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I went to Adelaide for the 1st
test between Australia and South Africa December 2001. As
usual I went to the net practice on both days before the
test. This is where i first saw Neil McKenzie. I needed
some autographs and his was one of them. On the Wednesday
I mainly tried to get autographs. I was able to get all
South Africans I wanted. I met 2 girls one originally
from South Africa and her friend out visiting from South
Africa. I took lots of photos for them with players and
Neil was one of them. He asked where they were from. On
the Thursday I was taking photos and took one of Neil
along with others.
Friday day one of the test match.I got to the grounds by
7.45am for the gates to open at am. Sat in my normal
space. Went down and waited for the aussies and South
Africans to arrive. I got some South African autographs
on photos. Watched the players warm up and went to watch
the net practice. Watched the toss and got a photo of the
2 captains Shaun Pollock and Steve Waugh. Australia won
the toss and is batting. A good day for Australia. I went
out to the outer and saw my 2 new South African friends
and showed them my photos. It was after showing them the
photos and chatting that I was really starting to like
Neil McKenzie.
Day 2. I got Neil McKenzie to sign the photo I took. I
asked if he would sign a photo and I told him I know it
isn't a good photo but I am going to get a better one. He
asked where I wanted him to sign it and if the pen would
work. It was good he signed a bad photo. Anyone who will
sign a bad photo has to be nice. He did a bit of fielding
in front of where I was sitting. He is very cute. I did
take another photo of him practising it came out a bit
better but still not as good as i would like.
Sunday I arrived at lunch. Saw Neil McKenzie bat and he
bats well. I had to leave early but was glad to watch
Neil bat. He is pull shots and driving is great to watch.
Monday I was sitting next to another girl visiting from
South Africa who also is a Neil McKenzie fan.
Tuesday I picked up my photos and got some of them
signed. When Neil McKenzie came I got him to sign another
photo. Still not real good but a bit better. I said I
have someone sending me a good photo of you. You are my
favourite South African player. He said, “what's
your name” “Jenny”. I thanked him (they
always say pleasure or your welcome). After they came
down for net practice Neil was coming down with Jacques
Rudolph and he said “that's right you want a photo
don't you” “Yes” I took the photo and said
thank you. He said, “pleasure Jenny” Boy was I
excited he remembered my name and it was the way he said
that made me feel great.
Well Australia won. Quite will in the end. After the
game. 8 South Africans,
Neil McKenzie, Mark Boucher, Justin Ontong, Jacques
Rudolph, Mahaya Ntini, Gary Kirsten, the coach Greame
Ford and a trainer, Andrew Gray all came down for a game
of touch rugby. We were waiting for the players to come
out for autographs but they didn't. I went down to watch
the rugby
and decided to get a photo with Neil McKenzie if
possible. It was fun Neil, Jacques, Gary Kirsten were
without shirts on one team. Ntini started with them then
changed with Greame Ford. Neil looks really nice with a
tan and sweat and no shirt. After the game about 1 hour
and 15 mins they came off. I asked Neil and he said
“if you don't mind a sweaty player” NO I don't
mind. A South African supporter took the photo and Neil
said tell everyone it is and exhausted South African
player. (He looks very good in the photo). It made my
day. I really, really like him.
Jan 8th I went to Adelaide for the Australia A games
V’s South Africa. I went to the South African Net
practice on Jan 9th. I had photos to get signed and
needed 3 more autographs, which I got no problem. I had
the photo of Neil and me. I asked Neil to write to Jenny,
Then I kinda gushed a bit saying “this is the first
time I have ever had my photo taken with a player and I
couldn't have picked a nice one to have it with” or
words to that effect. It was a bit embarrassing. He wrote
To Jenny best wishes Neil McKenzie. He asked if that was
ok. I said yes thank you. At the end of the practice Neil
was the last out and I had one last photo of him.
He said
“Jenny” my mind was saying deflect.
So I said "I like your postcards".
“oh”
"I have been doing a lot of web surfing in the last
week or so".
“I can see that”
"Are you doing postcards from Australia?"
“Probably next week”
"Great cant wait to see them."
" Thank you."
Then I thanked him for signing the photo and wished him
well for the next day.He was just as nice as ever. Boy do
I like him.
Jan 10 Australia A V’s South Africa
I arrived by 11 am it was very hot today.
The South Africans arrived and I got some more photos
signed. When Neil McKenzie arrived he said
“Hello Jenny”
“hi” I said
then he said, “how are you today”
“Fine” I said i was so shocked and tongue tied.
I couldn't getting anything else out.I was so stoked that
he remembered me and my name. Boy is he nice.I watched
them practice from the shade of the stands and Neil came
of first. One of the older members with health problems
stopped him and was telling him all his problems. I asked
if he was playing today and he
said yes. I said great.It was a good game but very hot.
Boeta Dippenaar and Steve Elworthy did the drinks run the
first session. I said to Boeta you will be more worn out
than anyone. I got a smile. Shane Watson was Australia
A’s 12th man. He dropped a bottle of water near me
and said sorry. No worries. He has a very nice smile. It
was about 39.5 degrees and very hot. In the evening
session Justin Ontong and Justin Kemp were acting as 12th
men. Australia A won. It was a great day except the heat.
January 26-27th.
Went to the ground on Saturday, Australia Day and arrived
at 11.45am and the line up was big I was way back under
the trees which was good. When we got in the South
Africans were practising as I thought they
would. I watched Neil McKenzie practice. After he came
out I went over and called “Neil” He turned
around and said "hi Jenny." He had remembered
my name again. I got 2 photos signed he asked if they had
turned out better. I said yes one is a good photo except
you are looking down but you are smiling and a friend
took the other one. I thanked him for signing the photos
and taking the time to do it. He just brushed it off. I
also said I wasn't staying for today's game and that I
had come up for tomorrow's game. I also said I am going
for South Africa in this series much to my mothers
disgust. One of the trainers was nearby and he
burst out laughing at the comment. Neil had a smile also.
Sunday January 27th.
I then went down to await the arrival of the players.
Then some of the South Africans arrived by bus so I
missed them The trainer told a friend they would be down
eating lunch and we could go there to try to get
the autographs. Nicky Boje and Neil McKenzie didn't come
down. My friend had a big poster of Neil McKenzie to get
signed. I got a photo of Neil when he came down to
practice.He signed for my friend and others when he came
off from practising. South Africa won the toss and
elected to bat. Neil McKenzie got out for 5 and was
heading for the wrong gate when he got out. The security
guard tried to get his attention and finally did just
before he reached it. At the end of the innings. I went
back down to where they have tea and met my friend. Neil
came down and said
“hello Jenny”
"Hi Neil "
“how are you today?”
"doing well Thanks and how are you doing
today,"
at which Neil stopped took 2 steps back and replied
“I'm doing good thanks”.
South Africa won the game and a bonus point After the
game I stayed behind, as did my friend. We were waiting
for the South Africans. My friend wanted a photo with
Allan Donald and I wanted one with Neil.
We had it worked out My friend had my camera and I his.
When they came out I said
“Neil can I get one last photo” didn't finish
as he said
“Jenny we haven't had a photo together give you
camera to someone else so we can have one together."
"I said I already have."
He then put his arm around my shoulder and my friend took
the photo. He is so nice.
I then took the photo of Allan Donald and my friend. It
was a perfect end to a perfect day.
Thank you Neil.
I am now saving up to see alot more cricket next time South Africa come out.