Proof that Cricket can be fun!....

Thanks to my dad, I have begun to rather enjoy watching the one day Cricket tournements from India.  The Indian Premier League (IPL) is similar to Rugby League's Super League or Premiership Football.  Each of the teams has an "exciting" name such as Rajasthan Royals or Royal Challengers Bangalore.  Unlike the more sedate County Championship here in the U.K, the fans make loads of noise and waive foam hands, whilst cheerleaders celebrate every 4 and 6 scored by dancing on their podiums in front of the stands.  It is very much a fun atmosphere and I found myself rooting for Bangalore against Mumbai Indians for no apparent reason other than that it was fun to do it. 

Watching this reminded me of when Glamorgan won the AXA Assurance Sunday League trophy in 1993 when the mercurial Sir Viv Richards battled "the Dragons" to one day league glory against Kent.  I remember listening every Sunday to hear about the heroics performed by messrs Steve Watkin, Matthew Maynard, Hugh Morris, Sir Viv, Steve James and Robert Croft. In much the same way I grew up listening to football commentaries from Ian Gwyn-Hughes, Richard Shepherd and Rob Phillips, Edward Beavan's cricket commentaries kept me informed of Glamorgan's progress.  1993 was a great year, which in 1997 Glamorgan surpassed when they won the County Championship.  Sadly since then the team has gone into decline and is currently struggling despite playing in the impressive surroundings of the Swalec Stadium (or Sophia Gardens to you and me).  Hopefully the team can scale those heights once more, but it will take some time to happen.