Ian Gould - Gunner: My Life in Cricket

First published by Pitch Publishing, 2020

Pitch Publishing

A2 Yeoman Gate

Yeoman Way

Durrington

BN13 3QZ

www.pitchpublishing.co.uk

Ian Gould, 2020

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A CIP catalogue record is available for this book from the British Library

Print ISBN 9781785316302

eBook ISBN 9781785316937

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Picture credits: James Boardman/Telephoto Images (cover); Getty Images; Sussex Cricket Museum; other images are from the authors family archive.

The author would also like to thank Mark Baldwin and Andrea Dunn for checking the text and making helpful suggestions.

T HIS wonderful game of cricket generously offers so much to its followers. A fiercely fought contest can produce a jaw-dropping spectacle that simply takes your breath away. But for me, that is not what makes cricket so great.

As a past player, team manager and now an administrator the human element has always been the most satisfying for me. Among cricketers a genuine camaraderie exists from which lasting friendships are formed.

Once upon a time in Auckland, at the beautiful Cornwall Cricket Club ground, I walked into the home dressing room one afternoon and there in the corner was Ian James Gould, sitting with a young wicketkeeper called Adam Parore.

Tongue in cheek, Ian quipped: Alright guv, alls going well. Its all yours. He was caretaker skipper while I was on provincial duty. That was close to 40 years ago back in the early 1980s and it was the beginning of an extraordinary cricketing bond.

We had come across each other before when Ian was representing Middlesex and England. He also played for another local club, Ellerslie, as well as Auckland, so I saw a lot of him during the next few Kiwi summers. Ian and his darling wife Jo loved their time in Auckland and the city embraced them big time. They are worldly, warm and engaging. You know, proper people.

After coaching Middlesex, Gunner turned to umpiring and it could be argued this was something that became more important to him than playing for his country.

He became a brilliant umpire and, as luck would have it, we became reacquainted after I joined the ICCs match referee panel. We were to travel the cricketing world again and this time on the same team.

He was undoubtedly the best man-manager I have ever seen among on-field umpires. His ability to read players, engage and be able to control them was extraordinary. Players respected him while TV commentators all over the world regularly remarked on how skilled Gunner was in his decision-making. Even when it got tense in the middle he just knew how to take command of the situation. Erroneously in my opinion, he was never awarded the ICC Umpire of the Year.

My brother Martin was a great fan and mate of Gunner. Martin told me one day that he thought Gunners technique when raising his finger to give someone out wasnt as English as it might be and suggested he change to raising a pointed finger in front of the eyes pointing towards the batsman instead. While we were in Dominica prior to a Test match I mentioned this to him and we went straight to the nets. Gunner practised for a while with some different styles until we finally agreed on one. I took a photograph of it and sent it back to Martin for his approval. Ian now had a new dismissal delivery technique.

I always enjoyed catching up with Gunner, whether it was in the hustle and bustle of Dhaka or the white sands of a Caribbean beach. There were always places to see and enjoy on non-matchdays with him.

And usually I knew where to find him. Once, on arriving at our hotel in Jolly Beach, Antigua, I walked out on to these gorgeous sands and looked left and right. I bet hes at that far end of the beach, I thought. And there he was, sitting in a Tiki hut with the locals, swilling and chilling.

Just like when we connected in Cape Town prior to the third Test between South Africa and Australia in 2018, the infamous Sandpaper Test. I had completed the first two Tests and the cricket had been as acrimonious as any. Dont worry, well sort it from now on my son, he said. And he did.

Ians contribution to cricket has been enormous. He is rightly respected as a player, coach and latterly an international elite match official. It was an honour and delight making a presentation to Ian before his 100th one-day international in Sydney during the 2015 World Cup.

As he did at Cornwall Park for me way back, during these last years I was always nearby and willing to be his caretaker when needed.

People love his classic cockney style, sharp dry wit and his ever-present broad smile. Gunner never wants much fuss and he will always try to uphold the standards and traditions of the game.

When we disagreed on anything he always starts: Ive known you for a very long time !

Ians story in cricket is unique. County player, county captain, England player, county coach and world-class umpire. He has an incredible amount to share and to tell from both on and off the field and through these absorbing chapters all will be revealed.

Salut and go well my son, it will continue to be an absolute pleasure.

And its your round!
Jeff (Chopper) Crowe

Jeff Crowe played more than 100 times for New Zealand including 39 Tests before spending four years as manager of the team. He has been an ICC match referee since 2004.

C RICKET has given me a fantastic life and I have met some wonderful people but two people in particular have played a big part in my story so far. When I was growing up in Cippenham, my PE teacher Terry Davies guided me in the right way. Thank you, Terry.

I would not have enjoyed the career I did in umpiring without the support, time and guidance so generously given by my coach Denis Burns.

When I first had the idea to tell my story shortly before my retirement from the ICC elite panel in 2019, I didnt have much idea about what it involved. It has amazed me that a year later you are reading a book of which I am extremely proud.

Peter Jacob is a cricket writer I have known for more than 30 years. Over many sessions in a couple of my favourite Hove hostelries (drinking coffee only before you ask!) he helped put my thoughts and stories on to paper. Similarly, my grateful thanks to everyone at Pitch Publishing for their support.

Sadly, my father George, mother Doreen, sister Maureen and brother Barrie are not here to read it. May Gunner My Life in Cricket be a loving remembrance to them.

Finally, I could not have done this without the love and support of my wife Jo, who has given me the time, space and freedom to work on my book. My incredible children Gemma, Michael and George, brother Jeff and beautiful grandchildren Ava, Mya and Neo are a wonderful team to have around me.

Ian Gould, Hove, March 2020