Cricket Report 1969

R.T. Simpson (Chairman), J.W Baddiley, G.Marsh, J.D. Springall, K.A. Taylor and A. Wood

Comparisons are odious, which is why we appear on paper to have had merely a moderately successful season in relation to our 1968 results. It was, however, an excellent one if placed against many of our past performances, and the team as a whole are to be congratulated on confounding many critics and pessimists by achieving extremely satisfactory results during the absence of Gary Sobers.

Everyone of the players worked tremendously hard during the pre-season training and it was most heartening to see their endeavours rewarded on the field; one, perhaps, who will have been most delighted is John Barnwell of Nottingham Forest who helped so much with the training to whom we are most grateful. Without any shadow of doubt 1969 provided the fittest and best all round fielding side that has ever represented the Club. Under the enthusiastic and determined leadership of their acting captain, Brian Bolus, they did everything in their power to improve in the department that let them own rather badly in the previous year, i.e., catching, especially close to the wicket. Their efforts paid dividends and we saw some excellent fielding, which resulted in a growing confidence that was a delight to watch.

The only real disappointment of the season was our apparent failure in the Players’ Sunday League, especially during the early stages of the competition. It was all the more disappointing because we considered ourselves well equipped for this type of cricket. In fact our displays in the Gillette Knock-out Cup substantiated that judgement and we would have reached the Final at least if all our players had been 100% fit for the semi-final at Scarborough. However, it must be accepted here that it is only over-keenness that persuades players to declare themselves completely match fit when there is a slight doubt about it. Unfortunately, the pace and pressure of limited-over cricket soon finds any physical weaknesses as we found out to our cost.

Nevertheless we must not detract from some very creditable performances and if we could have remained entirely free from injuries and illness we would have had a really excellent season. The chief disappointment has been the comparatively poor support after the efforts of the past two seasons, during which the side have played some very attractive cricket. For instance, only one side, Glamorgan, scored their runs faster than Notts in 1969, which makes us the fastest scoring side in the County Championship during the past two years. Surely cricket of this nature deserves good support, and with Gary Sobers back in the side for a full season we hope this will be forthcoming in 1970.

Members may like to hear of our proposals to the T.C.C.B Cricket Committee at Lord’s regarding the future structure and playing conditions for first class cricket. They are as follows:-

1.    Sixteen 3-day matches to be played on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
2.    Sixteen 1-day matches to be played on Saturday. These to be 40-over games.
3.    Sixteen 1-day matches to be played on Sunday. These to be 40-over games.

During the Gillette Knock-out match the 3-day game would be played on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

4.    In addition to the present points scoring system we suggest an extra point for 75 runs in the first 25 overs, and another point for 150 runs in the first 50 overs. Thus, like the bowling side the batting side accumulates points throughout their innings.
5.    All but three bowlers must limit their run-ups to six yards (This to try and quicken the game (over-rates) and to try and force a return to more spin bowling).

It may also be of interest to know that our continued pressure to bring in legalisation in an endeavour to minimise pad play has had its effect, and strong consideration has been given to this by T.C.C.B. It is hoped that an experimental law will operate for 1970 to enable batsmen to be given our for padding up to balls pitched outside the off stump.