I AM HERE TO FACE ENGLAND
Bumble is fed up with the lockdown and chuffed cricket’s on way back but admits…
JASON HOLDER called West Indies’ arrival to play three Tests against England next month ‘a huge step forward for sport’ as his team began their training camp in residence at Emirates Old Trafford. ‘A lot has gone into preparations for what will be a new phase in the game,’ said the West Indies captain, who wore a mask as his team arrived in Manchester yesterday on their ECB-funded charter flight. ‘We have a fantastic group of cricketers and everyone is looking forward to our first game.’
It’s been a while since we last spoke dear reader and I just hope you are all keeping safe and well. Me? Well, I’m getting thoroughly fed up with this whole business to be honest and just want to get back to normal. But at least my garden has never looked so good.
there’s been lots of decorating for me too because I’ve had a lot of time on my hands and, at my age, I still don’t think it’s a good idea to venture out of the house. I’ve just got the downstairs loo to do which will only need two rolls of wallpaper I fancy.
Myself and Diana — affectionately known in these pages as Vipers — have been very lucky in that everything has been delivered to us, including plenty of compost because I do like my compost.
I get good quality stuff, but sadly the garden centre I use has run out of the manure I like, the stuff that is supposed to smell like chocolate. still can’t see that — or smell that — myself. But it does the job.
We’re lucky we’ve got Bramall Park golf course right next to us because that’s been an absolute godsend. During lockdown, the dog got plenty of walks over there because they opened it to the public and I’ve even managed to get a couple of rounds in.
You just go with one other person and don’t touch anything that belongs to anyone else, but social distancing is very easy on the course for me and my pal Rob. It’s given me a bit of fresh air and exercise.
there’s still been cricket-related things for me to do and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the watchalongs sky have done on some of the big matches of recent years. I’ve done some podcasts too and they’ve been great because all it is really is chewing the fat.
I tell you who was bloody good on a Lancashire podcast I did. the England bowler Kate Cross. she was a natural. she talked about her dad David, who was known as Psycho when he played for West
‘Sky have been fantastic, they appreciate I want to tread carefully’
‘ ‘My beard makes me look like George Clooney... or is it Wayne Rooney?’
Ham. Kate was saying he can’t get in his football kit any more but when she went home, there was her dad in his West Ham shirt and shorts in the garden!
the good news is that live cricket is set to return at the Ageas Bowl on July 8 and, as it stands, my schedule has me commentating on the last two tests against West Indies down the road from me at Emirates Old trafford.
It won’t be a full complement of commentators and we’re still waiting for the fine detail but I have to say I still have a fair bit of trepidation about returning. But at the moment — and those are the big three words, at the moment — I’m good to go.
But if there is another spike — and the North West seems to be a hotbed for the virus at the moment — I’m sure we will all reconsider. Certainly I will because I’m over 70.
I have to say the company have been fantastic about it all and very understanding of my situation. they appreciate I want to tread carefully. I feel as fit as a fiddle, and as far as I’m aware I don’t have any underlying health issues but the fact is people of my age are more vulnerable. And I don’t feel 70 at the moment — I feel more like 80 after all this!
If I do work I’m very much hoping to be able to go home every night during the test. there are only two of us at the house and I’m eight miles from the ground. I won’t be mixing with anyone else, and even though I’m not a medical person, I reckon I’ll be better off at home rather than in the ‘bubble’ with the teams at the Hilton Garden hotel.
I must say it’s been an incredible effort for both the grounds to get to the stage where they can put this on, and I know everyone at Lancashire has been jumping through hoops to get it all right.
I still say sport is a back-seater during a world crisis and if we do play cricket that’s great, but it won’t be the be all and end all and I’m not bothered who wins. I don’t think they can be ‘ proper’ tests because there will be so many caveats put on the teams. But let’s hope it all takes place and, crucially, takes place safely.
What do you think of my lockdown beard? Vipers isn’t keen but we’ve had a go at trimming it and I reckon it makes me look a bit like that George Clooney. Or is it Wayne Rooney? Either way, I’m keeping it for the moment.
Let’s try to stay cheerful folks. slowly but surely we are getting there. Just take it from your Uncle Bumble — please carry on doing the right things and be sensible! You know it makes sense!