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Waiting for Tuesday

By Ian last year, mid-April Leave a comment on this post

Morning. I’m writing this from the boat in Barbados just a few moments before the start of the Aussie-Sri Lanka contest, a possible dress rehearsal for the final.

Boats in Barbados

Word among the Australians here is that their team will carry on steam rolling the opposition, as long as Hayden and Gilchrist continue to boss the opening exchanges. There is also a train of thought though that a Sri Lankan win might be just what the Aussies need to guard against complacency, probably their greatest threat to another WC win. So, perversely perhaps, if the Aussies do win today, here’s hoping they win at a canter.

We arrived on Saturday to the good news that Craig McMillan’s all round heroics had sunk the South Africans. Just what was needed to make tomorrow’s clash a belter. Despite a string of average performances, I can’t see anything other than an England win and I’ll repeat my prediction of a Strauss ton. The locals are rooting for us too, as are the Aussies on the boat, albeit for different reasons. Out of the remaining teams in the tournament, the Boks are the only one who still give them the willies. This baggage dates back to the 438 run chase and an insecurity that no total is too big if Herschelle Gibbs is in the mood.

Finally, just a quick word on Barbados. It’s just beautiful. While the Windies have failed to deliver on the pitch, the benefits to the island are plain to see with widespread infrastructure development including new roads, houses and businesses. Whether this is true for the rest of the Caribbean, I can’t be sure, but even in the four years when I last visited Barbados, the improvements are all too obvious. I can also report that the medical services here are excellent after one of our party fell off the aft deck and sliced his finger by gripping too hard on his punch glass. No doubt a common injury in these parts. And apart from a close shave with a Japanese catamaran, it has been a case of lie back, relax and wait for Tuesday.

Ian Valentine is a freelance journalist, blogging his diary of the World Cup for The Corridor

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10 Responses to “Waiting for Tuesday”

  • Angus wrote:
    April 16th, 2007 at 8.51 pm

    See you on Wednesday.

  • Kathy wrote:
    April 17th, 2007 at 12.01 am

    Have fun, Ian. May Lady Luck and all the cricketing gods be with England!

  • Steve wrote:
    April 17th, 2007 at 12.55 am

    Yeah, cause nothing else will get them through. Though why the gods should bother smiling on England beats me!

  • Tom wrote:
    April 17th, 2007 at 1.02 am

    England is infinately more preferred than South Africa in the semi-finals…

    So, Go England!

  • SpryCorpse wrote:
    April 17th, 2007 at 2.50 am

    Looks like a tough gig, Ian. :-)
    Enjoy!

    Go Aussies!

  • Graham wrote:
    April 17th, 2007 at 11.32 am

    Talk about the idle rich of the planet!!!!!!!

    Wish I was there!

    So the Jap’s have changed from Zeros to catamarans for their choice of Kamikaze weapons….?

    OOOps….showing my age again.

    Come on England…..stop poking at the ball…at least if you gotta die…….die fighting….not whimpering.

  • Graham wrote:
    April 17th, 2007 at 6.37 pm

    England…..died ….whimpering!I shall not be watching South Africa batting…enough is enough..! …..Vaughan????never mind “God save the Queen”……Let’s make it….”God save us from Vaughan!”…..and of course our selection Committee!

  • Scott wrote:
    April 17th, 2007 at 9.21 pm

    You guys paid money to watch that shower? Strange people, the English.

  • Greg & Doug wrote:
    April 18th, 2007 at 12.33 am

    Less of that and more excitment on the beach I reckon. Highlights of the match included two aussies hurling lager over glum Indian fans in front; and the random passing his number down to the girl in front. I’m not quite sure the uncle was happy.

  • Meg wrote:
    April 19th, 2007 at 4.43 am

    Ian
    Hoping to see more pics of adventrues on the boat to show the girls (- mike,sully and kratzy’s children) hope you are all having a great time
    No cricket insights here though have to say met a pommy couple the other day who were rather surprised and curious as to why there were two batsmen on the field at once.


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