THE joke was that there were more television cameras at Uppermill Cricket Club than at Old Trafford for the Ashes Test for the retirement of legend Cec Wright,
Five crews, including the United States-based Associated Press, were at Leafields to film the momentous occasion.
Indeed, news of Cec’s retirement at the age of 85, had already gone global before the game.
Uppermill secretary Lynda Bradbury’s sister Jane Goff heard it on the radio in Cape Town, South Africa, where she lives.
And Lynda was also contacted by somebody in Australia who had also heard it on the radio.
Uppermill also received many requests for interviews including a national newspaper in India and BBC World Service.
Son Courtney said: “The phone didn’t stop asking for interviews which were hard on the phone because dad is hard of hearing.
“I told everybody to turn up at 11am on the day (two hours before the start) and he would be available then.”
It was a special day for Courtney, 56, once a talented cricketer, as he came out of retirement to play his first game in 12 years for his dad’s farewell.
And Uppermill players, brothers Will and Tom Potts gave up going to the Ashes Test at Old Trafford – they had tickets with dad Stuart – as they wanted to play in the game.
Tom, who usually plays for the first team, asked to drop down to the seconds to play alongside Will in the game.
Cec also made a winning farewell as Uppermill seconds beat Springhead seconds in division 5E of the Greater Manchester Cricket League.
Uppermill, batting first, made 204 all out, Cec run out without scoring for a duck.
But he added to his career total of more than 4,000 wickets with one final dismissal as he finished with one for 25 from seven overs as Springhead fell short at 133 all out.
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