I also played in the infamous Sunday League match for Glos v Leics at Cheltenham. It had rained for days and the ground was a lake. Both teams retired to the Duraflex tent in the certain knowledge that there would be no match. Everyone tucked into the generous liquid fare on offer and we were having a great time until... Mervyn Kitchen came into the tent saying that the ground was fit for a 10 over slog, to initial ridicule then incredulity then panic.
Canny Romaines had to be replaced by Andy Stovold (who had only turned up to watch and was not in the squad) after a fielding practice injury, Bill Athey had to play but bat 11, Gower broke Ian Butcher's nose in the dressing room swinging his bat and then fell over in a paroxysm of giggles after he tried to sweep his first ball. The Glos batting order was decided on levels of sobriety, so Stov obviously opened and I joined him, not because I had abstained but because being more used to drinking than most I was deemed the next soberest. I still do not know to this day how it was all kept out of the papers - different times and more understanding cricket reporters I suppose.
Memory added on January 18, 2021
Comments (Add your voice)
No comments have yet been added to this memory.
