No Zander at New Road
Weather wins in the end
By Grockle
April 27 2008
Somerset have Worcestershire on the ropes when the rain comes in a one day game that was always running from the rain. Eventually the rain won the day but not before we'd run through the "Pears" batting list with aplomb and had them on the verge of not making a defendable total. Shame but "undefeated in 2008" isn't a bad position to be in.
v Worcestershire (FPT) @ New Road Sunday 27 April 2008
No squad information at the moment from the official sources but you have to assume certain things will already be in place for Justin Langer for tomorrow. He also has a number of problems from theform displayed by his players during the last week.
Who opens with Marcus? It has to be Kieswetter again doesn't it? He didn't push the score along against Hampshire but he's coming into this game off a very quick 42 off two England bowlers.
Justin at 3 and Hildreth at 4.
Who bats at 5? Well that has to be de Bruyn surely. They aren't going to write about him being there and then not play him in the position they've already identified as the one they want him to fill.
That means John Francis will stand down for this game and Ian Blackwell will stay at 6 - possibly he might come in earlier as his form seems to be awesome at the moment with 3 50 plus scores in 3 games!
So...7 to 11? Well no Caddick so who will be the 4 men who will provide the bowling? Willoughby must be one. After last week, one would expect Phillips to be another. Ian would be the only spinner if the 4 were seamers so Munday, Durston or Banks might have a say for one place and Mark Turner must be in with some shout after the excellent three wickets at Old Trafford.......
Alfonso Thomas? I don't personally think so yet. He might need a week to show us what he has. But he needs to show something special to offer a competitive threat to our young surprise package. What price a place for the Welshman Jones? He did nothing wrong last weekend - except maybe not take enough wickets.
I think the surprises will come in the bowling although if the top 6 aren't those mentioned above .....now that would be a surprise!!

What are the chances of this today without loadsa rain as well? Well it's a bit miserable on the Channel coast!
The Game
Well they've started on time but which teamsheet we go with depends on who we hear or read first. According to Somerset Sound it is an unchanged side from Old Trafford but Cricinfo say different!!
Looking at the scoresheet, it seems that Steffan Jones has replaced Mike Munday and Wes Durston is in for Mark Turner. We've won the toss and have decided to field with Willow and Jonah opening the bowling.
Captain Solanki and wicketkeeper Davies open for the home side and the latter is the first to feel the Jones' venom as he is caught by Langer witht he score on 20. The first Ali soean't last long as he succumbs to one that moves from our lefty and tickles one into the grateful Kieswetter gloves of green. 35 for 2

However, Solanki is the danger and he is still there. What's more he is now joined by Ben Smith who has belted us about before. But niether of the danger men stay long as first Smith is LBW to Steffan and then the big one as the Royals skipper is caught behind off Willoughby
The lefty isa bowling like a dream, taking names but not giving away wickets and when Ben Phillips arrives, we say goodbye to Mr Moore who has yet to add to his side's score. It isn't going well for the men from the West MIdlands!! You could say it's all going "Pear Shaped"

Batty and Mitchell put up more of a fight and we eventually have to turn to...

And the man Hildreth has a part in cutting through the Worcestershire batting line-up. In the above he's just got Kabir Ali but before that he took out Batty at 96 (caught Phillips). Ali went next ball - there's been a number of two wicket spells in our games so far.
Enter some newbie called Andrew. Wonder where he came from? Seems a bit of an allrounder and looks like he knows which end of a bat to use because he puts on 22

Eventually Ian Blackwell gets in on the wickets and we say goodbye to our ex-teammate and wish him good luck in his future...against other people.
The rain came 10 runs later and it didn't stop enough for the game to continue. One point each but Worcestershire on the rocks at the time of the end....superb bowling from Charl (9/5/14/2). Good support from Phillips and Blackwell tight and wicket taking. Backup from Jones and Hildreth less tight but more wickets with Trego the only one without a stump to his name.
We had this one. But the weather beat us.

Although he has most likely recovered, they may still give him a day`s rest and play Steffan and another spinner.
I'm more interested in the team selection for the next CC game. If they're really convinced that Caddy is good to go, then they will obviously play him, but Mark Turner's 3 top innings wickets at Old Trafford surely demand that he retain his place? I think it would be ludicrous not to persist with him for the next game. At the same time, De Bruyn will presumably come into the CC side and, hopefully, Neil Edwards will be available too. And will Mr Rose want to get his Kolpak bowler into the team too???

No Apple AM coverage but I've linked in the BBc site in the hope we hear something from 2:00 onwards.

VS Solanki, GJ Batty, DKH Mitchell, GM Andrew, Kabir Ali, MM Ali, SJ Magoffin, SC Moore, BF Smith, CD Whelan, SM Davies
Somerset team (incomplete)
PD Trego, BJ Phillips, ID Blackwell, JC Hildreth, PS Jones, JL Langer, ME Trescothick, WJ Durston, C Kieswetter, JD Francis
No Zander as yet
It would be a vote of no confidence in players who deserve their chance like Francis and Durston. And, yes, I do think they would see it that way.
I'm sorry but I can take no pleasure in a cynical signing that undermines both the integrity of Somerset cricket and the game in general.
Some like Grockle don't believe we should take a positive view of everything; backing up the club, even when we think they think they've got it wrong.
I disagree.
We have four, FOUR South Africans in our squad. Do a I remember the club saying it was against Kolpaks? Or do we throw our principles and integrity out of the window in search of success?
Whatever De Bruyn and Thomas are paid it should be invested in the youth system so the future Trescothicks and Hildreths are developed. Who knows we might even find a seam bowler one day.
I'm not against all signings; we'd be in trouble without Willoughby. I'm deeply troubled by this and I hope we won't see more home growns like Wood and Spurway forced to leave the country that should be bringing them on.
Durston and Francis do.
I can assure you I'm as pleased with that as you are KT.
But perhaps unlike you, I'm pleased Craig's playing, too.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
de Bruyn and Thomas have be the best to play. And if the youth aren't good enough they have to work to get back by being better.
Craig is no more a "South African" than Ramprakash and Hussain were "Indian" or Peter Bowler was "Australian".
On that basis let's get rid of one of the other Millfield boy - the "Malaysian" Suppiah.
What does a player have to do to be a "Somerset" youth? Go to a local school and work his way through the sides to the seconds before being selected? Ohhh whoops Craig did that!
Good to see that Steff and Wes get a go and that faith remains in John after a mediocre CC1 game - he fields like a demon though. Wasn't the day for MM anyway.
Over cooking the argument KT. Stay with de Bruyn and we'll probably be with you but leave off the 'integrity' of Somerset cricket please.


The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]He's Welsh.
Well,Llangennech anyway which is considered a province in its own right.
Good rugby side too.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
We must keep it pure.
As pure as the driven scrump.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Error second wicket was for Willoughby
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:27:14:05:03 by Mike BOS.
Jonah is keeping good company.
BVI Grockle

The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]BVI Grockle

The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]BVI Grockle

The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Voice of reason: perhaps it is doing all sorts and it was a good toss to win. Or maybe we're just awesome.
BVI Grockle

The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]And another!
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:27:15:14:16 by Loyal of Lhasa..
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
And sad.
And proud of it.
Any more wickets?
Who is this boy Andrew.
He sounds quite good.
Well done Gareth,he seems to have settled in well.
Rain coming.
A close call for Stoke yesterday.
It was nearly party time.
Any indications on when the cricket may resume?
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]
Although my radio coverage has stopped

The good news, is that the sun has been out in Shrewsbury for an hour or so, so we may see a D/L Somerset innings yet.
The bad news, is that it's just gone overcast again!
DL is supposed to be fair and will certainly be fair enough for the all-conquering men of Somerset.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Well done on 60 years. Are the club marking this monumental innings?
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Robbed !
Grizzzly
I'm especially glad we chose to stay in cloudy, damp Dorset!
2nd XI Championship game v The Gloucesters.
A 3 day game prior to the next FPT on Friday should decide what shape they are in for selection.
Rain at Worcester and hassle from Lord's
John

At a time when we've all been discussing the future of cricket things like this take your breath away.
What on earth was all that about?
Nothing worse than jobsworth stewards.
Post it on the Middlesex site and see if they have any views on it.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]LoL
On what grounds? worthless fascist.
BVI Grockle

"Just look at this Justin. What with all the extra time at home I've been having, I've been brushing up my hanging basket skills. I can point out several basic errors with this one straight away"
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:28:12:14:39 by bloke.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Yep...the same steward had been a little overjealous the day before I noticed but essentially her beef was that a) I had what looked to her like a decent camera and lens (ergo I am a pro, a quick look at my photos would have discounted that) and b) I was taking plenty of photos. I moved to by the nursery end sightscreen for a while to avoid her glowering.
I wasn't alone, she freaked out someone else sitting nearby who had a point-and-shoot. Reminiscent of the cricket World Cup when bringing in Coke was a no-go because Pepsi was a sponsor. Not impressed at all. If the weather's kind, we'll see how I'm treated at the Rose Bowl or swiftly ejected.
Climacool Cobblers
John
"Well Skipper,it worked for a while for a short Austrian bloke".
If we could just get you stretched a bit,just a few inches to say this height then perhaps you could stand in my garden holding a fishing rod by the pool.
I must get off my knees now mate,they're getting soaked."
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Don't forget,we declare after two balls.
You'll get a great price and nobody'll recognise you in your romper suit".
or
You could grow cabbages on this field.
or
Yes, it's a nice town here, but it's hardly Keynsham.
Furthermore, to say that he is a 'Somerset youth' just because he spent 2 terms (yes, 2 whole terms!) at Millfield is stretching a point too far. He had already come through the South African system and represented South Africa U-19s in the U-19 World Cup before he arrived at Millfield.
From the perspective of nationality, there is no such thing as "English" - Kieswetter is entitled to a British passport because his mother is British. Exactly the same situation as one Kevin Pietersen.
Ramprakash is descended from an Irish mother and a Guyanan father - so any suggestion that he's Indian is ludicrous.
But, forgive Grockle that one error, and his general point is valid. Remind me where Tony Greig, Allan Lamb, Robin Smith, Basil D'Oliveira and Derek Pringle were born, could you?
In terms of Kieswetter, the most sensible comparison is with Suppiah - but people seem to have a different agenda when the country of origin is not a Test rival.
Then ask yourselves which nations each of them represented at Schoolboy and Youth levels?
Now if you'd just define for us all how long you are allowed to live in a country before you lose the chance to choose another country to play the majority of your cricket in.
Is it within the first year?
When you take on the characteristics of that culture and therefore are obviously from there?
Maybe it's around the time you suggest you may be able to play the game..early teens perhaps?
Before you play your first full international for one nation?
No that can't be it because Craig hasn't gone that far yet so it must be one of the others.
Whoops...better tell Hick, Lamb, Watkin, Bowler....ohh and Caddick that they are all aliens. They can't be 'English' because they obviously come from somewhere else.
Are they tainted in the same way or should they be allowed to follow the rules and choose to play for a country (except Bowler) as long as they commit to that one at a the first major part of their career - the choice of country?
Another complication...what if you look like you live somewhere else but have a British passport? Not by some subterfuge by which you got it through fraud but because...ohhh my God your immediate ancestors were....British!!! That messes things up doesn't it?
Until Craig chooses to be South African he's British. Mark could have chosen to play for the West Indies irrespective of where he played his cricket because he was eligible to under the rules. Arul can choose to be British and play cricket here...or he can choose to be Malyasian in which case different rules apply - as they will to Craig if he decides against England and English cricket.
The same choice was offered to Symonds a while ago and he knew where his loyalties lay. Why don't we let Craig decide where his loyalties are rather than choosing for him because he has a clipped African accent?
He is a British boy (by definition) who transferred to a local school, played for our seconds for 2 seasons without complaint, took his chance in the first team and does nothing to bring Somerset cricket into disrepute because of where he was originally from.
He isn't a mercenary or a kolpak player but seems to upset some people because he doesn't happen to roll his 'r's or pronounce his 'S's like 'Z's. Watch out guys...some of our players come from North of Birmingham and we can identify them when they talk!!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:28:21:15:25 by Grockle.
Quote:Grockle
Mark could have chosen to play for India
Whilst I support absolutely everything you have to say on this matter, Grockle, I'm pretty sure you are wrong on this point. It would have been West Indies rather than India, I'm sure.
Apologies to all. Got a little hot under the collar.

Take a breather all.
Get yourself down to Gipsy Lane,Tuesday
Zander & Alfonso set to appear in the 2nd XI
Thanks for letting us know Ajay

Wes Durston is the Captain of a strong team from.
John Francis, Arul Suppiah, Zander De Bruyn, Wes Durston, Omari Banks, Carl Gazzard, Keith Parsons, Alfonso Thomas, Steffan Jones, Michael Munday, Andy Sutton, and Max Waller.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:28:22:51:25 by Mike BOS.
As usual, there is an enormous amount of 'fudging' about. As usual, there are people who take advantage of the system to further themselves in areas where they might not have had the opportunity had it been down to geographical birth and not the ability to travel.
In another thread we have celebrated the life of a player who, for all intents and purposes, was as Somerset as they come - even though born in the North East. I can see where people come from when they bemoan Kolpaks and others who play the system.
However, if you don't want Kolpaks it has to be ALL Kolpaks, Charl included. You can't be selective just because someone is an 'all-round good egg and snappy dresser' (BJ will probably recognise the term for the light-hearted naval term that it is!).
If you want a return to the times of ruling whereby counties have the services of those born within their boundaries (a la Yorkshire prior to Tendulkar and Richardson) then fine. But at least recognise the limitations that may result.
If we lose Craig, do we also lose Hildreth, Gazzard, Edwards, Munday, Caddick, Blackwell, Francis, Jones, Lett, Phillips, Sutton, Turner and Waller? Suddenly looks a little different then ...
Click on the link for eligibility if interested:
[icc-cricket.yahoo.com]
This argument will occupy cricket lovers (especially those with any kind of vested interest) for many a year. However, the system works for and against. Do you want to watch mediocre cricket played by locals or better cricket that inspires Somerset kids to aspire to be the next generation and raises awareness of the game as only success can do?
Plenty of people bemoaned cricket leaving BBC, then bemoaned it again when it left C4 after the best season for public awareness since 1981! In it's general absence from terrestrial TV shouldn't we be glad that 'stars' are back at Taunton and locally we have a team on the 'up.'
After all, how many of them moaned about lads from Shepton Mallet and Writhlington missing out when Sir Viv was bashing the ball and Big Bird was bowling us to the fabled 'glory years?'
VtF.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:28:23:42:26 by VictheFish.
A simple soul I may be but in my opinion when I see eleven players out there wearing our colours they're all from Somerset and reprsenting our County.
If a player wants to give his all in the name of SCCC he'll get my support even if he wasn't born within the County boundary.
We have a nice blend of players here at the moment and from what I've seen and heard they all play as a team,committed to success.
Let's not split hairs now we're up and running.
Let's just pray they can bring home the bacon.
The eggs.
And the County Championship.
Rather than saying you can't play because of where you come from we must ensure that you don't automatically get a place in the team because of where you came from.
If everyone is seen as equal in the eyes of the selection panel and the only thing that decides who plays is the form of an individual at that time then we have an inclusive process and we get the strongest unit.
If, as KT, complains, kolpak players are taking the place of deserving local players then this process stops that happening. If the deserving local player is good enough he takes the place of the less able kolpak and the process of kolpak purchasing becomes irrelevant.
If the kolpak player is the better cricketer, then building into contracts that the player will help out locally while here helps improve the local stock of professional prospects. Hopefully, eventually, the kolpak makes himself redundant by training the raw material to take his place!!
So...sign kolpaks for your area of weakness but select on merit seems a sensible policy. If your youngsters are good enough then they'll play. If not then they have someone to work with to improve and strengthen the sqaud.
On that basis you understand the continued presence of Willoughby and the short term existence of Thomas. de Bruyn is more of a problem because the majority don't see the weakness in our present squad members. But, as he's here, he'll have to earn his place like everyone else and if he does then we should support him and hope he teaches some valuable lessons during his stay...so we don't need him in the future.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:28:23:43:23 by Grockle.
Craig spent his childhood in South Africa because his parents chose to base themselves there.
Craig did not become British last year. He has held a British passport since he was 6 weeks old.
Craig's family have owned a home in the UK for as long has he has been born and have spent time there every year.
Craig's father has a business in England and Scotland which he travels to every 6 weeks and has done for many years.
Craig left South Africa as soon as his parents allowed him to - they thought in order to further his education but his main goal was to pursue a career he has dreamt of since he was 5 - becoming a county cricketer
Craig did not come to Somerset for monetary reasons
CRAIG WANTS TO PLAY CRICKET
Grizzzly
But that does not stop me from being
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Oh, all right, Grockle can stay, or he may not let us use his bat and ball. And LoL and Big Jim and...
Okay, forget it.
Yes, it is all rather barmy, and certainly rather arbitrary.
I was born in Somerset but haven't lived there since I was a young child. Does this make me more of a Somerset person than LoL who wasn't born there, but clearly has far more meaningful connections with the county? Of course it doesn't. Yet my parents brought me up to think of myself as a Somerset person. I have never dreamt of following another cricketing county.
Well said indeed, 0117. Let's hope Craig has a great season for his county.
The fact I was born in Somerset did make a difference in that remark.
The link to my Photos on Photobucket - [s1152.photobucket.com]LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
- Shepton Mallet born (when St Peters was a proper hospital);
- Dorset raised initially (though spent too much time at Frenchay in Bristol!), then back to Shepton;
- saw first cricket match Som v Australians at Bath in 1972;
- Bruton schooled, though regular visitor to Taunton, Glastonbury and Bath for weekend cricket;
- London University;
- now live near Reading.
Does that make me more Somerset than Craig, Caddy or Blackie? Does it matter?
It’s lovely to have promising local, west country talent in the team. But I’m just as happy with a young South African like Kieswetter* as I would be with a young player from the north of England or the South-East of England or what have you.
* and, no, I’m not really interested in the semantics of him having a British passport, My girlfriend is from overseas. She has a British passport, but it doesn’t make her ‘British,’ in any meaningful way.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
In the case of your girlfriend, you presumambly know her, and where her national empathies lie.
With Craig, you don't!
LoL is right in that in 1948 Harold Stephenson's county of birth was not first class so he had to go soemwhere else. I'm so glad it was Somerset and he was so Somerset that I never think of him as coming from Co Durham
Playing "career" started with Bristol University Staff Association. Three of us who were keen but were never going to get near the Varsity side were invited. Been a two-club man for the last 17 years, one playing friendlies in North Essex where I played against a very young Tim Phillips, now of Essex, and one in the Cambridgeshire League.
First cricket watched live was at Headingley: David Gower's disastrous decision to insert the Aussies in '89, the start of Steve Waugh's run of 393 runs for once out.
Seen our boys only three times in the flesh, once in Bath, once at Lord's and once on the glorious day of hit and giggle at the Oval. My Taunton baptism is just a few weeks away!
Craig has made it clear where his heart is and when he's keeping for England soon we'll all forget that his parents had to raise him outside of the Somerset borders.
As for roots I have more of them than Alex Haley,Kunta Kinte and Chicken George put together.My only link with this beautiful County is my wife.
It doesn't make me love it any less than the man who has lived in Nempnet Thrubwell all his life,nothing will ever change that.
To suggest otherwise is small minded and insular.
They are qualities which do not help anybody or anything.
LoL
Sixty-six Seasons a Somerset Supporter
Fancy a cider?
In the case of your girlfriend, you presumambly know her, and where her national empathies lie. "
Not really, FE, unless what you're saying is that folks can just choose a nationality that they want to belong to.
If folks want to do that, then that doesn't bother me in the slightest as I couldn't give a monkey's about nationality, but it would rather render the whole concept of nationality somewhat meaningless for those who do give a monkey's about it.
Uncle played for Gloucestershire, but still only one county for me.
Just one thing - I don't really like cider. I'll understand if I'm barred.
BVI Grockle

It is the most delightful stuff you can imagine,chilled on a hot Summmer's day.
You drink three pints and feel like a Somerset Superman.
You then try and talk.
Nothing much comes out.
You then try and walk.
This is where crutches come in handy.
Being a non drinker now this is the one drink I miss.
Many mental days were spent on that gear.
But answer me this, FE. Let’s say Craig scores 1,000 runs this season. An office colleague notices Craig near the top of the batting averages and asks “Kieswetter, that’s an unusual name, where is he from then?”
Would you really give the incomplete and somewhat misleading reply that “He’s British and went to Millfield.”
Or would you give a rather fuller and more honest answer of;
“Brought up in South Africa but has decided to qualify for England and so is playing County Cricket for Somerset. Will be the next England wicket-keeper etc etc.”
The reality is that many, many people will see somebody as being ‘of the nationality,’ of the place where they were brought up, spent their formative years etc.
The argument that comparing Kieswetter with De Bruyn is an ‘apples with oranges,’ argument on the grounds of their current intentions vis-à-vis England is an eminently sensible one.
But pretending that Craig is ‘no more South African,’ than Ramprakash is Guyanese makes very little sense, given that Craig has only left SA (on a ‘permanent,’ basis) in the past 3 years or so.
A more meaningful comparison would surely be with Allan Lamb or Robin Smith? (assuming that they spent their formative years in SA and came over for cricketing reasons)
And whilst they played for ‘England,’ the fact remains that not everybody would consider either or both men to be “British.”
Some people that think of them as South African might be bothered by this fact. Others, like me, will thank our lucky stars that they made themselves available to England to show immense courage and skill in the face of the West Indian pace barrage.
I'm also interested to see that they are keeping MKM bowling.
I wonder whether they want to simply get him as much bowling as humanly possible, or whether this is a sign that they probably don't plan on playing him at Taunton?
If Hants really are going to be shorn of both Mascharenas and Tremlett and maybe Bond, then i'd have thought that JL would prefer it - if at all possible - if Mr Frost could produce a seam-friedly service to expedite an opening SCCC victory?
Even without Caddy, I'd have thought we'd fancy our chances against a 'reserve,' Hants attack?
It's clear from your reference to Robin Smith and Allan Lamb as "more relevant examples" that you haven't read the whole thread (I cited those examples myself yesterday!), so perhaps you've also failed to notice that Craig has had dual nationality for all of his life, and that his parents have had a significant presence here for all of his life.
There is of coure one reason why RS and AL are totally irrelevant as comparisons, because there was absolutely zero chance of their playing Test cricket for the country of their birth, so they didn't need to "become British" in the sense that modern South Africans would.
In terms of them not needing to 'become British,' are you saying that they just walked straight into the team without any qualification period? Do you know that for a fact? I've looked for info on this matter on-line and can find nothing, one way or the other.
And yes, I know that he's always had a dual nationality because I read it in 0117s post as, I assume, you did.
AG if you have 2 passports then you are both nationalities until you choose to vote in one country's elections when you claim that citizenship and forgoe the other.
It's not for us to decide what nationality Craig is. It is for him to do so. We can only assume from the fact that he has chosen to live and work here that (until he acts differently) he sees himself as British. If he later chooses to decide to take South African citizenship then so be it but until then he is a dual national with a British emphasis - if you want to be pedantic.

I'm not sure where you get your stuff about voting, Grockle. I'd be interested to know.
Edit: in the cases of RS and AL, all I can find is that they qualified through their "parent's English heritage". Wikipedia research shows that at the time of their births (pre 1983) only their fathers were legally able to convey automatic British citizenship.
Quote:Prior to 1983, as a general rule British nationality could only be transmitted from the father through one generation only, and parents were required to be married.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:29:15:49:13 by Frome Exile.
I have to deal with this sort of thing regularly here in the BVI. The 'belongers' (i.e. those who were born in the BVI) consider themselves to be above any outsiders, wherever they are from. To the expatriate, it comes across as racist and ridiculous.
BVI Grockle

Quote:AGod
and also South African!
Not necessarily.
Quote:Wikipedia - South African Nationality Law
Dual nationality
Prior to 2004, South Africa in principle did not recognise the multiple citizenship of its nationals unless the citizen applied for an exemption or permission letter under a 1995 law permitting South African citizens to travel using foreign passports.
Since 2004, South African dual nationals may travel without hindrance as long as they enter and leave South Africa on their South African passports. Dual nationals may petition for temporary, emergency or "permanent" South African passports for this purpose.
However, a South African citizen who by a formal and voluntary act acquires the citizenship of another country, automatically loses his or her South African citizenship unless they apply for, and receive permission to retain their South African citizenship before acquiring the citizenship of another country.
That could well depend on whether applying for a British passport is considered "a formal and voluntary act" by which Craig has acquired citizenship of another country.
[www.southafricahouse.com]
I don't think a qualification by birth would count as acquisition of citizenship in any legal context, anyway. And of course application for, and acquisition of, a passport is not the same as acquisition of citizenship. There are many British citizens still, who do not hold, and have never held, any passport.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:04:29:15:23:37 by Frome Exile.
Treat him well. Don't treat him like an outsider. He is respectfully working hard to gain acceptance and hopefully will make you all proud.
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Regardless of where he was born and however many passports he holds, Craig is now a citizen of Somerset.
Treat him well. Don't treat him like an outsider. He is respectfully working hard to gain acceptance and hopefully will make you all proud.
I'm sure that 99% of the posters, here, will welcome any Somerset player with open arms. We all love you Craig!
On a day we remember one of the finest glovemen in Somerset history let's all give our best wishes to another young lad who hopes to fill that same position with similar passion and pride.
Good luck Craig,we're all behind you 100% of the way.
