Well I say!
Hard luck the Sri Lankans, is what I say. The Aussies played in nice sunshine, and the Sri Lankans were forced to play in complete darkness. Rather a farce, but that's cricket for you. What a wonderful game cricket is!
Doviko's braai was wonderful. I am still digesting it.
Mrs Mkhandawire, from the Chirunga branch of the family, pitched up at half time, along with a whole crowd of people, one of whom claimed to be a half-cousin, once-removed, of slinger Malinga. We went into the details several times, but I am none the wiser. Whatever! Also, Mvula, along with a posse of security guards, and then Dolozi and Mwiyeriwa's sons. The night is still young, and there are plenty Greens left in the ice bath, plus a supply of Barbados rum, for the punch.
We salute the Aussies, the World Champions.
MM III
Saturday, 28 April 2007
Friday, 27 April 2007
Little advantage in the toss
Well I say!
The whole of the civilised world is waiting for the outcome of tomorrow's final between Australia and Sri Lanka.
I can reliably report that the pitch will be a belter. Definitely a 300+ wicket.
Below is a snap of the venue: The Kengsington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.
I understand that they have been cross-rolling the wicket - something which I recommended to the head groundsman, and I'm so glad he took my advice. Such rolling is only possible in the Windies. It is a very flat surface, no grass, and this should suit the Sri Lankans, whom we (Mrs M, myself, Doviko, Cabbage and Abdul), will all be chearing on from the comfort of our lounge whilst watching the game on the new plasma, because we all support England or anyone who is playing Australia.
I say, what! We expect a Sri Lankan victory. I have promised Doviko, Cabbage and Abdul a Green each for every ten runs or for each wicket that the Sri Lankans win by. Expect a lot of cheering. I have already cleared it with neighbour Beston, who will also be attending. Doviko has prepared a splendid braai.
MM III
The whole of the civilised world is waiting for the outcome of tomorrow's final between Australia and Sri Lanka.
I can reliably report that the pitch will be a belter. Definitely a 300+ wicket.
Below is a snap of the venue: The Kengsington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.
I understand that they have been cross-rolling the wicket - something which I recommended to the head groundsman, and I'm so glad he took my advice. Such rolling is only possible in the Windies. It is a very flat surface, no grass, and this should suit the Sri Lankans, whom we (Mrs M, myself, Doviko, Cabbage and Abdul), will all be chearing on from the comfort of our lounge whilst watching the game on the new plasma, because we all support England or anyone who is playing Australia.
I say, what! We expect a Sri Lankan victory. I have promised Doviko, Cabbage and Abdul a Green each for every ten runs or for each wicket that the Sri Lankans win by. Expect a lot of cheering. I have already cleared it with neighbour Beston, who will also be attending. Doviko has prepared a splendid braai.
MM III
Saturday, 21 April 2007
Hallowed turf
I say!
The final of the World Cup will be played shortly (on Saturday 28th April) in Barbados. Now, what with my recent pitch inspection travels to the Windies, I can reveal below part of the pitch on which the game will be played.
I have deliberately used Photoshop to put the snap rather out of focus, as it really would not do to provide any of the protagonists with an unfair advantage, but for others, you can glean a little about how the surface appeared back in early January. Of course, it will be much better prepared than as shown below, and most, if not all, of the green will have been manicured away.
The snap below was taken on a good length. Sadly, our England boys will not be playing in the final, but I will let you into a little secret - when undertaking the inspection, I dropped eleven grains of Mzuzu dirt around the crease area (one for each member of the team). I can assure you that this will in no way have an effect on the way the wicket plays, but it will be nice to watch the final on the plasma screen in Kalimbuka, and to know that there is a little piece of Malawi on which the game is being played.
The final of the World Cup will be played shortly (on Saturday 28th April) in Barbados. Now, what with my recent pitch inspection travels to the Windies, I can reveal below part of the pitch on which the game will be played.
I have deliberately used Photoshop to put the snap rather out of focus, as it really would not do to provide any of the protagonists with an unfair advantage, but for others, you can glean a little about how the surface appeared back in early January. Of course, it will be much better prepared than as shown below, and most, if not all, of the green will have been manicured away.
The snap below was taken on a good length. Sadly, our England boys will not be playing in the final, but I will let you into a little secret - when undertaking the inspection, I dropped eleven grains of Mzuzu dirt around the crease area (one for each member of the team). I can assure you that this will in no way have an effect on the way the wicket plays, but it will be nice to watch the final on the plasma screen in Kalimbuka, and to know that there is a little piece of Malawi on which the game is being played.
MM III
Thursday, 19 April 2007
New Coach
I say!
In the light of all the phonecalls, faxes and emails being sent and received, I would just like to make it absolutely clear that I have not put my name forwards as a successor to Duncan Fletcher. I hope that that will end all speculation.
Below is a scan of the back of the programme for the Scotland v West Indies match which took place on June 15th, 1995. Hotboy kindly sent it to me, as the match took place close to his residence, and though not an avid fan of the game, he attended the match. He was fortunate enough to get the autographs of some of the players concerned. He told me that as he queued up for some of the autographs, he suddenly realised that he was the eldest by several decades in the queue. Well, Hotboy, your efforts were very much appreciated.
Featured autographs include Courtney Walsh and Wes Hall, though to tell the truth, I am not sure which is which.
Below is a statue of a famous batsman. Anyone know who he is?
MM III
In the light of all the phonecalls, faxes and emails being sent and received, I would just like to make it absolutely clear that I have not put my name forwards as a successor to Duncan Fletcher. I hope that that will end all speculation.
Below is a scan of the back of the programme for the Scotland v West Indies match which took place on June 15th, 1995. Hotboy kindly sent it to me, as the match took place close to his residence, and though not an avid fan of the game, he attended the match. He was fortunate enough to get the autographs of some of the players concerned. He told me that as he queued up for some of the autographs, he suddenly realised that he was the eldest by several decades in the queue. Well, Hotboy, your efforts were very much appreciated.
Featured autographs include Courtney Walsh and Wes Hall, though to tell the truth, I am not sure which is which.
Below is a statue of a famous batsman. Anyone know who he is?
MM III
Tuesday, 10 April 2007
Sons and Beaches
I say!
Here are some more snaps of the lovely beaches in Antigua.
Here is Henry Morton, impressing some tourists with his prowess on the jet-ski, at Jolly Harbour.
Menzies IV and Henry Morton, enjoying the surf at Half Moon Bay.
Dark Wood Bay
The ruins above English Harbour.
Mrs M with Menzies IV and Henry Morton.
MM III
Here are some more snaps of the lovely beaches in Antigua.
Here is Henry Morton, impressing some tourists with his prowess on the jet-ski, at Jolly Harbour.
Menzies IV and Henry Morton, enjoying the surf at Half Moon Bay.
Dark Wood Bay
The ruins above English Harbour.
Mrs M with Menzies IV and Henry Morton.
MM III
Tuesday, 3 April 2007
365
I say!
There are 365 beaches in Antigua, so I believe, and one of them is shown below. 365 was also the record number of runs scored in Test cricket by Sir Garfield Sobers, until Brian Lara scored 400 in the 4th Test Match in 2004 at The Rec, St Johns. This is celebrated on the plaque in the second snap below.
The final graphic below shows the autograph of Herschelle Gibbs, whom I had the pleasure of meeting a while back in Birmingham, on a trip to the old country. Very polite gentleman, he is. He is also the holder of a record - for the most sixes scored in an international match. He achieved this feat recently, during a World Cup match at Warner Park, against the Netherlands. Unless it is removed, you may be able to see the shots he played here.
MM III
There are 365 beaches in Antigua, so I believe, and one of them is shown below. 365 was also the record number of runs scored in Test cricket by Sir Garfield Sobers, until Brian Lara scored 400 in the 4th Test Match in 2004 at The Rec, St Johns. This is celebrated on the plaque in the second snap below.
The final graphic below shows the autograph of Herschelle Gibbs, whom I had the pleasure of meeting a while back in Birmingham, on a trip to the old country. Very polite gentleman, he is. He is also the holder of a record - for the most sixes scored in an international match. He achieved this feat recently, during a World Cup match at Warner Park, against the Netherlands. Unless it is removed, you may be able to see the shots he played here.
MM III
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