Members' Forum Summary - 4/4/02

It was held in the Pavilion at Chelmsford and around 50-60 members attended. The panel of guests there to answer questions, were:

Graham Gooch (Essex Head Coach)
David East (Essex Chief Executive)
Ronnie Irani (1st XI Team Captain)
Nigel Hilliard (Essex Chairman)
Graham Saville (Essex Rep)

It began at 7:30pm and Ronnie Irani was to turn up around 20 mins late!

The first topic raised, was not surprisingly whether Andy Flower would be able to begin the season after Australia cancelled their tour to Zimbabwe over safety fears because of the recent troubles. Flower wouldn't have been able to have joined us until mid-May. Excellent news, as David East reported that the flights have been booked and that Flower would be at Essex for Tuesday 15th April, which is also Press Day at Essex. David East also said that Flower needed to get clearance for the ZCU (Zimbabwe Cricket Union) and he got that yesterday (Wednesday). He will play his first game vs Cambridge in the friendlt at Fenner's and is a big boost as he'll available for the B&H Group matches. 'Scimitars' did bring you the news that Flower should now start the season on time a week or so ago, here.

Next, a member raised the point of what the panel thought of the new competition the ECB were thinking getting up for next June to attract more youngsters to watch short games in the evening, this being a 20 overs match. Nigel Hilliard, Essex Chairman, commented that the voting for that takes place next Thursday. Nigel also commented that the idea had taken place in South Africa and it worked and that thinks the idea is great in order to attract a new audience to cricket. Graham Gooch said the ECB would be looking for sponsors like 'Pepsi' or 'Coca-Cola' in order to attract the kids to come and watch. A member then asked that county cricket is meant to be the stepping stone for producing England cricketers and that this competition wouldn't be doing that. The Chairman replied that the competition was only 5 games max for any side and that if it's going to bring in new people and possibly members then he's all for it and so are the players. He also said that a 20 overs game is good and it won't affect the players at all.

Next raised, was the issue of possible permanent floodlights at Chelmsford. Nigel Hilliard commented that if this were to happen Essex would have to stage 4 games at least to make it fullfilling and that might mean no festival cricket in terms of schedules. A difficult one there. A great idea but is it worth it to lose festival cricket for this? One of the beauties of Essex CCC is the fact that they take cricket around the county and to lose the festivals would be sad I think. Perhaps we could play 2 floodlight games at Chelmsford, 1 at Colchester and 1 at Southend?!

A member then asked Graham Gooch what he though of the possibility of losing James Foster to an England contract. Graham said that we will have to prepare without both James and Nasser if he were to get a contract. Let's hope Fossy does, because he's fone well.

Next and a great shout, was the injury situation. Again, Graham Gooch answered and said that there were just a few niggles. Those being Ashley Cowan is ill, John Dakin has a groin problem and can only bat at the moment, but he was due to take a bowl in the nets for the first time earlier today. Apart from that though, there are no injury worries. Both those mentioned should be ok for the friendlies vs Kent tomorrow.

On a side note to the above point, Graham Gooch added that both Justin Bishop and Tim Phillips were taking their Finals at Durham University and would be unavailable for the start of the season.

Then another member made the point about Will Jefferson's fitness. Once again, Graham Gooch said that he has been given the all-clear to resume his cricket career, something myself and everybody is pleased about, as he's a talented young batsman. At this point, with Goochie answering all the questions, he joked: "Is anybody else on this panel!"

Next a member said has Andy Flower been told he is coming to play county cricket to keep wicket as well and not jsut to bat. Goochie and David East replied with that Flower wille be doing some keeping as it'll straight away allow the option of another batter or bowler to come in. David East also said that Barry Hyam was told about Flower possibly signing and that he knew of the situation. Barry said he wanted to stay to fight for his place and East said Barry is still very much part of the squad.

On the note of keepers, Goochie said Mark Pettini has been practising his keeping over the winter in practice matches as another option and that he looks good with the gloves. He also said that Mark was going to Cardiff Uni in October of this year.

The next point raised was about what have the players been doing this winter. Goochie again commented that Graham Napier and Andrew McGarry had been playing for Perth in Western Australia (with Napier going onto play for the Oz Cricket Academy), Zoheb Sharrif had been playing in Pakistan and Richard Clinton went to Queensland. Goochie then discussed the benefits of young players doing this, saying they come back fitter, stronger and more wiser and grown-up from being away on their own. David East said that Goochie was paying for the flight for the youngsters on the staff to go away, something which is superb.

To read the 2nd part of the evening's events, click here.

Date: 5/4/02