Home of cricket goes for a quick century
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE FIRST cricket match of the new millennium is set to be played in Hambledon, Hampshire, where the game came to maturity a century-and- a-half ago.
In the face of stiff competition from Australia and New Zealand, where the millennium arrives some hours earlier, the men of Hambledon have devised an ingenious plan to get themselves into the record books.
The rules state that the umpire can abandon a game if the light fails. So the plan is to illuminate the pitch with car headlamps, bowl one ball on the stroke of midnight, and then declare "bad light stops play".
It has already been decided that Dick Orders, landlord of the Bat and Ball pub opposite the ground, will bowl to Andy Smith, one of the village team's leading batsmen.
"I shall deliver one ball, no more," said Mr Orders. "Then the car lights will be turned off and the batsmen will appeal against the light. The umpires should have no hesitation in agreeing and we shall repair to the pub to talk about the game. We shall resume play at midday."
As the millennium arrives the present Hambledon side will take the field against a team raised by Adrian Aymes, the Hampshire wicket-keeper, who is having a benefit year in 2000.
Aymes is desperately hoping that nobody in the southern hemisphere gets in first. "This is a legendary place in the game," he said. "I want this to be a record going into the next century which will ensure its reputation continues."
The cricket historian, Desmond Eagar, said of Hambledon, "Here cricket grew to man's estate," and next Saturday morning it will grow a little further.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments