Many people regard cricket as a religion, rather than a sport and the two share many similarities. In the first place, cricket is nearly as old as some religions, with the game thought to have begun in Norman times. Secondly, like religion, it transcends many different cultures and continents with around 120 countries now playing the game. There are even some bizarre annual fixtures (née rituals) in some pretty unlikely locations. Cricket has been played in a volcanic crater, San Carolos Bay in the Falklands, Goodwin Sands at low tide, on the deck of some merchant ships, Base Camp on Mt. Everest and even under the midnight sun in the Arctic Circle- when play was stopped by a whale.
Cricket is often described as a metaphor for life, bringing with it, tough physical and mental challenges and also the uncanny ability to confound fans and commentators alike with the unlikeliest of results.
I have been greatly privileged to observe this great game through the lens of being a County Club Chairman and I thought it might be of some service to record the rich tapestry of goings on and events which comprise a year in the life of Somerset County Cricket Club. Indeed, this is the title of the book which is to be launched on 27 April 2013. All proceeds from my royalties will be donated to The Clowance Trust, a charity which supports the development of youth cricket in the West Country.
Here I have chosen my favourites out of a series of events which combined to make 2012 another year to remember for Somerset County Cricket Club and all who support it.
* Vernon Philander took 5 wickets in an innings in his first two games against Middlesex and Lancashire.
* The summer of 2012 was the wettest since records began.
* 5 Somerset batsmen made 50’s against Durham.
* The Club achieved its highest ever operating profit of £403,000.
* Craig Kieswetter made 152 whilst Alfonso Thomas and Gemaal Hussain were amongst the wickets against Warwickshire.
* A supporter wrote in asking whether his false teeth had been handed in after a match. A search was arranged but the result was fruitless.
* James Hildreth excelled with the bat whilst Marcus Trescothick took 5 catches in an innings against Nottinghamshire.
* The Club was awarded Provisional Category B Status by the ECB board after a very comprehensive review. This gave us the right to stage England ODIs and T20s.
* Marcus Trescothick was back to his best with a classy 123 against Sussex which saw him reach his 50th first class century.
* Club legend Brian Rose retired after a highly successful period as the Club’s Director of Cricket.
* There was the eventual draw with Surrey and the Mankad incident.
* No less than seven members of our first XI squad represented England or Ireland at a senior level.
* Nick Compton blasted his way to 155 * whilst Peter Trego took his 50th Championship wicket of the season. Abdur Rehman finished with match figures of 14/101 against Worcestershire.
* The year drew to a close on a sad note. Club members Noel Lock and William Rees-Mogg passed away in the same week that ex-England captain, Tony Greig, lost his battle with cancer. No doubt, in the same month, many were born who will play the game and support Somerset with the same passion as those who have gone before them.
* We begin our 138th annual campaign as a First class county in April and it can’t come quickly enough.
A Year in the Life of Somerset County Cricket Club is the story of the highs and lows of county cricket through the eyes of the club's chairman, Andy Nash. This book provides a captivating insight into the daily workings in and around the Club throughout 2012 as it meets numerous challenges and prepares future plans.