Cricket tea vote causes a big stir
A decision from the Sussex Cricket League to stop the provision of teas has caused quite a stir.
At the league’s AGM on Monday night, the vote on removing the provision of teas wascarried, with89abstaining or against and 114 in favour.
They added: “There will still be a breakof30minutesandclubswillbe expected to provide a choice of hot and cold drinks for players and officials.”
It causedahugereactiononsocial media from local clubs and players – and a former England captain.
Players, scorers and umpires were asked to bring their own teas during this year’s August Cup because of Covid regulations.
But now the league has voted for home teams to no longer provide teas.
Chairman Gary Stanley told BBC Sport: “With the pandemic, the cricket we played was a short season and there was no option to provide teas, everyone had to provide their own food as it wasn’t allowed. Lots of clubs, and this was proposed by six or seven of them, came to us and said ‘we want to propose that the obligation to provide teas for 2021 is removed’. This is only for 2021 - it can bechangedforthefollowingseason.”
Butthemovecausedupsetaround Sussex and further afield.
FormerEnglandskipperMichael Vuaghan tweeted: “As i f 2020 couldn’t get any worse .. hearing a cricket league down south is getting rid of theCricketteatopsthelot.. Utterly disgraceful decision .. #OnOn #Cricket #SaveOurTeas”
It also appears there was confusion – with clubs who did not turn up to the AGM deemed to NOT vote against the proposal to axe teas.
The Sussex Cricket League had not responded to our request for a statement as we went to press.
Players and clubs have given a mixed reaction on social media.
Replying to the SCL’s tweet, Rich Mamoany said: “Absolute SHAMBLESandshameonthosewhovoted it out. #Shambles #bringbackteas.”
Ditchling Cricket Club tweeted: “The clubs who were not on the call weredeemedtohavevotedfortheremoval of teas? That was not fair and the voting figures do not reflect who actually wantedtoremoveteas. This needs rethinking.”