CRICKET
I spent two years at one of the most iconic grounds in cricket. My time there was really enjoyable - and I helped prepare a test match wicket, which
”
proved to be the highlight of those years
Middlesex games and, in 2012, Nottinghamshire were guests. Despite appallingly wet weather, we managed to stage plenty of play.”
The visiting team took note and, when Vic spotted an advertisement at year-end for the Trent Bridge deputy head groundsman’s position, he thought, “What’s the harm in sending in an application”. It paid off. “I spent two years at one of the most iconic grounds in cricket. My time there was really enjoyable - and I helped prepare a test match wicket, which proved to be the highlight of those years.” “When you compare the job at professional and recreational levels, the key difference I believe is that there is far more attention to detail at the higher end.” Although “very happy” at Trent Bridge, when opportunity called, Vic didn’t hesitate. “The previous head groundsman had left Durham and they were seeking a replacement. I threw my hat in the ring and, after two interviews, landed the job.” “I’m no bluffer and believe that honesty has stood me in good stead. All you can do
Rihanna turned up to
give the West Indies her support. Twitter went ballistic. She didn’t sing, but was a vision in white
” Rihanna resplendent in white 86 PC October/November 2019
Everyone hit the deck - a swarm of bees was the highlight of the South Africa v Sri Lanka game
is the best possible job you can.” Relegated from Division One three seasons ago after a financial points penalty had been applied, Durham has moved on to the front foot this year. The dawn of 2019 saw the club ring the changes with director of cricket, ex Australian Test batsman Marcus North, head performance coach and former New Zealand international James Franklin and captain Cameron Bancroft (current Australian player) all taking up their new posts.
“I spent a year with James when he played for Nottingham, so we know how each other operates,” says Vic. Despite the international flavour of the appointments, “we are still very much a north-east club”, he declares. “As a southerner, I’ve had to learn of the region’s cricketing prowess. Durham bowler Mark Wood, who came up through the academy to play for England in the World Cup and Ben Stokes spent time with local supporters at our first T20 after England had won the trophy.”
“Coaches and captains always push the
grounds team for home advantage,” he says. “Groundsmen can be seen as grumpy old so and so’s, stuck in our ways, who hate people walking on the grass, but we are team players.”
“If someone asks us to do something and we refuse, there’s only one loser, the groundsmen. Whilst we are not ‘yes’ men, we all want to be the best we can. I’m certainly working with the new guys. James and I have a good relationship. We discuss the pitches and the coaches are open to our point of view. They appreciate that, in inclement weather, we have no way of achieving what they want.”
The World Cup comes to the Riverside
So the day dawned when the Riverside hosted its first World Cup fixture as Sri Lanka played South Africa. The game was marked out for distinction when a swarm of bees invaded the ground. “Everyone hit the deck,” recalls Vic. “The same thing had happened in South Africa a few years ago, so the team knew the best action to take.” When Sri Lanka played West Indies in the second Riverside fixture, pop star and
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164
