Gary Ballance.

[Karma]

At RAF Cosford near Telford, its free and well worth a visit, that's why it's my 5th visit.

The lady who checked us in is from Zimbabwe and family friends of the Ballances. She confirmed some of the things I'd heard including Azeem's visit to Zimbabwe with Gary. Apparently when Gary took Azeem to Zimbabwe for a couple of months he was provided with his own house and car. He was introduced to cricketers and clubs by the whole family and even taken upon two extended holidays. The cost to Azeem for everything was nil.

I would conclude that is very generous and reinforces my own beliefs about what has unfolded subsequently and what has been put out for public consumption.

 

[DaveMorton]

Oddly, just yesterday I booked 2 nights in Shropshire as an add-on to the Championship game at Worcester, on my way home, sort of. I went on a couple of cricket tours to the area, rather too many years ago, and fancied another look. RAF Cosford is on my hit list, especially as a wet weather alternative.

It says much for Gary B that he hasn't gone public with that stuff. Or perhaps he has, and no one would print it, for fear of reprisals.

 

[Karma]

Excellent day today at RAF Cosford , staying at Telford Golf Hotel and Spa, enjoying an early drink perusing the dinner menu , tomorrow Iron Bridge and Blists Hill Victorian
Village . And yes would recommend the air museum but only if you have a good camera, which you obviously have from the quality of your compositions!

Zimbabwe won (DLS) Gary got 23 . I have heard before the basics of what the lady from Zimbabwe told me today, she filled in some of the detail though. I've come to the conclusion it all went wrong for Azeem when Gary got the captaincy. It's hard not to take sides. They say those who win the war, write the history, unfortunately

 

[Donnylad]

Ironbridge Gorge and Blists Hill ... one of my favourite places. Proper engineering, cast iron and coal, Rule Brittania, God Bless Queen Victoria.
Have a pint in the New Inn for me!

 

[DaveMorton]

I bought a WG Grace iron doorstop at Ironbridge. My photographic skills were then not up to capturing the bridge itself; ideally, you need to be on, or in, the river itself.

Then, there are all the places mentioned in AE Housman, who is high on my list of poets. It was said (presumably by someone not as good), that Housman was not a great poet, but sort of top of the Second Division (i.e, Championship, these days).

But good enough to have a window in Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey. So it will be a bit of a pilgrimage when I go there. Shropshire that is, not Westminster bloody Abbey!

Absolutely not my photo. I would have been proud of this one.
https://flic.kr/p/J43g7W

 

[Newby]

2nd ODI today Ireland are batting and Gary is in the Zimbabwe team. There is a free live stream advertised via ICC TV, looks like it needs you to sign up though.

Official International Cricket Council Website

Official ICC Cricket website - live matches, scores, news, highlights, commentary, rankings, videos and fixtures from the International Cricket Council.

www.icc-cricket.com

 

[Hawke]

52 for GB today.

 

[byased]

Oddly, just yesterday I booked 2 nights in Shropshire as an add-on to the Championship game at Worcester, on my way home, sort of. I went on a couple of cricket tours to the area, rather too many years ago, and fancied another look. RAF Cosford is on my hit list, especially as a wet weather alternative.

It says much for Gary B that he hasn't gone public with that stuff. Or perhaps he has, and no one would print it, for fear of reprisals.

You must get in touch and I will buy you a pint. Bridgnorth just a few miles in either direction from Cosford and Ironbridge. I played against RAF Cosford in the 1970s, when they had a cricket team. I left without handing in my security pass, and was hunted down at work the next day as a potential villain. I plan to get a day at the Worcester game.

 

[byased]

Excellent day today at RAF Cosford , staying at Telford Golf Hotel and Spa, enjoying an early drink perusing the dinner menu , tomorrow Iron Bridge and Blists Hill Victorian
Village . And yes would recommend the air museum but only if you have a good camera, which you obviously have from the quality of your compositions!

Zimbabwe won (DLS) Gary got 23 . I have heard before the basics of what the lady from Zimbabwe told me today, she filled in some of the detail though. I've come to the conclusion it all went wrong for Azeem when Gary got the captaincy. It's hard not to take sides. They say those who win the war, write the history, unfortunately

Nice venue, just few miles from me, but a very soggy golf course even in average weather. Hope you enjoyed Bilists Hill, I think it is excellent

 

[DaveMorton]

Byased - we've met before, I know, but I'm planning on being at Worcester all four days, and staying at the Farriers Arms, quite close to the ground, on Fish Street, then I move to a place called Moreton Corbet, between Shawbury and Wem, for two more nights.

I have made a note in my diary to contact you. It's not until July, so there's no rush, exactly.

 

[Karma]

Nice venue, just few miles from me, but a very soggy golf course even in average weather. Hope you enjoyed Bilists Hill, I think it is excellent

Never stayed at this place before(last time I think Haughton Hall nearer Cosford) but yes Telford Hotel, Spa and Golf really good , decent food even for us veggies, good range of drink but not at London prices!!

 

[Donnylad]

4 catches and top score of 52 for Gary B but Ireland win and square the series

 

[Newby]

Final game today cut short by the weather and ended up no result. Gary wasn't in the playing XI.

Gosh I hope he's alright, I feel like an anxious parent!

 

[Newby]

Good to see Gary playing in the Zimbabwe team in the current Test against the Windies. Probably not too much fun for him and his team at the moment with the Windies on 221 for 0 after only 89 overs were bowled in the first two days due to rain.

No bazball here, the slow and meticulous Kraigg Brathwaite is opening with someone who seems to be even slower and more meticulous than his dad used to be, Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

I hope nobody signs him up for the CC.

 

[Hawke]

Good to see Gary playing in the Zimbabwe team in the current Test against the Windies. Probably not too much fun for him and his team at the moment with the Windies on 221 for 0 after only 89 overs were bowled in the first two days due to rain.

No bazball here, the slow and meticulous Kraigg Brathwaite is opening with someone who seems to be even slower and more meticulous than his dad used to be, Tagenarine Chanderpaul.

I hope nobody signs him up for the CC.

Speaking of Kraigg, he is a lovely fellow as proved on a Northern Cricket Zoom meeting last winter

 

[Newby]

Gary Ballance currently 107 not out, has helped to drag Zimbabwe back from the brink of following on at 147-6 to the sunny uplands of 313-7.

Zimbabwe's gain is our loss worst luck.

 

[Karma]

137 not out when Zimbabwe declared 9 wickets down. Well done Gary, good health good firm and thank you for some good cricket news when there's not a lot around.

PS please come back as an overseas, what a welcome that would be!

 

[Hawke]

137 not out when Zimbabwe declared 9 wickets down. Well done Gary, good health good firm and thank you for some good cricket news when there's not a lot around.

PS please come back as an overseas, what a welcome that would be!

I see Gary is only the second player in Test history to make hundreds for two different countries, following Kepler Wessels.

 

[byased]

Good for him. I would have thought Rafiq would have been snapped up by Pakistan or am i missing something