Roy’s passion an inspiration
n the day the 10-ball over plans were officially confirmed, ECB chief executive Tom Harrison claimed this about The Hundred: “It’s already a successful event in terms not just of finances but the excitement generated.”
Excitement? Where is that Mr Harrison? Not among cricket people I have spoken to down at the grassroots, nor among the wise elders of the game. If the ECB truly believes there is excitement up and down the country they are living in a cloud cuckoo fantasy land.
In the real world there is concern and dismay and scepticism and, at best, a weary tolerance of the concept.
Listen to Mike Brearley, the most eloquent and intelligent of England cricket heroes, who says: “I do like innovation but I don’t like this idea. I think it’s tinkering too much with the basics of cricket, like six-ball overs.”
The city format is a good idea – to replicate the huge success of T20 competitions the Indian IPL and the Big Bash in Australia.
Having matches shown live on terrestrial TV on the BBC is also of immense potential value, as the 8.1million viewing figure for an FA Cup-tie last week reveals.
T20 works. It is the short form of cricket, invented in England, which desperately needs a major platform here. The way forward is simple. Take the 93 bus and the underground to The Oval and listen to wisdom. ROY HODGSON became the oldest manager in Premier League history yesterday, in charge of Crystal Palace at the age of 71 years and 198 days.
What a tribute to his unquenchable enthusiasm for football – and for the task of moulding teams large and small from the beginnings at Halmstad in Sweden to Inter Milan and England, among many others.
He started as a manager in 1976, and for 43 years he has worked with intelligence and dedication to beat Sir Bobby Robson’s record.
It is the passion that shines through above all else – and it is a valuable lesson for us all.