshire Beers in the FLt20. The lads fought hard on Saturday trying to get 10 wickets before Kent reached the target of 411 set for victory. The wicket proved too batsman friendly and although Brendan Nash had to retire through heat exhaustion on 199 (an Aussie raised in the West Indies….) Kent reached their target 8 down with 3 overs to spare. Sunday’s FLt20 was a polar opposite to the run fest against Kent. 96 played 97 for 4 in 17 and a bit overs. Warwickshire Bears appearing on top. Unfortunately the wicket was slow and took to turn; it proved very difficult for the batters to get away with only 2 sixes hit across the 36 overs played. Predictions were for a very high scoring game; 220 expected. Unfortunately it did not go exactly to plan in front of a sell-out crowd. 5000 left wanting to see more.
It was a mixture of training and a day off for the lads on Monday; the players were scheduled on individual needs. I was back in Bristol working from the office at Nevil Road. Not quite the picture of Cheltenham but the building work being done is really starting to take shape. The Bristol Pavilion is impressive. A few tasks for the day included: signage printing for week two at Cheltenham, a trip to the physio and teaching the office to fold like a ninja. Search for ‘ninja fold’ on youtube!!
The Steelbacks were here at the college ground on Tuesday for a Twenty20 bash. This time the crowd were subjected to a run fest. Richard Levi hit 110 off just 62 balls for the visitors, many a run coming square of the wicket. The nastily short square boundaries here at Cheltenham proving awkward for our bowlers to defend. We were unable to chase the 206 set; however Ian Cockbain’s 60 and Alex Gidman’s 49 will not go unnoticed. I was on corporate row as Tuesday was our busiest day for corporate hospitality. It seemed everyone here had a very enjoyable day despite the result; beer flowed, wine bottles emptied quickly.
Wednesday. Day 1 verses Worcestershire. A Hat-trick for James Fuller, only the fourth Gloucestershire player to take one at Cheltenham. Joining C.L. Townsend in 1893, M.J. Procter in 1979 and J.E.C. Franklin in 2009. History was made, watch his interview and the wickets below. Worcestershire recovered from 22-6 to reach 182. Gloucestershire closed on 83 for 0.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-dZI41wbeg
Yesterday. Day 1 at Lords, the queen made an appearance. England struggled to 289 for 7. I cannot comment on the cricket however as I was busy elsewhere… We were graced by Ladies Day. Cheltenham Fashion Week brought along their models for a fashion show and photo-shoot, I was dragged kicking and screaming, along with Ed Young, to appear with the girls. They all looked fabulous against the back drop of the college ground. Watch the video produced below. The past players were also in with The PCA who organised a great day here at the festival, bringing players of yester-year back together. Old gags were told, the odd story here and there, some even talked about cricket… Unfortunately for them they were next to the Ladies Day tent; a few had filtered down by the end of play. Gloucestershire were bowled out with a lead of 144 runs. Worcestershire closed on 31 without loss.
http://vimeo.com/70593867
Today is Day 3. Gloucestershire will be looking to bowl the visitors out before they get too much of a lead. The Worcestershire spinners could be dangerous tomorrow. I’m back on corporate row and have the honours of presenting the Gold Bond winner with his cheque at the tea interval. Cheltenham is drawing to an end. Let’s hope for brace of wins.
