Cricket Diary 2009 - Worcester memories

Azeem Rafiq returns to the pavilion after scoring a century (above)
The famous view of Worcester (below)

Posted by Tony Hutton

Friday 19th June - a long planned cricketing holiday based in Herefordshire means an early start down the motorway for the last day of the four day game between Worcestershire and Yorkshire at the county ground, Worcester.

This high scoring game was already destined to end in a draw, but such is my affection for the ground that I was determined to be there. The sun shone and the bonus was the fact that young teenager Azeem Rafiq was 60 not out overnight. Was there a chance that this very talented all rounder would reach his maiden century ?

Indeed there was, thanks to some stout support from Matthew Hoggard. The former England bowler hit a stubborn 56 not out in a partnership of 150 with Rafiq for the ninth wicket. Rafiq's century came of only 95 balls with 13 fours and three sixes - a remarkable achievement.
He was out almost immediately and received a great ovation from the relatively few Yorkshire supporters still in attendance.

Yorkshire passed 500 in reply to Worcester's 415 and the game drifted predictably to a draw during the afternoon, Worcester's second innings ending on 203-3. However the sun continued to shine and you could walk around this always pleasant ground and explore the brand new Graeme Hick pavilion, built on stilts to be above the flood level. Talking to some Worcester members not everyone is happy with it - one suggesting that it was suitable for storing aircraft underneath in the large empty space. Inside it is very welcoming, still with the unchanging view of the cathedral. The steep steps down from the dressing rooms to pitch level might be something of a hazard for the players.

Walking round the ground, you could see two schoolboys games going on through the hedge on the adjacent school fields. Also a detailed wall display at the back of the Basil D'Olivera stand with pictures of players from the past and a long list of all international players who have played for Worcestershire.

This set me thinking about my first visit to Worcester, as a schoolboy, back in the 1950s. A check back into Wisden reveals Saturday 16th June 1951, Worcestershire v Cambridge University. I can remember vividly the bus journey from Birmingham, the walk over the bridge across the River Severn and this marvellous ground, still very rural and undeveloped then with the stunning view.

The cricket was pretty good too, in the days of county stalwarts like Reg Perks, a very good quick bowler and prodigious big hitter who was the schoolboys' favourite. Roley Jenkins, the leg spinner, who bowled with his cap on, and was very succesful for England in South Africa. Don Kenyon was the backbone of the batting for years and Hugo Yarnold the tiny wicketkeeper was another long serving regular.

The opposition was pretty special too. David Sheppard and Peter May were to become outstanding England batsman. Raman Subba Row and John Warr also played for England and the young off spinner Robin Marlar went on to captain Sussex and write on cricket for the Sunday Times for many years. So memories galore and perhaps everything has changed except the cathedral, but it remains a very special place for all cricket enthusiasts.