Shevchenko
Club Cricketer
I’m right back in the thick of things here with The Java Kings and am feeling as we all do one week after being away; as if I never went at all!
I do have good memories of my trip though, because the usual cricket show in Bloemfontein offered me lot more than just new and exciting equipment. We took a cameraman and producer from Java tv along and tried to film the atmosphere, people and places that we think the planetcricket viewers would be interested in.
This year, after four years of trying, I finally managed to get an interview with former admin Richard Cliffe. It was a wonderful interview, upstairs in his office inside the King’s clubhouse. He is an unbelievable personality and when you are in his company you get the feeling that you are in the presence of a great man. Given the opportunity, I could have been there all day! I will make sure to let you know when this interview will air on tv.
I also got to do a very nice interview with, South African born bowling teacher, Dwayne Fava who used to teach Leighton Tretton. He is adamant that he will be back, so we will have to wait and see.
Last week was a special one at the HP Pavilion but probably more so for the Barrett family. On Monday we held a Tribute Golf Day in honour of his father Mark, who has been helping development for thirty-six years this year. He became the assistant to my father George in 1972 and took over the development when my dad retired after fifty-six years at the club. It’s amazing that thirty-six years have gone by and Mark is still going strong. His loyalty to helping young kids is unfailing and now, with his other son in the shop it makes for three generations of Barrett’s at the Kings!
I have to squeeze in a comment on the recent cricket; especially the cup game and Graham Barrett’s phenomenal batting. I have mentioned it before; keep an eye on him because in my mind he is one of the strong future contenders who could give the national team a run for their money. Another man who should benefit from a confidence boost is Dean Keigher. His recent start in the league thus far will help him through the tough season. As I said in an article in the Joburg Times last week, he is very new to the SA grounds and still has to learn. Although he has all the ingredients for a huge future in the game of cricket, let’s give him a chance to settle in and not expect too much too soon.
And then of course we have Graham! He is the man. My admiration and worship of so many players aside, it is official that he is quite simply the best, and will without question become known as the best batsman the King’s has ever seen. His trouncing of Domi Nation in the season opener was superb, my only suggestion is that we all sit back, relax, bask in his brilliance and watch him shatter every record known to cricket. Enjoy!
His small but hard hitting 31 in the cup fixture last weekend was just another example. Cliffe had a good day aswell– couple of unlucky shots but on the whole, well. I do think the difference is that Graham has a regimented game plan worked out that he is able to adhere to. If you listened to the interview after play and his explanation of his shots, then you heard that he knows exactly where he has to be on the ground, shot by shot, to set himself up for the best possible scenario, and he just goes ahead and follows that plan.
I do have good memories of my trip though, because the usual cricket show in Bloemfontein offered me lot more than just new and exciting equipment. We took a cameraman and producer from Java tv along and tried to film the atmosphere, people and places that we think the planetcricket viewers would be interested in.
This year, after four years of trying, I finally managed to get an interview with former admin Richard Cliffe. It was a wonderful interview, upstairs in his office inside the King’s clubhouse. He is an unbelievable personality and when you are in his company you get the feeling that you are in the presence of a great man. Given the opportunity, I could have been there all day! I will make sure to let you know when this interview will air on tv.
I also got to do a very nice interview with, South African born bowling teacher, Dwayne Fava who used to teach Leighton Tretton. He is adamant that he will be back, so we will have to wait and see.
Last week was a special one at the HP Pavilion but probably more so for the Barrett family. On Monday we held a Tribute Golf Day in honour of his father Mark, who has been helping development for thirty-six years this year. He became the assistant to my father George in 1972 and took over the development when my dad retired after fifty-six years at the club. It’s amazing that thirty-six years have gone by and Mark is still going strong. His loyalty to helping young kids is unfailing and now, with his other son in the shop it makes for three generations of Barrett’s at the Kings!
I have to squeeze in a comment on the recent cricket; especially the cup game and Graham Barrett’s phenomenal batting. I have mentioned it before; keep an eye on him because in my mind he is one of the strong future contenders who could give the national team a run for their money. Another man who should benefit from a confidence boost is Dean Keigher. His recent start in the league thus far will help him through the tough season. As I said in an article in the Joburg Times last week, he is very new to the SA grounds and still has to learn. Although he has all the ingredients for a huge future in the game of cricket, let’s give him a chance to settle in and not expect too much too soon.
And then of course we have Graham! He is the man. My admiration and worship of so many players aside, it is official that he is quite simply the best, and will without question become known as the best batsman the King’s has ever seen. His trouncing of Domi Nation in the season opener was superb, my only suggestion is that we all sit back, relax, bask in his brilliance and watch him shatter every record known to cricket. Enjoy!
His small but hard hitting 31 in the cup fixture last weekend was just another example. Cliffe had a good day aswell– couple of unlucky shots but on the whole, well. I do think the difference is that Graham has a regimented game plan worked out that he is able to adhere to. If you listened to the interview after play and his explanation of his shots, then you heard that he knows exactly where he has to be on the ground, shot by shot, to set himself up for the best possible scenario, and he just goes ahead and follows that plan.
