Results tagged “cricket” from Oh Susanna

The office has been buzzing with anticipation at the prospect of our trip to the MCG to see Australia vs New Zealand in a one day cricket match this afternoon and evening.

To my chagrin, I couldn't find anything in the wardrobe which had the Aussie colours, and the Kiwis in the office are bound to have patriotic dress theme, and I really don't want to feel out of it. When I  think about it, I don't even have an Aussie scarf (not that I would want to wear it when it's a predicted temperature of 30 deg) but I do have a NZ silver fern scarf, which was a give away at Auckland airport when I bought some duty free alcohol there last year. At least I didn't buy it deliberately...!

Let's hope for fair umpiring decisions, a close match and an Aussie victory to get the season back on track. (And quickness of wit and tongue to offer some clever repartee, on my part, should the need arise...)

It was a busy weekend, after last week's hot weather. It is strange how temperatures in the 30's which we would normally be complaining about now seem quite mild. A busy Saturday: I managed to get some major re-organisation of my wardrobe done in the morning, mainly throwing out some stuff, and reorganising like into like which should make the work day morning easier to manage.

Any plans for Saturday afternoon were thrown into disarray by a severe headache, presumably brought on by "challenge" of sodium metabisulphite, shortly before. Alas, this means I will have to continue to be careful to avoid preserved meats, wine and anything in the 220-228 food additive range. Luckily, some paracetamol and rest made a Vietnamese BBQ (no additives) a very pleasant diversion in the evening, followed by a long Skype session with Aussie Lass who has been suffering with pharyngitis, followed by a severe ear infection, complicated by an allergy to penicillin.

Sunday lunch: prawns, salad and home made mayonnaise, goes to show that you can still have a really nice meal, even with food restrictions.

Sunday afternoon: a lovely snooze, before heading off to the Melbourne Zoo Twilight Concert, for the 21st birthday party of the lovely S.

The final activity of the weekend, keeping up with cricket and tennis matches being concurrently played: the final of the Australian Open Tennis and the first One day cricket match between Australia and NZ, both of which were pretty exciting matches kept me out of bed much longer than I had intended. (Flicking between the channels, until I could stay awake no longer)

Earlier in the evening, with Australia all out for 181, and in contemplating the prospect of an easy NZ victory in 30 or 40 overs, I contemplated finding some excuse for not going to work this morning: just to avoid the hard time I might have got. Thankfully, the game turned into a thriller, not a walkover, and I can hold my head up high this morning, despite the Aussies losing.

A thrilling five set tennis match with Nadal coming out the victor over Federer just made us appreciate the skill of these fine tennis players, who were definitely not just going through the motions.

Late yesterday afternoon a captivating game of cricket became even more enthralling than anyone could have imagined when the South Africans came close to avoiding a loss in the final Test match of the series, played in Sydney over five days, with 10 balls to spare.

Test cricket has become much maligned in recent years, due to our modern appetite for an exciting and quick resolution to a game. However, the twists and turns of fortune in a typical test match always keep me absorbed in a game of strategy and skill that has no rival in the sporting world.

Our cafeteria is equipped with large screen televisions, so the ardent cricket fan who keeps track of the score on the internet can make the dash to see wickets fall in replay.

Almost as one, when the ninth wicket fell, nearly everyone left in the office from our team, swept into the cafeteria to watch the spectacle of a number 11 batsman, who is in the team for his bowling, not his batting, attempt to hold out the Australian bowlers, three of whom are still novices at their trade. The South African Captain, Graeme Smith, came out to bat with a broken hand, and injured elbow, with just 8.2 overs (50 balls) left in the match. Could he hold out, and force an unlikely draw, or would Australia get that last wicket...

Even in our office in Melbourne, you could almost cut the tension in the air with a knife. Our team is of multicultural origin, with many of us having a love for the game. Just different loyalties.

Each time either of the batsmen put bat to ball, there was an almost audible gasp, especially when it was clear that the jarring on Smith's injured hand was causing him extreme discomfort. As armchair experts, we were dismissive of any ball bowled that was not on line and length, as it did not force the batsman to play the ball.

Eventually the Aussies prevailed, and Johnson's speed and accuracy won out, as Smith's stumps were knocked over at last.

Today's newspapers rank this game as one of the most courageous displays of bravery by a player in the history of the game. I would have to agree.

Our guests left this morning, the weather is warm, and it was a good thing that the cricket is on the TV (the Boxing Day Test), so I could sit in a recliner chair, and watch the final exciting two hours of Australia's first innings, as I am knackered. Three days of fine food, and I have had enough, and a simple toasted sandwich for lunch was enough. An inspection of supplies indicated that another trip to Vic Market was not necessary, and that we have enough chocolate and sweets on hand to last us for months. Especially as I am continuing the healthy eating regime! Still, a taste of this and that, with any luck will do no harm.

The cricket continued after lunch, with the South Africans on the back foot, and three more days' play provides an excuse for some more lazy afternoons...