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Justin Langer's Postcards |
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TUESDAY 14 March 2000
Day four first Test, Eden Park, Auckland
In between the frustrations of sitting in the changing room and watching
the falling rain, Matty Hayden and I took great delight in presenting
our illustrious skipper with New South Wales's wooden spoon for the
1999/2000 Pura Milk Cup season. People outside of the team may not
realise it, but within the team there is a fierce rivalry between the
different state teams.
For years as a younger player I listened to how good the New South
Welshmen were as a cricketing state. The Waugh boys particularly have
enjoyed boasting about the strength of their home state and the
unbreakable spirit of the baggy blue cap. I would love to have had a
dollar for the number of times I have heard Stephen brag that
"Australian cricket is strong when New South Wales cricket is strong".
Without wanting to rub it in too much, a few of the boys who don't live
in Sydney have enjoyed the last two lean years for the Blues. While it
is all in the name of good humour, the banter in the changing room
provides plenty of entertainment. To the horror and disappointment of
the twins the presentation of the wooden spoon helped ease the tension
of today's abandonment.
After a sleepless night last night, day four certainly didn't pan out as
expected. Rather than spending the day playing out the remainder of this
exciting Test match, our time was taken up reading books, playing tennis
ball cricket, kicking the football and speculating about what will
happen when play finally gets under way. As if there isn't enough
pressure surrounding this match; now we have to wait until to tomorrow
for the climax of Test match number one.
From Auckland, JL
PS: Anyone wanting to see a good movie, go and see The Insider with
Russell Crowe and Al Pacino. It is an absolute ripper!
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