Vintage Cricket Carnival, Los Angeles, October 2007

Fun, Friendship and Some Great Cricket Amongst the Fires

A Cricket Carnival to Remember for Many Reasons

A USA Mini Carnival took place in Los Angeles at the Claude Worrell-Leo Magnus Cricket Complex in van Nuys under rather bizarre and exotic conditions.

A Carnival that had been planned for 8 teams to take part was affected by the tragic Californian wildfires that burned around the vicinity of the cricket ground.

Though the nearest fire at Malibu Canyon was some miles away all who took part in the Carnival were aware of the damage and loss of life taking place within short distances of the Carnival Headquarters at the Airtel Plaza Hotel, van Nuys.

Situated right next to the Airtel was the Van Nuys Airport that was being used by fire-fighters as a rest area and by some of the helicopters involved in the battle against the flames.

Of real concern to the members of the Vintage Cricket fraternity was the dilemma faced by the San Diego team that were keen to take part. Most of their players and supporters were evacuated from their homes as the fires came very close and many of the homes suffered smoke, ash, ember and water damage.

Teams that finally did make it included:

Pigs Trotters (Vancouver Island)
Fingletoads Internationals (Canada, USA, South Africa, New Zealand)
Hollywood Golden Oldies
Florida Golden Oldies
Texas Olden Goldies (including a couple of lively Australians from Denver)

In the event the teams enjoyed three great days of cricket on wonderful turf pitches and outstanding Ovals. The weather was very hot and over the last day or two was played in very smoky conditions.

A full range of social activities was arranged and fantastic hospitality offered by the local cricket community and the Hollywood Golden Oldies in particular.

The Finale Dinner was special as it marked the induction of two remarkable California cricket personalities into the Hall of Fame. Former Lancashire amateur Jim Reid who spent many years with the University Cricket Club in LA, represented Southern California and USA was joined by Arneil Lashkari, a former Indian 1st Class player who also played for the University Cricket Club, Southern California and USA. Jim Reid, members of his family and members of Arneil's family were present and took part in a moving tribute to both players.

The Finale Dinner also featured a good deal of fun and frivolity with an intriguing performance from a dance group organised by Hollywood Golden Oldies Club President, Mark Azeez. With their origins in Guyana the group put on a great show and even managed to have aging cricketers tired after a week on the fields join them on the dance floor.

Other highlights of the week included a Cricketers Evening at the Springbok Tavern with a Jamaican barbeque prepared, cooked and served by ex West Indian Test Player and now a committed supporter of Vintage Cricket, Franklin Rose; a barbeque for the entire group at the home of Kamahl Azeez and a coach trip conducted by Dave Heaney to Santa Barbara and the wine country with participants enjoying a meal at the home of Dr Atul Rai who is one of the USA Representatives of Vintage Cricket.

Our thanks are due to Leon Lamprecht and his helpers, supporters and players from the Hollywood Golden Oldies Cricket Club; Southern California Cricket Association; David Heaney who made sure all games were played on excellent pitches and all those who took part and made the week so enjoyable.

The Vintage Cricket Mini-Carnival in Los Angeles was great fun in difficult circumstances and was enjoyed by all who took part with all teams and players planning to meet again in Stratford-upon-Avon in August 2008.