So now I shall attempt a late recount of the tour.
On our second day in Manchester, England the group played their first game in the UK at Westleigh while a few of us who were rostered off travelled to Bradford to watch Steve Menzies’ Bradford Bulls take on the Castleford Tigers in a UK Super League match at Gratton Stadium. Travelling on the English motorways was a new experience. Despite the speed limit, people tend to fly as if they are on a German autobahn. However Jacko refused to do as the Romans do and we trundled along at on or just below the limit. We took quite a while to find the ground – probably because it is basically in a crater. The stadium was fantastic, a great ground to watch league at and the small crowd of 8000 provided a decent atmosphere. Quite surprising considering this ground held the attendance record for a league match before 2000 with over 100k at the ground. It was an entertaining game with typical super league defence (horrible) and tries were easy to come by for both teams. It was a seesawing game with Castleford edging it in the end 40-38. After we (mainly Jacko) spent most of the game abusing Dean Widders, he ended up making 3 line breaks in the 2nd half including a length of the field try to win the game for Castleford. After the game we met up with and had a chat to Steve Menzies and Chris Nero, whom we got free tickets through.
So when that was over we made our way to Westleigh to join the rest of the group and watch the rest of the game. It was an even contest with Westleigh being too good in the end, chasing down CPCC’s total of 7/214 off 40 in the 36th over with 4 wickets in hand. Not only were we beaten in the cricket but we were also controversially outdone in the boat race after a disappointing performance.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sorry
Well my plans to blog my tour often were a failure. The packed schedule meant I had hardly any time, and my laptop became the town bycicle. I also lost my internet USB thing.
Anyway the tour has been great, I ended up with 13 wickets and nearly 100 runs. I got my first 4 fa in a long time. I'm writing this from Amsterdam, which I have loved. We leave for Germany tomorrow.
Hopefully I'll have more time to catch up things over the next few days, but don't count on it.
Back in a week and a bit, TC.
Anyway the tour has been great, I ended up with 13 wickets and nearly 100 runs. I got my first 4 fa in a long time. I'm writing this from Amsterdam, which I have loved. We leave for Germany tomorrow.
Hopefully I'll have more time to catch up things over the next few days, but don't count on it.
Back in a week and a bit, TC.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Singapore
I am writing this on the plane to Manchester with about 4 hours left in the flight and after only about a 1 hour sleep.
CPCC have lost the first match of the 09 Tour to the Misfits at the Ceylon Sports Ground, Singapore. It was a high scoring, good game and a great day. The astro pitch looked decent and the outfield was lightning fast. We bowled first, with me opening the bowling with Col, and struggled from the outset. There was not one millimetre of swing, even with the brand new ball, and a dodgy legside wide rule, which eventually faded out during the game, didn’t help me. Their opening batsmen retired at 30 and it was quite a while before Deano took the first wicket on tour. We managed to fight back at bit in the 2nd half of the game with Dean and Dee bowling quite well. I came back on for a second spell despite being hit by a tough dose of one of my typical headaches. Somehow it made me bowl a bit better and I grabbed my first international wicket off a rubbish short ball outside off, which was cut in the air straight to Graeme at cover. I also managed to take a second, another ordinary short ball on off which was pulled high in the air, and thanks to some great field placement from Deano, straight to Minnett. My 2 fa was good enough to land me as equal top wicket taker on tour so far. Deano was very unlucky to only get 1, he had numerous chances go down and was definitely the pick of the bowlers. The Misfits ended up with 202 off their 30 overs, my figures were 2/34 off 6.
In our chase, the boys put in a great effort. I didn’t feature, being put down the order (and thank gosh for that, I was stuffed). Adrian and Camo opened up, both looking good against some quick bowling. Camo fell for 17 and Mugsy went on to retire at 30. From there we had Minnett retire at 30 also and Deano just miss out on getting us home with 27 not out. The Plateau finished with 191 with plenty of wickets in hand. Our batting line-up is looking quite solid.
There were some big hits on the day. One Misfit smoked one all the way out of the ground in straight into the traffic on the main road. Deano hit a six into the club house, scattering everyone and destroying a water bottle. Overall it was a great day, with awesome hospitality at the Ceylon Sports Ground. Singapore was great, although I’m not going to miss the weather, I can’t stand that sort of humidity.
We also had a good night the night before at the Cavern on boat key. I opened up my boat race account with a win.
The plane trip into Singapore was great. Meals were good and I enjoyed the unlimited beverages. The 7 hours went quite quickly. This one has been quite different however. I was already shutting my eyes on the bus to the airport and feeling pretty rubbish after my day in the heat. It is nearly impossible for me to sleep here on the plane. Then I got a bit sick but it’s all good now.
Quote of the tour so far was made by Brendo on the flight into Singapore. There was some guy sitting down who had covered himself completely in his blanket. I pointed him out to the others and Brendo pulls out “He’s dead!”, “He’s been there for two years... I mean what are you going to do?”. Was a classic. As I finish this up, we are currently flying over Russia.
CPCC have lost the first match of the 09 Tour to the Misfits at the Ceylon Sports Ground, Singapore. It was a high scoring, good game and a great day. The astro pitch looked decent and the outfield was lightning fast. We bowled first, with me opening the bowling with Col, and struggled from the outset. There was not one millimetre of swing, even with the brand new ball, and a dodgy legside wide rule, which eventually faded out during the game, didn’t help me. Their opening batsmen retired at 30 and it was quite a while before Deano took the first wicket on tour. We managed to fight back at bit in the 2nd half of the game with Dean and Dee bowling quite well. I came back on for a second spell despite being hit by a tough dose of one of my typical headaches. Somehow it made me bowl a bit better and I grabbed my first international wicket off a rubbish short ball outside off, which was cut in the air straight to Graeme at cover. I also managed to take a second, another ordinary short ball on off which was pulled high in the air, and thanks to some great field placement from Deano, straight to Minnett. My 2 fa was good enough to land me as equal top wicket taker on tour so far. Deano was very unlucky to only get 1, he had numerous chances go down and was definitely the pick of the bowlers. The Misfits ended up with 202 off their 30 overs, my figures were 2/34 off 6.
In our chase, the boys put in a great effort. I didn’t feature, being put down the order (and thank gosh for that, I was stuffed). Adrian and Camo opened up, both looking good against some quick bowling. Camo fell for 17 and Mugsy went on to retire at 30. From there we had Minnett retire at 30 also and Deano just miss out on getting us home with 27 not out. The Plateau finished with 191 with plenty of wickets in hand. Our batting line-up is looking quite solid.
There were some big hits on the day. One Misfit smoked one all the way out of the ground in straight into the traffic on the main road. Deano hit a six into the club house, scattering everyone and destroying a water bottle. Overall it was a great day, with awesome hospitality at the Ceylon Sports Ground. Singapore was great, although I’m not going to miss the weather, I can’t stand that sort of humidity.
We also had a good night the night before at the Cavern on boat key. I opened up my boat race account with a win.
The plane trip into Singapore was great. Meals were good and I enjoyed the unlimited beverages. The 7 hours went quite quickly. This one has been quite different however. I was already shutting my eyes on the bus to the airport and feeling pretty rubbish after my day in the heat. It is nearly impossible for me to sleep here on the plane. Then I got a bit sick but it’s all good now.
Quote of the tour so far was made by Brendo on the flight into Singapore. There was some guy sitting down who had covered himself completely in his blanket. I pointed him out to the others and Brendo pulls out “He’s dead!”, “He’s been there for two years... I mean what are you going to do?”. Was a classic. As I finish this up, we are currently flying over Russia.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Final Pre-Tour Post
It has been over a month since my last post, so I thought it would be nice to confirm that I am actually still updating this.
Firstly a form report. I was quite happy with my final net, consistently pitching the ball up and swinging it miles, seems I've come good at the right time. I am sure that over the tour I will continue to improve and hopefully the wickets will come.
Batting has been pretty normal, not much to report. I should get some decent runs if I get the opportunity.
Drinking form is yet to be properly trialled, I am hoping to make a boat race appearance at some point!
So everything is set for the Singapore match in 3 days time.
The first challenge on tour will be waking up at about 4:15 A.M. on Thursday to be on the bus at 4:45 which will get us to the airport at 6 for a 8 o'clock flight.
You may not hear from me while I'm in Singapore, unless I come across a WiFi area. I should have the net up and running when we arrive in Manchester.
Roll on the '09 Tour!
Firstly a form report. I was quite happy with my final net, consistently pitching the ball up and swinging it miles, seems I've come good at the right time. I am sure that over the tour I will continue to improve and hopefully the wickets will come.
Batting has been pretty normal, not much to report. I should get some decent runs if I get the opportunity.
Drinking form is yet to be properly trialled, I am hoping to make a boat race appearance at some point!
So everything is set for the Singapore match in 3 days time.
The first challenge on tour will be waking up at about 4:15 A.M. on Thursday to be on the bus at 4:45 which will get us to the airport at 6 for a 8 o'clock flight.
You may not hear from me while I'm in Singapore, unless I come across a WiFi area. I should have the net up and running when we arrive in Manchester.
Roll on the '09 Tour!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
May 26th Report
Wow, just over a month away from the tour. Getting very close.
Had quite a good training session last night at the SCG nets. Batting was a little off from previous weeks (still decent though) but I had some vision problems so I was quite happy with my hit. I'm really cracking some good drives/cover drives at the moment and me leg side play is improving well.
Some more good news, my bowling felt much better. Slowed my approach right down and bowled some good length outswingers, actually causing some trouble to the batsman for once. Just got to eliminate the couple of long hops I let creep in, and I have something very good to build on in the final 5 weeks of preparation. And mind you, I'm still bowling with an old ball.
Got lots of tour shirts this week. Playing shirts, polo, Twenty20 shirt and alternate training shirt. TC is #14 for the tour. The Plateau has it all.
Had quite a good training session last night at the SCG nets. Batting was a little off from previous weeks (still decent though) but I had some vision problems so I was quite happy with my hit. I'm really cracking some good drives/cover drives at the moment and me leg side play is improving well.
Some more good news, my bowling felt much better. Slowed my approach right down and bowled some good length outswingers, actually causing some trouble to the batsman for once. Just got to eliminate the couple of long hops I let creep in, and I have something very good to build on in the final 5 weeks of preparation. And mind you, I'm still bowling with an old ball.
Got lots of tour shirts this week. Playing shirts, polo, Twenty20 shirt and alternate training shirt. TC is #14 for the tour. The Plateau has it all.
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