DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
Brisbane to Adelaide
Feeling heavy and contently stuffed from the previous days food and drink, we aptly started our cricket tour by watching the traditional Boxing Day Test Match in the terminal before we boarded. I thought sitting in the same row with the captain Liam Excelby would be a great chance to get to know him and learn more about the game of cricket. Little did I know that Liam hates flying and I was hoping he wouldn�t make use of the paper film bags bestowed in the pockets in front of us.
Things only got worse for Liam when we boarded our team bus; he was forced to sit on top of the players kit bags to the amusement of those sitting comfortably in the seats. After a twenty five minute ride we were greeted by one posh looking school, Rostrevor College, or as Woody put it, Ross River College.
A walk down to the local stores quenched our aching bellies and then we headed to the nets for a light hit out. After a quick shower we hit the pavilion (Metho�s Bar-an appropriate name for one) for the welcome and most importantly the welcome BBQ where we had a chance to meet some of our opposition, renew acquaintances and for the old dogs, give death stares at one Goat Boy.
For those who don�t know who Goat boy is, his real name is, well, his old name was Evan Watts, and he put himself down into QLD history and infamy by being
1. A New South Welshie,
and
2. Bowling NSW to victory by taking 7-5 last nationals as QLD were
3-53 chasing 82 to be bowled out for 72.
A young somewhat tall boy of around 24, he looks something like a Billy Goat Gruff who would enjoy a weekend surf, with long untamed hair and a patchy, young unshaven beard. His monotone, monogramtic voice is something to behold, especially when hes sledging you. Hes one who likes to have a go at you and willingly takes it in return. Unbeknown to us at this time, Goat boy would play an interesting part of QLD�s 2006 tour.
One weird thing about Adelaide is the time the sun goes down, a bizarre 9pm! And when I got the email about bringing a coat down for unknown weather, I scoffed at Ken�s suggestion thinking Adelaide would be as hot as Brissie. But no, it was chilly as! Fitty and I hit the field for a bit of training while the team enjoyed desert; darn, I thought the food part was over!
Liam, before bed, went to every player�s room and talked to them about their role in the team and what they could bring to the success of the tour, which was a great touch from the Skip'. He mentioned that you only get three chances of representing Queensland in cricket; that being at the Queensland Bulls level, School Boys, and fortunately for us, Churches. That definately hit home. It made me feel that we werent just playing for ourselves, or the team, but everyone who proudly slaps on the Maroon during any rival match.
Going to bed that night was an interesting experience as we had players running around the hall making loud chicken like noises. What was weirder was having the noises continue past 12am! I could tell this tour was going to be something special!
1.Sean Vandergert
2.Matthew Bedgegood
3.Brendan Dillon
4.Rohan Chiu
5.Hamon Uppal
6.Sean Commons
7.Shandy Harris+
8.Daniel Temby*
9.Terry Potts
10.Jeff Spalding
11.Rob Chafer
12.Nathan Blake
(Southern Districts) (SA Gold)
(Qld)
(Southern Districts) (Western Suburbs)
(NSW)
(Qld)
(Western Suburbs)
(SA Red)
(Qld)
(Western Suburbs)
(NSW)
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
5
5
5
5
5
1
0
0
2
0
1
0
159
149
144
155
214
129
103
39.75
29.80
28.80
51.67
42.80
32.25
25.75
80*
109
100
73
75
98*
41
1
0
0
2
3
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
Daniel Temby*
Terry Potts
Jeff Spalding
Rob Chafer
Nathan Blake
Sean Commons
(Western Suburbs)
(SA Red)
(Qld)
(Western Suburbs)
(NSW)
(NSW)
5
5
5
5
5
5
36.0
40.1
66.0
34.0
63.0
21.4
4
7
21
9
11
3
152
156
203
105
206
69
10
13
13
11
11
8
15.20
12.00
15.62
9.55
18.73
8.63
4.22
3.88
3.08
3.09
3.27
3.18
21.60
18.54
30.46
18.55
34.36
16.25
1
1
1
1
0
1
5-58
5-55
5-72
5-23
3-36
5-43