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Ancestor adds up to an Ashes link for Alex
The chartered accountants who are sponsoring Sussex's annual visit to Arundel have revealed a link to the Ashes.
Spofforths are backing the five days of cricket between Sussex and Hampshire in the shadow of Arundel Castle in mid-July.
The Spofforths festival co-incides with the Ashes, so it's fitting the firm have a link to the series.
Fred Spofforth, a man who shaped the Ashes and is known as the 'demon bowler', is a distant relative of the firm's IT partner, Alex Spofforth.
Fred was born in Sydney and played for New South Wales and took part in Australian tours in England.
Spofforth earned his nickname when the touring Australians met the MCC at Lord's and the colonists won.
Spofforth picked up ten for 20, bowling a certain WG Grace for a duck. English batsmen feared Spofforth as he would often stare straight at them.
Alex Spofforth said: "He had a nose for financial figures, too. Fred inspected the accounts of Derbyshire CCC and found a shortfall of over 1,000 which was due to embezzlement by the former captain, who duly fled the country."
Spofforth used his scare technique during the match that gave birth to the Ashes, played at The Oval in August 1882.
England required 85 to clinch the match, but Spofforth led his team to a remarkable victory by seven runs, taking match figures of 14 for 90.
Alex said: "If Fred had been around today he could have just as easily played for England. He married an English lady, Phyllis Cadman, while here on his fifth tour. He played for Derbyshire. He's buried in Surrey."
Meanwhile, the firm is delighted to be sponsoring the festival and entertaining clients.
Sussex host Hampshire in an four-day county championship match from July 15 to July 18, followed by a Pro40 one-day contest on Sunday, July 19.
Don't miss next week's Observer (July 2), in which we will be giving away tickets to each day of the festival.
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Monday 13 February 2012
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