...says much for the spirit and determination of this unique nomadic club.
Nobody could have missed the horrific pictures beamed all over the world a couple of months ago when terrorists launched unprecedented attacks in Mumbai and other cities, killing over 100 innocent people. The dreadful scenes understandably pushed sport into the background, but there was huge disappointment amongst the touring party that the tour was likely to be cancelled. However, tour manager Alan Waite is a wily old head at the helm of the club, and he wisely allowed everything to settle down before any major decisions were taken. Alternatives were considered, but there’s no substitute for the magic of India, and Alan sounded out as many sources as possible for advice and guidance before he set the facts in front of his committee. And when all things were considered, the tourists decided to tour.
Well done the Grasshoppers!
Obviously some adjustments had to be made to the plans, and although several members of the party withdrew, the addition of Waringstown’s brilliant young all rounder Lee Nelson has certainly strengthened the playing element. The Grasshoppers have a fine touring tradition that has a healthy emphasis on the social side of sport, but they also take their cricket seriously, and like previous tours this party includes some excellent young emerging players and a few in the twilight of distinguished careers.
The club only comes together for major tours and it has travelled the world to exotic locations as diverse as New Zealand,Barbados,South Africa, Zimbabwe,Argentina,Fiji and St Lucia. It all started back in 1980/1 when John Elder and Graham Crothers organized the first tour to South Africa, and it is an amazing feat that the club still prospers some 28 years later.
We intend to feature the tour party in more detail closer to the departure but with Neil Russell as captain and Alan Waite as manager there’s plenty of experience at the helm for this historic trip. There are also plenty of wise old heads in support, not least experienced travellers like Michael Turkington, Paul Stafford, Michael Ross, and Charles McCrum.
The Grasshoppers have arranged practice sessions at Lisburn Leisure Centre in early February and leave Belfast on 19th February en route to India via Heathrow. Their itinerary includes seven matches at three different centres; Delhi, Mumbai andGoa. Obviously there will be plenty of time for sight-seeing in one of the most diverse countries in the modern world, but the fact that millions of Indians play cricket is sufficient proof that the standard of cricket will be high, and the on field exchanges will be testing for players out of season.
It promises to be the trip of a lifetime for the touring party, and congratulations to everyone for their courage and enterprise in going ahead with the tour despite what happened two months ago.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
