I am saddened to learn about the passing of Sir Michael Parkinson. He was a wonderful commentator and a great friend of cricket, which prompts a treasured memory I have of him. It was during the Test Match in Sydney as part of the Ashes tour by England in 2002-03 when he and his charming wife, Mary, visited the SCG as lunch guests of the NSW Cricket Association and its President, the late Alan Davidson.
I was then a member of the NSW Cricket Board and as such, had responsibility for hosting a table of guests for lunch. Michael and Mary were on my table with Michael and I seated together.
As could be expected, the conversation between us quickly got on to cricket and in particular, the similarities and differences between English County Cricket and Sydney Grade Cricket. It was an engrossing discussion and without us noticing, everyone else had finished their lunch and resumed their seats watching the Test. Our deep “in earnest” discussion continued until we were interrupted two hours later by our table guests returning for afternoon tea! We had missed the whole session! Not to worry as I’m sure we both would have agreed, we solved many of cricket’s problems between lunch and tea of a Test Match! What a memory. What a gentleman. RIP Sir Michael Parkinson.