On Thursday 28th May 1998, Courtney was the special guest on David Gowers weekly cricket programme on BBC Radio 5 (Thanks to Andrew W for letting me know- he promptly forgot to listen having done so).
They have phone-ins on the show, and after about 15 minutes thinking about it, I plucked up the courage to phone in. I decided to ask how Courtney paces himself through an English county season on top of his International commitments.
What happens is they take your details, then decide which questions to use, and phone you back if they want to use yours.
So at 8.45, the phone rang, and it was the producer of the show- and they had decided they wanted to put me on air. They relayed the programme to me by phone, then David Gower came on and said "We have a caller called Jackie Hewitt from Oxford"- and there I was on air- surprisingly calm!
So I said I wanted to ask Courtney the aforementioned question, then sat there is a bit of a daze, very quiet, while he explained he gets his fitness levels up in preparation, then bowls to keep fit, and that he is used to the rigours of the county season, so it isn't a problem.
David Gower then came back to me and said "Jackie- are you still there- I understand that you are a big fan of Courtney's". I admitted I was, and DG asked if I go to Bristol to see him play. I explained that I am a Worcestershire member and that the Worcs attachment came before my affection for Courtney, but that I do stray along the M4 to see him play a few times each year.
Then I finished by saying to Courtney "All the best for a succesfull Benefit Year".
Courtney also said that when he retires from cricket, he hopes to expand his Sports Goods business, which is currently a shop in Kingston, and maybe expand to the UK too. He said he would like to continue to spend part of the year in England (he regards it as his second home).
So Courtney- I have an idea where you can open a shop- Oxford- and I will willingly manage it for you when you are away :0)
(It is nice to have daydreams!)
Page created 29 may 1998