Chasing their ardour: England followers Paul Kerfoot and Neil Clayton in Centurion.
| Picture Credit score: P.Okay. AJITH KUMAR
Even earlier than the schedule for the Take a look at sequence between South Africa and India was confirmed, Paul Kerfoot, a retired authorities servant in England, booked his flight tickets and lodge. Since he didn’t wish to take an opportunity, he made bookings for each Centurion and Durban for the primary Take a look at.
Neil Clayton made his plans later, however he ensured that he might attain in time earlier than the primary ball was bowled at Centurion on Boxing Day. He reached alright, although his baggage didn’t.
There’s nothing uncommon about followers following their nationwide groups on international excursions, however folks like Clayton and Kerfoot are uncommon. How usually do you discover cricket followers spending a fortune to observe Take a look at sequence of impartial nations? Particularly now, when the longest format attracts fewer viewers globally. The broadcasters, a commentator as soon as instructed this correspondent that, aren’t being profitable from Exams.
However followers like Clayton and Kerfoot show that Take a look at cricket nonetheless has takers. “I’ve been wanting ahead to this sequence,” says Clayton, a lawyer. “I significantly wished to observe Okay.L. Rahul, Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami. I used to be delighted that Rahul scored 100 however disillusioned that Shami couldn’t make it right here,”
Clayton has been touring abroad to observe Take a look at matches for greater than a few many years. Kerfoot has been doing it for 3 many years.
“I used to be right here when England performed their first Take a look at in South Africa after the ICC’s ban (on account of apartheid) ended, again in 1995-96,” says Kerfoot. “Throughout the first Take a look at right here at Centurion, some followers together with me had sought South African captain Hansie Cronje’s autograph; he apologised for making us wait. You received’t discover many sportsmen like that at present.”
Kerfoot is glad that he doesn’t should make any modifications to his journey plans for Cape City. The second Take a look at begins there on Jan. 3.