Chasing their ardour: England fans Paul Kerfoot and Neil Clayton in Centurion.
| Photo Credit: P.Okay. AJITH KUMAR
Even earlier than the schedule for the Test collection 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 need to take an opportunity, he made bookings for each Centurion and Durban for the primary Test.
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 is nothing uncommon about fans following their nationwide groups on international excursions, however individuals like Clayton and Kerfoot are uncommon. How typically do you discover cricket fans spending a fortune to watch Test collection of impartial nations? Especially now, when the longest format attracts fewer viewers globally. The broadcasters, a commentator as soon as informed this correspondent that, aren’t being profitable from Tests.
But fans like Clayton and Kerfoot show that Test cricket nonetheless has takers. “I have been looking forward to this series,” says Clayton, a lawyer. “I particularly wanted to watch K.L. Rahul, Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami. I was delighted that Rahul scored a hundred but disappointed that Shami could not make it here,”
Clayton has been touring abroad to watch Test matches for greater than a few a long time. Kerfoot has been doing it for 3 a long time.
“I was here when England played their first Test in South Africa after the ICC’s ban (on account of apartheid) ended, back in 1995-96,” says Kerfoot. “During the first Test here at Centurion, some fans including me had sought South African captain Hansie Cronje’s autograph; he apologised for making us wait. You won’t find many sportsmen like that today.”
Kerfoot is glad that he doesn’t have to make any modifications to his journey plans for Cape Town. The second Test begins there on Jan. 3.
