That unpretentious International Cricket Council (ICC) vision was developed by then-CEO David Richardson, his COO Iain Higgins and the ICC staff and member countries just before Richardson retired. The incoming CEO, Manu Sawhney, canned the vision, purpose and supporting documents, as new CEOs are inclined to do. Sawhney is no longer there.
The ICC purpose developed was “To unite, inspire and empower people and communities through cricket”. That purpose resonates strongly with us in SA. Similarly, our vision could be “Cricket — a game enjoyed by all”. Cricket, like soccer, is a sport for the masses; it is not complicated. All you need is a ball, a bat and some form of wicket and let your imagination run wild.
Cricket stays with you for life. Players and fans have a residual cricket memory that houses the fun times, incidents, combative and glorious moments from schooldays through to being a fan in later years. These memories sustain and warm us.
Sitting next to the late Baboo Ebrahim, flying to the Golden Oldies World Cup in Mumbai in the 1990s, I listened to his almost single objective. “I want to dismiss the great Viv Richards,” he said quietly. What were the odds of doing that in one single ODI meeting in which he might not even bowl to him? It was his burning desire.
Ebrahim caught and bowled him! He broke his finger in the encounter but did not feel pain as he danced with joy. I have no doubt that Ebrahim’s grandchildren will be told of that feat, as will their children. That memory warms me.
As does the time I captained him. Ebrahim was a fine left-arm spin bowler and held every Natal B bowling record when he retired. In one of his first matches for the Natal A team against Transvaal, as the murky day was drawing to a close, I decided not to bowl him to the great in-form Graeme Pollock. I thought it best to bring him on the next morning when Pollock had to start afresh. We came off for bad light and as we jogged up the steps, Ebrahim nudged me and jibed, “Hey Vince, didn’t you see me out there, was it too dark?” Ebrahim was a delight.
Another legendary popular character, fine bowler and a joy to play with and against was Don Mackay-Coghill. He was the mainstay of the Transvaal attack in the 1970s. Cogs was mischievous, hilarious, a serious competitor and a student of the game. In one match, he and Barry Richards, who was at the non-striker’s end, kept up a running conversation as Cogs was actually running in to bowl!
It went something like this. “You top batsmen have the game so easy. Bat, field at first slip and wander about. Us fast bowlers do the back-breaking, hard work to make you look good. We are unrecognised.” The batsman snicked the ball and one of the slips dropped the catch. Without a blink, Cogs said as he turned back to his mark, “and you guys don’t even bother to take our catches”. Vintage Cogs.
His outstanding leadership and influence of the SA, Australian and global gold coin market garnered him numerous awards. None was more significant than becoming first member of the Global Gold Industry Hall of Fame for his immense contributions. Speaking from Perth, Australia, recently, he said: “I live in Perth, but my heart and soul remain in SA.”
Bowling to another Transvaaler, Kevin McKenzie, was a nightmare. He is the most genial of men and one hell of a player, which made each encounter memorable. Natal could not get him out and a wag in the Kingsmead crowd kept shouting to the skipper: “Put Vince on, Barry [Richards]. He’ll get him out!”
Eventually Richards put me on to bowl and my first two balls were hit for six and four. “OK, Barry, we’ve seen Vince now, put someone else on!” the wag shouted. Priceless!
How we all enjoyed our cricket. The game itself has not changed — the dynamics around it have, such as social media, professional contracts, fans’ expectations of their heroes and more.
Lovers of the game must keep promoting cricket irrespective of how they feel about the standards, administration, selections or the way the game is played today. The true game has not changed, particularly in the backyard, streets, schools and on the beach.
International cricket and the heroes, rightly, will remain the focus of the media spotlight as they inspire future generations. We, the mortals, must endeavour to empower more children and communities to play, ensuring that cricket is a game enjoyed by all in SA.
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