“Mascot Awards”
As I mentioned, we've been to a fair few matches this year. In total, we've attended 41 days of cricket, including Tests, CB40, T20 and even a Village match. During this time the handlers & I have been able to see some truly amazing feats & performances.
Cricket is moving with the times and clubs are trying to encourage families to attend games. As part of this they have introduced club mascots and at Finals day there’s the mascot race, overseen by the legend that is David 'Bumble' Lloyd.
As a mascot myself, I've encouraged the Handlers to take special note this year of the standards out there, and the results may be a little surprising:
In 3rd Place:
Stumpy The Dragon (Somerset) – had a good wander around the Ground before the CB40 match with Durham, stopped for pics and even had a word with Yours Truly (in mascot speak, of course). The only downside was that the SCCC stewards insisted I was deflated about 10 minutes later... 5/10
2nd Place:
Sid The Shark (Sussex) – Out and about throughout the T20 & Pro40 games, Sid interacted with the kids, adults and even Dancers generally having a laugh. A tad territorial when we first met at Hove, he redeemed himself over the course of the season and by the time we met again at Horsham we were quite friendly. 8/10
1st Place:
Lanky The Giraffe (Lancashire) – Far and away the best Mascot in the game (excluding myself of course), we've a table topping performance from the Old Trafford favourite. Lanky celebrates wickets and boundaries possibly more enthusiastically than anyone else in the ground, yet he always stops to have pictures taken or to sign autographs. The kids and adults alike adore him and with good reason, and he loves to play up to them. But the element of his Gameplay that really sets him aside, is that as soon as a bowler begins his run, he sits down and indicates that the kids around him should do the same. He sets a brilliant example to set all cricket watchers, and it's this that wins him the Mascot Of The Year award. Lanky, we salute you
Lanky The Giraffe (Lancashire) – Far and away the best Mascot in the game (excluding myself of course), we've a table topping performance from the Old Trafford favourite. Lanky celebrates wickets and boundaries possibly more enthusiastically than anyone else in the ground, yet he always stops to have pictures taken or to sign autographs. The kids and adults alike adore him and with good reason, and he loves to play up to them. But the element of his Gameplay that really sets him aside, is that as soon as a bowler begins his run, he sits down and indicates that the kids around him should do the same. He sets a brilliant example to set all cricket watchers, and it's this that wins him the Mascot Of The Year award. Lanky, we salute you
However, all awards ceremonies also acknowledge those who've let the side down a little and this year the Worst Mascots are:
The Rest of 'em: sorry guys (and I'm sorry to say this includes Chester of Durham) but turning up briefly at the very start of the game and wandering around with an occasional wave really doesn't cut it. Though this only applies to those that bother to turn up at all; there were a few grounds where we didn't even see an appearance (we actually had to look up online who Max & Molly of Yorkshire were – and the form they take? No idea, never seen 'em). Come on guys, buck up a little – mix with the crowd, sign a few autographs and pose for a few pics – it's not that difficult surely?
I won't be around to gee you all up next season, moving on as I am to pastures new, but I'll be keeping my beady little eye on you to make sure you up your game.
On a final note though, to all the mascots & to Bumble himself. The mascots race on T20 finals day is and always has been a great bit of fun and it’s wonderful to see the fellow mascots having their moment of fame on such a wonderful day. But Sid, don't cheat next year!
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