Shit Heap

Yorkshire 275 all out
v MCC 299 all out
Yorkshire 239-7
close on Day 3

Played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tuesday 22 March 2016

Dry Day

Twitter @ball_sup

The game is bubbling away nicely there. The MCC guys will be disappointed. Four wickets going for the addition of just 17 on the overnight score. And YCCC rocking a bit at 147-6.

Karl Carver is in the book at four for 106. Of course, experienced old hands like Tredwell & Patel whirling away. But, we ain't got them. So, we must keep going with Karl’s development.

Day 2 finished in the dark. Floodlights came on. But, only two of the four pylons kicked in. Today, all four lit up. But, there is a cautionary tale. I've said before how much I enjoy watching cricket in the UAE. But, this ground in Abu Dhabi is a Shit Heap. And gets worse each time I call in.

I can just about understand that they're letting the spectator facilities go to ruin & rack. Who cares? Nobody goes. But there is a bare minimum of cricket requirements. Floodlights need to light. Sightscreens.

There have been games on Ovals 2 & 3 on Days 1 & 2. Involving Yorkshire players & MCC teams (Universities & Young Cricketers). With no Sightscreens. There are bits of frames lying about. And some wheels. And some white slats. Evidence of Sightscreens. Components of Sightscreens. But, not actual Sightscreens.

Everything needs some plastering & a lick of paint. Everything needs screwing back together. The stands are never cleaned. There are plastic food trays lying between the seats. Which must date back to the Pakistan v England Test series last year.

I'm no shrinking violet. But, it's demoralising. Just Tart it up a bit. There's enough money around & labour is cheap.

Recent high winds have blown the large advertising boards down from the top of the grass bank. They're just lying there now. No attempt to even move them. Let alone fix ‘em back up.

The Pavilion canvass sun roof on Oval 3 has been ripped & is billowing in the wind. While MCC games are going on on that Oval. No attempt to fix it.

The whitewashed picket fences around both Ovals 2 & 3. I'd estimate less than a third remains. The other two-thirds are just lying around scattered across the sand.

Shit Heap.

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