THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even for a cricket enthusiast, chances of dropping in for a Ranji Trophy match are slim, unless there are names powerful enough to draw fans. But an old couple from England has been doing something for years that could put 'cricket-crazy' fans to shame.
Powered by passion for the 'pure form of the game', Ian Jones and his wife Sue Jones have been visiting India every year since 2001.
Ardent fans of the game in whites, they were at the St Xavier's ground here to see Delhi take on Jharkhand. Equipped with a binocular, they occupied a silent corner of the stands. This season, they have already visited Raipur, Kalyani, Greater Noida and Bilaspur. They want to stay on till the season ends. When not travelling, they are usually in their own flat in Goa.
Ian first visited India when England toured in 1981. He followed it up in 1985 and 1993, when he was accompanied by Sue. “We are passionate about the game and have made watching Ranji matches a habit,” Ian said, applauding a four by Jharkhand's Ishan Kishan.
The 56-year-old finds the pace too slow to his liking. “In county cricket, the over rate is 16 per hour and if the team falls short, they are penalised. Batsmen out there score quick runs. In India the run rate is slow. This dampens the mood,” Ian said.
Having seen cricket and cricketers from close for years, they notice a change these days. “Earlier, players were accessible. Even during practice sessions one could venture into the ground. Now they have gone remote from the spectators. It's the same in England.” Ask them about T20, and the answer is a prompt “it should be banned.”
Ian also doesn't hide his resentment against ODIs and says that crows have become too noisy. But they do think that because of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, India have a chance of inflicting a whitewash on England. Belagavi is their next stop.