Save Test cricket at the SCG

You may have heard that Cricket Australia is contemplating moving all cricket to Telstra Stadium, including Test cricket. We must act now to stop this, before the decision. Not just because my good friend andrewg just got his SCG Membership but because the SCG is not just a ground, it is a spiritual home. Below is the letter I sent to Cricket Australia.

Open letter to Cricket Australia

Dear Sir or Madam

I have heard various reports that Cricket Australia is considering moving Test and ODI cricket to Telstra Stadium (or whatever name the Olympic Stadium goes by these days). I have taken this long to write to you because to be honest, I thought that the idea was so ridiculous that I didn’t consider that this could really happen. But as I have heard more about it, I have become alarmed. Thus, I have written this letter.

I have nothing against Telstra Stadium. It is truly magnificent. I have seen Olympic athletics there. Among other things I have also seen a Rugby League grand final and the Rugby Union “match of the century” with a world record crowd to see the All Blacks. The stadium has many virtues. I believe that I could live with the “pyjama game” being played at Telstra stadium.

However, I cannot understand why Cricket Australia would even consider moving Test cricket away from the SCG, one of the great spiritual homes of world cricket. For starters, it is round – the correct shape for a cricket ground. Then there are the beautiful old stands. The Members and the Ladies stands are an important part of the character of the SCG. But that is just a start.

I cannot think of game where history and tradition is more important than Test cricket. It is important to me that all of the great cricketers of the world have played cricket at the SCG. When I go to watch cricket there, I am looking at a ground where the great cricketers of the past have trod. I have read the autobiographies of many cricketers: Benaud, Miller, McCartney, Giffen and Bradman to name a few. Most like to discuss their favourite grounds of the world and all include the SCG.

I have my own traditions at the SCG. I went to my first Test match in 1975-76 when I was eight years old. On that day, 55,000 packed the SCG to watch the West Indies. I have attended every Test at the SCG since 1993-94. My eldest daughter came to her first Test match when she was seven years old. That was four years ago and she has been to every match since. My next daughter has turned seven and she is due to see the West Indies this summer. The thought of not taking her to the SCG causes me incredible distress. The blood drains from my head. I feel faint. I could vomit.

Perhaps you feel that this is an over reaction about a game. But if you truly know cricket lovers, you will know that I am typical – very passionate about the game. I cannot believe that CA would be so out of touch with reality that they would consider moving Test cricket away from the SCG. It would be akin to the MCC moving cricket away from Lords.

If this should ever happen, it would cause me great grief, but on principle, I would not attend Test cricket.

Sincerely

David Ongley

I urge you, my fellow cricket lovers to email Cricket Australia. We must make a stand. At the very least, copy and paste mine, change the personal experiences and send it. It will take just five minutes of your time.

Cricket Australia’ email address is:

penquiries@cricket.com.au

If you wish to contact Cricket Australia by post, send mail to:

Cricket Australia
60 Jolimont Street
Jolimont
Victoria, 3002
Australia

Thorpe’s Day

No need to panic – I’m not going to subject my cricket readership to Olympics reports.

Not that Thorpe. The other one.

Last night, Graham Thorpe made his 15th Test century (114 from 239 balls), against the Windies. Match status: The West Indies lead by 226 with 1 second innings wicket in hand. One day of play remains. Day 2 was completely lost – Old Trafford strikes again.

Sri Lanka put South Africa away by a whopping 313 runs, and secured the series 1 nil. Vaas took 6-29 as South Africa capitulated for under 200 for the second time in the match.