Q. Pakistan are to tour next year. There are to be 9 tests (in total) as Pakistan will play two neutral tests ( v Australia) here, due to security concerns  in Pakistan. Effects?  [editor's note - Vinny's answer to the above question was shown in Part One - but there was more on this.....]

A. Ian Lovett: to underline further the club's finances and the possible effects of the international calender (Pakistan): he pointed out that our main sources of income are membership fees/gate money/sponsors and ECB share, the largest but least predictable. That has to be offset against costs. 20/20 income was very important in this area.

Q. Public transport? the questioner ( who from what he said, I surmised lived along the Jubilee Line, somewhere between Wembley Park and Finchley Road. SM) stated that outgrounds were 'impossible' to get to being on the ends of the Piccadilly Line. A more central venue would suit him better. Also could the Club get LUL to avoid engineering work on the said Jubilee Line on weekends when we are playing matches?

A. Top table said that due to the odd shape of the historical county boundaries. There was not in fact anywhere that was particularly central. Ealing was suggested. ( as this is not on the Jubilee Line, I would assume this was not a satisfactory answer for the questioner SM). The LUL engineering work was not commented upon by top table. But the general consensus of the punters present was - no chance. ( personally I found it hard to take this question seriously. Connections at either Wembley Park or Finchley Road will transport you pretty rapidly to the 'impossible to reach' outgrounds. SM) Spare a thought for the Yorkshire members in Leeds, where their outground Scarborough is 60 miles away, with a less regular train service.

Q. Murray Goldstein: commented on the number of captains we have had in recent times - 10 in number. Plus in the same period 6 coaches. Where was the stability?

A. Ian Lovett: agreed that we need stability. The new structure would give greater stability. We had Gus as MOD,  a position which previously had not existed.

Q. A member [editor's note - mysterious loooking gentleman with false beard, sunglasses and several bodyguards] stated and then asked: as regards to our prospects in the 4 day game - the jury was still out. He had very much enjoyed the game at the Oval - team excellent on the day - and enthused, if that is the way we are going to play - then he heartily approved and cannot wait for more of the same. He also commented that it was difficult to blood youngsters in 20/20 cricket. Need to give them several games and the soon to be defunct P40 would be a better place to blood youngsters.

A Shaun Udal: the team as a whole had set the agenda for the opening fixture v Glamorgan ie the decision to put them in. In his opinion ex Middlesex man Jamie Dalrymple - did not want to play. He thought we did well to restrict and attempt to chase down 182 in 25 overs versus Surrey, just falling short. In the 20/20 the opening fixture v Surrey was a nightmare - without 6 players - not excuse but fact. 20/20 not place for players of 17/18 - you need experience - after that we got on a 'Hull City' type roll. No good saying X,Y or Z is no good. You have to look at players, playing. To evaluate their  progress or otherwise. Beware - of not getting beaten up. This does not do youngsters any good confidencewise in the longer term.

Q. JC67: Press reports only 14 CC games next year, due to repositioning of Champions League to Sept 2010. Official position?

A. Vinny: with the CL in Sept: the last CC fixtures will run up against this. The ECB in their wisdom, wanted to provide a gap to give out participants a break: the media as usual picked up on this, quoting all sorts of scenario's as they do. Vinny said the meeting to decide same, was not until July 22nd, so nothing had been decided. However, he is aware, that the 18 counties were insistent that the 16 match format be retained. This could mean an early April start and the dumping of UCCE matches. ( they should play 2nd's anyway I reckon. SM)

Q. JC67: Roles of Gus/Shaun/Toby Radford. Interaction?

A. Gus/Shaun:  our roles have taken some of the pressure off Toby that had been the case last season. TR said he had struggled to cope and was now helped by Shaggy and he was happy with that. Gus/Shaggy now had the contracts issue and he (TR) could get on with other things.

Q. Seaxe Man: I raised the point that with the inception of the EPL next year. Their were concerns among some of the members, as to whether there would be any changes to the membership status. ie a full membership plus a season ticket for those who required to see only oneday cricket? Northants already offer this facility.

A, Vinny: he agreed the question had merit. But until he saw next season's fixture list, was unable to comment on any possible changes in that area. I commented that I had asked: since back in the 70's when I joined, such an arrangement had existed with a full plus Sunday (only) membership available. SM

Q. Seaxe Man: my next point was: I had read in the press that in the EPL in 2010: each county could have up to 4 overseas players, one of whom would have to be Indian, as matches were to be beamed back to India by ESPN: so they would require that local interest. Who would pay for these players?

A. Ian Lovett: he stated that the Indian players to which I had referred, would be centrally contracted to the ECB. They would then be drafted in an American Football style to the nine counties forming the first division. The worst team, getting the first choice of the best players and so on.  He also said that the two divisions of the EPL, would have three up and three down: two automatic promotions/relegations: but  the third slot would be by play-off by teams 3/4/5/6 in Div 2, to meet the 7th bottom of Div 1 to decide who stayed/went down. I had a further conversion with Vinny on this subject, at player's sponsors do: I asked what happened about the other three o/s players: costs etc? Potential earnings for The Middle? as apparently, some Div 2 games would be beamed back to India: and some counties (Leics) were already asking the ECB on potential revenue streams to set their 2010 budgets. He said at this stage, until he was briefed further. Unable to comment. There was the usual banter from the punters - as to who would get 'the cowboys'.

Q. Murray Goldstein: asked Shaun why he had taken Malan off during the Sussex 20/20 with overs still to burn?

A. Shaggy: Malan was a part-time bowler - overs 17/18/19 - the oppo were going to target somebody - so did not want to take that risk with Dawid - as it panned out - Silvers was targetted in over 19 - better that it was the experienced bowler - realised that that decision was sometimes at team's expense. Hendo/Finn were the other 'at the death bowlers'. In passing, Shaggy mentioned, he had received a couple of texts from Silvers expressing his remorse.

Q. John Fingleton: statement: had hated 20/20: but after watching WC20/20 he was now full of remorse, as he realised the comp was quite wonderful, had completely reneged on his previous position - and was now a 20/20 fan. He had watched some splendid cricket shots and other traditional aspects of the game. Just goes to show.
SM.

A. Gus: agreed. things have moved on since 2003. West Indies/Pakistan's raggy ar*ed sides had performed well. He thought the Sussex game had been a great game for 18 overs. Shaggy said the players are as frustrated as the fans. Players arrive early for training showing their commitment. Beating Surrey was nice.

Q. Murray Goldstein: more a personal taste tham a question. Pink Panther music a farce.

A. Gus: yes, he was afraid of the ' Clouseau' moments. ( Personally, I don't have a problem with 'The Pink Panther' music. It sounds slinky and sexy and rightly so for The Middle. SM).

Summation: overall, despite the not large attendance. I would say the questioners' did a good job in covering most of what the membership at large have been articulating. Murray Goldstein in particular, was in his most 'abrasive' top form. I thought that 'Shaggy' kept his cool well under the probing questions from MG. I have seen others who have crumbled under MG's interrogations in the not so distant past. Finally, Ian Lovett reminded us of the upcoming charity match against The Rajasthan Royals. Date Mon 6th of July ko 4.30pm. Middlesex and Surrey members get free entrance.
 

Seaxe Man

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• June 2009 Forum Report Part One of Two