Cricket
– By Jack Bond |
In
these hectic days of high-pressure sport with the
tremendous exposure to the media of television and
press there is a tendency to overlook the real meaning
and values of sport in the world today. Yet cricket
remains more than a game. It is still a way of life
and it behoves each and every one of us who play
it, at school or international level, to remember
the on plain fact … winning is not the be-all
and end-all of an encounter in which the batsman
strives to master the bowler. The laws of the game
demand more than a mere observation of the lettering
sometimes obscure and ever complicated. It is the
spirit in which the game is played that is remembered
long after the result is recorded and forgotten.
The near hysteria that nowadays tends to relegate
the actual playing to the minor concession of an
afterthought is dangerous and regrettable. Cricket
remains a team game in which the individual performances
have their place, but must never outweigh the desirability
for each and every one in the side to produce his
best and play his part. I recall the glorious days
of my Lancashire leadership at the turn of the 1970’s
when one-day cricket had just become the vogue and
two John Player League Championships and three Gillette
Cup final victories highlighted our progress at
old Trafford and elsewhere. It was my privilege
to captain a good side. We had, in Clive Lloyd a
magnificent batsman and fielder and a bowler never
to be treated lightly. Farokh Engineer was a spectacular
and match wining wicket keeper who could also hammer
out the runs.
We also had England players of the calibre of David
Lloyd, Peter Lever, Barry Wood and Ken Shuttleworth
and wherever we played the crowds gathered. But
we were more than a talented side. We had great
team spirit and that was the most important factor
of all. Nobody really minded who got the runs or
the wickets just so long as victory came our way
with dignity and respect. There were times when
we lost but that never really mattered just so long
as we played the game. Laughter and leg-pulling
were our safety valves; contentment and satisfaction
our reward. If we enjoyed ourselves there was not
much doubt those who watched would also have a good
time. Surely that remains the ultimate in sport?
It is important to play to win but there should
be no disgrace in defeat. It is better by far to
try and fail than never to try at all. My message
to all youngsters just beginning to explore and
enjoy the delights of a truly great game is to give
your all. A century with the bat, six or seven wickets
with the ball, and catch or two in the field, are
the hall marks of good players, but no man can play
cricket alone. It takes 11 men to make a team and
22 to produce a game and the object of that game
is to come out on top if at all possible.
But only if victory is deserved and earned comes
the real satisfaction of playing. Ignore the shouting
and turmoil; accept the plaudits but never resent
the criticism. A cricketer is essentially a sportsman
to welcome and a match is a sporting encounter in
which the losers also play their part. Remember
the words of the old time poet who wrote to the
effect that: “When the one Great Scorer comes
to mark your book, he will ask not did you win or
lose, but did you play the game?”
In this memorable year for Whaley Bridge Cricket
Club I wish your members, players and supporters
every success both on and off the field.
Jack Bond : 8.1.1983
This
article was extracted from the Whaley Bridge Cricket
Club 1883 – 1983 centenary year handbook
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