How John Arlott described when a streaker ran on the cricket field-pitch at Lord’s during an Ashes test
Streakers running on the field in sport is nothing new BUT the first such instance in cricket was done by Englishman, Michael Angelow, a cook with Merchant Navy during the second Ashes Test at Lord’s on the 4th August 1975.
The incident happened on the fourth day of the Test when Bob Woolmer and Alan Knott were at the crease with England reaching 399/6 when Angelow, wearing only his shoes and black socks, came running on the ground. Angelow hurdled the stumps at each end to amuse the batsmen, fielders and the on field umpires.
“Ah, a freaker. We’ve got a freaker. He’s down the wicket now. Not very shapely. And it’s masculine. And I would think it’s seen the last of its cricket for the day. ” John Arlott commentated.
Those around the country tuned into Test Match Special were treated to the great John Arlott’s description of what happened next, made all the more memorable by his failure to remember the word “streaker”. “We’ve got a freaker! We’ve got a freaker down the wicket now. The police are mustered, so are the cameramen, and Greg Chappell. And now he’s being embraced by a blonde policeman. And this may be his last public appearance but WHAT A SPLENDID ONE.
“He’s now being marched down in the final exhibition past at least 8,000 people in The Mound Stand, some of whom perhaps have never seen anything quite like this before. And he’s getting a very good reception.”
That may be one of the most famous pieces of cricket commentary in existence but years later Arlott felt he had missed an opportunity. “No, I blew it,” he told David Rayvern Allen. “What I should have said was that perhaps his greatest disappointment was not being deprived of further cricket for the day, but that he actually managed to straddle the stumps without dislodging a bail.”
“The match was pretty boring and there was a bit of banter going on between me and the Australians,” Angelow had said in 2013.
Interestingly, none of the guards or policemen tried to intervene and everybody waited patiently for Angelow to finish what he had started.
ENGLAND’S TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA 2019-20.
England are embarking on their sixth tour of South Africa. On previous tours, South Africa won the Test series in 1995/6 and 1999/2000. England won the Test series in 2004/5 and 2015/16. The 2009/10 Test series was drawn.
Just recently, England toured New Zealand and played a two Tests series and lost 1-0. South Africa toured India in 2019 and played a three Tests series and were mesmerized 3-0.
England are scheduled to play 4 X Tests, 3 X ODI’s and 3 X T20’s.
AUSTRALIA’S TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA 2020.
Australia are scheduled to play South Africa in 3 X T20’s and 3 X ODI’s.
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