Attack of the Red Thread
Grass under attack, another record for Lara, overpriced Ashes tickets, and Bumble's quest to regain his Test cap
Nishi Narayanan
18-Aug-2008
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How red was my valley
It may sound like a supervillain out of a comic book about tailors (Stitches?) but Red Thread is actually a fungal disease affecting grounds across Britain. It causes grass blades to sprout red or pink needles in wet and warm conditions. Derek Walder of the Institute of Groundsmanship, whose 8000 members look after cricket and football pitches, golf courses and race courses around the country, said temperatures of up to around 20 degrees Celsius and a damp turf surface are all Red Thread needs to establish itself. However, he said since sports grounds can't afford to be out of action, groundsmen learn to be incredibly vigilant and spray before the blight can take hold. So you'll just have to wait for the sequel to see what happens next. Movie rights, anyone?
It may sound like a supervillain out of a comic book about tailors (Stitches?) but Red Thread is actually a fungal disease affecting grounds across Britain. It causes grass blades to sprout red or pink needles in wet and warm conditions. Derek Walder of the Institute of Groundsmanship, whose 8000 members look after cricket and football pitches, golf courses and race courses around the country, said temperatures of up to around 20 degrees Celsius and a damp turf surface are all Red Thread needs to establish itself. However, he said since sports grounds can't afford to be out of action, groundsmen learn to be incredibly vigilant and spray before the blight can take hold. So you'll just have to wait for the sequel to see what happens next. Movie rights, anyone?
Got some change?
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka will issue commemorative coins today to mark the national team's 2007 World Cup campaign in West Indies, where they emerged runners-up to Australia. The coins, of Rs 1000 denomination, will be unveiled at the Dambulla International Stadium ahead of the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka. Each coin weighs 12 grams, with a diameter of 32mm, and has a bowler's figure on it with the words "2007 Cricket World Cup March 13-April 28" under the figure. A limited issue of 10,000 coins will be issued into circulation and each coin will be sold at Rs 1500 (US$ 14) each.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka will issue commemorative coins today to mark the national team's 2007 World Cup campaign in West Indies, where they emerged runners-up to Australia. The coins, of Rs 1000 denomination, will be unveiled at the Dambulla International Stadium ahead of the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka. Each coin weighs 12 grams, with a diameter of 32mm, and has a bowler's figure on it with the words "2007 Cricket World Cup March 13-April 28" under the figure. A limited issue of 10,000 coins will be issued into circulation and each coin will be sold at Rs 1500 (US$ 14) each.
A first for Lara
Brian Lara may now set records in golf when he tries to qualify for the World Golf Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina this December. Lara will be among 100 Trinidad and Tobago amateur golfers, the first from the country, to contest in the qualifying tournament at the St Andrews Golf Club Course in Maraval, Trinidad on August 22. If he makes it to Buenos Aires, he will be among the first golfers from T&T to participate in the world championships. The top golfers from each of the three categories, based on handicap, will take the trip and have the chance to win a BMW 3 Series car.
Brian Lara may now set records in golf when he tries to qualify for the World Golf Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina this December. Lara will be among 100 Trinidad and Tobago amateur golfers, the first from the country, to contest in the qualifying tournament at the St Andrews Golf Club Course in Maraval, Trinidad on August 22. If he makes it to Buenos Aires, he will be among the first golfers from T&T to participate in the world championships. The top golfers from each of the three categories, based on handicap, will take the trip and have the chance to win a BMW 3 Series car.
Ashes watch
Fans in Birmingham threatened to boycott next year's Ashes Test at Edgbaston after the Warwickshire Cricket Club priced the tickets at twice what they were two years ago. Non-members will have to pay ₤75, for tickets that cost ₤30 in 2005. "I was shocked to receive a letter from the club informing me that with my members' discount a ticket for next year's Ashes Test will cost me ₤60 and that the cost to non-members is a whopping ₤75," club member Clive Walder told the Birmingham Mail. "Even the members' discount for the match has been reduced from 25% to 20%." Walder said he may opt to watch the series on television instead. Colin Povey, the club's chief executive, said prices had been hiked to cover costs after the England board tripled the club's fee last year for hosting the Test. He also said those threatening a boycott were in the minority. "People are voting on their feet. We've sold 15,000 tickets to members in just two days and we've had people queuing outside the doors, which I have never seen before. I want it to be cheaper but cricket continues to be competitively priced compared to other activities such as going to the theatre, Twickenham or Silverstone."
Fans in Birmingham threatened to boycott next year's Ashes Test at Edgbaston after the Warwickshire Cricket Club priced the tickets at twice what they were two years ago. Non-members will have to pay ₤75, for tickets that cost ₤30 in 2005. "I was shocked to receive a letter from the club informing me that with my members' discount a ticket for next year's Ashes Test will cost me ₤60 and that the cost to non-members is a whopping ₤75," club member Clive Walder told the Birmingham Mail. "Even the members' discount for the match has been reduced from 25% to 20%." Walder said he may opt to watch the series on television instead. Colin Povey, the club's chief executive, said prices had been hiked to cover costs after the England board tripled the club's fee last year for hosting the Test. He also said those threatening a boycott were in the minority. "People are voting on their feet. We've sold 15,000 tickets to members in just two days and we've had people queuing outside the doors, which I have never seen before. I want it to be cheaper but cricket continues to be competitively priced compared to other activities such as going to the theatre, Twickenham or Silverstone."
Meanwhile the Yorkshire County Cricket Club is getting ready to sell tickets for an Ashes Gala dinner for the visiting Australians on August 6, 2009, a day before the start of the fourth Test at Headingley. Special guests at the Queens hotel will include comedian Barry Humphries, and former cricketers Mike Gatting and Merv Hughes. Tickets for the event go on sale on August 26.
Can I have it back, please?
To cap off the week, we have news that David Lloyd, the former England batsman and now a television commentator, is miffed with the folks down at Hyndburn Borough Council in Accrington, Lancashire, after they said they were "not keen" to return to him his England cap, which Lloyd had given to the town of Accrington on a permanent loan for them to display. Lloyd reported in his cricket365.com column that the cap had been stuck in a council storeroom for years and was found when the room was recently cleaned out. "I only played about nine times for England," Lloyd wrote. "I'd love to know why they won't send it back to me, because I really would quite like it. Can anybody help me?"
To cap off the week, we have news that David Lloyd, the former England batsman and now a television commentator, is miffed with the folks down at Hyndburn Borough Council in Accrington, Lancashire, after they said they were "not keen" to return to him his England cap, which Lloyd had given to the town of Accrington on a permanent loan for them to display. Lloyd reported in his cricket365.com column that the cap had been stuck in a council storeroom for years and was found when the room was recently cleaned out. "I only played about nine times for England," Lloyd wrote. "I'd love to know why they won't send it back to me, because I really would quite like it. Can anybody help me?"
Headline of the Week
"Swann to defy bombers to play for England"
... declares the Northampton Chronicle and Echo after England bowler Graeme Swann said he was confident he and his team-mates will be safe in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy
"Swann to defy bombers to play for England"
... declares the Northampton Chronicle and Echo after England bowler Graeme Swann said he was confident he and his team-mates will be safe in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy
Nishi Narayanan is a staff writer at Cricinfo