Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Jarrod Kimber’s Lost Cricket Ground Complaint Sparks Chatbot Jokes
Jarrod Kimber is worried about a cricket ground called New Beckenham.
He said the ground may be lost after HSBC UK sold the land.
The club has five senior teams and many young players.
Kimber said finding another ground of the same quality could be difficult.
He also said Crystal Palace might use more local land for football training.
He wants people to remember that cricket needs local clubs, not only professional teams.
HSBC UK replied by asking him to send a private message so it could investigate.
People joked that the reply sounded like a chatbot misunderstanding what Kimber had lost.
Australian cricket analyst Jarrod Kimber said New Beckenham’s future was uncertain after HSBC UK reportedly sold the land.
Kimber said New Beckenham has five senior teams and a large, growing junior section.
He alleged the sale could help Crystal Palace acquire more local space for football training.
Kimber warned that London cricket clubs increasingly face poor facilities as quality grounds disappear.
HSBC UK’s request for a private message prompted users to joke that its response sounded like a confused chatbot.
- Who
- Australian cricket analyst Jarrod Kimber, HSBC UK, New Beckenham Cricket Club, and Crystal Palace are involved.
- What
- Kimber raised concerns that the sale of New Beckenham’s ground could threaten the club’s future and local grassroots cricket.
- When
- The complaint and HSBC UK’s response were discussed on social media; no specific date is provided.
- Where
- New Beckenham in London, United Kingdom.
- Why
- Kimber said quality cricket facilities are becoming harder to find and that the club may struggle to replace its ground.
- Ground
- New Beckenham
- Club structure
- Five senior teams and a large, growing junior section
- Land seller
- HSBC UK
- Potential alternative use
- Crystal Palace football training
- Main concern
- The club may not find another facility with a cricket square of comparable quality
- Social-media reaction
- Users joked that HSBC UK’s response sounded like a chatbot misunderstanding the complaint