The Price is Right for Comeback Gatt's 1st Game
A good Price
By Comeback Gatt
October 30 2011
Comeback Gatt reports on his 1st day at cricket in 1963 with his mate supporting the opposition. There are many clear recollections from 48 years ago and it is interesting to hear how this was a start of a love affair with our beloved club. It is sure to be a fascinating read for those who recall those good old days and even those who weren't even born then.
I was brought up with three brothers, two liked cricket. One supported Middlesex, the other Yorkshire (I suppose an early glory hunter as they tended to win a lot in those days). Anyway, my school chum Colin’s Dad was born in Sussex as so they were fans of that team. In 1963 he asked me whether I would like to go to Lords to see them play. Too right I did.
Sat June 1st, the first day of live cricket in my life. We set off with lunch and tea packed, train to Waterloo, then tube to St John’s Wood. We walked into the Nursery End and bought our scorecards. I remember thinking how the big the ground was having seen it only on TV. We went into the Grandstand Upper. In those days the points system was easy, 10 points for a win, two for first innings lead. Sussex won the toss and elected to bat. Oakman and Langridge open the batting, Bennett and Price the bowling. Oakman, a tall elegant batsmen and very useful spin bowler as Middlesex were to find out later in the match. John Price, as though who saw him will remember, had an unusual run which mean his first few steps were away from the wickets before turning in a loop. The openers put on 27 for the first wicket before Langridge was caught by Hooker off Price for 14. Oakman was second out for 21, Hooker this time the bowler and the score was 53. This brought to the wicket Lord Ted Dexter, who I was really looking forward to seeing “live” having watched him on the TV. Even now I can remember a couple of imperious cover drives for four but when he had made 15 he fell to Price and Sussex were 82-3. Jim Parks was next in, the first time I had probably seen such a two eyed stance, looking almost full face onto to the batsmen. No one for the purists but very effective. Ken Suttle, who came in at the fall of the first wicket, small in stature but a powerful striker made 46, and was 4th out at 130.
Cannot remember was the score was at lunch but we eagerly stuffed our lunches down, while Colin’s Dad went off for some liquid refreshment.
Anyway, Parks and Lenham took the score to 187-4, when they suddenly collapsed. going from 187-4 to 212 all out. Parks made an exciting 71, but the tail fell away. Three wickets for Price, two each for Bennett, Hooker and spinner Dryborough and one for Freddie Titmus, he of the very short run.
I was delighted with Middlesex performance, Colin not so, he cheered up as Middle finished the day on 28/2, losing Gale and Peter Parfitt before stumps. We left the ground and made our way home chattering 19 to the dozen about what we had seen. It was the start of a love affair with cricket that has lasted for 48 years now, going to as much Middlesex cricket as possible. Firstly during school holidays then work at weekends and during the summer. Of course since becoming self employed for the last few years I can get to see more as I have a partner to rung the agency while I am at the cricket. My first time seeing Middlesex play away came 2 years later at Canterbury whilst on holiday with my parents in Ramsgate.
Just out of interest, Middx made 324 all out in their first innings, Russell top scoring with 77, Sussex made 223 in their second innings, Lenham 85 (Lord Ted out for just two) and six wickets for Fred Titmus. This set the home team just 112 to win but a devasting spell of spin bowling by Alan Oakman (6-53) skittled Middlesex all out for 110 to lose by one run.
Middlesex finished 6th in the table, Sussex 4th. Yorkshire, who else, were Champions, although Sussex did win the Gillette Cup.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:11:18:10:46:23 by BarmierKev.
Both wonderful men with great stories of our game and very willing to pass their memories on. Remember a very interesting story of Jim Park's first view of Frank Tyson together with his thoughts on more modern bowlers.
As it happens, earlier this year I bought a second-hand copy of Wisden for that season to rekindle my boyhood memories. I've just looked up the match you went to, and it turns out that it was Fred Titmus's benefit match, which he marked by taking 6-69 in the 2nd innings. Alan Oakman is described as "seldom used as a bowler these days", and apparently he took the final wicket with only four minutes left, so it sounds like a real thriller. According to Wisden, Middlesex had won the same fixture also by just one run four years earlier, so it must have been sweet revenge for Sussex.
Looking more widely at Middlesex's home games that season, there is a lopsided look to the fixture list. In those days county matches lasted 3 days, with no games on Sunday. Before the Sussex game Middlesex played Worcs at Lords on May 25th, 27th and 28th, then again at Lords on May 29th, 30th and 31st v Northants. The very next day they started CBG's Sussex game, which finished on June 4th, then on June 5th they started their fourth consecutive game at Lords, v Hampshire, and their fifth consecutive game at Lords on June 8th. Not surprisingly, they then had four cosecutive away games, but their season finished with three consecutive county games at Lords between 28 August and 6 September.
I don't know if this imbalance was a regular feature of Middlesex's seasons in those days, but it looks less surprising when one sees some of the matches being played at Lords in July and August: 3 days for Oxford v Cambridge, and no fewer than 16 days cricket involving either public schools or the services. Times have changed!
! was born in 1963 so haven't any recollections. I did see Parks play for Sussex in 70's and was wondering if Langridge was the same as that famous umpire. I also am sure in 80's perhaps 90's there was a Lenham who played for Sussex a few times, perhaps a relation?
Maybe Jonathan would like to send to us a report of his memory of his first game he saw against Sussex. If you can't we will understand and a simple no would suffice. Failing that how about Lower Mound if he can remember that far back?
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
Any idea on what sort of size crowd was there?
I also like the added extras by Fozzie,who has given me an idea of buying the Wisden of 1964,see what happened in the year Beefy arrived.
There is not much I can say about my first match. The World Cup in England in the spring of 1999 got me into cricket, so Lower Mound asked me whether I would like to go to a match. I remember when Owais Shah signed autographs on the Mound stand boundary, I shouted that he should be concentrating on the cricket, so Lower Mound put his hands over my mouth!
I like the story of your first match, and I can only hope that your behaviour has improved since then!
Beefy - the 1964 Wisden is indeed a good read, and I'm sure you'd spend many happy hours pouring over the reports of Charterhouse, Tonbridge and other leading public schools.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:10:31:13:33:24 by Fozzie.
Quote:Jonathan Winsky
I remember when Owais Shah signed autographs on the Mound stand boundary, I shouted that he should be concentrating on the cricket,
And 12 years on his concentration in the field hasn't got any better.
And yep, you guessed it: the great man was bowled for a golden duck!!
I wonder is this to be a series of people's first experiences or just a one off?
It's very compelling reading the experiences of folk from years past, and hopefully some others will do some reports of first games to cheer us up over the cold winter days. I'll even do one if i can find the template.
Barmy Kev
I'm only here for the tele
I recall Price through watching Test matches on TV in black and white as a child. He certainly had a memorable run up and I have vague memories of seeing the curve of his footmarks on a damp outfield.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:11:04:06:38:22 by hawke.
I was also looking up Brian Close's first match as England captain, 1966 v. the West Indies. England won and Close was hailed a success but a large factor in the victory was a terrific backs to the wall hundred by J.T.Murray, followed up by a record 10th wicket stand between Higgs and Snow.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:11:12:06:59:20 by hawke.