Postcards

A LITTLE SUPERSTAR IN THE MAKING
by Luke Gillian , 24/02/2009 09:47:27
In 2002, as The Flag lounged about the Potch Cricket Stadium, we were so impressed by the abilities of the very young (4years old) Calum Drummond bowling, throwing, and batting his way across the embankment, that I put up a postcard of Calum expressing his potential to play for the Proteas. Since then, and having seen he and his Dad Jimmy over the years, Calum's game has progressed. He opens the batting averaging 30, opens the bowling averaging 20 with a strike rate of 20, and captains his team in Randburg (3hr drive from home!). Not to put any pressure on him, but if you have a lazy fiver to wage that Calum will play Test Cricket, best get that bet on! [...see this postcard]

No Firearms, but Firewood's OK!
by Luke Gillian , 21/02/2009 18:03:31
Watching Cricket in South Africa can be summed up as 'relaxed', and there's no better example of that than the Braai (BBQ) area, found in each venue. Fancy coming to the cricket and either using the facilities provided to whip up your own meaty lunch, or being allowed to bring your own BBQ if you wish. Brilliant. This is what following cricket is about; something sorely missing in Australia. Imagine the terror and panic attacks of Australian venue management and security if you fronted to the gates with a BBQ. Christ, you can't even take a bag into the GABBA so it's a great thing Queensland Cricket isn't running the game here!  [...see this postcard]

Fresh Fruit!
by Luke Gillian , 25/07/2008 08:34:11
There's no clearer image of what food life is really like in India cricket stadiums than what you see early morning under the terraces of Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. These lads were making the fruit salad for the health conscious cricket supporter, as they sat on the floor along side the fellows making samosa dough, the lads peeling potatoes, and the boys making chai. The activity in the morning is far more pleasing and pleasant than the carry-on at lunch, but it all goes down a treat no matter how it all came together!  [...see this postcard]

Look Out For What?
by Luke Gillian , 20/07/2008 17:48:41
Indian signs have made posters the world over, and no matter how many times you travel India, the variety of 'declarations' never ceases to amaze. This sign was (in 2004) on platform 6 at Bangalore City Railway Station. Not ignoring the paint runs and etchy stencilling to make you read it twice, but to watch out for pickpockets (the most meek of railway crimes) and bombs (the greatest cause of carnage the world over), leaves much in between to look out. The way it is written I half expected to see a stack of C4 and an alarm clock, at my feet, or a pickpocket! Only 2months til the next tour! [...see this postcard]

PINKING UP!
by Luke Gillian , 26/06/2008 16:24:33
It was very sad news, the passing of Jane McGrath, a woman that had be so strong for 11years that most will never know the sacrifices she made so that others wouldn't suffer as she had. The McGrath Foundation has done some amazing work, so it was without question that The Flag 'pinked up' for the ODI in St Vincent as a tribute to Jane. Saying this I would like to commend Belinda 'Bumble' Spry (pictured) on her work through our West Indies Tour with the 'Chicks on Tour' to generate more than Aud$2000 for the McGrath foundation, a figure that will continue to grow, as are the number of 'Chicks on Tour' with The Flag. Great Work Bumble, Superstar!  [...see this postcard]

PINKING UP!
by Luke Gillian , 26/06/2008 16:23:50
It was very sad news, the passing of Jane McGrath, a woman that had be so strong for 11years that most will never know the sacrifices she made so that others wouldn't suffer as she had. The McGrath Foundation has done some amazing work, so it was without question that The Flag 'pinked up' for the ODI in St Vincent as a tribute to Jane. Saying this I would like to commend Belinda 'Bumble' Spry on her work through our West Indies Tour with the 'Chicks on Tour' to generate more than Aud$2000 of funding for the McGrath foundation, a figure I am sure will continue to grow, as are the number of 'Chicks on Tour' with The Flag. Great Work Bumble, Superstar! [...see this postcard]

PINKING UP!
by Luke Gillian , 26/06/2008 16:22:34
It was very sad news, the passing of Jane McGrath, a woman that had be so strong for 11years that most will never know the sacrifices she made so that others wouldn't suffer as she had. The McGrath Foundation has done some amazing work, so it was without question that The Flag 'pinked up' for the ODI in St Vincent as a tribute to Jane. Saying this I would like to commend Belinda 'Bumble' Spry on her work through our West Indies Tour with the 'Chicks on Tour' to generate more than Aud$2000 of funding for the McGrath foundation, a figure I am sure will continue to grow, as are the number of 'Chicks on Tour' with The Flag. Great Work Bumble, Superstar! [...see this postcard]

PINKING UP!
by Luke Gillian , 26/06/2008 16:12:54
It was very sad news, the passing of Jane McGrath, a woman that had be so strong for 11years that most will never know the sacrifices she made so that others wouldn't suffer as she had. The McGrath Foundation has done some amazing work, so it was without question that The Flag 'pinked up' for the ODI in St Vincent as a tribute to Jane. Saying this I would like to commend Belinda 'Bumble' Spry on her work through our West Indies Tour with the 'Chicks on Tour' to generate more than Aud$2000 of funding for the McGrath foundation, a figure I am sure will continue to grow, as are the number of 'Chicks on Tour' with The Flag. Great Work Bumble, Superstar! [...see this postcard]

SWOOOOSH!
by Luke Gillian , 19/06/2008 23:21:38
It's very common for The Flag to hit the water before or after a test match and Barbados was no exception to this rule as we party cruised up the West Coast from Bridgetown for one of our more pleasurable adventures on the water after the 3rd Test. Not that we wouldn't have preferred plank walking and rope swinging off The Jolly Roger with 2003 memories, however Roger had been sold so instead it was water sliding off the MV Harbour Master which was just as exciting after a skinful of Rum Punch, but I am sure the most sober Flagger thrilled to Lisbeth swooshing past in her chick pink swimsuit! [...see this postcard]

Kool Kensington!
by Luke Gillian , 19/06/2008 23:20:15
Kensington Oval has changed hugely over the years (all for the 2007 World Cup) and probably one of the better elements has been the Statue of the great Sir Garfield Sobers out the front, an attraction for many visitors to The Oval as the venue is endeared. Alasat the end of the game, a many Flaggers dragged their heals and missed this particular shot, and although they made the next one I didn't take the photo, and hence the junkie out of focus, people missing snapshot has failed to make it. Nonetheless, at the end of a cracking match it was great to get an almost 'full team' snap to add to the Flag's ever-growing Cricket Histories!  [...see this postcard]

Happy 400th Flagger!
by Luke Gillian , 19/06/2008 23:18:23
Since The Flag inaugurated The Flaggy Greenin South Africa 2years ago, we have welcomed several hundred old and new Flaggers across the cricket wortld so it was quite fitting that in Jamaica last May, when Brad Haddin was awarded his Baggy Green as Australia's 400th Test Player, that The Flag also awarded Kevin Hawking his Flaggy Green as our 400th Flagger. Kev thought it would be a nice idea to have his photo taken with Brad so after the Barbados Test, I ventured into the dressing room to ask Brad if he would oblige Kevin his wish, and don't they make a nice couple!! [...see this postcard]

One Happy Camper
by Luke Gillian , 19/06/2008 23:16:59
Melissa hadn't had the best of luck throughout her short time in the region and after a week with us in Barbados she finally cracked a big smile. Mel was unfortunate to have her day bag stolen (with camera, diary, cash, etc...) in Costa Rica, then even worse had to fly American Airlines (AA) to Barbados, and then not sprisingly arrived in Barbados without her luggage, only to wait 6days for it during which time she had her purse stolen in a bar. AA finally realised her bag had been at Barbados Airport for 4days under the wrong name (typical of the world's worst airline), and so at our post test match dinner when the announcement came her bag was back, Melissa went to the bar to celebrate, and then to her room to wear everything she hadn't for the last week! [...see this postcard]

Amazing Anguilla!
by Luke Gillian , 08/06/2008 20:20:09
There is heaps to do on St Martin, however much of the island’s tourism is water based, supported by the innumerable boat services to neighbouring islands for which the British territorial island of Anguilla is the closest. Known for her whiter-than-white sand, gourmet food, and exclusive hotels, 20 Flaggers boarded Flipper 3 for 90mins sail to the north coast to snorkel the shallow reefs amid thousands of fish, before sailing for lunch at Johnno’s and cricket on the beach. A 90min sail back to the south coast for a swim in a very secluded beach, and an unfortunate 60mins sail back to France ended a very soothing day.  [...see this postcard]

Welcome Back Chris!
by Luke Gillian , 08/06/2008 20:18:28
It was with disappointment that Flagger Chris fell ill in Antigua and needed hospitalization for 2nights and thus miss the start of our St Martin adventure, which included the afternoon plane spotting. Though Chris missed the excitement of the Air France A340 at 1.33pm we warmed to his getting better by welcoming Chris as his little flight from Antigua buzzed the beach. Chris didn’t miss out totally as he left the airport and came straight to the Sunset Beach Bar to watch the giant KLM MD11 drop in at 5.12pm. Who could miss that?  [...see this postcard]

Your Flight Has Landed
by Luke Gillian , 08/06/2008 20:01:03
It’s no secret The Flag enjoys plane spotting between overs, and there is no better place to do so than St Martin, the chic European Caribbean Island. Though St Martin has some of the Caribbean’s finest food and duty-free extravaganzas as reason to visit, for The Flag it is sitting at the Sunset Beach Bar, under final approach to Princess Juliana International Airport that gets the emotions fired up. When you can almost read the brand name on the tyre of the plane soaring over, even the most hard-lined plane haters among us did quip at the thrill.  [...see this postcard]

A Few On A Cruise
by Luke Gillian , 08/06/2008 19:59:12
We love our cricket, and being entertained for 5 days in both Jamaica and Antigua did not leave us with much spare time, there must always be time created to get onto the crystalline waters as we did here in Antigua. Not everyone was in the mood after a tough night prior celebrating the draw, but the smooth sail south for snorkeling on Cades Reef for a few hours before a hearty lunch and party cruise back, was a memorable day for many new Flaggers, and yet another crackerjack day for those that have been there, done that, and will certainly do so again!  [...see this postcard]

Very Cool Runnings
by Luke Gillian , 05/06/2008 01:41:24
You'd have to be under-10 not to have at least heard of the movie Cool Runnings (based on the 1988 Calgary Olympics Jamaica Bobsled Team), so when The Flag kick started the tour in Montego Bay, living just 100m from the Jamaican Bobsled Cafe, it was unanimous that we should enjoy our first 'team feed' in the company of a Jamaican Bobsled while the famous movie playing on loop created a constant, yet pleasurable, distraction. A few Red Stripes later and naturally enough it was into the bobsled we clambered, squashed, and jammed. If this is sled is lifesize, it's no suprise 4 Jamaicans blokes found it hard to get in when they first pushed off if four Chicks on Tour couldn't. Nonetheless, great place for a laugh, to start a great tour.  [...see this postcard]

Jiving In Jamaica!
by Luke Gillian , 05/06/2008 01:40:27
The Caribbean always shares a social spirit at the cricket grounds with food, rum, and especially music and dancing. Although each venue has a massive sound system that thunders cracking good music across the ground all day, every day, there are still smaller marching bands that have their place. In Sabina Park, The Flag had the pleasure of being entertained through the first test by this group of players and dancers, who performed a few seats across from us, for the first 4 days, from the first ball to the last. A very theatrical way to enjoy the test match! [...see this postcard]

MARVELLOUS MOBAY!
by Luke Gillian , 23/05/2008 05:06:05
The Flag was thrilled to kick off our 2008 West Indies Tour in Marvellous Montego Bay on Jamaica's North West Coast. Commuting 30mins to and from Trelawny for the tour game might have been taxing had it not been for living in one the Caribbean's hottest destinations, most of which straddles the 'Hip Strip'. Only a few hundred metres, there's not too much reason to venture far from the Reggae Lounges, Casino's, Restaurants, cafes, hotel bars, and Margarita Mayhem of Gloucester Street, so thankfully our hotel was smack bang in the middle of it all, and for 6nights that's where we resided. What a brillo way to start the tour!!  [...see this postcard]

SUN, SAND, BUT NO SURF IN SABINA PARK
by Luke Gillian (Photo: Dean Marshall) , 14/02/2008 12:38:04
Jamaica's Sabina Park may have undergone a transformation for last year's World Cup, but while there is no surf in Kingston, you can still swim and sun yourself while watching the cricket as DEAN MARSHALL (and other Flaggers) did so here in 2003 if not totally upending yourself with plenty of Jamaica's finest Appleton Rum, or the famous Red Stripe. There's not too much time left on the booking time frame so get your Togs and your passport, and get set to join The Flag in Jamaica, Antigua, St Martin, Barbados, St Vincent, Grenada, and St Kitts in May - July.  [...see this postcard]

Pakistan Bad? You're Having A Laugh!
by Luke Gillian , 02/08/2007 15:01:02
Australia's first tour to Pakistan since 1998 is fast approaching (March 2008) so get yourself sorted to join The Flag on a much anticpated tour. Pakistan has been in the press often of late for many bad reasons, and so is not without regard that you should consider touring. Although publicised incidents suggest all of Pakistan is burning, personal experience says it is not the case. Even amid the turmoil and uncertainty, many friendly people can laugh and smile and remain warmly welcome to visitors, especially cricket loving ones as these two lads pictured here showed when I was there last Feb (thanks to Pakistan Tourism!!). The Flag is all set for the tour, and just waiting for the all important itinerary to be released later this year. If you have queries regarding The Flag's Pakistan tour program, please send an enquiry, and for comfort you can also read CRICKET AUSTRALIA CONFIRMS PAKISTAN TOURS GOING AHEAD (feature article on cricket.com.au)  [...see this postcard]

Through To The Keeper!
by Luke Gillian , 23/05/2006 08:36:42
The Taj Mahal, the most beautiful monument to love ever built, sits on the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra. Built 350 years ago, it appears ageless from the front, and even more so from the other side of the river where each tour to Agra has included a bash on the banks of the river behind. There’s no more striking backdrop for any sport in the world, cricket aside. When we walked the last few metres from the road to the river the marble beauty appeared through the trees and when seeing the giant mausoleum in all its beauty without a person in view, most Flaggers stood agape, whereas Hodgey here just missed the ball, his mind clearly elsewhere, and why not. Just look at the where we played the game, so who cares who wins or loses? Such a spectacle is the reason we came here…. And will again when next we tour!  [...see this postcard]

A Bangladesh Wonderland!
by Luke Gillian , 27/04/2006 11:58:50
Many would disbelieve there is a 'Wonderland' in Dhaka. Peter, Melinda, Phil and I decided to visit this tacky adventure playland (just 7mins walk from our hotel) specifically to see an aircraft that crashed at Dhaka Airport last year, and was scraped up, placed in the park, and converted into a restaurant! Tasty! While discovering this culinary haven, a piercing wail sounded across the park. Following this hurtful chorus, we happened across Bangladesh's most prominent female actor filming a video clip for her upcoming movie. Aside the patheticness of 'Wonderland', it was the funniest thing we have seen in Dhaka; a procession of choreographers, directors, managers, make up attendants, and mobile phones contributing to the productions' painstaking longevity. If you've heard Indian Bollywood songs, the high pitched shrill of the female singers is disturbing for many of those from other countries. Listening to the tune over and over while watching a video production in a Disneyland themed play park was uncomfortable if not for the joyous reaction of the onlooking Mickey Mouse! He loved it, and so too did we!! The park is otherwise well worth Aud$1 entrance!  [...see this postcard]

SEASIDE GIANTS!
by Luke Gillian , 22/04/2006 07:27:50
There is one thing to do in Chittagong, and that's visit the ship-breaking yards north of the city. While 12 Flaggers went direct from the match, and 12 decided not to go at all, it was hard yards getting in this time, but a bit of smooth talking, happy smiles, and the promise of no photography allowed 12 of us the pleasure of strolling through one of the yards where 2 ships were beached, one a simple stern only. The REGINA was parked about 200m off shore, and with pathetic alarms bells wailing, three winches were activated, the cables pulled taught, and inch by inch the REGINA was pulled closer to shore for work to commence at scrapping the giant carrier. If our day got better, watching a ship in the distance drive at full speed up the beach alongside REGINA was astounding. The wave of mud and water driven into shore as the ship bottomed out, the propeller spinning wildly above the water surface, as it sliced a groove into the sea bed, and slowly but surely she ground to a complete, and final halt. One new ship a week parks itself on the beach of Chitttagong, and a unique industry provides one benefit to the city, when the cricket's over!  [...see this postcard]

Just A Passing Shower!
by Luke Gillian , 17/04/2006 13:36:45
This storm was savage in it's destruction of the grandstand, for a downpour that was called early as a passing shower! The temporary bamboo and cloth shading was slowly coming to pieces in Dhaka by day 5 but it lasted only until 12pm on Day 2 in Chittagong. With rain, thunder, and lightening fearsomely close, play was called off as groundsmen frantically covered the pitch before the weather struck. They did so in the nick of time, but it didn't help the galleries. The cloth tied so tightly to the bamboo scaffold frame became a giant sail, and in a flash huge portions, bamboo and all, of the colourful shade creation was lifted and thrown from the stand. The bamboo poles tied so securely to the steel frame of the fence, snapped at the tie, and in 15 short mins what was a pleasant viewing gallery became a sodden terrace of twised bamboo, cloth, rope, and spectators. It was quite spectacular to watch mother nature's relentless destruction. By the time play was called off, fellows were busily resurrecting what they could of the cloth, and by the time we arrive on day 3 and it will appear as if nothing had happened... possibly!  [...see this postcard]

Another New Record!
by Luke Gillian , 14/04/2006 07:22:30
For those that have Flagged you will know we have a sweep everyday, usually waged on the batting team's score at the end of the day's play. Being our first time in Bangladesh, and the expected demolition of the home side, Big Phil went into our record books as the first to be struck from the sweep before lunch on the first day. At 11.30am, Phil's bet that Bangladesh will be bowled out for 92 was overtaken by some blistering Bangladeshi batting. For the archives, a photo had to be taken of his poor form being scratched from the list, and we are pleased that he could still bring himself to smile!  [...see this postcard]

Walk on Boys, Walk on!
by Luke Gillian , 21/03/2006 07:10:36
Griff had a bit of bad luck in the darkness of Botswana prior to his South Africa tour, and winding up with his right leg in plaster hence the multi tasking of his crutch negated my need to give him a flag pole I'll give you the tip. Seated at the front of the embankment for the duration of the Cape Town Test Match, Griff's flag regardless was always flying higher than anyone's!  [...see this postcard]

Congratulations South Africa... Ouch!
by Luke Gillian , 15/03/2006 13:13:38
The Picture says it all, surely? An amazing One Day Match with the history books again re-written! It was tremendous to be part of such an event, we might never see again!  [...see this postcard]

The Rainbow Nation
by Luke Gillian , 07/03/2006 14:50:21
The South African Flag is one the more colourful you can find in world cricket and with each game, more and more flags are being waved by their people, as they cheer and support their lads on the field. At the start of each game we now have the national anthems, as well as 'Shosholoza' - a South African theme song. When Shosholoza and the South Africa Anthems are sung, the terraces look fantastic with thousands and thousands of South Africa flags being swished back and forth. When I see that, it expresses the great South Africa pride for their country, at the same time it confuses me why The Gabba in Queensland actually outlaws all flags into the venue, alas!  [...see this postcard]

Somewhere Under A Bangladeshi Rainbow!
by Luke Gillian , 21/01/2006 06:50:26
The Colours of Bangladesh will amaze you. Everywhere you turn there are brilliantly decorated cycle rickshaws, massive fruit and vegetable markets, and certainly enough fabrics you could make a bright new quilt for the bed of the ocean from. This fellow in Dhaka wasn't too pushed for service or a smile, but I think he's conserving his energies for the Australia Test Series coming in April. There's still plenty of time for you to join The Flag on Australia's inaugural Test Tour to Bangladesh, but places aren't endless, so you'd best get the cheap flights booked now, and your Flag Tour booked thereafter. See you in April on the waters, and under the colourful rainbows of life that is Bangladesh!  [...see this postcard]

Come To Kruger!
by Luke Gillian , 10/12/2005 05:43:50
Whether you tour to South Africa with The Flag or not, if you’re interested in ‘seeing the animals’, I recommend visiting Kruger National Park with Siyabona Africa Travel. I spent 3days with them last Sept and though, due to bushfires earlier in the year, the animals were scarce in some areas, Siyabona’s amazing guides and ground staff, excellent 9seater jeeps and game drives, the secure camp with stunning natural granite rockpool, spacious ‘single sleeping’ tents with mattresses and sleeping bag, 3 beautiful meals a day, complimentary drinks (wine, beer, water, soft drinks), all made the experience something I can talk about for a long time. I hope you too have the chance to enjoy a Siyabona Safari to Kruger, whose details are listed in our South Africa 2006 Tour Options. Also, consider a return flight to Nelspruit instead of the tiresome and cramped, 3hour road transit from Joburg Airport. Far more comfy, and few more airmiles too!  [...see this postcard]

Tall Hat Trini!
by Luke Gillian , 23/11/2005 04:15:40
I first met Peter in Trinidad in 2002 when researching for our 2003 Caribbean tour, though recall seeing him on my debut in 1995! Peter is one of the front men, if not the front man, of the famed Trini Posse Stand, at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad's Port of Spain. Peter is best known around the Caribbean for his variety of tall and colourful hats. Being in Australia with his family for the 3 tests has not influenced change in his fashions. With a big Caribbean smile, each day Pete squishes into a new hat, always of a West Indies' colour. I like his Trinidad and Toabgo flag hat best, not being bias towards anyone that stands proudly under their flag! Great to see Pete and his young family in Australia and I look forward to seeing them again next year, and in 2007 for the World Cup and Test Series! Travel Safe Pete!  [...see this postcard]

Looking Through The Traffic!
by Luke Gillian , 02/11/2005 13:50:22
The traffic in Bangladesh is chaotic at best, but looking through the bedlam you will discover a country and people so unique and relatively untouched by tourism, you will see more than a shed load of rickshaws and wheel spokes. Getting about in a rickshaw is part of life's drama in Dhaka especially, and also the most convenient means of hitting the streets and involving oneself with the calamity of commerce in the markets and ports. The first test starts April 9 in Dhaka and though only 5days after the 3rd Test in Johannesburg, you can make it easily to Bangladesh for a spot of Australian cricket history with The Flag. If you want to join us then get your flights and let us take care of the rest. See you there?  [...see this postcard]

Cape Town Custard!
by Luke Gillian , 20/10/2005 14:25:40
Our mate Mark, from South Africa, was selected for the lunchtime ‘Johnnie Walker 1820 Challenge’, requiring each contestant to throw a cricket ball at 6 sets of stumps. The first set was 5m away, the other five distanced at 5m increments through to 30m. Each set you hit, and knock the bails off, you’ll receive $20 for the closest, then $50, $100, $250, $400, and $1000 for the furthest, equaling $1820, hence the name! Mark was woeful. He only hit the $400 set, and the bails didn’t fall. While he was taken back to the $20 for 3 more throws (before he finally broke the stumps) a Stewards’ Inquiry was held, and awarded Mark the $400 for at least hitting the stumps. This is more than I can say. I had a go in Melbourne, earned $20 first up, and didn’t hit another! Mark might have had a custard arm, but I possessed a ‘Noodle Arm’ if ever there was one!  [...see this postcard]

Go England? Go To The Travel Agent!
by Luke Gillian , 15/09/2005 17:20:46
The Gas Tanks over looking The Oval were adorned for the first time with this enormous slogan of support for the England Team, and it clearly had it's effect. With the England Team riding the wave of Ashes success, the demand for next year's Ashes Series in Australia will be outrageous, so start making your travel plans now. The Schedule is not yet set, but will be in Nov/Dec this year! The Flag looks forward to seeing you next year, as I'm sure your travel agent looks forward to seeing you even sooner!  [...see this postcard]

Environmentally Friendly!
by Luke Gillian , 05/09/2005 11:04:33
There might be 100,000's of cars, trucks, and buses on the streets of Dhaka, but the 100,000+ of good old Rickshaw is a sure way of ensuring that the beautiful trees and greenery of Dhaka lives on strongly for the benefit of all. I don't know how the poor bastard pedalling for a living through the dense soup of carbon-monoxide, and life dangers feels about the environment, but at least he might appreciate the cooling shade for a few minutes a day!  [...see this postcard]

Racing Now, In The Rickshaw Stakes!
by Luke Gillian , 03/09/2005 05:32:53
The traffic in Dhaka is utter bedlam. As Working Dog called the capital city in their ficticious Travel Guide Phaic Tan, Bumpatabumpa! The empty strip of tarmac at the bottom is probably the most vacant in Dhaka at that time, but if you see behind the oncoming cavalry it is chaos. Never in all my travels have I seen, breathed, heard, and been jammed in traffic like that in Dhaka. There are reported to be over 100,000 Rickshaws (excluding 3-wheelers and taxis) in Dhaka and all travel a little bit slower than a pedestrian might on a day somewhat cooler than most in the Bangladesh capital. The wiry chap pedal pushing does have his work cut out, yet will follow you for a few hundred yards to earn the US$0.20c per kilomtre!  [...see this postcard]

The Ashes Of Nottingham Forest!
by Luke Gillian , 23/08/2005 18:06:49
Australia has retained the Ashes in Nottingham during the previous two Ashes encounters in England and let's hope the trend remains! After which, we might once again take in the tales and legends of Robin Hood and his merry band of outlaws that include Friar Tuck and Little John, which date back to the 13th century. Sherwood Forest then covered one fifth of Nottinghamshire. This Royal Forest had the fiercest of Laws yet due to the density and enormity of the woodland provided safe refuge for those such as Robin Hood escaping the long arm. It was in the forest that outlaws found food, shelter and companionship with others prepared to run the gauntlet of the King's foresters. Robin Hood's Statue stands surrounded by the remnants of the medieval Nottingham, first settled by the Snotingas, invaders from the north of Germany, in the 6th or 7th century AD. William the Conqueror built the first Nottingham Castle -where Robin's nemesis The Sheriff of Nottingham resided- west if the old burh -trading centre-, in 1068 and became the chief Royal Fortress in the Midlands. The Castle is now a museum and gallery displaying an array of hands on stuff, bizarre 'Modern Art' and splendid views of Nottingham from the rooftop -but only if you meet George (if he's still there) who will take you on a personal tour to the top!  [...see this postcard]

Back You Go Son!
by Luke Gillian , 17/08/2005 14:19:41
When the gates to Old Trafford were locked at 10am, leaving 10,000+ spectators with little choice but to go watch it on the TV, others took some unorthodox measures to escape into the ground on day 5 to see a gripping finale. Alas for this fellow, the only thing he found gripping was the barbed wire as security spotted him scaling the wall, and subsequently sent him back. With the money you saved not buying a ticket mate, you can buy an alarm clock that will get you to the church on time.  [...see this postcard]

CONGRATULATIONS SHANE!
by Luke Gillian , 17/08/2005 14:06:38
The Flag again has made into the history books, albeit their own, with yet another record-breaking milestone notched onto their cricketing belt of brilliance, this time from the magic hands of Shane Warne, Popcorn! Marcus Trescothick was the victim who helped Popcorn snare his 600th test wicket, aided and abetted by Adam Gilchrist behind the stumps. Congratulations to Shane from all Flaggers! Your brilliant performances have been enjoyed, worshipped, and honoured by many, and long may they continue!  [...see this postcard]

Living On The Edge!
by Luke Gillian , 09/08/2005 10:09:10
The crowd was on their feet (between overs of course), if not on the edge of their seats as Australia and England fought out a monumental test match at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The test was filled with colour, excitement, ecstasy, disappointment, and atmosphere built largely of the massive Barmy Army that filled the Eric Hollies Stand of their favourite home venue. No one could remain seated after the match that England won by two runs, as a standing ovation was obligatory for the two teams that gave us some of the greatest test match entertainment in England for many years.  [...see this postcard]

Unmistakably London
by Shane Baisden , 31/07/2005 14:21:43
There are many images that you need not engage your brain to recognize and so many of these you instantly know are of London. Captured here are three London icons. The foreground shows one of the four huge bronze lions by Edwin Landseer that guard the base of Nelsons Column in Trafalgar Square. Nelsons Column was built in honor of Admiral Nelson (1758-1805) after his victory in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar off the coast of Spain. To the left is couple of London’s famous red double decker buses. Like sharing a pint or two in a 400 year old pub leaping onto the back platform of a moving double decker then leaping off when you spot that foresaid pub is enjoyably London. In the background is that great local icon know to all as ‘Big Ben’. Funnily enough Big Ben is not the tower, nor the clock but the bell in the tower, which forms part of the Houses of Parliament. The great bell is named after the first Commissioner of Works, Sir Benjamin Hall. Also in the clock tower is a prison cell for MPs who transgress against Parliamentary privilege. Last used in 1880 some may say that unfortunately it is not used enough today.  [...see this postcard]

Happy Birthday Clive
by Luke Gillian , 26/07/2005 13:03:15
Our great mate Clive has yet again brought up another cricket milestone, albeit personal. On what would have been the 5th day of the test, Clive notched up his 40th birthday, celebrated wildly the night before as we celebrated the first win of the series. Clive has been around with us for many years, and we look forward to celebrating many more matches and years with Clive! Happy Birthday Clivey, The Chardonnay King!  [...see this postcard]

CONGRATULATIONS GLENN!
by Luke Gillian , 22/07/2005 00:17:04
The Flag celebrated Glenn McGrath's 500th Test Wicket on day one, and came close on day two adding Michael Clarke's 3rd'debut' 100, but alas he fell short by impatience and 9 runs. Not to worry, he and Marto helped Australia to a commanding position by stumps. Australia go into day 3 with a 314 run lead, and only 7-wickets in hand. England may have the better part of 3days to chase down the runs, but with bad weather looming anything can happen!! Again, Congratulations Pigeon!!  [...see this postcard]

Ashes Upon Us!
by Luke Gillian , 20/07/2005 11:12:09
The first Ashes Test is upon us, and though the team has changed markedly since this photo was taken in 2001, the venue certainly hasn't. Lord's, the spritiual home of cricket, is where Australia are for the opening battle against the old foe. All tickets are sold, and the anticipation is at an all time high, as are the 'on-sell' prices for entry in to the hallowed ground. Get there early to get confortable for the toss that decides who gets first chance to draw first blood.  [...see this postcard]

West Indies Waving!
by Luke Gillian , 20/05/2005 21:15:33
It might be 18months away, and a long way off for many, but for The Flag it is around the corner. After a weekend on The Mound in Jamaica's Sabina Park watching South Africa destroy West Indies I couldn't help but revel in the excitement of the game in the Caribbean, and the anticipation of the 2007 Australia West Indies Test series and World Cup. The Caribbean Flags were flying proudly although the local heros were flattened, but the spirit of the game was not lost in Mound Mania. Be there in 2007!  [...see this postcard]

Postcard For Tato!
by Luke Gillian , 18/05/2005 00:12:13
Our loyal Flagger Tato hates planes. Not so much flying in them, but looking at them. Throughout the recent NZ Tour, our mate Simon had much pleasure in pointing out the passing jets (Auckland international airport was just beyond Eden Park) to Tato who refused to look skywards. Using false motives (such as taking a photo and showing him the snap) to make him look at a plane, Tato was livid when caught out. I could think of nothing more displeasing for Tato than pasting this photo of the Cayman Airways B737-200 Flight KX604 lifing off from Jamaica's Norman Manley International Airport, knowing full well Tato logs on regularly and couldn't ignore it! Happy Flying Tato, see you at check in for Africa in Feb! And for others like Simon, Tato, and myself, Norman Manley is one of the world's best runways for watching planes take off and land as you can park up at either end!  [...see this postcard]

Caged In!
by Luke Gillian , 26/04/2005 06:39:27
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the more photographed landmarks in The Big Apple, the fantastic city of New York. I've been to NYC 6times and never tire of the fast paced way of life, the superb museums and galleries, the vastness of central park, the bright lights of Time Square, and the 24hr subway to help get you from the Airport at all hours and get you home from late nights spent at the most diverse collection of bars, cafes, pubs and restaurants open 24/7. It's never too hard coming to NYC, but always harder to get out!  [...see this postcard]

Playing With A New Straight Bat!
by Luke Gillian , 30/03/2005 01:46:53
Visiting Rotorua I was inspired by the woodcarvers at the Maori Cultural Institute and after speaking with Tane, whizzed out to by a new bat and return it to be carved by Tane with a wild Maori design. A beautiful piece of artwork, I took it through the Australia and New Zealand Team dressing rooms after the match and had it autographed by all the team members. Gilly stood still long enough for this photo to be taken, and to add to my ever growing collection of amazing crickety things! Congratulations to Ricky and all the Australians for a superb cricket series, yet another pleasure to watch!  [...see this postcard]

Go The Flag Ship!
by Luke Gillian , 26/03/2005 08:20:34
What a way to spend 2-hours of an afternoon. As part of the tour inclusions, The Flag chartered the America's Cup Yacht NZL40 and with 4 of the experienced 12m Yacht helmsmen, we sailed the Hauraki Gulf of Auckland from 5-7pm. Once we got underway, we eaach hand turns and steering (this is Tatey at the wheel), but most of the time we were hands on deck winding and grinding the sails in and out and doing our best to remain upright, as best we could as the yacht heeled as far as it could/should/would go, as this camera angle might show. It was a brilliant experience and the Flaggers that climbed aboard have been, and will be talking about this for a long time since!  [...see this postcard]

Pull Up A Pew!
by Luke Gillian , 18/03/2005 05:25:00
It's not often one gets the chance to kick back and relax with a paper on a park bench to invest an hour or so of the day, but when the opportunity presents itself you take it up, if you can actually get up on it! Walking back from Te Papa Museum in Wellington, Max and I took the opportunity to unwind with the paper on this monster chair. With many things to do for the day, we only had time for the photo, and there was nothing but junk in the paper anyway!  [...see this postcard]

Hanging On!
by Luke Gillian , 16/03/2005 09:14:49
When you visit New Zealand there's one thing that has to be on the list of things to do, and that's jetboating, the original thrill seeking adventure. The Flag headed north to Hanmer Springs to run the Hanmer River with Thrillseekers (thrillseeker.co.nz) for a 40mins hoon through the canyons. It was a fabulous way to spend a small part of the day that also included immersing for a few hours in the Hanmer thermal springs, playing mini golf, and getting lost in the Maze of Adventure, all for NZ$160 including the car hire to get the 125km from Christchurch. Lets hope the lads can end the 2nd test in 4 days giving more opportunity for more of the adventures NZ has to offer!  [...see this postcard]

Screeeeeamer.....Almost!
by Luke Gillian , 14/03/2005 09:40:21
During the 2000 series in New Zealand we enjoyed access to the field during the lunch break. The Subsequent years around the world suggested that pleasure was a thing of the past, but I was pleasingly wrong. 5-mins before the players adjourned, the announcement was made that we could go on to the field for 30mins, so without hesitation, the footy was brought out, and the speckies were taken as we kicked to kick. Well, in this case, Gluv tried to take the specky! I don't know what we was trying to bring down, but if you look where Gluv is focussed, and look at Matt to the right waiting for the ball to come down, I think it fair to suggest Gluv was playing for the camera only. It made a good photo, and an easy uncontested mark for Matt!  [...see this postcard]

Still Having A Ball!
by Luke Gillian , 07/03/2005 18:46:18
Now the ODI Sreies has gone and the Test Series is underway, and The Flaggers have arrived and Christchurch is such a good place for going out, and having a great time, well, the match report and diary will be up at the game's end. it's been an indifferent Test Match thus far with not a greta impetus behind any of it really, and if it continues as is after day 2, we should see an enthralling 5-dayer once more! Gotta Go, Happy Hour's Started!  [...see this postcard]

Not This Time!
by Luke Gillian , 02/03/2005 21:02:41
The westher in Wellington has a fond reputation of being moist, like rather! For some very strange reason, we've seen one day of rain in the time we've been here, so when we fronted to The Basin Reserve for the 4th ODI, the conditions were nothing like this thank god! Thanks god that we do have conditions like this at other times, like here last November when I came to the Basin! It can rain all it likes for the next two weeks, just so long as we have a dry Test Match in one of test Cricket's great venues!  [...see this postcard]

Minus How Much?
by Luke Gillian , 27/02/2005 10:17:59
Minus 5, the bar made entirely of ice is found on Auckland¡¯s Princess Wharf. Conceived by a couple mates whose car broke down while driving across a wintery Siberia and discovered the only thing in the car that didn¡¯t freeze was the vodka. Returning to Auckland to start freezing a hell of a lot of water, and mixing vodka cocktails, Minus 5 opened not long ago, and is a must go place when in Auckland (and Queenstown, and soon Sydney), even if you don¡¯t drink, the novelty is worth it, as Brian learned the other night. From the central NSW Glenn McGrath country village of Narromine, Brian doesn¡¯t see much vodka or icy conditions outside his own kitchen cool box so were quite taken aback by Minus 5 when we took a 30min session in the deep freeze! The Flag has a flight booked in Minus 5 on the 24th of March, and with a few seats remaining, if you care to join us then let me know.  [...see this postcard]

Aaaaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh!
by Luke Gillian , 25/02/2005 21:18:33
New Zealand cricket must be in a bad state, or if you feel like getting the blood pumping a little harder, quicker, and longer than it would if you just had a triple espresso, then do as this lad did and take a 192m jump off the edge of Auckland¡¯s Skytower. Seeing jumpers from both the top (from the viewing gallery), and bottom did not make me feel any less excited about doing more than taking the glass bottom elevator up and down, but it certainly made me appreciate how much I love my feet on terra firma!  [...see this postcard]

How Much? Not Much!
by Luke Gillian , 24/02/2005 23:31:44
In all hostel kitchens, there is a ‘free food’ bucket/bin/box in the fridge, and/or on the shelf depending who fished from it last. Well, this domain of saving can be filled with many useful ingredients, many just to make up a shortfall of salt, pepper, sugar, rice, jam, bread, maybe a tomato, or even some pasta for all to use. I’m not sure if they’re meant to be all used at once though. Whatever, it’s free food and these girls from Berlin were on a tighter than usual budget, and of all this on their table, the cheese was the only thing they’d bought. The rest, all free food! I took the photo because I’d never seen so much mess on one table just to feed two girls. If there was consolation, they only had to throw out what they didn’t finish.  [...see this postcard]

A Historical Journey!
by Luke Gillian , 22/02/2005 23:23:13
The Christchurch Trams were, like so many cities of the world, an integral part of the public transport network through the 1800's and into the mid 1900's, until diesel buses took over and, like the horse that used to pull them, the trams were put to pasture. The dedication of the Tramway Historical Society finally saw the Tram re-introduced to the Christchurch streets in 1995, and now form an integral part of Chirstchurch tourism. Operating on a circle route, the beautifully restored trams, minus the horse, will take you to the most popular attractions around the city, including Cathedral Square, the Art Gallery, Arts Centre, Botanic Gardens, Victoria Square, and the New Regent Street where a string of 'Spanish Mission' styled buildings house restaurants, cafes, and bars. The Tram route takes 30-mins, is fully guided, and is a pleasant way to see Christchurch. The Hop On Hop Off ticket allows you to visit each attraction at leisure over a 48-hour period, and well worth the NZ$12.50.  [...see this postcard]

Any Time You're Ready!
by Luke Gillian , 20/02/2005 22:35:29
What is it with sightscreens the world over? I have this postcard, as I had one from India, and one from Melbourne, as I want to make a point that something so necessary to the game is so often so neglected. The teams took to the feild at Eden Park for the Twenty20 for a 7pm start, and with only 75mins to get the overs bowled, had to wait until 7.02pm for the sightscreen attendant to find the tractor (complete with two lads on the front to weigh it down!) to shift the screen in place. As he was dragging and pushing and trying to position the screen, the teams and umpires standing keen to get on with it, the driver reversed and drove over the TV Cables dragging them with every nudge. I had to laugh as I imagined the cables being snapped, the TV coverage snapped, the game called off and the shortest version of the game not even going one ball! It didn’t happen thankfully but it was a humourous thought. I often think ‘only in India’ but there’s a little bit of India in all of us!  [...see this postcard]

Super Sushi!
by Luke Gillian , 17/02/2005 01:43:12
Apart from many Japanese traveller¡¯s insatiable love for packing everything they own in plastic shopping bags, we love the Japanese and the food heaven they have brought Auckland. In fact you might at times forget you are in Auckland with the explosion of Japanese (among other east Asian eateries) restaurants, snack shops, corner counters, and sushi and sake bars in central Auckland where you can indulge in a wholesome gastronomic gorge! Everywhere you turn there¡¯s a sushi roll waiting to be eaten, but if you prefer the more casual approach, a good Teppanyaki washed down with hot sake, and authentic karaoke then you¡¯ve more than one great choice, but my fave is Ken Yakitori, pictured here! Try it out, it¡¯s ¡®Rawsome¡¯!  [...see this postcard]

The Tour Has Lift Off!
by Luke Gillian , 16/02/2005 05:53:23
The NZ Tour has started and what better way to celebrate than with a photo of the impressive Sky Tower, Auckland¡¯s landmark high point. The Flag has included a climb to the observation deck in its Test Match tour option, and any one headed over this way should head up. You can actually leap off the side (at the widest point naturally) if you feel the need to throw yourself off a perfectly stable tower. It¡¯s not a bungy per se, but just when you think the sidewalk¡¯s the only thing about to stop your fall, the brakes kick in and you slow to a halt inches off the deck. Personally, I prefer to watch from ¡®terra firma¡¯ or take the elevator down! See you in the City of Sails soon!  [...see this postcard]

Back From The Walk!
by Luke Gillian , 20/01/2005 22:19:22
G'day Flaggers! The Flag is back on line after a couple of weeks strolling about. With a NZ departure headed our way, the postcards, tour diary, among other regular site changes are in the offing. Stay tuned!  [...see this postcard]

Where Are We?
by Luke Gillian , 08/01/2005 12:20:50
There's a 'previous postcard' taken during the India Tour showing the sightscreen attendant on his mobile phone when the he should have been fixing the sightscreen. Well, in Australia, New Zealand, or anywhere, on a daily basis we have reminders of our beloved India, and Melbourne is no exception. During the Boxing Day Test, one of the sightscreens packed it in and exhausting all possible avenues of repair from the ground, the attendant called on technology to resolve the problem. I'm confident the Mumbai attendant was on the phone to his mate talking footy results or the like, and the Melbourne attendant was seeking further assistance, but the sight nonetheless made me smile and reminded me how similar our worlds can be, no how different they appear!  [...see this postcard]

Congratulations Clive!
by Simon Gibb , 01/01/2005 12:56:11
After a pre match conference on Dee Why beach with a eight flaggers the day before the Sydney Test, Clive Russell retired to the press box to update his Test match Diary. Clive keeps a written record of each test he attends and must update it before attending his next match. One feels Clive has spent more than one New Years Day behind the computer! Looking for some inspiration, Russell surrounded himself with his photos from his recent trip to Brisbane, some Chateau Cardboard and his trusty Australian Flag. Well Played Clive, we'll all see you at the big game tomorrow to celebrate your 50th Test match!  [...see this postcard]

Congratulations Australia!
by Luke Gillian , 20/12/2004 05:42:36
Congratulations to Australia on their record win over Pakistan in Perth. Congratulations to Justin Langer on becoming the world’s highest run scorer for the calendar year. And congratulations to Glenn McGrath for achieving new career best figures of 8-24, and becoming the highest Australian wicket taker at the WACA. It was a pleasure and indeed a thrill to be at the WACA Waving The Flag for you all! See you at the G on Boxing Day!  [...see this postcard]

Blaze Of Glory!
by Luke Gillian , 12/12/2004 15:25:01
The sun sets brilliantly the world over, and whenever one gets caught by the glory of yet another astonishing sunset you can't help but admire it for what you think is the most beautiful sunset you've ever seen, the next one eclipsing the previous. And Geraldton, 420km north of Perth in Western Australia, is no exception to the rule, well at least not this time. The cameras went click click a dozen times to capture the moment of my time visiting Darren for 2-weeks before the 1st test against Pakistan. Either that, or there just wasn't much else to photograph during my relaxed time on Australia's stunning Batavia Coast!  [...see this postcard]

Visit Te Papa And New Zealand With The Flag!
by Luke Gillian , 01/12/2004 00:37:41
The door designed by Robert Jahnke show Ranginui the sky father. When open it represents Te Wehenga, the separation of Rangi and Papa which revealed Te Ao Marama, the world of light. When closed it symbolizes the embrace of parents. Those who are inside the house are like the original whanau (family) between primal parents. This door is part of the Maori ancestral exhibition in Te Papa, the National Museum in Wellington, one of our inclusions in our NZ Tour Program next year.  [...see this postcard]

So India!
by Luke Gillian , 23/11/2004 00:58:35
Everywhere we go there are memories of India, and perhaps it was because I flew from Mumbai to New Zealand that I noticed this sign in downtown Auckland which sparked a laugh, a shake of the head, and a constant smile. There aren't spelling mistakes or shady looking cartoon characters, but what I had to admire was the mention of Car Parks: Plenty! Usually, well as far as I am used to seeing, it has the actual number of spaces available, but to have it simply listed as 'plenty' all I could was think, India - there's no escape!  [...see this postcard]

Go Girl!
by Luke Gillian , 14/11/2004 06:36:48
We Love the Melbourne Cup, or at least when we are offshore, the bandwagon enjoyment does overflow for many events, the greatest horse race in the world included! TGI Fridays was good to open their doors for us at 9am for the race at 9.30, so immediately after breakfast, the taste of omelette and dry toast still in the back teeth, about 100 Flaggers lobbed into TGI's for an early start to the pre-4th test celebrations by downing several pints of India's finest, while Makybe Diva made it back to back Cups on a soggy Flemington Track in Melbourne. It wasn't all that dry in TGI's either, but still there was no rain!  [...see this postcard]

It Can Only Get Better!
by Luke Gillian , 07/11/2004 06:02:27
And just like the fellow up the page, young Adam wasn't looking too pleased with proceedings late into Day 3 with Australia on the ropes. Alas, for Adam, his cheer didn't swing, and he had to sit through the hardship, as we all did, of an Australian shellacking at the hands of India. We can't win them all, so we just roll up our flags and go to the next match with a bit more enthusiasm than Soff shows here!!  [...see this postcard]

Howdy Cowboy!
by Luke Gillian , 31/10/2004 10:26:55
This little kiddie summed up the test match at Nagpur when I collared him in passing… for the umpteenth time in the day. “Mate, where are you going?” ‘Over there’ came his reply. ‘But you keep running back and forth and not watching the cricket.’ ‘I am watching the cricket, it’s that just there are too many poles over there so I can’t see!’ Beautiful! So it’s to only us that get frustrated with the Indian stadiums and their apparent love of vision hindrances. Never got his name, but he came to sit with us for an hour one day, and felt very comfortable in Nico’s hat. I’m not sure Nico felt comfortable without it, but he got over it, much like watching the cricket behind a concrete pillar.  [...see this postcard]

Wakey Wakey!
by Luke Gillian , 19/10/2004 17:06:41
We all like to have a snooze at the game now and again, but whether we do or not is another thing. Unfortunately for young Eleisha, the Chennai heat, or maybe jetlag (having flown in only hours before the match) got the better of her, as she found herself having lengthy talks with sandman early into the game on day one. No mater how well she did sleep, she didn't see the end of the great game regardless. Maybe Nagpur will be slightly different, and Eleisha stays fully focussed on the game in front!  [...see this postcard]

Almost There!
by Luke Gillian - Words, Photo - Unknown , 11/10/2004 12:18:43
Our Bangalore Flagger Chris McDonald brought with him the Shane Warne World Record wicket counter and excitedly crossed off each wicket as Shane Warne 'Popcorn' sent an Indian Batsman to the dressing room for a shower, moving one closer. With Harbhajan Singh's superb 11-wicket haul for the match, it was expected by many that Shane would take the new World Record in India's 2nd Innings, alas, we have to wait until Chennai where we are certain a new world record will be achieved. Go Shane!  [...see this postcard]

Exploding Colours
by Luke Gillian , 07/10/2004 15:51:11
India has coloured their matches. For the first time in many years, dancing girls were at the game. Pom Poms and tight clothing. All part of the changing India I feel. These girls weren't all that impressive for the movments they did, but they dis manage a chant 'East of West, India is Best'. Rather shallow when it comes to the dancing girl scenes of the America sagas the world is subjected to when US Sport programme enter the living room, but this is India, and I think it was a good thing. It's not that India cricket terraces are lacking in colour or vibrancy, but the girls were just another avenue of India excitement, with an explosion of colour and emotion!  [...see this postcard]

You Want What With The Sightscreen?
by Luke Gillian , 05/10/2004 11:58:51
There is an unwritten law in India that says the sightscreen must have a blow out of sorts at least once a day. It is to be expected, and part of the India journey, but I thouht it would take a little bit longer to occur than after 12-balls of the match at Brabourne Stadium. There this fellow was clambering up the back of the sightscreeen to repair the damage when his phone rang. Not too busy to take the call, he simply took the phone out of his pocket and chatted away for about 30-seconds while suspended above the game, while suspending the game's progress. You can't really see the phone, but the reason I took the snap was because he was on the call! We love India!!  [...see this postcard]

To Whom Shall I Make It?
by Luke Gillian , 01/10/2004 18:37:33
An Australia Cricketer gains more attention than and India player when it comes to impressing Indians. These youngsters were seated above the player’s area at Braebourne Stadium and when Jason Gillespie walked off after delivering a drink to Brett Lee, he obliged their wishes of signing autographs. Jason beckoned them to throw down what they wanted signed and then sat on the grass under the below to do the good deed. There’s only one thing more special than receiving an autograph, and that’s actually watching the person do it, hence the hanging as far forward as they could to catch but a small glimpse of Jason. This is only a tour match, you should see the interest in a Test Match!  [...see this postcard]

Get Stuck Into It!
by Luke Gillian , 27/09/2004 19:05:24
After the 2001 tour I had a photo of Mark's breakfast on the site for quite sometime as a pleasant reminder of what it is like to eat in India, so when we sat down for this feed in one of Mumbai's backstreets the other night, I couldn't help but capture the moment. The 2001 photo was at the end of the tour, and of eggs, toast, tea, and fruit and all the good stuff one likes to indulge after 2-months of Indian spices, blends, and character. This photo is at the beginning of the tour. I'm not sure Mark will have the same wide eyed expression come mid-November, but we'll see. Bon Appetite.  [...see this postcard]

Not So Flash
by Luke Gillian , 27/08/2004 08:26:23
We only had 31.4 overs of cricket against India, and young Flash was caught snoozing through a small percentage of it. Not that missing the occasional ball for some is menacing, but when you only have 190-balls to watch, and you've paid 50-euros for the pleasure, I reckon I'd keep my full concentration. But then, with all the rain about, young Flash was seen nursing a few lagers in the nearby beer hall for the better part of the morning, and I think the warming afternoon sun got the better of him. Howzat? Sorry Flash, but that's OUT!  [...see this postcard]

Slow Day At The Office!
by Luke Gillian , 15/08/2004 14:03:38
This fellow is a key cutter, stroke rubber repairer, cum blacksmith, or at least that's what I could gather from his little set up in the gutter outside the Nagpur cricket Stadium. I was intrigued as to what he was doing, so much so I took a photo of his little operation that excited him so much he dropped what he was doing (actually washing his lunch dishes in a greasy bucket), set up his radio (why? I have no idea), and posed 'au naturelle' for The Flag. Many Indians like to have their photo taken, often get embarrassed at the prospect, and generally laugh at the action, but not this fellow, no way. I think he was an old hand at posing, and on my exit from the stadium, even stopped me for another, but I can only show one for now!  [...see this postcard]

Doing It Tough!
by Luke Gillian , 15/08/2004 13:58:21
In Nagpur you will see more cycle rickshaws than anywhere else in India, or at least anywhere that the cricket has taken, or will take us in October. The bicycle appears to be the method of transport for not only people, but whoping great lengths of PVC Piping as well. And because of the rolling hills of the city doesn't allow much free wheeling, you too will see many people being pushed around in their rickshaw rather than being bicycled as the case should be. And the same goes for freight transport too, if the rider could get on the bike to start. At least thing young fella could still manage a grimaced smile as he toiled past. Keep working son, keep working!  [...see this postcard]

India - A Well Ordered Society!
by Luke Gillian , 08/08/2004 12:28:23
Indians love everything in order, and love having their photo taken, so when Ravi at the silk store in Hyderabad saw me enter his shop with a camera, he shunted the young girl from behind the counter and took her place in the hotseat to smile in front of his piles of fabric. 'Smile' is loosely defined in India for when you want them to smile they won't (such as Ravi here), but when you are taking a candid snap, they can laugh their head off at the concept. Nonetheless Indians are photogenic in their own way and no matter how many photos you take in India, none will be the same. It is a brilliant country to travel with a camera, and the cricket snaps too can be fairly unique so come with The Flag in October and find out!  [...see this postcard]

Toss At The Taj!
by Luke Gillian , 25/07/2004 11:07:56
The Taj Mahal, a stunning mausoleum of love, is the unofficial symbol of India and worth every cent, dollar, rupee, euro, and hour on the rails to get there and get in. It can never be over-rated, it is as beautiful in life as it is in image. If you are heading to India, you must see the Taj. The Flag is headed durig the October Series, and so should you. If you want to join us there, and perhaps do a spot of juggling, join us on tour.  [...see this postcard]

Feeling Flat!
by Simon Gibb , 13/07/2004 23:22:21
Luke and I were feeling a little flat on our trip from Darwin to Katherine a few days before the first test between Australia and Sri Lanka... and it had nothing to do with the 8 pints of Pale ale we had each consumed the night before! At first we had both mistaken the flat back right to be an Army Blackhawk helicopter hovering overhead, but once the helicopter's rotors slowed down at the same speed I slowed the car down to catch a glimpse of the chopper, we quickly realised our mistake, and pulled over to inspect the damage. Thanks to Luke for changing the tyre and once again proving that as a mechanic... I make a pretty good sales rep!  [...see this postcard]

Come To India... And Maybe Nepal Too!
by Luke Gillian , 27/06/2004 10:11:20
This is my favourite photo of Nepal, taken when trekking down the Kali Gandaki Valley in the Annapurna Range after the 1996 World Cup. If you're heading to India for the series in October, you might want to consider a side trip to Nepal before or after the tour. Speak with Travelworld, Glenelg (Details in India 2004 link) about the options available for connecting flights.  [...see this postcard]

No Fish! No Porridge Either!
by Luke Gillian , 21/05/2004 16:59:28
Fishing can be frustrating for many, even the most seasoned. It had been years since I last went and after my latest here, I look forward to the next, only sooner, but as I sat on the shore of the lake, with my bait doing little, and the beer sliding down exceptionally well, I couldn't help but look sedately across the water, thankful Dagsy and I never wound up in jail the other day. I doubt the view from the cell would be as pristine as this! [...see this postcard]

School Uniforms Have Their Advantages!
by Luke Gillian , 17/05/2004 19:01:07
If you wear your school uniform to the game, you get free entry into the ground which I think is a brilliant way to encourage kiddies to see the game. I'm not sure Dagsy and I would pass as scholars if we wore ours (I doubt it), so it was probably a good thing to leave ours at home. With the lack of paying spectators, the kids make up close to 90% of the attendance, and give the game a colourful, noisy, and enthusiastic atmosphere. Just as well because the Test between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe was severely lacking in that area! [...see this postcard]

And That Is Another World Record!
by Luke Gillian , 09/05/2004 17:00:51
The Picture says it all! [...see this postcard]

A Perfect Place For A Barbie
by Luke Gillian , 09/05/2004 16:57:11
Close to the supermarket, on our way to the ground before the 1st Sri Lanka Zimbabwe test, we happened across this u-beaut braai on the corner of 5th and Selous Ave. I've seen BBQ's and street vendors the world over, but this 'open log' set up was a new style. It was big enough to cook a cow well-done, or just a hell of a lot of corn! [...see this postcard]

Breaky Time!
by Luke Gillian , 09/05/2004 16:47:29
Breakfast is always important, and perhaps the most important meal of the day for a big day at the game and what better way to start than with a refreshing bowl of cornflakes. Dagsy brought 3kg down from London (cheaper there than here), and with the purchase of milk from the supermarket near the ground, our day started with a golden bowl of goodness. Another reason we'd like each game to go 5-days, but that's unlikely! [...see this postcard]

Showing His Colours!
by Luke Gillian , 04/05/2004 17:44:47
Amid the social and cricket turmoil Zimbabweans are enduring at present, when it comes to the crunch, they are not shy to display their colours, even when the cricket team has been crushed 5-0 in the ODI series. For the length of the Game 5 at Harare Sports Club this fellow never relented in supporting his team or country, often seen running laps of the ground, rousing the small masses in song and doing his best to get his team across the line. The Zimbabwe colours looking a treat in the late afternoon sun, I hope the sun shine keeps shining on this great country! [...see this postcard]

The African Smile
by Luke Gillian , 04/05/2004 17:43:46
The African smile I don't think can be beaten anywhere, isn't just brilliant? Not always keen to have their photo snapped, a few clicks of the button and then a digital slide show, soon has the more meek begging for a snap, if only for the opportunity to see themselves. Heaven knows the reaction of a video clip. Many of the kiddies in Takashinga haven't electricity, let alone a TV. This lad was one of the more extrovert of the few hundred that turned up at the game between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe A; his hand out only for a look! [...see this postcard]

Ouch!
by Luke Gillian , 02/04/2004 12:59:18
Nico had an earache and couldn't work out why; and it wasn't because we had to perform surgery with pliers at breakfast either. Choosing to have a bolt through his ear, Nico scored a whopping great infection and thinking it might just go away he let it get really, really bad. Needing to rid his ear of torment, the only way to get the thing out was to attach his ear to pliers and twist, yank, tug, squeeze, and rip the thing out, naturally occasionally squeezing his ear too. Of course we tried to make it as painless as possible (really we did; if you believe that!) before the little steel culprit was finally exhumed from the depth of infection. Very Tasty for the breakfast table!  [...see this postcard]

Deep Clean!
by Luke Gillian , 02/04/2004 12:50:43
Sometimes the washing must be done, and more often than not it isn't! Alas, there comes a time when sliding on a greasy t-shirt, crusty underpants, or grainy socks just can't be done anymore so it is to the bottom of the shower Dagsy goes to soak, scrub, wash, rinse, wash again, soak again, spin then tumble dry. Nice in theory, but instead of the deep cleanse our clothes need it is a light sprinkle of washing powder, a vague splash of water, a slap on the floor, and then onto the balcony for three days for a good dose of 'fresh air' which usually helps more than the wash itself, but not much!  [...see this postcard]

Black, No Sugar Thanks!
by Luke Gillian , 02/04/2004 12:47:22
We Love Dilmah! Well at least I know I do, though many other Flaggers through the tour did enjoy a cup of 'Ceylon's Finest Tea' at some point. The turquoise green clad lads were missing from the first ODI in Dambulla, but from the 2nd ODI through to the last day of the 3rd test in Colombo the lads were ever present in the grounds, one carrying the tray with pre-bagged cups, the other carrying the thermos, always at the ready to satisfy a thristy Flagger with a thirst quenching Rs10 cup of goodness. Thanks to all the Dilmah Lads for their prompt and efficient tea service throughout the tour! [...see this postcard]

Yummo!
by Luke Gillian , 02/04/2004 12:43:15
Eating out in Sri Lanka can be a nervous adventure for some, as it is across the region for that matter. Making your order by a simle point at a board, or misunderstanding the Sri Lanka nod (No) or head wobble (Yes) resulting in you not having an iota of a clue as to what you will get, at least you have the chance to walk into the kitchen and have a look at what is being prepared and if need be instruct the chef/chef's mother/brother/uncle/child as to what you actually want. But if you can't clearly express your wont for a vegetable stir fry to the waiter/boss/taxi-driver/chief bottle washer, there's no chance of you letting the chef know he has your order all wrong. But for the price you'll pay, you should be lucky to get anything. [...see this postcard]

Tickets! Tickets!
by Luke Gillian , 02/04/2004 12:41:57
This has to be the World's best ticket office; no pathetically small windows to peer or speak through, no boring computer spat generic tickets like Australia, no bar codes, no receipts (and of course no change but you expect that in Sri Lanka), and no queues, except for the morning traffic that might rubber neck their way past the ground for a fleeting glimpse of a player! For all the hoopla surrounding a test series, and the officialdom we pass through, it is refreshing to see a ticket office so relaxed in their approach to the game. Perched under this tree in a little steel walled shed close to the stadium in Kandy sat four lads, not so much hawking tickets as making sure the crows didn't crap on them. [...see this postcard]

I've Had Enough!
by Luke Gillian , 01/04/2004 10:14:24
Even the shortest cricket tour to any region can take its toll, no matter how pristine the environment. Lewis came for the 3-tests, and after 24-days roaming Sri Lanka, her beaches, bars, and cricket stadiums, he picked himself up and baled back to the UK. I think the beach he was on here is a far better palce to be than the UK, but no where near as economical! [...see this postcard]

A Winning Smile!
by Luke Gillian , 30/03/2004 12:02:28
Sri Lanka may no thave won the test series, but there was still much to cheer about their cricket and the manner in which they played the game. This little champ spent the test match cheering loudly and waving his flag for Sri Lanka, and though he couldn't quite them over the line, it was the great top see such a top little bloke cheer his team from start to finish. I'm sure in a few years from now he might have more of an influence! [...see this postcard]

Two Big Baggy Smiles!
by Luke Gillian , 24/03/2004 13:12:24
It is a prized piece of cricket headwear, revered the world over by spectators, players, and would be players alike. Only 388 Australians have had the honour of being given a baggy green for their cricketing abilities, while very few non-players have been given the honour of wearing one, and for the most only as a short tribute, or as a gift from past players. Following the tremendous win over Sri Lanka in Kandy, after invitation from Justin Langer to enter the dressing room, Matthew Hayden and Justin allowed Darren and I to wear their respective Baggys'. I recall Ian Healy telling me in 1995 when carrying the drinks out to the field that he couldn't give me the baggy green to wear because 'You have to earn that'. Those words rung in my ear when Justin handed me his. In a warming gesture, it was too hard to refuse and I think our smiles speak for themselves. Thank you Justin and Matthew for the special honour!  [...see this postcard]

Gone To The Rope!
by Luke Gillian , 19/03/2004 13:07:46
We love our cricket so much that when we go on a day tour to a cultural attraction such as Sigiriya we still manage to fit ina bash in the park. Here you can see Smurf about to play a classic late cut. Off such a cracked and dodgy pitch, he did well, as I can report, to put bat on ball and set off for the single. Not that it counted for anything more than a digestive aid for his lunch, he still made it to double figures before compulsory retirement which in this game meant hitting a catch to someone in the deep! And before long we were on Sigiriya Rock... playing cricket! [...see this postcard]

Picnic At Sigiriya Rock!
by Luke Gillian , 16/03/2004 12:53:58
After travelling to Kandy by train, The Flag spent the day before the 2nd test match on a day trip to Sigiriya Rock and Dambulla Cave Temples. The Temples created over 2000-years ago, the rock a sandsone pillar rising 200m out of the dry scapes below, housed a palace on top, now only the foundation stone ruins can been found. It is only a 2.5hr drive north of Kandy and a great way to spend a day, The 2000 step climb to the top is well worth it as it presents 360-degree views across a lush Sri Lanka. It was just as well we had a brilliant picnic lunch at Na Mala Resort first! Nothing like carbo loading! [...see this postcard]

And That's Six... Feet Under!
by Luke Gillian , 10/03/2004 12:13:26
Living where we are on Unawatuna Beach is what you might call perfect. It might not be the bets beach in the world, but then it is only down to the opinion of the individual in any case. Ending the day's play, the searing heat of the afternoon sun staring down at us from opposite the ground, kept the temperatures up for us, and the sweat to a maximum so come 5.30pm, it was a race back to the beach and a tranquil game of beach cricket using a banana palm for a bat. The weather was supreme, and though the rains came down late in the day, we were wet anyway. Dagsy led the way with the bat as his raised hand might attest! [...see this postcard]

Capacity Crowd!
by Luke Gillian , 07/03/2004 11:56:20
Tour games do not attract very many spectators at the best of time, and for that reason is why I love them more than one day cricket. You can kick back on the boundary rope, or wander aimlessly around the boundary, chatting to players (different venues do or not allow this!) or just taking a different perspective on the game. These lads behind us at the game played at Colombo Cricket Club were by definition 'the crowd' supporting Sri Lanka. The little hill they sit isn't exactly a WACA Ground embankment, but they did cut a rather relaxed and focused pose for a rather relaxing game. [...see this postcard]

Healthy Eating!
by Luke Gillian , 28/02/2004 09:00:13
Sammy's was brilliant. Innocent fun and good times was had by all, most of all I am guessing by Sammy himself, though Fire was his real name, he just looked like Sammy Davis Junior. In this small upstairs restaurant in downtown Dambulla, we sat at the back, were served great food, and ice cold beer, and generally allowed to roam free throughout and talk to other patrons, laugh out loud with Sammy, check-out the kitchen, and happen across this fellow having a bath. The restaurant/bar was full. Chicken Fried Rice and Chop Suey being served to the masses, beer and arrack being demanded from all corners, and in the middle of this carefree environment, this fellow decided it was as good a time as any to bathe. Not the thing you expect to ever see in the kitchen. You can be sure the staff are health conscious!  [...see this postcard]

Fresh And Flavoursome!
by Luke Gillian , 26/02/2004 11:31:55
When you stroll the foreshore of Colombo's Galle Face Green, admiring the Indian Ocean sunset, the palatte is tempted by the sight, and smells of the snack sellers in abundance from 5pm. The offerings are limited to corn, a roti or seller or two, fruit (pineapple) or even a peanut seller, but what you will see most are three whole prawns fried onto a dahl biscuit. Probably 2 of 3 sellers have these, and though you rarely see people buy any, they are the most popular. Lined up in trays, as above, one piece costs US$0.10c, they drop it into hot oil for 30-seconds, scoop it onto a piece of newspaper and top it with diced onion and chilli and a squirt of a spiced tomatoey sauce. You might question eating 3-whole prawns that have been sitting there for an unknown period, but they are cracking good to eat! [...see this postcard]

Which Way?
by Luke Gillian , 24/02/2004 05:15:58
Our first road trip of the tour had us leaving the peak hour hubbub of Colombo for Dambulla in the country's drier centre. Though Chaminda had every idea of where we were going and what direction we would take to get there, Graham thought he would orient himself with the Sri Lanka geography and highway around the country. After a few minutes of being buried in the map, he innocently asked Chaminda, "Where are we on this map?" For a start, we're up the other way Graham! He is a painter so his brush strokes do have better direction! [...see this postcard]

Smokers Outside!
by Luke Gillian , 19/02/2004 02:44:06
If you can't find a seat on the train to Kandy, you simply sit in the doorway and marvel at the passing scenery. In fact you should do that anyway whether you have a seat or not, and whether you are on the train to Kandy, Galle, or elesewhere. And I must add even if you don't smoke! You can of course smoke anywhere you like on the train, but at least this fellow showed the courtesy a non-smoker would appreciate, or perhaps he just didn't have seat on the train! Either way, it's a nice photo don't you think? Well, I do!! [...see this postcard]

Blue Moon!
by Luke Gillian , 15/02/2004 08:25:15
Unawatuna Bay, bathed in near full moonlight is soothing destination away from the bustle Colombo, some 120km south of the Capital. Most of the guesthouses along this protected stretch of coast have restaurants and bars allowing perfect immersion into the relaxed lifestyle the area commands. Australia will play the first test against Sri Lanka in Galle, only 5km north of this wonderful Indian Ocean retreat.  [...see this postcard]

A Breath Of Fresh Air!
by Luke Gillian , 14/02/2004 09:01:12
Somewhere out there in the smoggy distance of Hong Kong's Chep Lap Kok Airport is Gate 41. There is also gates 42-80 but I can only thank christ I only had to run half that distance. I was perched nicely in the Qantas Club for a lazy 12-hours, enjoying the chilled Guinness, finger sandwiches, broadband internet, and hot showers before realising at 6pm I was on the brink of missing my connection. I think I had memories of 1999 when the Cathay Flight departed from Gate 5, a pleasant few minutes stroll from the lounge. Gate 41 departure lounge is a flippin long way from the Qantas lounge let me tell you, without inhaling any of that garbage filled air seen through the window. [...see this postcard]

Home Delivery!
by Luke Gillian , 05/02/2004 14:24:32
There doesn't appear to be a great deal of work ethic when it comes to health and safety in the Colombo Fish Market. People stroll around with bare feet, they smoke, they use the floor for cutting boards, then when all's said and done, the bulky work is simply shovelled up, lobbed into a barrow, and wheeled off to the paying consumer! So long as the practise is consistent you'll be safe. Just be wary of the fish served in the hotels and fashionable restaurants, cause that fish has been handled in a variety of temperatures and habits! Nothing like the good 'ole street food to keep your tummy settled!  [...see this postcard]

In The Fast Lane!
by Luke Gillian , 01/02/2004 08:27:17
Looking forward to our Sri Lanka tour, the mind casts back to the transport modes. The bus is the cheapest way to get around Colombo, though can be the most aggressive. Hailing a three wheeler is the easiest, but the cost can quickly escalate if you take lots of them, whereas for a minimum fare of Rs4 (US$0:04c) on a bus you can get anywhere across Colombo to the places you will probably want to go next year. The entire city is covered, much the way the perspiration covers this driver's body as he unflinchingly negotiates the fast paced streets of the frenetic capital.  [...see this postcard]

Farewell Hookesy!
by Simon Gibb , 29/01/2004 20:21:49
The Adelaide Oval scoreboard with it's own small tribute to David Hookes during the Australia Day weekend of cricket. Photographed before the India vs. Zimbabwe game last Saturday, the board very simply summed up everyone's feelings. I was lucky enough to meet David Hookes many times when I was a youngster as my Dad used to work with him at a local radio station, and am, like many, very saddened by his passing. Rest In Peace Hookesy.  [...see this postcard]

Shoe Shine!
by Luke Gillian , 20/01/2004 13:50:40
I'm not really sure the dust and muck in the air of Colombo will keep your shoes shining bright for very long, but one guarantee is if you need your shoes repaired, this fellow, sitting in a narrow doorway store tucked away somewhere deep in the markets of Pettah, will do so with pleasure and bright enthusiasm. Never had flip flops repaired, but if I need to, well, at least I know where to go.  [...see this postcard]

My Favourite Tree!
by Luke Gillian , 15/01/2004 13:13:02
... has received another showing! The Flag's computer is offline for the next few weeks so I can't access new photos, instead reloading a few faves from Sri Lanka in readiness for our tour next month. There's perhaps not much I can say about this fantastic tree, except when you get to Kandy you've got to go see it at the Botanic Gardens in nearby Peradeniya. I just love it! This is completely huge covering an area about 30m across, and around, about 100 metres perhaps? My math is not as flash as the tree, but mathematics is not important at the gardens, a beautiful escape from the hubbub of Kandy!  [...see this postcard]

Lost In The Translation!
by Luke Gillian , 14/01/2004 22:56:10
Timmy Shipstone and Clivey Russell were joined in the London Tavern Paddington, after Day 2 of the Sydney Test, by Petra from Germany after introducing her to the intracacies of our great game for the first time. From Frankfurt, Petra isn't the first German The Flag has shown the game, but in the same ilk of her previous countrymen, she thought it a rather funny game. Maybe the smile on Petra's face has more to do with Clive's definition of Short Leg, or Timmy suggesting she gets caught in slips. Either way, no matter what the definition, I'm sure it will be lost in the translation.  [...see this postcard]

The Boys Are Back!
by Luke Gillian , 08/01/2004 00:47:04
Dagsy and Bradley have been absent from the game for quite sometime and it was fitting that both, who have shared many great times and memories of the game the world over, should re-unite in Sydney for Steve Waugh's final test. Looking the goods in their India 2001 Tour Training Shirts, the game was shining brightly both the lads, and instilling what I hope will be a renewed enthusiasm to get to more games in the next year, more often. I look forward to seeing you guys Waving The Flag again soon! Best Wishes, Luke  [...see this postcard]

Go The Gilly Girls!
by Luke Gillian , 30/12/2003 09:26:49
The Gilly Girls hail from Sydney, and lobbed to Melbourne for the infamous Boxing Day Test Match. Wearing Australian Gold, and donning Australian Flag Oven Mits that happen to match (in colour) Adam Gilchrist's new keeping gloves, the girls tirelessly copied everyone of Gilly's moves from adjusting the hat, moving in with the bowler, and directing field traffic. With full spirit the girls cheered Gilly each day, and finally got their wish at the end. Gilly came to the fence and signed their mits, just as their sign asked. The girls will be there in Sydney, and not too hard to find I imagine!  [...see this postcard]

100 In The Paddock Next Door To Mums!
by Luke Gillian , 24/12/2003 11:33:26
It is that time of year when Australian families celebrate Christmas in their unique way. It's not salads and bbq's, washed down with lashings of beverages (though very common) on a hot summer's day, but it is the unco-ordinated game of cricket late in the afternoon. Team's comprised of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, grandkids, parents, and the kids down the street, get together for the game of hit and run, one hand one bounce, and 6 and out over the fence, while using nanna's zimmerframe as stumps. My eldest nephew Eamonn didn't quite get the 100, though slashing text book straight drives like this above suggest he is a few years from having the impaired vision at this time of the day that prevents the older (18+) generation from playing such deliberate cricket! Merry Christmas all!!  [...see this postcard]

40-Year Habit... Broken!
by Luke Gillian , 19/12/2003 03:37:04
Rick has lived in Adelaide for 40-years and never had a pie floater (meat pie swimming in pea soup), until now that is! It's not that one has to eat them just because you live io Adelaide, but it should at least be known to have at least tried one. Mark and I made our nightly stop by Cowley's Pie Cart opposite the GPO in the city, and introduced Rick to the delights of a cheap ($5) tummy filler. He didn't exactly do cartwheels, and never threatened to make the special journey from Glenelg to buy one, but now he knows! Unlike Mark who is a vegetarian! Mark simply enjoys the float without the pie!  [...see this postcard]

Are You Lost?
by Luke Gillian , 10/12/2003 02:02:08
Sinead is from Trinidad! Yes, that large southern Caribbean island marginally north of Venezuela. And what exactly is Sinead doing at Australia vs India at The Gabba in Brisbane? Freezing by the looks of it! Sinead is in Australia for the next few months exploring our large land, and decided to take in a few days of the test match in Brisbane. Being from the West Indies cricket is certainly in her blood so the game's explanantion was not required, unlike the Flag Fleece to keep her precious tropical blood warmer than the Brisbane Tropics seem to have been doing.  [...see this postcard]

Gotta Love The Tropics
by Luke Gillian , 07/12/2003 11:05:05
The Brisbane weather has turned on its worst for a couple of years and dampened the spirit of many that have fronted to see Steve Waugh's final test match at The Gabba. There's not alot one can do when conditions control much of the game except patiently wait for the clouds to clear. Having lost almost 2-full days of play, the game has taken the field intermittently during intermittent rain stoppages, and just when you might have thought the game would proceed unheeded, bad light, such as the bleak atmos here, brought an end to the short lived joy the few thousand folk were experiencing. Day four certainly was swathed in sunshine, and day 5 looks similar, but in the tropics, you just never know!  [...see this postcard]

A Sad Day For The World!
by Luke Gillian , 27/11/2003 03:12:57
The sad day has finally arrived when the great man of Australian Cricket, Steve Waugh, has decided to hang up his infamous baggy green, after almost 20-years of dedicated service to Australian Cricket, Australia and the world's cricket loving public. But with pleasure we all have the chance to say farewell to Steve in what will be his final 4-tests for our country, in Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and the final game in Sydney. Get your tickets, get your flights, and get around Australia to say farewell and thank you to Steve. See you there!  [...see this postcard]

The Season's First Century At Adelaide Oval!
by Simon Gibb , 19/11/2003 23:47:46
Sorry Linley (previous postcard), but the time has come for you to pass! Who would have picked the first century of the season at the Adelaide Oval would have gone to the Wallabies? Just like Mark Waugh and Greg Blewett before them, the Wallabies chalked up a Test hundred on debut on the beautiful Adelaide Oval turf... and what a way to start, 142 - Zip against Namibia!! Pictured underneath the famous old scoreboard left to right, are Rod, myself, Crackers, Bernie and Pinky with the Flag, celebrating the win after the final whistle. GO 'STRAYA!!"  [...see this postcard]

Lively Linley!
by Luke Gillian , 08/11/2003 06:12:55
Linley from Western Australia collared me prior to the last race on the card on Melbourne Cup Day, begging me for a photo (of course alcohol was present in the conversation!). Not really sure why, but between very animated pleads Linley expressed her love of our great game of cricket, and her wont to tour with The Flag one day. Naturally, I said 'no problem' and also told her I'd put the photo on the site, and though a few days later than I'd have liked, here it is, or maybe I should say, 'Here she is!'. If anyone from the West knows Linley, you can let her know she's now in cyber space as promised! Cheers Linley, nice to have met you!  [...see this postcard]

Gone, Yes!
by Simon Gibb , 04/11/2003 23:48:00
Crackers is given out in trademark fashion by New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden on Day Four at the SCG during the Test against Zimbabwe. Great work by Billy to come over and have a chat with us off his own back I must say, certainly a rare treat to meet an umpire at a Test Match. A pleasure to meet you Billy, and we will see you in Melbourne on Boxing Day!!  [...see this postcard]

Wake Up Adam!
by Simon Gibb , 29/10/2003 14:03:14
Channel Nine Camera man Adam Phillips taking advantage of a break in play to have a kip while the umpires decided if play would go on or not due to bad light.....makes one wonder why bother turning the lights on at all if you are still going to go off for poor light!! Oh well Adam, I see you're not complaining too much here! Thank for capturing The Flag in action for us mate....see you in Brisbane!  [...see this postcard]

But It's Only Half Finished!
by Luke Gillian , 26/10/2003 10:34:34
Our West Indies Wave Slave, Sara, from Newcastle was surprised to have her photo snapped at the London Tavern after the first day's play between Australia and Zimbabwe in Sydney, but not as surprised as she would be when she gets home to see the haircut she received when she wasn't looking. If only she had let Simon cut off the flowing locks on the side before retreating to the bar, maybe she'd be happier with an all over nude-nut. I'm sure it will grow back eventually!  [...see this postcard]

The Flag Baggy!
by Luke Gillian , 22/10/2003 10:58:20
It might look the part, but as we would all know you have to earn the real Baggy Green. Rosco from Albion Sports gave me a call early on day one of the Sydney test and outside the SCG members stand presented me with a 'Flag Baggy' to my overwhelming surprise. With gold trim, and The Flag logo on the front of course to differentiate from the real McCoy, this hat was hand cut and stitched by the same people that have been responsible for the Australian Team Baggy for almost 20-years. It was a wonderful gesture by Rosco and Albion and I cannot express my full appreciation no matter how much I try. Little sisters and brothers of The Flag Baggy are not available, but if ever they are you'll be first to know. For the full range of Albion caps, and other headwear check out www.albionsports.com.au  [...see this postcard]

Go Zimbabwe!
by Luke Gillian , 14/10/2003 08:49:29
Go Zim! Not looking too pleased with the game so far, this fellow has come from Zimbabwe to support his side for the two test series. Wandering around the ground for the first 3-days, this Oke, (sorry, never got your name!) landed on the Western Embankment to see out day-4 adding a bit more colour to the somewhat sparsely populated grassland. Wearing a South Africa hat, a Zimbabwe shirt, and carrying a kangaroo, it was questioned who he was supporting but so long as he was there, that's what matters. See you in Sydney!  [...see this postcard]

Sri Lanka Is Waiting For...
by Luke Gillian , 06/10/2003 05:27:34
... of cricket, cultural enlightenment, cricket, fantastic beaches, cricket, splendid hill country, cricket, ancient cities, cricket, religious temples, cricket, rock fortresses, cricket, mountain golf, cricket, elephants, cricket, fabulous food, cricket, frenetic market places, cricket, wild surf, cricket, wild animals, cricket, wild bus rides, cricket, fresh tea, cricket, heady night clubs, cricket, rail journeys, cricket, and much, much, much, much more! Come to Sri Lanka for something totally different.  [...see this postcard]

It Is Finished... Really!
by Luke Gillian , 15/09/2003 15:00:31
Sri Lanka's newest cricket venue, The Rangiri International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla might not look all complete, but complete it is, and ready to host Australia next Feb. At least one ODI should be scheduled at this lake side venue in the country's dry centre, a stone's throw from the unmissable Sigirya Rock. Dambulla is about 70km north of Kandy, 90km from NE of Colombo, and the stadium? Like the flowers, ready and resplendent!  [...see this postcard]

Piles Of The Stuff!
by Luke Gillian , 30/08/2003 14:16:09
Maybe it's the chef in me, but there's something uniquely interesting about food, especially when trawling the markets of Pettah in central Colombo. There has been more than tripping through Pettah to my recent trip around this dynamic little island, but if there's one place where you need to spend a full day, with a camera it's Pettah. You've seen the tomatoes in the previous postcard, and limes and ginger (interesting combo) in this one. Maybe the full-on fish market will make a showing next!  [...see this postcard]

Tomatoes? Anything You Like!
by Luke Gillian , 24/08/2003 15:08:10
The market sellers of Pettah take tremendous pride in their wares, whether edible, or otherwise. The standard is to specialise, such as this lad doing the tomato trade. It is fascinating to see them lining the streets of Pettah, their foodstuffs simply spread on a blanket, or what could easily have been an old railway sleeper. It matters not so long as the product is off the deck, it's ok. Bit of a conundrum really considering the amount of garbage in the air, and the spread of crap with the people, pigeons, and pulse of the region smothering the area. The markets are bright, big, beautiful, and welcoming for anyone wishing to take an interest.  [...see this postcard]

C'Mon, Give Us Your Best!
by Luke Gillian , 22/08/2003 13:40:27
You can joke about throwing up at the sight of something ghastly, more often it just an expression, but let me tell you, I couldn't eat for the day after seeing this fellow in the streets of Pettah. Taking an interest in the market sellers, he came over to look at the snaps I had taken, but not before taking a snap of his brilliant smile... only after persuasion from his mates of course. I was reeling as he offered me a chessey grin only inches from my face, and I think it were my reaction that sent his friends into a frenzy for a photo opportunity. Photo opportunity? More like dental!  [...see this postcard]

Blurred Vision!
by Luke Gillian , 16/08/2003 07:43:59
The railways across Sri Lanka are lined with such a diversity of people it's hard not to spend your entire journey standing in the doorway watching life pass by. And occasionally the people take an interest in the passing carriages, though when one passes every 30-mins or so, the novelty I'm sure must wear off. All this should go unsaid I suppose, but I'm really looking for the right words to describe this snap of a young kiddie, his eyes the only thing in focus, and by chance looking straight down the lens. Only just got him too!  [...see this postcard]

A Close Shave
by Luke Gillian , 16/08/2003 07:42:38
If you're that way inclined, such as lazy or seeking a therapeutic change, get into a local hairdresser when in Sri Lanka next year. Having a 'blade shave' from your apple to apex is a rather refreshing change from the usual visit to the salon, not that I would know. For Rs250 (Aud$4), sit back, relax and let the little china do all the work for the ensuing 30-mins. They'll give you 2 shaves, a head massage, and some excellent stinging tonic to finish. And by the way, you'll be looking for a 'saloon' and not a 'salon'. There's plenty of stuff to drink inside, but not recommended!  [...see this postcard]

St Patrick's Year!
by Luke Gillian , 16/08/2003 07:40:52
Rivers that flow through cities with a large Irish population, are often dyed green when celebrating St Patrick's Day. In Colombo, Sri Lanka, however, the water flowing around Slave Island in the heart of the city is this colour naturally, or indeed unnaturally pending how you look at it! One can't deny that it isn't a brilliant green, and aided with the rich palm and bush lined banks, Colombo would be the envy of every 'Irish City' the world over on March 17 each year, though their Guinness needs a bit of work.  [...see this postcard]

Who Ate All The Pies? No Question really!
by Simon Gibb , 02/08/2003 10:48:26
Luke and Wisden, with not much faces, enjoying a pie at lunch time of Day one in Cairns. The first session was hard work and the boys appeared to work up a big appetite before stuffing their faces at the first opportunity during the interval, which answered that age old question commonly asked at the cricket....."Who ate all the pies!!"  [...see this postcard]

Happy Birthday Clive
by Luke Gillian , 30/07/2003 11:49:38
Clive (far right) turned 38 this very special week of the Cairns test, so to celebrate he and Simon (2nd from R) ventured north to the tropics for what they termed a 'mini-tour'. Seen here with their mate Jeff, and Christine, whom joined us on tour in the West Indies, joined Clive in the terrace of Bundy Rum Oval in Cairns to enjoy with him yet another 'Chardonnay Moment'. I trust you had a great weekend Clive, and look forward to seeing you in Sydney for the Zim Test. Best Wishes, Luke  [...see this postcard]

Cinque Terre - Teriffic!
by Luke Gillian , 24/07/2003 09:31:03
Over the centuries the Cinque Terre (5-lands) was developed by peasant farmers, a constant collective work to create this remarkable landscape in a little corner of Liguria, on Italy's north west coast. The 5-lands are the fishing hamlets of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Coniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Held up by 7000km of dry stone walling, cleverly built without cement the hillsides are a terraced wonders of vineyards, orchards, and olive groves. Under constant damage through tourism and the ages, the Cinque Terre is a National Park recognised by UNESCO as a protected World Heritage Site, and Protected Marine Area. The best way to enjoy the Cinque Terre is to walk from Riomaggiore to Monterosso, on the paths and centuries old flights of steps that link the villages on an 11km magical landscape.  [...see this postcard]

The Champion Team... and Mat Johnson!
by Words: Luke Gillian. Photo: Dean Marshall , 16/07/2003 08:47:57
Matty Johnson isn't a small lad and I believe it would be hard for him to hide in many places. However, I don't think Matty was making great efforts to conceal himself in this snap of the Australians celebrating with Frank in Antigua. If nothing else, he nicely fills up the gap to the right of the pic, and lends the backdop a certain colour with the Australian Flag! Cheers for sending the photo Mat!  [...see this postcard]

Tallinn - Ageing Beautifully!
by Luke Gillian , 05/07/2003 11:50:38
Tallinn, the Capital city of Estonia is one the world's best living museums. The waves of history that have swept the shores of this northern Europe city, the Danes, Swedes, Germans, Russians, and even slavic influences, have developed Tallinn into the medieval masterpiece she is today. The 700-years of architectural history give a compact yet virtually endless overview of external influence in the winding, cobbled streets of Tallinn's remarkable oldtown, hidden within the wall that at it strongest was 4km in length, 3m thick, and 16m high with 46-defence towers all the way back in the 16th century. Today, you can walk the wall, spiral within the towers, and even dine on top the ramparts that so define Tallinn. 2-visits down, I can't wait for my third!  [...see this postcard]

The Great Saint Nick!
by Luke Gillian , 13/06/2003 12:47:31
The Cathedral in Senate Square, Helsinki, Finland, was completed in 1852 and formerly known as St Nicholas, named after the patron Saint of Trade and Seafaring, and the Russian Tsar, Nicholas. In 1959 Helsinki became a diocese and Nicholas' Church was renamed the Cathedral. The steps leading to the imposing temple is a popular meeting place for friends, and a comfortable spot to bask whilst taking in the scenes of the Square below, and the movements of the enormous ships and ferries that link Finland with Sweden, Estonia, and Russia, in the port only a few hundred yards away. The cathedral and square is used for exhibitions, concerts, and university events, and the prime location in Helsinki to see in the New Year.  [...see this postcard]

Finally! Sparrow asleep!
by Darren Moulds , 03/06/2003 08:05:21
Mr Sparrow our fearless leader has been finally captured on film (well...digital film anyway) asleep at the cricket. Courtesy of Steve Chugg here we see him asleep at the Sri Lanka v Australia Super 6 game at Centurion (South Africa) during the 2003 World Cup. Sparrow has the uncanny knack of photographing the rest of us when we nod off during the cricket and so it is by popular demand that this photo makes the website.....In fairness to the Great Man though...the photo was taken during the lunch break !!!  [...see this postcard]

Is Anybody in There?
by Luke Gillian , 29/05/2003 21:20:16
They couldn't make it any more difficult to conduct a transaction, short of taking away the chairs. In this day of cost cutting, you'd have thought to make the window through which one passes cash and match tickets bigger than 6" X 4" to reduce construction costs, and hence be at the top of the design order. It was not to be thus one had to squeeze their line of vision through the little gap of 4" thick concrete, over the printer and past the photocopier to the sales lady standing at the desk on the other side. It should go without saying that it took no more than 2-mins to receive the tickets for the last 2-ODIs, to be played at St George's Park in Grenada. Let's hope the match view won't be as obstructive!  [...see this postcard]

Cooling the Heat!
by Luke Gillian , 29/05/2003 21:17:37
Grenada, The Spice Island, is one of the most beautiful islands of the Caribbean, and hiring a car to circumnavigate the island via narrow winding roads through lush forests and stunning coastals routes is a brilliant way to see Grenada and it's people. Not far from the Capital, St George's, is Concord Falls. They're certainly not Guyana's Kaieteur Falls, but then at Kaieteur you can't jump off for fun (you can jump off Kaieteur, but not much fun landing 742ft later). The Concord waterfall has gouged a 6m deep pool over the years that, for US$2, can be leapt into from the scary heights around. And once the leap of faith is done and dusted, wallowing in the shallows, as Deano, Timmy, and Tones are doing here, is the preferred measure of relaxation.  [...see this postcard]

Lazy Days!
by Luke Gillian , 29/05/2003 21:15:43
Lazy days for some! Getting in early or late to Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad will result in you setting up camp where you like, or where you can, along the bicycle track. Denise was late so found herself languishing at the back, but that doesn't seem to bother anyone for in Trinidad anything goes. The number of deck chairs, eskies, umbrellas and other almost unnecessary accompaniments dragged into the terrace during the day might suggest international cricket is played weekly; don't worry about missing the game this time as we'll see it next week. It hardly seems worth the effort but the Trinis express themselves differently, and it is apparent they're not here for the cricket. They might not see much of the game, but they still manage to smile about the day as Denise always did! [...see this postcard]

Boarding Call!
by Luke Gillian , 29/05/2003 21:13:14
Travel around the Caribbean is exhaustive and frustrating, as flights are late, cancelled, re-scheduled, aborted. Every airline is the same and it drives you to distraction, especially when checking in two hours before the flight that is non-existent, or scheduled for a few hours later. If there’s pleasure to come from the anxieties of Caribbean travel, it is the departure lounge at St Lucia’s Vigie airport. There is the conventional clinic after immigration, but the best is being able to take a seat on the beach, under a palm tree waiting for your in-bound flight to arrive as Dean Marshall (above) and I enjoyed en-route to Trinidad. Once you know your plane has landed, you grab your things, have your passport stamped, and you’re away. It’s only at this time you wish for further delay. [...see this postcard]

Too Much Ladies?
by Luke Gillian , 29/05/2003 21:11:30
Nicole (left), Julie (middle), and Tiffany were on the lean after a big weekend in Jamaica, on the world famous 'Mound'. Celebrating the first 2-wins by Australia in the best of 7 series, the Nicole and Tiff were also celebrating the end of their Flag Tour. Joining The Flag for the last 2-tests, adding on the first 2-ODIs to complement their tour, after they dried out from the downpour (and not the all you can drink) that flooded the Mound after the win on Sunday, the girls head back to London to continue work that hopefully will work towards their next Flag Tour to Sri Lanka in Feb Mar 2004. Julie on the other hand stays on to support the full one-day series. Thanks for coming with The Flag girls, trust you had a great time and we see you in the terraces again! Travel Safe! Luke. [...see this postcard]

The Great Frank!
by Luke Gillian , 14/05/2003 22:34:16
The Frank Worrell Trophy! It feels as good now as it did when I last had my hands on it in Sydney 2001. Invited into the dressing room to pay my respects to the lads for a sterling series, I took the opportunity to handle the prize with the master, Steve Waugh. It was, as quite often, disappointing to drop the last game, however no-one can deny that losing to a world record run chase of 418 was a spectacular fashion in which to go down. The lads were still nonetheless all smiles afterwards and looking forward to either Jamaica, or home! Only 3-weeks to go before the long summer has gone, so lets bring on the one-day international and more limited overs glory! Cheers for a brilliant test series Steve, I'll be seeing you in Darwin I trust! [...see this postcard]

Police - By Police
by Luke Gillian , 10/05/2003 06:20:49
With their little caps, tight knit sweaters, and steel rimmed shades, I couldn't work out if these 'police' were thew Real McCoy, or a sublime advertisement for a fasion label, fueled by the brandishing of a lengthy batons and semi-automatic weapons. It certainly was not the weather for ski wear, but these lads tirelessly stood in position watching the game and looking like an advertisement for a well known fashion label, especially when shifting their stance to pose for a photo. They weren't nearly as 'chique' as the Milli Vanilli look a-likes in Sri Lanka but they come close. However they were seen, I weren't to be the one to test their weaponry skills to be sure!  [...see this postcard]

Sleeping Beauties!
by Luke Gillian , 04/05/2003 03:44:55
It's not to say the West Indies have been woeful, but scoring only 202 in 89.1 overs is the worst rate I've sat through. For the better part of day 3 at least I can say I didn't fall asleep. Heads were rocking, to-ing and fro-ing, and snapping back, for the duration of play that saw the West Indies realise a slow 8-291 by stumps. They are seeking a draw, for they can't win from here, but on a pitch that offered 600 runs to Australia, there should be a little more in it to keep the lads in the terrace conscious. It was not to be for Dagsy (front) and Matty Johnson however, who enjoyed the finer sides of the game through their eyelids. I captured about 10-snoozers today, but with the Windies needing 300+ to make us bat again, a few wickets to fall will prevent heads falling day-4 I'm sure. [...see this postcard]

Jolly Rogered
by Luke Gillian , 02/05/2003 00:43:22
The Jolly Roger is an all singing, all dancing, all swimming, all drinking, all eating, all diving, soiree on the high seas off the West Coast of Barbados. The Flag booked the replica Pirate Ship for a gathering of new and old faces prior to the 3rd test. The ship anchored off Holetown, north of Bridgetown, and while others went snorkelling, many of the 75 on board remained on board. Well, at least for as long as it took them to take the leap off the plank or swing from the rope into the warm waters of this paradise isle. A full travel tale will be forthcoming! [...see this postcard]

Your Score Please!
by Luke Gillian , 29/04/2003 06:19:45
Charged with keeping 'the book', Timmy had his work cut out with upwards of 50 people wanting to wage TT$10 (Aud$3) on the score at stumps. The first day is the hardest as the patient wait for the toss and team announcements delay the waging, after which a heated scramble to get the bet in ensues before the first ball. The subsequent days are alot easier, and a lot less frantic as many opt against their ability to accurately guess the score. I hope Timmy will be well rested in time for the Barbados Test, as the hundred punters will be raised I'm sure. Gee, I'm sure their will be a few less wild stabs in the dark with afew more dollars of a stronger currency up for grabs.  [...see this postcard]

Excuse Me Waiter!
by Luke Gillian , 27/04/2003 06:22:56
I don't know what Darren Glover puts in his beer, but it only takes a couple before he's off laying claim to a pub uniform and commences work. Not for money of course, but I think more the ease with which he can find himself at the bar. Across the cricket bars we've entered this year, Gluv has been in possession of at least 6 pub t-shirts and hats. What surprises most is that most of the time it's the Guv'nor that gives him what he wants. He enjoys the attention surely, but not when he comes back from the bar with only one beer!  [...see this postcard]

"It's Like This Howie...
by Luke Gillian , 27/04/2003 06:21:58
How many times do I have to tell you? When you finish your meal, you must put your knife and fork together at 4-O'clock on the plate. This will tell the waiter you've enjoyed your food." Not exactly a connoisseur himself on social graces, Dagsy ran through with Howie some of the rights and wrongs of life on tour. Ok, he weren't discussing table manners, but Howie nonetheless still needs to be told more than once the plan of attack right up until the attack takes place. We live with it, and his habits. Howie has been collecting autographs of famous, infamous, and not so famous sports people from around the world and like my talking cricket, he too, with relentless barrage, dumps his interests on everyone within earshot. Outside the games thus far, Howie has scoured the fields far and wide of people to mark their name in his book, and to his credit, he hasn't missed out. Persistence has paid off, as will lessons at the table, but Howie is an Old Dog, and etiquette is a new trick! [...see this postcard]

I Love Brian!
by Luke Gillian , 27/04/2003 06:18:41
Brian Lara is a cricketing god in Port of Spain, Trinidad. He may well be called the Prince of Port of Spain, but others reckon his royalty extends beyond that meek title. Each day at the 2nd Test this woman was feverish with her flag waving not only of Brian and his fellow Trinidadian teammates, but also of course for the West Indies. It must be difficult for some West Indians to support a team that only has one or possibly none of their nation represented. You occasionally see a West Indies Cricket Flag in the crowd, but moreso expect to see independent nations flags to be more prevalent, like this Trinidad flag, and spectaors to the standard of this fine specimen! [...see this postcard]

Detective Dave And Constable Robert!
by Luke Gillian , 27/04/2003 06:16:56
David Reilly is a Detective Sergeant with Victoria Police, and after locking his wife up for a few weeks for burning the chops, he was able to make it to Trinidad with his mate Robert. The lads desperately wanted to do Guyana this year but couldn't convict his wife in time to make the epic journey to the north east South American country. "Definitely next time" was his confident saying, but as we all know with all schedules, this year being no exception, the Cricket Boards will probably schedule the game for Christmas Day, and change it at the 11th hour upon realising their error. The Board will be happy with the change but many like Dave and Robert may not. Let's see what happens in 4-years. Nice to meet you lads and trust we'll do so again in Barbados for the third Test. [...see this postcard]

Indianna Tucker!
by Luke Gillian , 27/04/2003 06:14:35
Hardly one you'd call smooth, Rodney Tucker prepares himself well for the cricket by slip, slop, slapping like as good self conscious spectator should. He's a different lad after hours mind you with shirtless, freight train snoring, from the banana lounge by the pool after the hotel happy hour, but that's ok for someone on holiday I suppose. From Sydney, Rodney isn't what you'd expect of a whip cracking universal hero like Mr Jones, but he likes to get into the thick of cultural society wherever cricket takes him. A Commonwealth Bank Branch manager, cooking his books, and his wife's temperament, to get to every game he can at home, and now, this being his first tour, overseas as well. Look forward to seeing you with your passport in hand again soon Rodders. [...see this postcard]

Land Of The Giants!
by Luke Gillian , 27/04/2003 06:13:41
Queen's Park Oval is the largest of all Caribbean Stadiums holding about 30,000. Trinidad is the largest Island of the Eastern Caribbean, and Port of Spain, not surprisingly, the largest of all cities. Well, there might be something in the water here making things slightly larger than life, for when I first met Jimmy Kiplocks, he were never this big, surely? Standing beside the young man (18) after the game one day, Jimmy asked if I had a larger shirt, alerting me to his rather unsuspecting large frame. I reckon I could stitch a few together, but then maybe I shouldn't stand in the gutter when talking to him. [...see this postcard]

Where Did He Go?
by Luke Gillian , 27/04/2003 06:09:11
Across the cricket world the same faces show at venues. Travelling with Australian Sports Tours, these three ladies (whose faces I know, but not by name. Sorry!!) lobbed at the Cricket Wicket Pub outside Queen's Park Oval for a soothing Carib Lager or 6 nightly after the game. Naturally, and great work by him, one of their partners always managed to disappear when come time to get the next round. He vaguely showed for a photo or two proving he were there, but the girls weren't interested in his feint values and opted to leave him out of it... until he decided to show with a handful. [...see this postcard]

Just A Dash Of Tenderness!
by Luke Gillian , 27/04/2003 06:07:52
It is always appealing to watch a chef at work, and I for one should know. I've done and received my fair share of viewing whilst in a kitchen. As simple as cooking burgers may be, it's always the blind twists and simplicity with which the able chef juggles the orders, and puts it all together, even at the cricket. The queues at this grill at Queen's Park Oval was always long, and always worth the wait, as have been every other stall at every other game of cricket. Can't wait for the next 10-games! [...see this postcard]

TGI Trinidad
by Luke Gillian , 27/04/2003 06:02:52
Way back in November, I received a booking from Jimmy Kiplocks (Adelaide) within minutes of releasing the Windies 2003 packages. Signing up with his two mates, Scott and Todd for the Middle Order Tour that takes in the 2nd and 3rd test matches, the three landed in Trinidad the day before the 2nd test kicked off in Port of Spain for their first and surely not their last international cricket tour. Heading out for a 'Team Feed' the night before, (L-R) Anthony Pidd (doing the full 60-day bonanza), joined Scott Thornton, Jimmy Kiplocks, and Todd Hacking for a welcoming night at TGI Friday of beer and burgers, Trinidad style. Thanks for coming with The Flag, wish you guys have a fantastic tour. [...see this postcard]

Man Of The Match - Unlikely!
by Luke Gillian , 18/04/2003 23:39:17
It is taking Man Of The Match awards too far. We do understand the West Indians are generous and hospitable people, but when the car rolled onto the field prior to the presentation ceremonies for the game played at Presentation College, our eyes just about fell out of the head. Though the car was by no means headed any of our ways, it would not have come as any surprise to be on the receiving end of such a gesture. The gags were flowing as Andrew couldn't resist having his photo taken in front of what might have been. Maybe by the time we reach Antigua one of us might become man of the match, and even then, a small token trophy might suffice. [...see this postcard]

Learning From Larry!
by Luke Gillian , 18/04/2003 23:38:05
The former great West Indian middle order Batsman Larry Gomes, the master at turning off his hip, he who refused to get out, and he that possessed the hair to prevent any helmet falling off, was in attendance at our game against Tile It Sports Club at Presentation College in Chaguanas, 45mins from Port Of Spain. Though we could have used his advice on playing the game we dearly love, Larry expert words were used solely at his training camp for kids 5-15 years, boys and girls (such as these three lovelies), physically challenged or otherwise. All the kiddies were going through the motions when we arrived and once they'd cleared the field, continued to improve their cricket on the boundary and cheer our patheticness on the pitch for hours after. At least they could see what we were doing wrong, cause there was little chance of us taking notice. [...see this postcard]

Calling The Game!
by Luke Gillian , 18/04/2003 23:35:42
At the conclusion of a test match, one will quite usually seek out the nearest pub/bar/personal tv to find a replay of the game. Most of the time for Australians it will be to see the victory, and only very ocasionally see where it all went wrong. So Guyana was of course nothing too dissimilar than year's of habit as we mad our way to the Palm Court to gaze tantalizingly at the 17" monitor above the bar. It's never the most social of things to do, but once the celebratory beers begin to take effect, and the replay's over, a ball by ball commentary is sure to ensue. [...see this postcard]

What Is In That?
by Luke Gillian , 18/04/2003 23:34:12
It is a staple of the West Indian diet, the roti. A small curried meat or vegetable parcel. The roti itself is the thin rolled and grilled bread that encases the meat and although they are the cheapest fayre available at the ground and in plentiful supply, passengers at the game nonetheless bring bucket loads of the stuff to munch thoughout the day. A roti in Guyana will cost you roughly Aud$1, whereas Trinidad between Aud$2-3, and no matter what your choice filling, you'll be back for more and more and more, and often in search. At the cricket you need only look a few seats around you to find a trough of it somewhere, and no doubt before long be on the receiving end of a gesture of good will by the chef. Bon Appetite! [...see this postcard]

Brilliant Bourda!
by Luke Gillian , 11/04/2003 23:36:30
Finally the first test arrives, and Australia has not disappointed regardless of the pressure the West Indies supporters and media thought the home side would dish to the visitors. The tall wooden structures (Clive Lloyd Stand Pictured), none too dissimilar to the old baseball parks of America, heaved with Guyanese and Australians celebrating the first test between these two nations at Bourda Oval since 1991. West Indies won the toss and were rolled for a meek 237, the exception being a blinding 100 by Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the third fastest in test history. Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting both scored big hundreds into day 2, enabling Australia to take a lead of 252. West Indies in reply were 0/16 at stumps and day three looks set to be a cracker if the Windies perform and get some runs, or they don't and Australia claim 10-wickets making Saturday Night a massive celebration for Australia. See you there? [...see this postcard]

Heading For A Big Fall !
by Luke Gillian , 11/04/2003 23:33:48
Every country has geographic attractions that place it on the map, and in so far as waterfalls go, there's no more spectacular than Guyana's Kaieteur Falls, created by the Potomac River flowing over a massive sandstone plateau. Taking a one-hour flight in a 9-seater craft to a small strip, Guyana's best day trip includes a walk through the rainforest to three vantages, each taking you closer the falls. The fourth takes you to a breathtaking stop on actual falls that take a thunderous 741-feet spill to the pool below. 'Awesome' was a word used freely, but only one of many to describe the nature of the day's trip to one of the great wonders of this world. The views from the top of the falls stretch for miles along the river valley, the Potomac winding its way some 145-miles to the coast of this very underrated country. I can only wish Guyana's problems settle down allowing more people the confidence to visit the wonderful Kaieteur Falls, only one of the many of Guyana's sensational reasons to visit. [...see this postcard]

A Shellacking It Was!
by Luke Gillian , 11/04/2003 23:31:31
6-months of emailing and phone calls finally resulted in the playing of a game of cricket between The Flag and and an invitational XI from the Everest Cricket Club. Thankfully the Caribbean airlines delivered the remining squad in time, late last night and at 10am the day before the First Test, the toss was won by Everest who elected to bat. The game weren't our best, being flogged by 60-runs, but nonetheless, it was an all singing, all dancing affair. Darren and I had 3-press conferences leading to the game, including a 30-min live chat on breakfast television. It seemed this was an event that Everest CC longed to have, and by the game's end, long to happen again. The day was hot but not bothering, as the lunch was fabulous, and the after game beverages in the bar, the presentations, the invitations to return were what, I suppose, that made the day a raving success. The guys on The Flag's tour were overawed by the Guyanese expression of hospitality and generosity, and the organisation that went into making their tour, all the more memorable. All of us look forward immensely to our next game in Trinidad. [...see this postcard]

"Say Guyana"
by Luke Gillian , 08/04/2003 16:51:34
The Flag has 7-Wave Slaves in Guyana, and though the numbers are small now, it were nonetheless need be the first team snap of the tour were taken, early into day 3 of the tour match at Everest Cricket Club. Always the chance to kick back and soak in the nature of the country and city we find ourselves, the small wooden stand at ECC provided amicable vantage for a game that went considerably closer than we all thought. With only 3-days before the big first test, (L-R) Myself, Dagsy, Dean, Lisbeth, Belinda, Tim, Anthony, and Mat, are looking forward to the remaining guys and girls to arrive in the next few days for what is sure to be a cracker of a first test, and superb tour allround. 3-days down, 57 to go, but who's counting?!! [...see this postcard]

Meet the President !
by Luke Gillian , 08/04/2003 16:47:40
Following a situation at Melbourne involving the chef and the clock, the sandwiches were late being loaded onto the plane, which resulted in the plane departing late, resulting in my missing the Miami connection at LAX, resulting in Qantas flying me to New York and buying me a first class flight to Guyana on BWIA (British West Indies Airways). Following a marvellous night's sleep in the Raddisson NY courtesy of Qantas, I checked in asking if I could have seat 1A. After all it's not often I have this opportunity. Alas I was declined due to a prior allocation. Pissed off I missed a seat I may not ever get, the woman behind revealed he were none other than the President of Guyana. Ok, he can have 1A, I don't mind. No security, entourage, or concern, even having flown form China the day before, I was flummoxed to be flying in such company. With the camera battery dead, I had to wait until the tour game against the President's XI before I could capture this image I really wanted. Mr Jagdeo was more than obliging, and also confused as to why I didn't sit next to him for a chat on the plane. "Well, not usually my scene Mr President, but I'm sure I could get used to it!".  [...see this postcard]

Caribbean Crossroads
by Luke Gillian , 08/04/2003 16:44:42
It has as much to do with the West Indies as you'd expect Mount Everest would. But flying into Los Angeles enroute to the first game of the tour at the Everest Cricket Club, the sight of ubiquitous spaghetti junctions made haste for the new camera to be used for the first time. Such a view would make any first time traveller nervous at the prospect of landing in a city like LA. I know I went through those nerves 8-years ago on the way to my first tour, but this time it were straight through, bypassing the attractions of Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and the beaches of Orange County, for the ocean mud flats, and immense tropical jungles of Guyana. Marvellous! [...see this postcard]

Everyones mate - Bomber !!
by Luke Gillian , 08/04/2003 16:40:57
Bomber is pretty happy with himself and rightly so! He decided last week to fly from London for the Final without guarantee Australia would make it, without a ticket to the game, and a return flight for the March 23. Heaven knows what he'd have done if the game was washed out, or otherwise. Still, none of my concern. Bomber, irrespective of the fact that he misses half the game for drinking, relieving, and going for lengthy runs at the break, takes his cricket seriously enough to fly from London for a game that might not take place! While running at the break Bomb happened across a stone replica of the Cup and bought it for the closest he'll likely get to it. He was mocked, jeered, and laughed at when he came back with it, but he barely held it after we won, as every man jack took hold of the 'crystal-ware' imagining the pleasure of lifting the real thing. Great work Bomb! Thanks for coming! [...see this postcard]

Aussie Rules Anyone ??
by Luke Gillian , 08/04/2003 16:38:35
They all won today! As much as they all carried on about how great their respective footy sides were, even in defeat, there weren't a care in the house for footy when Boof Lehmann took the catch to ensure Australia's place in cricketing history. And for once these lads, Darren (Left), Tim (Middle), and Luke (Right) united as one in their Australian Football League Guernseys. They weren't so embracing at the start of the day's play except for this rare opportunity, but they kept the peace to see Australia home to cricketing glory; then proceeded to continue their 'my teams better than your team' carry on in the pub after. But what the hell, the reason we were all celebrating was never forgotten. Great Work Australia, and GO BLUES! [...see this postcard]

Kenton On Sea
by Darren Moulds , 08/04/2003 16:34:29
A big part of any kind of travelling is making new and life long friends. Having met Bill and Monica Pirrie last year in Bloemfontein they were more than happy to arrange a trip for us going from Durban - Pt Elizabeth - Durban. They drove us, along with some South African supporters to a colleagues house in Kenton On Sea, an hour North of Port Elizabeth, and put us up in a house for 3 nights to enable us to watch Australia v Sri Lanka at St Georges Park. Kenton On Sea is a great place and as can be seen by the photo below has some great beaches. We had a nice relaxing day before venturing into PE to watch Australias emphatic vicory over the Sri Lankans. Thanks Bill and Monica, we hope to be able to repy your kindness one day soon.  [...see this postcard]

Singhsational Sight!
by Luke Gillian , 03/04/2003 02:23:37
Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! If there were a consolation, it were a neutral game I were missing, for had it been Australia vs India, Mr Singh wouldn't have lasted a bee's sneeze. Comfortably seated for a small part of the semi final between India and Kenya, Mr Singh in all his infinite wisdom, strolled across our blanket and plonked himself 6" in front of me to enjoy the game. Had he actually been watching the game and not the replay screen to see when he might have been on telly, I could have asked him what was going on in the middle. Alas, it weren't to be and for a period of the game I resigned myself to imagining life in Calcutta. Gee, I'm looking forward to that like I look forward to seeing the game!  [...see this postcard]

The Mad Hannah
by Luke Gillian , 03/04/2003 02:22:38
Hanna from Stockholm, Sweden, had never been to a game of cricket, in fact had probably never heard of the game. We met her and her friend Kristina in Johannesburg at the Backpacker's Ritz and learnt they'd be in PE at the time of the game against New Zealand. Hanna sat out the game with people staying at the hostel she were living so subjected them to the thrill of asking questions that might make the game understandable to her! They must have done a good job, for it were nice that Hanna paid a visit to share her thoughts on the exciting Australian win, that included wanting to see the great game played in Sweden. For as long as Bangladesh have test status, there'll always be the chance that Sweden will play international cricket! And yes, like the photo suggests she is mad (to use here term!)! [...see this postcard]

The Happy Couple!
by Luke Gillian , 27/03/2003 14:23:15
Ramiro (right) and Megandree, both born and bred Durbanites from Indian heritage, are massive Australian cricket supporters, and will be married to the trill of Go Aussie Go later this year. I met the happy couple during the game against Kenya, seated not far from where I were waving the flag all day and surprisingly into the night. Ramiro is a Michael Slater fan from days of seeing him play in the one-day side in 1994. Alas, Ramiro is a little frustrated by the loss of Slats in the Australian side, but like all of us that love the team, we nonetheless stil turn up to support who the selectors feel is our best side. We might not agree, but Australia still win! I look forward to seeing both of them at the Final in Joburg on March 23!  [...see this postcard]

Bell Boys!
by Darren Moulds , 10/03/2003 13:45:32
Following the cricket around the World allows us to meet many people from various walks of life. Being from Geraldton, Western Australia, I rarely meet people from my hometown, so when I happened across the father and son team of Dave and Mick Bell from Geraldton, following The Aussies for 2 weeks, I was over the moon reuniting with these two I've not seen for many years. Dave (left) is currently based in the UK, but good old Mick is still in Geraldton as he has been for as long as I remember. The shares in Castle Lager were definetely on the rise whilst Mick was here. Now he's off to Dublin, I would suggest a purchase of Guinness shares might be in order! Great to see you down here guys!  [...see this postcard]

Train Fare!
by Luke Gillian , 10/03/2003 13:43:49
Everytime I climb aboard a train for a lengthy overnight journey, my thoughts leap with unsolicited abandon to India. The smells, the noise, the claustrophobia, the countless people in my bed asking if it ok they just move over. And this is without talking about the food. South Africa is a different tale to India as we have BJ's Diner, 'Making South Africa's Favourite Food'. As much as one might question the health properties, it's wholesome enough for cards to stop to indulge in the fayre. Dagsy has always been keen on the T-Bone steak for some reason. If it were India, I'm sure he wouldn't be quite so enthusiastic, but we'll see how he goes in 18-months when Australia return to Indian Railways. Jules (left) and Nifty were otherwise too engrossed by the burgers to comment. 3-train journeys down, and God knows how many burgers! [...see this postcard]

And The Winner Is... Potch!
by Luke Gillian , 10/03/2003 13:42:25
The Potchefstroom Sports Awards presented a grand night for the seven of us cordially invited by Belinda who dragged Blair, Wasa Hill, and I to the awards last year. For 12-months we've been talking about the festive night so the Council made allowances for seven of us to join this year. During the speeches acknowledging the achievements of local athletes, we were called Potchefstroom's 'International visitors', those representing 'Waving The Flag', and even the 'Australian Cricket Team'. The latter caused a heads to turn but seeing Blair in his kilt, and 6-others not slightly resembling any member of the Australian Team, it were the last look we received all night. Fine by us, we just remained quiet in the corner acknowledging the achievements of local athletes, wondering if the International Airport we suggested Potch needs will be operational in 12-months for flights from Sri Lanka to get us back for our hattrick of awards nights. Doubtful! [...see this postcard]

Ist Class 2nd Class!
by Luke Gillian , 04/03/2003 12:11:49
Over the years, many South Africans have told us never to take a train anywhere, unless it is in 1st Class. Even then, be very cautious. Well, for over the years of travelling South Africa, I've taken every class of train, to many destinations, and things haven't changed; I've had a great time every time, and dare I say it, they were all first class (A1, tip top, etc...) journeys. The train to Port Elizabeth costs R220 (Aud$45), is supposed to take 19-hours, and although ours to the game against England took almost 24 after an accident en-route (a car crashed into the train at a level crossing. How? Who knows, it happened and this is Africa.), the 12 of us that piled into two 2nd class sleeper compartments spent the comfy duration, drinking, playing cards, and singing songs till about 2am. Much the same as travelling India, except the drinking, and singing songs; the latter usually reserved for a legless blindman pushing himself about on a skateboard. [...see this postcard]

Batting Bradley!
by Luke Gillian , 02/03/2003 05:41:05
Young Bradley sat next to us at the game between Australia and Zimbabwe in Bulawayo and was none too pleased when I took a photo of him. He just happened to be walking past as we waited for the bus back to Joburg, so he decided to join our game of car park cricket. With the bat hand he obviously doesn't mind the camera being pointed at him, his concentration vividly elsewhere. Brad shamed us with his straight bat defence, and though we weren't playing for anything more than time, he lasted more than any of us combined. Eventually we had to make rules to get him out. Let's hope that in 10 years from now we see him playing for Zimbabwe. [...see this postcard]

Very Weary!
by Luke Gillian , 02/03/2003 05:35:37
It were a long journey. Ok, maybe only 5-hours to the South Africa border from Bulawayo, but since we had to wait 4-hours for the bus to arrive, and even then pile on to a 22-seater, that landed Darren the job of standing as there were 23 of us, 5-hours was long enough! The cooler bag was filled minutes before departure that made the rolling ride somewhat more bearable. Dazza and I had a far more enjoyable time than Doug and Jamie in the row in front. The best sedative for their motion sickness was to get to Potch! They quickly got over their agony once back in Potch, whereas Dazza and I merely continued to be pleasured by the thought of our destination! [...see this postcard]

Very Weary!
by Luke Gillian , 02/03/2003 05:35:37
It were a long journey. Ok, maybe only 5-hours to the South Africa border from Bulawayo, but since we had to wait 4-hours for the bus to arrive, and even then pile on to a 22-seater, that landed Darren the job of standing as there were 23 of us, 5-hours was long enough! The cooler bag was filled minutes before departure that made the rolling ride somewhat more bearable. Dazza and I had a far more enjoyable time than Doug and Jamie in the row in front. The best sedative for their motion sickness was to get to Potch! They quickly got over their agony once back in Potch, whereas Dazza and I merely continued to be pleasured by the thought of our destination! [...see this postcard]

Join The Queue!
by Luke Gillian , 22/02/2003 11:30:43
Queueing for a drink doesn't have to be too painful. Jules, Corey, and Darren kept the economy of Potch afloat with countless visits to Bourbon Street around the corner from the Sportsman's Lodge. Bourbon Street apparently has the best pizza in South Africa. I'm not sure about that piece of info, but I tell you what, pizza were the last thing on the boys mind by the time the gates to the pub closed at 6am if they didn't find reason for leaving early! One week down in Potch and 4-more in Africa to go. I wonder how long the lads can keep the enthusiastic smiles! [...see this postcard]

Entertaining Your Friends... !
by Luke Gillian , 19/02/2003 15:49:53
It was Blair's worst tee shot for the round. He hit the ball as cleanly as he had all day, sending the pill 220m closer the pin, however the hook dragged it through through the willows into the creek. "Lost" was the call, though Blair proved otherwise. "Get me the 7-iron, I can get this out" was Blair's call to his caddy (Tim on the bank, marginally closer the bag). Blair in 2" of water, and had a rather tricky shot to get over the edge and through the trees to the green 150m on. In a shower of shit, the photo was taken as Blair remarkably sent the ball 'out of the white water, through the eye of a needle (to use his term)' 60-yards closer the pin. The rest is academic I would say (though Blair wants the whole saga regaled) but a credit to his game he made par and won the hole. Gee, I thought I were in with a chance until I landed my chip into 2-feet of white water. Oh well, great for another tour tale! [...see this postcard]

Kracking Karaoke!
by Luke Gillian , 17/02/2003 13:15:56
Let the music begin! Can't say much for the singing, but at least the lads have fun! Painey made it to the microphone at Montecasino for his rendition of 'Tutti Frutti', brought the crowd to their feet, and all but signalled the start of our latest Karaoke Africa season. Whereas once more Belly and Blair (above) were wrapped in each others arms (later in the song) serenading themselves with 'Islands in the Stream' as if no one else were there, but who were we to throw them a lifebouy? Expect a few more tales to come from the inebriated Karaoke stages troughout this World Cup, expecially if Australia keep winning like they do! There'll be much to keep singing about! [...see this postcard]

Early Start!
by Luke Gillian , 13/02/2003 11:59:14
They start them young in South Africa. From the days of Potch last year when 5-year old Callum bowled with the fear and accuracy Allan Donald only wishes to do these days, we've been introduced to many youngsters in South Africa making early headway into the great game of cricket. This little fella watched and recorded every ball of Australia's innings against Pakistan last Tuesday, and considering he wore a South Africa shirt, shows he loves the game and not just South Africa. Such was his great work, we had to rely on his penmanship when the scoreboard went on the fritz with Andrew Symonds either 87 or 88. 13 or 12 runs later, Roy raised his bat and we thanked the young champ for his grand approach to the game! Lets hope he continues his development in game! [...see this postcard]

On The Way!
by Luke Gillian , 09/02/2003 09:17:54
It seems all too long ago the debacle that was the ticket purchase on July 15 for the World Cup. Now as we line the street in Cape Town waiting for the 'Bongo Bus' to deliver us to the station for the train ride to Newlands and the Opening Ceremony, that messy mid-july day is but a small flinch in the memory, and even less of a flinch than the manic ride in a manicly driven mini-bus presents its occupants. For the next 6-weeks these 8-lads standing street side, will grow on the embankments of Africa to almost 30 'Wave Slaves' as Australia seek to claim back to back trophies. And it will be a pleasure to watch, slightly more than experiencing the manic journeys in Cape Town's Bongo Buses! [...see this postcard]

Fun In The Sun!
by Luke Gillian , 07/02/2003 15:55:51
If it weren't for the wave pool, water slides, and beach, aside the pitiful excuse for a casino I dare say that sun city wouldn't have much going for it, besides the marvellous golf courses, climate, flash hotels, cinemas and entertainment centre, and News Cafe Club sandwiches! Ok, yes, there's much to about nothing at Sun City, and though I keep telling people to go and check it out, I keep telling myself each time it isn't that special. Yet of course, with each visit to South Africa I find myself at this desert oasis sunning my butt on the edge of the above wave pool, admiring the spectacle of the Palace hotel, and the sheer enormity of such a unique development, even if it does tend to hide every second golf ball I (attempt to) drive! You should really check it out and decide for yourself!  [...see this postcard]

Quacking Good Form!
by Luke Gillian , 11/01/2003 23:05:10
Marcus on the left, and Michael on the right have enjoyed a marvelous Australian summer, here look out over the hallowed turf of Melbourne, and have bathed in the glory of Australian test cricket for the past few years. It’s asked ‘Why Marcus and Michael?’ and that is simple, Michael works better than Marcus. The ducks have quackers inside, however Marcus has lost his voice, henceforth Michael works better! The same goes for their namesakes batting form in the England side! The ducks have ended their season on a sad note with the loss in Sydney, but will be back on board for the World Cup and the West Indies to follow. Will you?  [...see this postcard]

Plastic Surgery? Not Likely!
by Luke Gillian , 13/12/2002 11:15:47
And the greatest Stadium in the world, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Cricket's True Home, is undergoing surgery to make it bigger and better, than it already is compared with all other cow paddocks in world cricket. With the hole in the wall reducing capacity to a measly 70,000, means getting your tickets early to ensure you get one of the few seats left! Some of the atmos may be lost, but Australia vs England on Boxing Day will certainly not be as Australia look to continue their Ashes onslaught! It might be a little chilly late in the day with the delightful Antarctic breezes blowing into the ground via the soothing Bass Straight, but the heat of the game will surely be turned on! Be There!  [...see this postcard]

Jumped Or Pushed?
by Luke Gillian , 12/12/2002 06:47:31
The South Australia Western Australia coast, thereabours half way across the Nullarbor Plain, is spectacular with the Bunda cliffs rising mountainous from the Southern Ocean. Thousands and thousands of years of erosion by the mighty sea have made the this coastline extremely fragile, and although stepping close to the edge to create a better photographic opportunity is tempting, it is also very unnerving. Following the debacle of England cricket this summer, this image of a heartless stick man falling (or is he leaping?) from the crumbling cliffs may define the current plight of England Cricket. It's a good thing the England Team fly across the Nullarbor. Injury is one thing, but we'd hate the stick man to be named!  [...see this postcard]

Heir Apparent?
by Luke Gillian , 05/12/2002 05:29:40
Young Angus Harry Vander at 5-months of age made his test debut at the WACA on day-1 of the Test; the youngest debut on the WACA. It was a spirited performance by the young man who impressed crowd selectors with his unrelenting and endless chirping throughout the day; chirping I'm sure that will secure his place in a touring squad for years to come.  [...see this postcard]

Don't Forget To Write!
by Luke Gillian , 01/12/2002 15:22:23
Travelling will always send you to a post office for a variety of reasons including sending your Ma a card for Mother's Day. Neglecting to do so because you have instead entered the 'Post Office' in the funky Perth locale of Northbridge is not an excuse for forgetting your Ma, but she will at least be pleased to know that you were having a good time! The Post Office is a popular niteclub with only the name and post boxes lending some originality. Otherwise it's a heaving, congealed, swaggering mass of global backpackers, especially on Wednesdays when the entry is free as is a plate of food and a beer to wash it down! Just the start for a big night rocking on to the live music and ultra hip-hop dance tunes of the '80's! Gotta love that Post Office, for it's even open on weekends, which is nice for a change!  [...see this postcard]

The Bride and Groom!
by Luke Gillian , 01/12/2002 13:05:19
We've met John and Erica (known simply to us as the bride and groom) many times, and though English (and proud of it!), they spend much of their time pursuing the Australian side, travelling each year to see the Australian Domestic series. Brisbane was where we met once more, and after the Adelaide test, we drove across the Nullarbor to Perth for the Ashes deciding test. On the eve of their departure home, lets summarise again! For those that think The Flag has seen a lot of cricket, between them John and Erica have been to more than 560 first class grounds, seen 251 test matches and 243 one day internationals. That's a lot of flag waving, not to mention Air Miles! Good to see you again guys, and we look forward to the next adventure!  [...see this postcard]

Moving House?
by Luke Gillian , 27/11/2002 07:34:20
There are many strange, bizarre, and indeed 'quite usual' scenes to experience when following the game across the world. Having been to Asia and Africa moreso than other regions, the mind has been boggled by many aspects of the culture. Never having crossed the Nullarbor driving from Adelaide to Perth, maybe seeing a house on the move is 'quite usual'. I don't know, but from a distance with the road ahead completely blocked by an enormous mass spanning the width of the road to be travelled, John, Erica, and I were stunned by this 3-bedroom dwelling on the move. With many miles to travel here after, we kept an open mind as to the photo possibilities ahead, and the ducks behind!  [...see this postcard]

The Pie Floater!
by Luke Gillian , 25/11/2002 11:50:17
Returning to Adelaide, it was nightly to the Pie Cart on the journey home! The 'Pie Floater' is reportably Australia's only national food, although it is only found in Adelaide, with a concept that's as filling and wholesome -with perhaps more or less nutritional goodness -as a kebab after a night on the turps or a day at the cricket! For approximately $4.50 you can have a meat pie turned upside down in a dish, topped with a healthy ladel of soup-like mushy green peas and a generous squirt of tomato sauce to compliment! It looks fairly ordinary but goes down a treat after the supermarket has closed! The Pie Floater is found at all good street side caravans, especially COWLEY'S at Victoria Square (not that we are into free promotion!!), Adelaide!  [...see this postcard]

Don't We All Betty?
by Luke Gillian , 16/11/2002 06:03:30
Each year for the past 16, Betty makes her way to the Adelaide Oval to declare her fondness for the great man, Steve Waugh. With the Adelaide Test Match upon us, I'm sure Betty has done her housework to dust of her humble heart felt declaration in readiness for what many call, Steve Waugh's 'last Adelaide Test'. He'll always be there Betty, don't you worry about that. In year's to come he may not be physically there, but the spirit of cricket's God certainly will!  [...see this postcard]

This Is One I Prepared Earlier!
by Luke Gillian , 12/11/2002 08:44:43
Belinda loves her Nachos. On receiving them to help wash down the pints of lager consumed to celebrate the marvellous test win by Australia, Belinda took to the soap box to explain the finer sides of her favourite bar snack's preparation! Really, she needn't have tried so hard to sell their goodness to us cause they were finished by the time she finished! So too were the potato wedges! Much the same as the England cricket Team, both were consumed with consumate ease!  [...see this postcard]

Howzat Indeed !!
by Darren Moulds , 08/11/2002 16:11:45
The ferry port in Dover, UK seemed like a pretty good spot for a quick hit before boarding the ferry for Calais, (France) for our annual pilgrimage to Munich's (Germany) famous Oktoberfest!!  [...see this postcard]

Howzat?
by Luke Gillian , 06/11/2002 03:35:59
Beach Cricket! It is an Australian pastime, and it needn't be restricted to Australian shores either. Touring with a cricket bat over the years has brought many weeks of enjoyment in many climates, continents, and countries, the latest being the United Arab Emirates. Following the test series win early on Day 4 in Sharjah, Wisden, Witch, Gorto, Saul, JJ, and myself, lobbed down to Jumeirah open beach just out of central Dubai for an afternoon of hit and miss. Cricket gloves aren't usually required when playing beach cricket, but as a token gesture to Andy Bichel who gave us the 3-sets after the series, we thought we'd give them their beach debut ASAP!  [...see this postcard]

Oh God! Not Again!
by Luke Gillian , 31/10/2002 05:30:35
When in the Emirates, if there's one adventure trip to do, it's the desert tour! It might not sound appealing to many and, admittedly, I thought of things I'd rather be doing than driving across the sand, but once out in the open plains some 50km from Dubai, the attitude changed rapidly. For 45-mins, a convoy of 19-four-wheel drives weaved and hashed their way across the mountainous red dunes, at times just sliding sideways down the face without control. Blair Witch didn't take too kindly to the throw around and was heaving his lunch up after about 20-mins. However, once we reached the Arabian Camp where a carpeted spread of pillows and open fires, banquet of meats and salads, Arabian wardrobes, sheesha pipes, a henna artist, a belly dancer, camels, and bottomless pots of Arabian coffee awaited, Blair calmed down, kicked back, and soaked into the balmy, hushed Arabian night. Then we returned, as did Blair's dinner!  [...see this postcard]

Down The Wicket!
by Luke Gillian , 23/10/2002 21:43:35
When possible, a post-test match pitch photo is a must as a small token gesture towards the memory of a marvellous tour, especially at a venue as unique as Sharjah! Seated L-R; Saul, Myself, Tim, Nicole, Luke, James, Bomber, Paddy, Laurie, Lisa, Jodie, and Blair. Seated; Big Will!  [...see this postcard]

Souq And You Will Find
by Luke Gillian , 18/10/2002 19:45:00
If gold is your favourite colour, mineral, or medal, Dubai's GOLD SOUQ is the place to go. In an area on the north side of Dubai Creek in Deira, this undercover web of streets is a dazzling and intense hive of fortune and despair, tourists and credit cards, sheiks and wives, spruikers and lookers. In the cool of the night, the heat and brightness generated from the concentration of lights on the window displays is enough to suggest the sun has yet to set. There's nothing of the precious metal you will not find. Countless stores do sell the 'same same', but there's so much of the stuff, failing to find what you're looking for means you haven't looked hard enough! It's a long way to come to buy a chain, but if you want the world's best and most inexpensive gold, come to Dubai, for SOUQ AND YOU WILL FIND!  [...see this postcard]

Flying High!
by Luke Gillian , 15/10/2002 12:29:28
The world's tallest, and most luxurious hotel, THE BURJ AL ARAB, stands 320m high, 280m off shore on an artificial island. 30km from the centre of Dubai, it is far from easy access to most of Dubai's attractions, but with rooms starting at US$600/night increasing to US$6000 for the Royal Suite, excluding 20% taxes and breakfast (how much does a bowl of cornflakes cost?), I think I'd not want to leave to ensure I was getting the most for what I paid for. The hotel has a helipad, and a roof-top restaurant over-looking the Gulf. 'Joe Public' can take a tour of the hotel for US$25, lasting all of 20-mins, with the balance redeemable at the bar. I'm not sure you'll get much but certainly you'd make it last, considering there's a chance it was laced with gold, for anything in the hotel that looks gold, is GOLD! If the BURJ is a little out of your reach, there is the Dubai Youth Hostel as an alternative!  [...see this postcard]

Very Special Moments!
by Luke Gillian , 14/10/2002 07:00:57
As Australia demolished Pakistan, Matthew Hayden carved up the bowling, and Shane Warne and friends did everything to help their bowling averages, there were many times regarded as 'Havana Moments'! In Colombo I bought a box of 30-Havana Cigars for US$2 (obviously top-shelf quality!), and bringing them to Sharjah, the boys (especially Blair Witch pictured here) enjoyed the stylish manner of celebrating team achievements by blazing up throughout the game! And when the game was over in a mere equivalent of 5-sessions of play, well, that was quite easily the game's greatest 'Havana Moment'!  [...see this postcard]

The Game Goes On!
by Luke Gillian , 11/10/2002 20:00:37
It was a sight to behold, and one normally reserved for India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka! Strolling to our hotel in central Dubai, Blair, Saul, and I happened upon a game of cricket, played between 3-mates in a small lane between 20+ floor apartments. Not having played for sometime, it was unanimous we should put the street map down and join in for 30-mins. And as the ball whizzed past the outside edge of Blair's bat in the first over of play, it was also unanimous that 30-mins was not enough for us to have any great influence on the lads, keen for a Pakistan win in 2nd test, played in Sharjah!  [...see this postcard]

Dubai Debut!
by Luke Gillian , 11/10/2002 19:58:05
The last time I met Saul (right) was in March during the test series in South Africa. Once the series against Pakistan was announced for Sharjah, Saul was quick to get on the email and voice his middle east travel plans. Saul arrived a few hours before I so had his bearings set for when we reunited and hit the road for our debut inspection at Dubai. Heading to Dubai Creek, the stunning sunset views across to the trademark waterfront buildings certainly made us wish we could sit down in the balmy afternoon with an icy beer and soak up the atmos of a new city and lifestyle; a lifestyle that doesn't drink alcohol. Well, it didn't bother Saul because neither does he! Just good to be back on tour and enjoying some familiar faces!  [...see this postcard]

Playing The Wrong Line!
by Luke Gillian , 08/10/2002 10:25:16
On one of the nicest walks to any cricket stadium in the world, the narrow road crosses a rarely used railway line that is home to all sorts of people and animalia in outer Colombo. The green strip is used for all manner of recreational purposes, though I'm sure the movement off the wicket will have any batsman in a great deal of trouble more times than they care to say "I'll bat first". I'm sure this little champ will find the goings a little tough later in life, especially in the bigger games, and moreso if he continues to 'play the wrong line'!!  [...see this postcard]

Keeping An Eye on The Ball!
by Luke Gillian , 06/10/2002 12:44:38
I think it's the same little face! 3-years ago when Australia played at Saravanamuttu Stadium, I was captivated by the scoreboard and the fellas that operated it. Of course there's always someone that has to watch the game to keep score, but it was the way these youngs lads sat with their heads, a picture of concentration framed beautifully, in one of the vacant spaces watching the game that was so simple, yet could hardly be ignored. Not many changes happen in Sri Lanka so when I strolled over to have a closer look at the scoreboard, I reckon the lads working the board have only moved to adjust the score, and celebrate a birthday!  [...see this postcard]

When A Man Loves A Woman!
by Luke Gillian , 06/10/2002 12:32:39
P.Saravanamuttu Stadium in the back blocks of Borella in outer Colombo, has two notable attractions. One is the scoreboard, and scorers box covered heavily in a thicket hedge, and certainly much thicker than the last time Australia played here, and two, the head groundsman, is a woman! The chief curator is a man, but all is little helpers, those that do the pushing and the pulling, crease marking, and ground maintenance are a team of strapping women all approaching, so it seems, a well-played century (great work by him!). Their sprightly traditional dress does add much colour to the grey skies that have blanketed the stadium, alas is far from meaning they can create enough light to play!  [...see this postcard]

Facing The Green!
by Luke Gillian , 02/10/2002 07:32:01
The foreshore of Colombo along Galle Face Green is one of the city's premier attractions. The Green alas is more a parched stockyard you'd expect to see in a Hollywood western, whereas the water isn't the cleanest stretch on this beautiful Island known for its coastline. It isn't all nasty, because the sunsets alone attract thousands daily not mention the numbers that converge late afternoon and into the evening to fly their kites, play cricket, sit with a loved one under the privacy of a shade bearing umbrella, or sample the non-varietal food offerings at the countless carts lining the promenade. The area also offers the best view of the surprisingly tall city skyline, if the men knee-deep in the ocean casting their nets don't distract you!  [...see this postcard]

Facing The Green!
by Luke Gillian , 02/10/2002 07:32:01
The foreshore of Colombo along Galle Face Green is one of the city's premier attractions. The Green alas is more a parched stockyard you'd expect to see in a Hollywood western, whereas the water isn't the cleanest stretch on this beautiful Island known for its coastline. It isn't all nasty, because the sunsets alone attract thousands daily not mention the numbers that converge late afternoon and into the evening to fly their kites, play cricket, sit with a loved one under the privacy of a shade bearing umbrella, or sample the non-varietal food offerings at the countless carts lining the promenade. The area also offers the best view of the surprisingly tall city skyline, if the men knee-deep in the ocean casting their nets don't distract you!  [...see this postcard]

Hot Stuff!
by Luke Gillian , 30/09/2002 09:52:26
Where the adjoining area of Fort is the Financial centre of Sri Lanka, Pettah is easily the nerve centre of Sri Lanka. From early day to well into the night the market sellers offer any fruit and vegetable, both fresh and dried seafood, fabrics, accessories, masks, car parts, juices, luggage, clothes, locks and chains, and white goods in an area that would take you a good day to cover. Some businesses are certainly bigger than others, but the pride in their wares, and the care taken by anyone to sell their produce is testament to the good nature of the Sri Lankan people. Some fellow might only sell green chili, but nonetheless, he shows the love for his chili, with his delicate care to gently stack and keep fresh with water sprays every so often. If you head into Pettah, there's no shortage of someone to sell you a new film either should you run out!  [...see this postcard]

Yes Sir!
by Luke Gillian , 28/09/2002 12:24:39
This fellow is either a travelling member of an elite Milli Vanilli fan club, or some crack squad employed to scare the living Christ out of anyone thinking of trying to get into the cricket without a ticket. One of four stationed at the main gates to Premadasa Stadium, this dude was by far the meanest looking of the lot, and though likely part of the standard Asian cricket 'rent-a-cop' platoons summonsed, it so appears, to merely watch the game, this lad and his mates were the only 'officers' that actually looked like achieving any form of vague job description, such as checking tickets! "Yes Sir! Absolutely Sir! I have a ticket! In fact, I've got 10 if that'll make it easier!"  [...see this postcard]

No Change! No Change!
by Luke Gillian , 26/09/2002 11:09:50
I've never been in a country so openly obsessed with 'change'! And not just coins either! It matters not what the note is, absolutely no one has change no matter how little you need in return. At the cricket I bought a Rs25 icecream with correct change, my mate then bought the same ice-cream and when giving him Rs50, the guy said "No Change!" You have got to be kidding me! They just hate giving it away! It appears to be a matter of course to say "No change". So when it came to make a phone call with Rs10 coins because I didn't have change and no one would give it to me, I saw these lads tip the cash on the counter and start counting! I leapt at the opportunity to snap all this 'change' to prove that it does actually exist here! For anyone that hates counting or dealing in coins, you could always employ a few little Sri Lankans to do the dirty work. They love the stuff!  [...see this postcard]

Grounded!
by Luke Gillian , 26/09/2002 11:08:39
It was a sad sight! Well, kind of! This South African fan sat dejectedly towards the end of their innings, as the India bowlers put the brakes on preventing South Africa taking, what looked at one stage, an easy route into the ICC Champions Trophy Final. Not that I care for South African fan's emotional upheaval, it was a sad sight because Australia would much prefer face South Africa in the Final than a rampant India! Alas, it won't be! Saying that, there still stands the chance of it not being Australia, with our Semi Final against Sri Lanka taking place on Friday. Not to put 'the mozz' on the boys or anything, I have the utmost confidence I'll be at the game on Sunday Waving The Flag for Australia!  [...see this postcard]

Above The Masses
by Luke Gillian , 25/09/2002 07:57:04
The Sri Lankans love their cricket as much as anyone, and the turnout at Premadasa Stadium for England vs India was testament to that. There's something about watching cricket at Premadasa that sets it apart from any other venue around the world. The drummbeats, brass bands, and singing starts before the coin is tossed, and extends to the game's end. The noise can be a little distracting at times when all one really wants to do is watch the game, but one cannot deny that Sri Lankans know how to celebrate cricket, even if at times it appears they don't even watch the game. With the Semi Finals upon us, I'm sure crowd scenes like this will be a little more intense, with a little more reason to make sure the camera has plenty of battery charge!  [...see this postcard]

Percy!
by Luke Gillian , 23/09/2002 10:06:15
This is Percy! As mad as a cut snake, Percy will be at any international game played in Sri Lanka, whether Sri Lanka vs Australia, or as it was when this photo was taken, England vs India! All of Sri Lanka knows Percy, and his exciting the crowd with singing and dancing and parading back and forth with his Sri Lanka Flag, across every terraces has everyone laughing and smiling. Very little restricts Percy to express his love for cricket and his beloved Sri Lanka. Sponsored by a local company (don't tell the ICC as they would make him take his shirt off for breach of current sponsorship rights!), Percy does ACL Cables and his country proud! There's no chance of ever having a conversation with Percy as he only ever shakes hands and keeps walking, but it is always good to see him at the game doing as he does best, supporting cricket!  [...see this postcard]

The Tuk Tuk!
by Luke Gillian , 21/09/2002 09:11:48
The Tuk Tuk! The average means of getting around the cities and villages of Sri Lanka and indeed most of Asia, come in various shapes and sizes pending on the country, but invariably they are the more convenient method of getting to your destination, albeit the long way around! Some have meters, and sometimes they work, but that will depend on the driver declaring such a fare pricing policy, but don't expect it! And bartering a fare can sometimes be outweighed by the time you might spend arguing the toss of a few coins. Most likely you won't pay the 'genuine' fare, but the cost is certainly worth the entertainment value of buzzing in and out of traffic, and encoutering several near death experiences with vehicles much bigger than yours! There must have been a recent delivery of new tuk tuks in Sri Lanka, because the streets are filled with bright and shiny three wheelers like this one, without so much as a scratch or spot of rust, but I'm sure those additions won't take too long!  [...see this postcard]

Miss Represented!
by Luke Gillian , 20/09/2002 08:12:12
It seems I have spent more time chasing beauty pageant contestants than a cricket schedule, but there has been more pageants than cricket I've been able to attend so I guess that makes it perfectly acceptable! My latest 'Miss Represented' can be read in Travel Travels!  [...see this postcard]

And Of Course There Is Cricket!
by Luke Gillian , 20/09/2002 08:05:41
It was nice to see the only water to fall on the Singhalese Sports Club over the past week has been provided by the groundsmen! The 1999 tour saw those less fortunate to be here sit idle for 3.5 days of the test match as rain interrupted all but the few sessions of play available for the Australians to level the series. Losing that, it was pleasing to return to one of the nicest venues in world cricket, to watch Australia flog New Zealand and Bangladesh with consumate ease to advance to the semi final. Unlike many of my adventures this tour already, there will be no bikini required (read Miss Represented in Travel Tales)!  [...see this postcard]

Back On Board, Waving The Flag!
by WORDS: Luke Gillian PHOTO: Cricinfo.com , 18/09/2002 07:25:14
It might have been a poor showing by New Zealand in a game that was expected to be much closer, but it did not deter my usual spirit for getting behind Australia with some feverish Flag Waving, to see the lads all but ensure a path into the Semi Final, once of course they beat Bangladesh! This photo appeared on cricinfo.com the day after the game at the Singhalese Sports Club and since my camera was off-line, I took the liberty! More personal images of the amazing Sri Lanka will be along in a short time!  [...see this postcard]

Austria's Mini World
by Luke Gillian , 17/09/2002 09:04:53
It was a nice taste of home. One of my favourite destinations in Austria is in the southern city of Klagenfurt, where you will find MINIMUNDUS, translated as MINI WORLD. Many locals call it cheesy and touristy but it is also brilliant! Over 150 of the world's most significant engineering landmarks and achievements have been reproduced at a scale of 1-100. So just how much bigger is the Sydney Opera House than a traditional Austrian Steam Train such as the one passing by? How much taller is the CN Tower in Toronto than the Tower of London? Everything from arabian palaces, high speed trains, windmills, taj Mahals, great walls, cathedrals, towers, and ferris wheels can be found here. Locals alomost refuse to come, but having seen so many of the models at a scale of 1-1 over the years, MINIMUNDUS only serves to remind me how fortunate I've been to see what I have, whilst inspiring to go forth and see all those I haven't! If you can't see the world, at least you can savour a taste in MINIMUNDUS! Check out minimundus.at  [...see this postcard]

Outrageous Oktoberfest
by Luke Gillian , 14/09/2002 12:07:29
And for those not venturing to Sri Lanka or Sharjah, but maybe Europe instead, you might want to experience Munich's Oktoberfest with Waving the Flag's 'European Partner' PP Travel! For a closer analysis of the Beer Fest you can now read all about it in our Travel Tales section! After finally pulling my finger out to write a travel feature on one of Europe's great festivals! Click on any PP Travel link found at the bottom of any number of pages on the site for a more in depth view of the tours available to Germany (and Spain for the bull running festival in Pamplona) next year! And don't worry, our mate 'Transport' above won't be there (in mind)!  [...see this postcard]

Antique Antwerp
by Luke Gillian , 28/08/2002 23:00:04
Besides Antwerp being one of the more less appreciated great cities in Europe, it is the striking Centraal Station that is one of the cities' most prominent landmarks. Built in 1905, the grand staircase leading to the platforms offers anyone a sense of nostalga as if performing in a 1915 war movie. Well, at least I felt it! The station is undergoing enormous restoration, and development with two more levels of track being dug underneath to accommodate European highspeed trains and increased local rail services, that when finished will make this station stand out as one of the world's most beautiful. Even if you don't appreciate the station, you will most certainly appreciate the astonishing Antwerp!  [...see this postcard]

Standing Tall
by Luke Gillian , 20/08/2002 14:25:30
The Eiffel Tower is a monument that must be seen, climbed, photographed, admired and enjoyed by all that visit France's Capital. Built in 1889 by Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exhibition, it was to be pulled down immediately afterwards but it very quickly became the symbol of Paris, and thankfully its life was spared. The Tower can be seen from many vantages across Paris including other architectural landmark wonders such as Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, and the Arc de Triomphe, but no place more inspiring than underneath it. Weighing 7000-tonnes, and standing some 320m, the queues to get up are roughly that length too, so patience is a virtue. I waited 32-years to see it, so a few more hours in line didn't hurt.  [...see this postcard]

A New World Record?
by Luke Gillian , 11/08/2002 09:02:37
By Guinness Records it may not be, I've never checked but I wouldn't be surprised if it were close! Anyone know if there's a cooking category in the Book of World Records? Maybe I should see if cooking 900-lamb racks, as I'm doing here, from 'stable to the table' in 90-mins is worthy of acknowledegment! If not by Guinness, at least I think it's a pretty good achievement as you might have guessed! Feeding the folks at Farnborough (Air Show) was certainly not without challenge, and indeed without Guinness looking over my shoulder. There's always next year, though red wine is far more enjoyable with lamb! (PS: the lamb weren't from the stable, but the fridge, but it made a nice saying!)  [...see this postcard]

Air Wars!
by Luke Gillian , 01/08/2002 18:02:21
Airwars! They are rife! They are necessary! And the good ones are between Toulouse (France) based Airbus, and Seattle (USA) based Boeing. Boeing has long held the upper hand with passenger aircraft, but nowadays Airbus has Boeing well in it's radar by producing more efficient, bigger, smaller, and versatile aircraft. Facts, figures, and models of both Airbus and Boeing aircraft were on display last week at the Farnborough Air Show, 50-miles South West of London. I had the thrill of working at the show whilst occasionally being able to view the massive array of aircraft, and industry product. The show isn't just Airbus vs Boeing but displays, and promotions of everything from fighter jets, landing gears, seatbelts, engines, satellite systems, and the nuts and bolts that hold these technological wonders together; and far more enjoyable than piecing the ingredients for 1500 exibitor's lunches!  [...see this postcard]

Bringing Up The Rear!
by Luke Gillian , 07/07/2002 17:54:02
One thing you will not do when Island hopping the West Indies is board your plane via a walkway! Steps up the back of the plane are more common with BWIA such as here, whereas most inter-island aircraft are small set of stairs at the front. The beauty of doing this is that it gives you a real taste of flying, with the intense noise, and scent of Jet A1 fuel filling the nostrils as you stroll across the tarmac to your latest adventure. One of the biggest problems when flying the Caribbean is seat availability, so as soon you know next year's cricket schedule, get in touch with Trailfinder's and get your flights booked, or you could be walking a little bit more than just across the tarmac!  [...see this postcard]

Heading In The Right Direction!
by Luke Gillian , 24/06/2002 20:17:53
There is no getting lost in Barbados when commuting via public transport. You either wish to go one way or the other! There's nothing to say you won't miss your stop mind you, but Barbados isn't all that big so there's not exactly too many places to get lost! If you do, well at least, for B$1.50 (US$0.75c), you will know which direction to go to find your bearings again!  [...see this postcard]

Bigger Fish To Fry!
by Luke Gillian , 13/06/2002 21:37:02
You may not like fish, you may not like any seafood whatsover, but when you get to Barbados the Friday Night Fish Fry in the southern coastal fishing port of Oistins is an evet that must be penned into the schedule! It takes a while to start off, but come 10pm the entire beachside market stall area is filled with tourists, locals, and music! There's a open space between all the tables and chairs that fill with people eager to move and groove, with a local brew in hand, to work off the mountain of food freshly cooked on the stream of open air BBQs. The sight of flaming marlin and dolphin is entertainment enough, but the atmosphere is contagious as the night wears on until the wee small hours. With the hunger worked up, it's just as well they have big fish as there's still plenty to last you until morning, if not next week!  [...see this postcard]

To Where It All Began!
by Luke Gillian , 08/06/2002 13:20:06
When I first landed in Barbados in March 1995, I had no idea which way was up let alone where to live, and ran the risk of not being allowed entry into the country. I thought my world was about to drop out, but after a visit to the tourist office I was booked to live with Mr and Mrs Henry's in north Bridgetown. They were are lovely retired couple that fed me, watered me, drove me to the cricket, and even took me to church on Sunday to meet their friends and family! It was quite a humbling experience for the first time traveller! Well, some 58-countries, half a dozen or so postcards, and 7-years later, I visited the Henry's during my recent visit to Barbados. Alas, Mrs Henry was abroad, but I had a good chat and a beer with Mr Henry who was thrilled to see me after many years. I won't be staying with them next year, but I have already been invited for dinner. If anyone wishes to stay with the Henry's for US$25/night (or any 'family stay' that I have a huge list of) during next year's games in Barbados, let me know!  [...see this postcard]

Anyone For A Ride?
by Luke Gillian , 03/06/2002 22:42:15
I really do think this speaks for itself! If interested though, you'll find this taxi company in Georgetown, Guyana; just listen for the melodic horn and screeching wheels!  [...see this postcard]

Two Beautiful Points!
by Luke Gillian , 02/06/2002 16:44:23
They are one of the Caribbean's most photographed geographical landmarks, and certainly one of the most recognisable features of the alluring region. 26-miles south of the St Lucian Capital city of Castries are the impressive Pitons. Featured in advertising campaigns worldwide, and the name of the island's local beer Piton, the Pitons are an awesome sight as they rise 2500-ft out of the turquiose waters dotted with yachts from the world over. Petit Piton stands in front of Grand Piton, the size difference easily seen from afar. Even if there were only one, I'm sure it would still capture the imagination of many that wish to travel to this exotic locale to see the natural wonders. Australia may play a game here in 2003 and travelling the one-hour to see them is a must!  [...see this postcard]

Sentimental Sabina
by Luke Gillian , 01/06/2002 17:28:36
The West Indies are back! Well, maybe not exactly in the super-power stakes of world cricket but for the interim, a series win on home soil is enough to put the spring back. I returned to Sabina Park this week in downtown Kingston, Jamaica, to witness the Windies first comprehensive win for a long time; over India as well which made it even more pleasing! Not enforcing the follow on, the locals were in trouble early in their second innings at 6-78 with 2.5 days to play, but a resurgent Chanderpaul helped the Windies to a lead of over 400 and with only 3-wickets in hand by stumps on day-4, India were still almost 200 runs behind. The most significant time of the game for India came on Day-5 only 30-mins after being bowled out and handing the trophy to the Windies. The heavens opened and it rained for two days straight! Gee, that was a shame! Never have I been more thrilled to see rain come at a time when it did! Amid ecstacy, the Windies supporters told me to be ready next year! I know I will be, but will their team? Lets find out in 12-months time!  [...see this postcard]

Bright Lights! Big Boat!
by Luke Gillian , 21/05/2002 03:20:02
'Fantasy' set sail on March 2, 1990 heralding a new era of superliners that provide over 3000 passengers everything they could need at sea. 12-years on, Fantasy is half the size of some of the ships afloat, and still offers everything a passenger could need including internet at near US$1/minute (you'd have to be desperate or luckless!)! Everything except taste that is! The 4-meals a day and 24-hour pizzeria is tremendous, but pastel flourescents, brass railings, and chequered carpets are an obvious 90's flavour. In the 21st century maybe more subtle interiors is required; and this is without mentioning the 'staterooms'! Hardly cruise enthusiasts so one shouldn't be too objective, Blair and I met in Orlando for 3-days of 'theme parking' before heading to Canaveral to board Fantasy for a 3-day cruise to the Bahamas. The ship was full, as were our tummies after making use of all the inclusive meals day and night; the latter after shaking our booties in the disco heaving with people, like us, wanting to 'get away from it all'. I'm not sure what we got away from, as there's absolutely no escape on a ship... thankfully! Tackiness aside, Fantasy is fantasic!  [...see this postcard]

Painting The Town Red!
by Luke Gillian , 17/05/2002 16:47:52
One of the beauties about living in Europe is the convenience for meeting up with old travel mates. Whilst on a journey around the Greek Island of Crete in 1995, I met Nele (right) from Belgium. Nele was in the Islands for two weeks and during the course of a bar trawling the city of Iraklion we shared a few bevvies, swapped addresses (in the days before email when written post was the convenient form of communication behind telephones!) and remained in constant contact. It has been sometime since I last visited Antwerp to see Nele, but once more Nele and her friend Liesbeth crossed the waters for a wild and bright weekend in London that, for a change, was at a time when I too were about. Finishing work, I met the girls for a few more bevvies and a chat about the old times in Crete, where it was hot, unlike London at this time of year! Thanks for coming over girls, it was really nice to see you again!  [...see this postcard]

Another Day At The Office!
by Luke Gillian , 05/05/2002 16:11:13
It was a feverish effort by Richard (the hands)! A massive 30kg of Scotlands finest leek had to be cut, washed, cut again, then sliced into little thin strips such as what is going on here! I would like to say that in a blink of an eye all 30kg were wrapped up ready to be taken onto the job alas it was 2.5hrs of knuckle slicing activity that helped pass just another 15-hour day at my kind place of employment in East London. After helping Richard with the leek, I moved onto 60kg of spinach (washed, sauteed, drained, chopped, then creamed!) just for something less monotonous! Cooking for 500 people? Makes sitting at the cricket a positive picnic! But the cash isn't as good!  [...see this postcard]

Your Nice Haircut Is Ready!
by Luke Gillian , 03/05/2002 11:21:51
There comes a time when the hair needs a trim, and two days before the First Test in Johannesburg was no exception. This 'barbershop' was found on the roadside a few hundred yards from the ground. After days of speculation, the lads lines up for the 'Flag' head-shave! Wasa was eagerly first whereas Blair (the following day as he couldn't brave it earlier) was a little more hestitant. With the backlog of clients (minus Blair), Raffy and Joel put in a sterling team effort to churn the boys through for the indecent cost of R10 (Aud$2). The slogan 'Your Nice Cut Is Now Ready' on the back of the tent impressed us more than the cut itself and was certainly worth the R10 to see if the boys performed to their catchcry!  [...see this postcard]

Bella Italia!
by Luke Gillian , 30/04/2002 18:40:50
A long way from Europe and a seemingly longer way from the usual attractions of elephant, lion, or Giraffe, that roam across Africa, Montecasino in Johannesburg's northern suburbs, is worth going if for nothing else but to check out the magnificence of the architecure, decor, and little touches that go toward transporting you to another country miles away. This Rome registered FIAT, patiently waiting to be towed, with a parking ticket stuck to the front window, is one of the more endearing sights of the casino. Many of the guys and girls on the tour ventured to Montecasino, alas all too often coming away with losses they wish were the mere cost of a parking ticket!  [...see this postcard]

Fading Memories!
by Luke Gillian , 20/04/2002 17:15:36
Although the Australia's Tour to South Africa has come to a close, there will always be fond reminders of our time such as one of our tour t-shirts. Though they are sure to wear thin, I'm sure in the heart the wearer will know where they got it! This was our more popular shirt, unwittingly modelled by Matty Colbert when in the Western Cape Winelands, showing the South Africa protea going head to head with the kangaroo, and both of course 'Waving the Flag' for their side! Never sure why the South Africa Cricket Team were named after a flower, albeit their National, it has succumb to public pressure and been lopped from favour. I'm lead to believe the Springbok will now be used to label the South Africa Team. For the sake of the game, let's hope the Springbok's have a little more bite in next year's World Cup!  [...see this postcard]

Over Here! Over Here!
by Luke Gillian , 16/04/2002 14:50:19
7-8 years ago South Africa woke to a new work initiative; car crime prevention! Enterprising blacks, coloureds, and now whites, saw a means of generating income by ensuring cars were not violated in their owner's absence. The practise took off and saves insurance companies millions and millions of Rands each year. Though there are many official community services, many also take it upon themselves to earn maybe US$2 a day, enough to feed that family let me tell you! Years on, traffic watchers are everywhere 24/7 and the industry is a lucrative employment opportunity for thousands. This scene was prior to the one-day international in Centurion. So opportune is the crime watch, many were seen running hundreds of yards after cars to claim the income of US$0:05c, while others waited patiently in line for their turn to escort a car into a safe domain for the day's play. Needless to say the car was better off than South African cricket at the end! [...see this postcard]

Tough Questions!
by Luke Gillian , 16/04/2002 10:50:12
As we sit about the terraces or embankments of the cricket world, many journalists are interested to know the story of our travel around the schedule and in Durban for the one-day game was no exception. The only difference was instead of going to where they wanted to chat, the camera and Ed Hill came to me, allowing me to comfortably watch the game as I always do! Incidentally Ed Hill is a director or the like of the Official Appointed Travel Agent of the 2003 World Cup. Beforehand Ed interviewed Dr Ali Bacher (World Cup CEO) about the tournament packages available; I bet he asked some very searching and controversial questions!! Anyway, it's not often I get the chance to put the feet up at the game so it seemed quite bizarre that instead of standing for the camera they allowed me to kick back for casual chat! I could easily make a habit of that! [...see this postcard]

From The Horses Mouth - We Wish!
by Luke Gillian , 05/04/2002 17:20:58
Always keen for a red-hot tip to help pay for the tour, after spending the first five races in the member's lounge at the Bloemfontein Race Course, the general manager invited us into the marshalling ring prior to the 6th, where we had the pleasure to meet Kevin Shea, South Africa's leading Jockey. A very relaxed and focussed Kevin was more than happy to share his thoughts on the horses in the next race and when asked if his ride was worth a flutter his response, "Hell no, there's a chance of it coming last!" were not exactly the words we expected to hear from the horse's mouth! At least we didn't lose any money on Kevin! No, we lost it on the second best rider in the country who came second last! That's gambling for you! [...see this postcard]

Anyone Hungry?
by Luke Gillian , 01/04/2002 09:46:32
The Hot Dog! It is sold at sporting events worldwide! It is much the part of the game as the players themselves sometimes (depending on how bad the players are), and though for the most part no-one really knows what goes into hot dogs besides lips, eyeballs, falopian tubes, and that kind of rank garbage, the hotdogs in South Africa are an atrocity to mankind! Radioactive, toxic, certainly tasteless, and hard to chew. To make something worse, when asking for sauce, they squeeze a putrid red and yellow sugar syrup suggesting it is tomato sauce and mustard! I don't know how Meredith manged to raise a smile let alone consume!  [...see this postcard]

The Girls Big Trip!
by Luke Gillian , 25/03/2002 17:15:22
Please meet Sophie (left) from London and Anna from Henley! The girls have been touring Africa for almost three months after landing in Nairobi early in the New Year. Like many these days, the girls took an overland truck tour from Kenya that travelled down through Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and into South Africa where we met them the day before the first one-day international at The Wanderers. In desperate need for a ticket, thankfully I had two left over and the girls are now converted cricket followers of the Australian Team, but obviously not for very long, for the girls are now in Hong Kong! Sophie and Anna will spend three months in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand before heading to Australia and New Zealand where they will end their big trip in October. If you wish to see what these two lovely English lasses are up to, check out their apt website www.girlsbigtrip.com . Best Wishes for the rest of your journey girls! [...see this postcard]

Joe Kool's Kool Kilt!
by Luke Gillian , 19/03/2002 13:12:35
A night of celebration, wherever that may be, will always result in our honourary Australian, Blair Witch from Glasgow, bringing out the kilt for a night of patriotic harmony! By day he is 110% Scottish when waving the Australian Flag, and by night he is 110% Scottish when wearing the kilt! Blair has had his fair share of luck on tour when wearing the traditional dress, and occasionally he resorts to looking after our good mate, Wasa! I'd need more than one-beer in hand to do that while wearing a skirt and since the Gov'nor at Joe Kool's on Durban's Golden Mile beachfront gave us 100 beers, I ended up giving Wasa a slight bear hug myself at one point, but that had more to do with celebrating what we hoped would be a big Australian win!  [...see this postcard]

And The Winner Is?
by Luke Gillian , 16/03/2002 17:09:07
In 1997 Australia played a one-day game in the black township of Zwide, 10km out of Port Elizabeth. Since then, an Englishman has opened a tavern called Eyethu (pronounced E-2) in the heart of Zwide and offers tourist trips to help the local economy, and artists that perform African jazz and popular music. On the night 20 of us visited, we arrived at a time when a local beauty pageant got underway. More keen on the music, we had to wait 2-hours while the contestants strutted their stuff, their competition numbers scribbled onto a piece of torn paper and stapled to the dress. It was a tiresome affair that dragged on and on without personality or purpose, as the girls wobbled about on shaky trestle tables, while the compare shouted indecipherable garble in a manner suggesting this was the Miss Universe! These four girls were the front runners at the end that eventually saw the lass on the far right take the trophy. What made the event so laborious wasn't the fact that there wasn't a swimsuit category, but that there were only four girls that started! How hard can it be to judge the best looking girl out of four? We all had our money on #4 from the outset and a fair amount of cash across the bar by the time it ended! [...see this postcard]

Another Stat On The Board!
by Luke Gillian , 14/03/2002 08:52:33
One of the biggest surprises of South Africa is how stupendously stunning the women are! They first had us gob-smacked in 1997, and this time around there just seems to be more of them! What one has also come to notice is that South Africans seem to go out every night so celebrating the big win on a Tuesday was never going to present any crowd concern, or lack there of! Always keen to keep his eye on the tote, Timmy (known as Wisden for his remarkable statistic recollections) was pleasingly lurking in the shadows (thin shadows mind you) of this young lass hoping to get her opinion of the outcome of Australia's test win. I'm not sure she knew Australia were playing but I'm sure Timmy could have passed a few stats her way! [...see this postcard]

Forward! Forward!
by Luke Gillian , 14/03/2002 08:51:17
A day at the cricket is not complete without a night at the rugby! Well, maybe not always but when Australia tour South Africa, it's at a time when Rugby Union's Super 12 is being contested! When last here we caught 3-games after a few day's of play and this year was no exception! 40 of us packed up the flags, went to the pub for a few complimentary lagers (150 were given by the guv'nor so long as we returned later!) then crossed the railway line from Newlands Cricket to Newlands Rugby where the local Stormers thumped the Hurricanes from Wellington, 40-13! Here (L-R) Paul, Lewis, Shane, Wasa, and Brett pay close attention to something that didn't really matter to any of them as they were there for spirit the game! [...see this postcard]

Wineries Can Make You Weary!
by Luke Gillian , 09/03/2002 17:21:47
It was a little too much for the Transport Department! Not Robbie our driver on the winelands tour, but Mark who is known as Transport! The young man enjoys a good drink and having toured the wineries the day before he was more than keen to head back to the lovely pastures of Stellenbosch for another day of grape indulgence! Instead of lounging on the vast lawns of the fourth winery we visited, Transport decided to take a breather on the large teak table, the back seat of the van also too far away! It wasn't the most pleasant view on offer of this beautiful estate, but like all of us, he didn't last too long as the suggestion to head to Table Bay for a few ice-cold Castles saw us into the van and back to Cape Town to end a marvellous wineries excursion! [...see this postcard]

Not Exactly A Needle In A Haystack!
by Luke Gillian , 04/03/2002 14:01:49
Wasa was an appalling mess of humour, good spirit, and disbelief that he would stoop so low as to 'stage dive' into a pile of hay and spend 15-minutes rolling about, throwing it all over the pub and then posing for photos! Very, very, un-Flag like behaviour but gee, talk about funny! I was on the other side of the pub when Mark came running to grab me and the camera to capture something that may never be repeated! For those that did miss it I'm sure Wasa would love to re-create this performance at some point, and when he does, will someone please be sure to capture it on digital video! Little Wasa! He was The Flag's assistant entertainment director, but I think he has just earnt self promotion! Bring on a series win in Cape Town!  [...see this postcard]

A New World Record!
by Luke Gillian , 04/03/2002 13:40:31
It was not the most spectacular achievement but in 3-mins Charles (left) consumed 87-oysters eclipsing the previous Guinness World Record of 64; which incidentally was so little by comparison because they ran out of oysters! Australia's Matthew Hayden came to the middle not to compete alas, but instead contribute a few extra shells into a few of the losers bins! Charles was throwing the little slimy membranes down as if he was drinking them through a straw, throwing oyster juice and scum all over the place, it was disgusting, but entertaining (for 3-mins)! The fellow in the middle did his best to keep up but was never quite there, but it was the lad on the right who ate as if he was meant to enjoy them! One by one he delicately spooned each oyster into his gob, so carefully at one point I half expected him to ask for the wine list! Trestle tables in the middle of St Georges Park, Port Elizabeth, during the lunch break of a tour game isn't the most significant of locations, but it was still another world record, and that's what counts!  [...see this postcard]

Thumbs Up For Thumbs Out!
by Luke Gillian , 03/03/2002 19:01:28
You can bus, walk, train, or drive from any cricket ground around the world, but nothing is easier than hitching in South Africa. It takes more time to wait for the bus than it does to stick the thumb out and wait for a generous driver to stop and take us home. A ute or 'Bakkie' (pronounced bukkie) is the best option to get home as one but they do sometimes come with diffulties! This particular bakkie was full of sand (not that you can see) and hence the first thing I said as everyone sat dodgily on the side, their knuckles white as the driver accelerated into the stream of traffic was, "The Flag holds no responsibility if you fail to hang on!" As always, we made it home safe and sound with another tale to tell! [...see this postcard]

In Case Of Emergency - Phone Home!
by Luke Gillian , 01/03/2002 18:38:11
There is never a problem with the power source in South Africa, so long as you take the double adaptor, the Africa plug to convert to English, the English plug to convert to convert to Australia, and of course the Australian Nokia plug to power up the mobile, that incidentally rarely rings so why one bothers creating the enormous fire risk for the privilege of reading a few text messages I never know! The only time we might ever use the damn phone would be after the room has burnt down while we were sleeping! Too late to use the phone then let me tell you! Dial at your own risk! [...see this postcard]

What The Doctor Ordered - Nothing!
by Luke Gillian , 27/02/2002 13:48:38
Wasa was crook! It was a poor performance by the young man who came home at 6am after Australia's massive win the day before. Nobody saw Wasa move until at least 2pm when he managed to roll over, open his eyes (after taking off the shades), and declare that he needed a doctor! Instead of dialling for medical assistance, the word of Wasa's condition went around much to everyone's great amusement! Wasa wasn't getting any sympathy from anyone! He eventually made it to his feet to join us at the BBQ (oops, Braai) to throw down a few 'Hair of the Dogs'. I'm not sure they helped, but they were cheaper than what the Doctor would have ordered! [...see this postcard]

The New White Lightning!
by Luke Gillian , 27/02/2002 13:18:51
Young Callum never complained, never moaned, never cried when he fell, never said a word! Throughout the final day at Potch, he tirelessly threw, bowled, caught, and chased the ball all up and down the embankment. He committed to the task of playing 'non-stop' while his Perth t-shirt whined a melodic, yet incessant, and unforgiving 'Waltzing Matilda'. It was decided early that this little champ is going to torment not only Australia but world cricket in about 15-years so we thought it a good idea to capture the young man in action, and full concentration, at the very tender age of 4! If his splndid bowling arm matures it can be fair to say in a few years from now, 'Hail the new 'White Lightning'! [...see this postcard]

Braai Time
by Luke Gillian , 18/02/2002 19:06:53
One of the beauties of going to the cricket in Africa is the BRAAI! Come 1pm during a day game, or 6pm at a day night game, the marvellous scent of grilling fauna wofts across the outfield. At times BRAAIS have been banned and not because of the public danger it might present but the rich and enticing smell drifting across the outfield has at times forced the player to re-access their concentration as the ball whizzes past what should have been an outstretched hand! The BRAAIS were in full swing at the first two days of the tour game in Potch making all of us look forward with relish to the delights that the African animal kingdom will produce for our lunch and dinner over the coming months. [...see this postcard]

Playing the Field!!
by Luke Gillian , 17/02/2002 19:01:41
On of the eve of the first tour match in Potchefstroom, it's nice to see some of the local lads singing about the touring Australians; well at least playing the cricket bat guitar! Potch doesn't get all that many big internationals but when they do you can be sure to find more than enough people at the ground for the training session, keen to catch a glimpse of their visiting heroes! This lad was so overawed by the Australians playing in Potch, he asked us to autograph his bat because he couldn't get close for the 'Real McCoy' to do it. Nice to see people enthusiastic about the game! Sounds a bit familiar, don't you think! [...see this postcard]

Montecasino; Magnifico!
by Luke Gillian , 09/02/2002 01:55:52
As if transported from Italy, Montecasino in the northern Johannesburg suburb of Fourways, is an enormous replica of a Tuscan village with colourful clay washed walls, cobbled lanes and thoroughfares, washing strung along lines between the terraces, illegally parked 'Roma registered' cars, trattorias, pizzerias & bars, and Italian lessons for everyone with many store fronts sporting the native word. The casino sprawls across the Piazza, lined with falsified olive trees and grape vines flourishing throughout. With its craftily 'day and night' lighted street scenes, this 24-hour complex is an indoor climate controlled masterpiece! [...see this postcard]

The Wonderful Waterfront
by Luke Gillian , 01/02/2002 18:05:04
Situated one mile from the city centre, Cape Town's famed 'Victoria and Alfred Waterfront' is the city's most popular tourist attraction. Still very much a working harbour, this beautiful development featuring over 250 outlets from fashion to alcoholic fusions is an 8-12 minute walk from our chosen Hostels for next years cricket tour! Though Cape Town offers much more, such as the imposing backdrop of Table Mountain and the Southern Peninsular where 'two oceans meet', whiling away your time by night on the Waterfront after a soothing day at Newlands Cricket Ground will be one of your more featured habits on tour! And as a matter of interest, the German beer brewer 'Hofbrau' will open a beer hall next year with an 'Aprilfest', just in time for Australia's ODI against South Africa at Newlands; "PROST" (German for cheers!)!  [...see this postcard]

A Reminiscent Return!
by Luke Gillian , 26/01/2002 20:03:07
Thrilling to a nail-biting win over South Africa in the 2nd Test at Port Elizabeth in '97 we returned to the homely King's Beach Backpackers to celebrate an astonishing victory. The test win was teamed with our winning 12 cases of Castle Lager for contructing the 'Best Cricket Banner' for the test match! Stapling two springbok hides to a massive sheet, the slogan read, 'Australia Continue The Springbok Cull'! We thought it the ideal message to leave on the kitchen wall of the backpackers as testament to our adventurous cricket spirit and travel! Come to PE next month with us for the tour match against South Africa A and see walls of art for yourself!  [...see this postcard]

Pleasant Potch!
by Luke Gillian , 21/01/2002 11:22:22
And the countdown continues to the first game of Australia's three month tour of Southern Africa, the first game scheduled to begin on February 17 in Potchefstroom! It is a very quiet and quite unexciting backwater about 120km south west of Johannesburg. Regardless of the social lifestyles, Australia take on South Africa 'A' next month, and play the 3rd of the ODI series here because this is where Australia will be based for the 2003 World Cup. Besides the thousands of students that reside at the university during semester, creating somewhat of a boon for the brewing industries, Potch prides itself on its pioneering histories. There are a dozen different walking trails in and around the city that include such significant places as where the first 'Shots of Independence' were fired in what is known as the Boer War (1880-1881). [...see this postcard]

Feast Your Eyes!
by Luke Gillian , 12/01/2002 03:05:56
At an exchange rate of 6-Rand to one Australian Dollar it makes the tast buddies tingle with excitement with the approach of the test series in South Africa. Even with the inflated prices reserved for the closed markets of a sporting stadium, I don't think even I will bother trying to find the bakery for a loaf of bread for lunch! This is the one of the menus you'll find at Newlands in Cape Town should you come to the second test. The more you eat, the more you save! Come and try the veritable feast on offer! The Test cricket should be value for money as well! See you in the queue!  [...see this postcard]

Monotone Monorail!
by Luke Gillian , 08/01/2002 06:38:15
The Monorail has been running tourists and locals alike around the Sydney city centre and across to the Darling Harbour restaurant and retail development for almost 15-years. Arriving every 4-minutes through the day and night and only taking 15-mins to complete one circuit, the monorail is more a tourist attraction than a necessary mode of public transport facility as the distance you can cover by foot or bus, is generally faster and far more economically viable. Mind you, once the monorail leaves Darling Harbour, it passes through the city centre perhaps only picking up people that don't want to walk to Darling Harbour. It is quite an unexciting journey and quite easily missed without disappointment! There was the talk after 10-years that the monorail will come down to relieve the city of the eyesoric steel beam that weaves its way around town, but to this day, remains moreso a photographic attraction across Pyrmont Bridge.  [...see this postcard]

Cape Town, A Bird's Eye View!
by Luke Gillian , 04/01/2002 08:08:08
Looking back to my most recent visit to South Africa, it was one of the most glorious days in Cape Town, and quite standard that it was the day of my departure! But there was good to come of it! The pilot was kind enough to do a lap of Cape Town and the irrepressible Table Mountain. The end of the long arm of mountain that you see is Signal Hill that like Table Mountain offers breathtaking views of Table Bay and the nearby Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 20 years. The small square of harbour that you see just to the left of the end of Signal Hill is Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The Backpackers we'll be staying next year is between the harbour and the hill! There are certainly worse places to live and indeed worse ways to see the stunning Cape Town!  [...see this postcard]

Puttin' up in the Ritz!
by Luke Gillian , 02/01/2002 12:52:18
For those coming to South Africa next year with 'the Flag', short of being the best accommodation establishment for its price in South Africa, you'll be pleased to know that we will be in the Backpacker's Ritz in Johannesburg, quite easily the safest and most inviting place to live when spending time in 'Egoli; The City of Gold'. On a beautiful day, lazing beside the pool and the spacious gardens of this gorgeous mansion situated in the affluent and stylish northern suburb of Dunkeld West, is one of the better ways to soothe the soul before or after heading into the wilds of Africa, or in our case next year, a day at the cricket at the nearby Wanderers Stadium!  [...see this postcard]

Marvellous Marnie!
by Luke Gillian , 30/12/2001 04:02:20
This is Marnie! We met Marnie and her husband in the pub after day two and spent several hours (I think) regaling life on the road following cricket around the world! Returning to the computer after Day 3, there was an email from Marnie commending the site and what we do for the game, and also asking why we didn't put her photo on the site as a Postcard, and truthfully, we had no reason! So quite simply, This is Marnie! And she is as lovely as she looks! We Love Marnie!!  [...see this postcard]

Sleeping Beauty!
by Luke Gillian , 28/12/2001 13:45:52
It was a long night for Darren after Australia took control of the test match and went to stumps on day 2, 0/126. The big lad went a little overboard and his plans of being home by 8pm went out the door as a few more people came into the pub. He caught up with a few lads from our Indian Tour as well and turned up to the big game marginally late for the start, and proceeded to kip his was through the three sessions of play. Not exactly the favoured game behaviour of a 'Flag' executive, but that's celebration for you!  [...see this postcard]

On to the Mattress!
by Luke Gillian , 27/12/2001 21:33:53
Minding our own business in the Swan Hotel, Richmond, enjoying a few after game refreshments, one of the last persons on our mind was young 'Mattress' (Matt Glynn, middle)! Yet when the unexpected happens, such as Mattress strolling through the door looking for a quiet beverage or two, the word quiet dissolves! We met Mattress in India during the tour earlier this year and frequently crossed paths during the Ashes Series in England that followed. Matt controlled the British Australian Football League out of London, was offered the position to run the American Australian Football League in San Diego, instead, as it transpired, chose to take on Victorian Country Football! It is always good to meet up with mates for a few bevvies in another hemisphere, especially when one believed them to be in the United States! All the Best for the new position Mattress!  [...see this postcard]

Good 'Ole Sunny Melbourne!
by Luke Gillian , 26/12/2001 13:13:31
Melbourne knows how to turn on the conditions for test cricket! This is the third time since their return to test cricket that South Africa have played at the MCG, and like the previous two games drawn due to bad weather, the rain is again dictating the state of play. Watching cricket is one thing, but when the storms that often plague the Melbourne Test rage through, the camera tends to go haywire capturing the beauty of nature with the eerie backdrop of an almost vacant stadium, a rare sight on Melbourne's famous Boxing Day Test Match!  [...see this postcard]

Adelaide to Africa!
by Luke Gillian , 19/12/2001 03:55:26
Our South Africa Tour is filling fast! Wasa, Belly, Jase, Chocko and all the boys confirmed they are all starters for Africa now only 8-weeks away! In the meantime, the boys religiously fly from around the country to Adelaide each year to convene on the hill next to the Bradman Stand. The sun was shining and the beer was flowing as the boys enjoyed their five long days reminiscing on days gone by and creating their own personal memories as Australia flogged South Africa by 246-runs. They, along with everyone else joining us in Africa, hope Australia will continue this trend for the test matches in Melbourne and Sydney and well into next year's tour!  [...see this postcard]

Cricket, German Style!
by Luke Gillian , 17/12/2001 22:18:22
We love Germans; especially when the female variety are as good looking as these two! But when it comes to cricket, essentially we don't care what they look like so long as we we have the opportunity to share the great game with people that have never seen it! Nicole and Anneke were living in the Adelaide Backpacker's Inn with us and after a little coaxing, and with a couple of complimentary tickets from your's truly, attended the 4th day's play and lasted surpisingly almost 4 hours. It was a fantastic effort by the girls (and by Australia) and we were more than happy to introduce them to the great game!  [...see this postcard]

The Usual Suspects!
by Luke Gillian , 15/12/2001 11:49:07
Meeting people we have enjoyed previous international cricket tours with is a common event! Left to right is Brian Murphy, Jeff Minnear, Pete Gamble, Wasa Hill, Pat Hannagan, and Tim O'Kane, who were all in India with us earlier this year and again it has been the home series that has brought the lads together for a few retrospective lagers. The Usual Suspects were found at the Cathedral Pub opposite the Sir Donald Bradman Oval after the first days play! The boys will be Africa early next year for the tour that should be a cracker. Cross the Indian Ocean to meet the lads and many more keen to be seen 'Waving the Flag' for Australia in South Africa and Zimbabwe!  [...see this postcard]

Darwin Water Hole!
by Luke Gillian , 11/12/2001 07:08:58
The Port of Darwin was named by Lieutenant Stokes of the British Navy in 1839 in honour of his friend Charles Darwin, the noted Biologist. But it wasn't until 30-years later when George Goyder arrived to establish a settlement that the site currently occupied by the Port of Darwin was selected and used to supply the settlement of Palmerston (now the city centre of Darwin). Passengers and supplies were ferried to and from small vessels in the port area is small boats, often a hazardous undertaking given Darwin Harbour's large tidal range and strong currents. Still very much used for cruise, cargo, and naval ships, Stokes Hill Wharf is a popular destination with a variety of seafood restaurants, cafes and bars, and a shopping arcade that tourists and locals frequent to while away their time while watching the wharf activities as well as the fiery sunsets in Winter, the stunning electrical storms of Summer, and the boating enthusiasts making use of Darwin's massive harbour.  [...see this postcard]

The Darwin Underworld
by Luke Gillian , 10/12/2001 09:35:57
The government commission of 11 above ground storage tanks in 1924 to support the naval change from coal to oil power was one of the most significant developments in Darwin's history as the city was developed as a naval base to complement Singapore as the British Empire's protective bastion in the Far East. There was an inadequate appreciation of risk of air attack however and, during Feb, Mar, and June in 1942, the Japanese almost totally destroyed Darwin's oil storage during a series of savage raids. The response was to build 8-underground oil storage tunnels in 1943 which would be safe from bombing. Only 5 tunnels were finished when the war ended and were never used for bulk storage. Only Two tunnels are open for visitors today as one of Darwin's prime historical and WWII 'pictorial' attractions. Tunnel 5 is 171m long, 5m high and 4.5m wide with a capacity of 38,475 million litres!  [...see this postcard]

Cyclone Tracy!
by Luke Gillian , 06/12/2001 05:55:45
In a whirlwind tour of Australia, Tracy blew we lads (Mark, Phil, and I) away every day she breezed into the game. Quite short on words at times, Tracy was always more keen to just be there than vocalising her support for the Kiwis as they pushed Australia during the Test Series; moreso during the third test in Perth. Unlike we three photographing anything that moved or associated with cricket, Tracy was never all that keen on having her photo taken much to our displeasure and simple techniques, such as tapping her on the shoulder to take the snap as she spun wildly around, were employed to catch her unaware ensuring Tracy was included in our image diary of a remarkable tour. We all hope to see Tracy whizzing about New Zealand when Australia tour there next in 2005!  [...see this postcard]

Farewell Phil!
by Luke Gillian , 05/12/2001 03:48:44
And so comes to an end the first test series of the summer! And what better way to celebrate the winning of 'cricket' than having a few jars in the member's bar at the tea break! Though there was still much to play for the remainder of the day, Mark, Phil and I took time out from 'waving the flag' in the terraces to clink glasses a few times to pre-empt the night that followed! The night that did follow this epic test match is most certainly another tale, but before that we wish Phil safe travels and thank he and 'Tracy' (absent, but another postcard of her to come) for coming over! Alas for Phil and New Zealand, they must wait until February 2005 to take another shot at the trophy! Even at this early stage, we're looking forward to heading across the Tasman once more!  [...see this postcard]

Where's Greg? No, it's 'Who's Greg'!
by Luke Gillian , 01/12/2001 14:24:31
This is Greg Duncombe (middle)! Apparently! His mates however would only reveal themselves as 'Greg Duncombe' also, so who really knows the truth?! The 'Gregs' attend the Perth match each year alas this time around one 'Greg' has found himself working in London, Canada and this is his first Perth absenteeism for over a decade! In respect for 'Greg', 'Greg & Greg' felt he could not be left out in whole so a masked fellow was brought in to play the tribute role! And that is great work from them!  [...see this postcard]

This is Lucky Phil!
by Luke Gillian , 30/11/2001 14:42:18
Celebrations are a must, even with the opposition! Phil (right) from Wellington, has followed New Zealand around the world for the past few years, supporting a few mates in the side, and has been enjoying his time in Australia with the Kiwis and Mark (middle) and myself in Brisbane and last week in Hobart. The weather hasn't been too kind to us over the tour but that doesn't prevent the consumption of a few beers at the end of a good day's play, especially for Phil when the chance has come to raise the glass for an admirable Kiwi performance! He's just lucky it didn't rain all day on Day One in Perth!  [...see this postcard]

Savvy Salamanca
by Luke Gillian , 27/11/2001 03:45:04
Each Saturday morning from about 8am, Hobart descends on Salamanca on the waterfront for the infamous Markets! For 8-hours, the street is closed to traffic, making way for craftsmen and women to delight the thousands that head to indulge in breakfast in one of the funky street cafes, sample a variety of honeys, try on a hats, read the prelude to old and new books, throw back german sausages, buy pot plants, munch away on Tasmania's renowned Scallop Pies, or just simply trudge up and down through the throng of people from the world over checking out the variety of arts, crafts and foods available for all and sundry! It may even be a comfort to know the ubiquitous 'pint' is also available if an Italian Coffee doesn't take your fancy!  [...see this postcard]

DePRESSing Hobart!
by Luke Gillian , 25/11/2001 14:32:52
Rain is a very difficult aspect of cricket to live with! It's countless hours seated amidst conditions they would barely play Australian Football in these days, inept governing policies requiring the lunch break to be taken minutes after suitable playing conditions have returned, and when wanting to have a friendly hit of cricket on the hill to pass the time, security measures that allow bats to be brought into the ground but not balls! What is the world coming to? When it seems that you won't see any more cricket, you can always rely on the press core to bring out the 'Indian Willow', and roll their arm over for the hours at hand before the real game re-starts! It's not the most entertaining game, but at least proves the game can be played when the sport's ruling bodies believe otherwise!  [...see this postcard]

Horrible Hobart... for New Zealand!
by Luke Gillian , 22/11/2001 11:32:57
Hobart was bleak for New Zealand for almost the entire day, the first of the second test, against Australia! Winning the toss and failing to take advantage of the wicket conducive to early troublesome bowling when sending Australia in to bat, Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden again went on the rampage opening up with 223 before, once more, the sun shone brightly for the visitors! Five wickets fell for 44 runs; enter Adam Gilchrist! The clouds blackened again (courtesy largely of Ricky Ponting) over New Zealand's day at Bellerive much the same as those swirling over the backdrop of Mt Wellington! Maybe Day 2 will be a little brighter for the Kiwis! Let's hope so; it's flipping cold here!!  [...see this postcard]

Trans Tasman Tracy
by Luke Gillian , 12/11/2001 23:41:10
During last year's Australian Tour of New Zealand, we had the pleasure of meeting the fair Tracy who was collecting money for the NZ Blind Association during each Test and ODI. A very keen cricket follower, Tracy decided last week to jet over from Wellington to see the New Zealand's 3-test series against Australia. Tracy joined Mark (middle), Brett (right) and I in the terraces of 'The Gabba' in Brisbane for the thrilling opening test and we are pleased to know we'll have the pleasure of her company for the next two! At least this time she wasn't walking around with a bucket asking us for cash!!  [...see this postcard]

One More To The Fence!
by Luke Gillian , 10/11/2001 09:41:08
It is one thing supporting the Australian Cricket Team, and another supporting a team player to a century! Justin Langer fell from form and favour for the recent Ashes Series in England until the final Test at the Oval where he scored a fighting 100 to re-affirm his wont to be in the side. At 'The Gabba' in Brisbane, he again proved his worth to the Australian side to again 'bring home the bacon' by belting another 100. Though 'unseeable' this is Justin cover driving 4-runs to bring up his ton. Bathed in brilliant Queensland sunshine, the flags were flying proudly for Justin, as they were for Matthew Hayden who too hit 100, on Day 1 of the first test against New Zealand!  [...see this postcard]

We Three Kings!
by Luke Gillian , 15/10/2001 03:36:40
Following the game of cricket around the world is one thing, and indeed drinking beer at Munich's Beerfest is another but outside those two realms is the opportunity to visit some stunning geographical or in this case architectural wonders of the world. It's just a shame that this photo of myself, Darren and Smiley in front of the Castle (Schloss Neuschwanstein) that Disneyland's was modelled, looks like a cardboard cutout or much like the falseness of Disneyland! I can assure we were there in Southern Bavaria, 120km from Munich, for we sat in the beer garden halfway down the hill gazing up to this German splendour until we could see no more! Some might suggest we drank too much, but really the sun just went to bed minutes before we went back to Munich and the splendiferous Beerfest!  [...see this postcard]

Smiley! Smiley! Smiley!
by Luke Gillian , 15/10/2001 03:16:51
The more our very jovial mate Smiley drinks, the more he tends to throw his hands in the air, welcoming everyone into his inebriated world! Alas the beer consumption at the annual Beerfest in Munich tends to play havoc with the young lad. After a few litres of Bavaria's finest beverage penetrating his liver, his memory becomes a bit like this image, 'a little blurry', leaving everyone the morning after shaking their head and simply asking, "Smiley, Smiley, Smiley?" (But he still does smile!)  [...see this postcard]

The Ashes have been Won!
by Luke Gillian , 29/08/2001 13:18:46
One thing marginally less better than winning the Ashes, is being out on the field for the presentations or even in the dressing room after the game. As people were running about readying the field for the final moment of officialdom, I casually strolled forth and took my place adjacent to the official photographers. It would have been great to be a little more front-on, but at least I was there to see the trophy and boys one-by-one make their way onto the stage to collect their medallion and later pose for what will be a memorable snap. If no-one else, it will be for me! Go Australia! [...see this postcard]

Remember the Aerogard!*
by Luke Gillian , 21/08/2001 23:32:29
This is what can happen when you go on tour. Leeds in the north of England is in a very rural, mountainous area and as such attracts a variety of wild fauna, some of which only come out after dark and are only attracted by alcohol. Late one evening as we were preparing to pitch our tents, a beast swung from the rafters of the bar and attacked our mate, leaving him with this vile scar. It was humourous at the time, and downright side-splitting in the morning, the results of the attack clearly evident! If this happens in England, what will happen in South Africa next year? Just remember the Aerogard, and have a good weekend! *Aerogard is a pretty useless Australian insect repellent!  [...see this postcard]

Every Mick, Michele, and Harry!
by Luke Gillian , 19/08/2001 20:33:27
L-R, we have Mick Berdon, Michele McBain, and Harry Griffifths enjoying the action early in Australia's second innings on Day Three at Headingley. Mick has done a fair amount of travelling including four cricket tours with us; Michele from Melbourne now lives in London and is planning to join us in South Africa next year; while Harry from Footscray, Melbourne, last seen Waving the Flag in the West Indies 1999, too hopes to make it to Africa.  [...see this postcard]

Axe? No its Max! Max O'Connell!
by Luke Gillian , 19/08/2001 13:25:33
Max (on the left and here with Darren) is as keen a cricket follower as we. Though never (yet) having been to the Sub-Continent, he aspires to do so, adding those tours to his resume of South Africa, Zimbabwe, West Indies, New Zealand and England tours. We've crossed paths with Max several times over the years and it is always great to catch up with him abroad while he takes his annual holiday from the Road Traffic Authority of New South Wales. Max hails from Wagga Wagga, is a member of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, has seen the last three Ashes Test Matches this series and returns home next week having seen Australia retain the Ashes! We wish Max safe travels home and hope to see him with us in South Africa early next year.  [...see this postcard]

Adelaidians Abroad!
by Luke Gillian , 18/08/2001 13:42:17
Strolling around Headingley on Day 1 of the Fourth Test we met these lads enjoying the masterful display by Ricky Ponting. (L-R) Andrew Turner, Luke, Simon Turner, Dave Roberts and David Polkinghorne (Polke) are from Adelaide and now work and live in London. Andrew is a Physiologist/Fruit Picker/Scientist and will soon be on his way to Canada to continue strolling down his career paths; Simon works in the conceirge department of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge; Dave is a web designer developing www.roundtheworldflights.com, while Polke is a data entry clerk, describing himself as a mathemetician. The lads say Polke is definitely an underachiever! The boys love their cricket and aspire to join us in the West Indies in 2003. [...see this postcard]

Guinness Is Good For you!
by Luke Gillian , 14/08/2001 02:15:03
Guinness IS good for you! That is the slogan for the great Aurthur Guinness beverage and they are the words we swear by when staggering to the bar to collect another four pints! And believe me when I say, it is far better for you at the time than it is a few hours later when getting up to go to the cricket. Aside the medicinal purposes 'Guinness is good for you' because it only contains hops, yeast, water and barley. There is no added chemicals contributing to morning after illnesses associated with drinking heavily the night before and so in doing that, one tends to drink alot more goodness to make up for it. And in the morning one can report that Guinness may not in fact 'be good for you'!  [...see this postcard]

Ryvita Boys - Lord's 2nd test
by Darren Moulds , 07/08/2001 20:48:02
The boys were caught eating Ryvita biscuits and consuming beer in the Compton stand late on day 2 of the Lord’s test match. Apparently on a diet the lads reckon Ryvita and beer is the only way to go! Right to Left (front) are Flash, Dennis O’Reilly, Bruce Jackson, Irish Morgan and back row Roly Monk and Sam. Flash is from Melbourne and currently lives in London. Luke and I have had the pleasure of Flash’s company on quite a few cricket tours and with his dry sense of humour he is always a welcome addtiton to our touring party. Dennis is my best mate and he currently lives in Kalgoorlie, WA and is over in the UK on his honeymoon.! Great work from him! Jacko from Melbourne also lives in the Uk and he too travels and watches the cricket in various places around the world. Irish Morgan is back in the UK visiting relatives and he took in a few days of the test match with the lads. Roly and Sam are the token ‘Poms’ in the group and they are always good to have around when their team is not doing so well!  [...see this postcard]

Work outside of Waving The Flag
by Darren Moulds , 07/08/2001 20:44:31
In order to follow the cricket and enjoy the lifestyle I love I do need to occasionally do some real/serious work. Here I am in May 2001 at The Travellers Stop in Marble Bar after driving 1860Kms North of Perth with a load of 4,000 native trees/plants. These trees/plants are propagated in Perth and then taken North to enjoy the Winter sunshine. Later in the year they will be used to landscape/re vegetate various minesites throughout the state, providing my good mate Damon O’Meara and his company Outback Trees of Aust P/L can win a few contracts ! [...see this postcard]

Marble Bar Cricket Oval
by Darren Moulds , 07/08/2001 19:57:51
Back in the 1960's and 70's Marble Bar was a thriving mining town in the North West of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. These days it is sadly a shadow of its former self. Marble Bar is well known for it is one of the few places world wide that can claim to have had 40 consecutive days of more than 40 degrees centigrade. Although very rarely used these days the Marble Bar Cricket Oval conjures up far different images than those we are experiencing here in the UK during this 2001 Ashes Series. Some of the English Players probably wish they could retreat to a far away place like Marble bar to escape the reality of their current form against the Australians. Marble bar and the surrounding countryside is very barren and dry during the summer months but it takes on a dramatic change during the Australian winter with the landscape becoming brilliant shades of green dotted with beautifully coloured native flowering trees and of course the sensational Western Australian wildflowers. The first Saturday in July sees the annual Marble Bar Cup raceday being held and it is a premier social event for the many great people of the Pilbara.  [...see this postcard]

The Adventures Robin Hood.... and us!
by Luke Gillian , 06/08/2001 13:05:40
After the marvellous Ashes Victory, we took a tour of Nottingham and all things Robin Hood. The tales and legends of Robin Hood and his merry band of outlaws that include Friar Tuck and Little John, date back to the 13th century. Sherwood Forest then covered one fifth Nottinghamshire. This Royal Forest had the fiercest of Laws yet due to the density and enormity of the woodland provided safe refuge for those such as Robin Hood escaping the long arm. It was in the forest that outlaws found food, shelter and companionship with others prepared to run the gauntlet of the King's foresters. Robin Hood's Statue stands surrounded by the remnants of the medieval Nottingham, first settled by the Snotingas, invaders from the north of Germany, in the 6th or 7th century AD. William the Conqueror built the first Nottingham Castle -where Robin's nemesis The Sheriff of Nottingham resided- west if the old burh -trading centre-, in 1068 and became the chief Royal Fortress in the Midlands. The Castle is now a museum and gallery displaying an array of hands on stuff, bizarre 'Modern Art' and splendid views of Nottingham from the rooftop -but only if you meet George who will take you on a personal tour to the top!  [...see this postcard]

Postcard from the Past
by Luke Gillian , 03/08/2001 09:56:49
India excites, frustrates, and stimulates! It is the quintessential travelling fantasy presenting the world's most bizarre, inane and freaky sights, sounds, and sometimes privileges. This fellow has the hair my mother wish I didn't shave off, but if it weren't for the extremes in 'hair coiffeur' maybe this image wouldn't hold the humour I think it does! This fellow is a musician in Nagpur, spending his time either drinking heavily or beating a mean drum in the streets until all hours. My mate Mark and I were captivated by he and his mates for several hours on a lonely walk one night and if it weren't for that walk, well I may never had met this crazy character! [...see this postcard]

The Hampshire Wave
by Luke Gillian , 01/08/2001 02:12:10
It brought back fond and exciting memories of India earlier this year; The Mexican Wave! However, it wasn't for the Hampshire public's over-exuberance to leap into the gods that brought the retrospective day dream. Unlike India where the Mexican wave zooms around a 100,000 seat stadium at timed lightening fast revolutions of 8.9 seconds, the efforts at the Rose Bowl were comparatively nothing short of pathetic! One 'Mexican Wave' revolution of this tiny venue took the same time as it took Shane Warne to bowl a maiden over. Hardly riveting stuff, but this was of course neither Mexico or India for that matter! [...see this postcard]

Bon Slats or is it Michael Jovi?
by Luke Gillian , 23/07/2001 22:41:41
Slats is always first to put on the music, always first to start playing the 'air guitar' and is then, after a few jars, always first to start playing the 'Real McCoy'. Our man Slats loves Bon Jovi and he doesn't hide that fact, especially when 'standing on a table' and performing as if he is 'Living on a Prayer'. And why not too? Get out there and celebrate for it is not every day an Australian Cricketer has the chance to celebrate a victory over the English at Lord's! If I could play the guitar maybe I too would be standing on the table doing a Bon Jovi Karaoke, alas I'm more often than not under it! [...see this postcard]

Strike a Chord with Bing!
by Luke Gillian , 23/07/2001 22:24:07
For those in the know, it is no secret that our supertar fast bowler, Brett Lee, otherwise known as 'Bing', can play a bit of guitar and tonight at the Team Hotel in central London, Bing was doing his darndest to enteratain a mediocre yet enthusiastic turnout. Both he and Michael Slater were in fine form with the strings and had the 20 or so second test celebrants in fine song for many an hour into the early morning. A win is always special, but is even sweeter when there is the chance to join the lads in song. Funky Miller, Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn, and Simon Katich were also there along with the Australian Press contingent, who too always help to celebrate a big win!  [...see this postcard]

Tim & Tirone
by Luke Gillian , 22/07/2001 20:28:15
At the Sydney Cricket Ground last January Tirone (on the right) and Tim came and introduced themselves to me as I was basking in the summer sun and a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies. The lads seemed pretty keen on their cricket telling me they were coming to England for the Ashes. Many have told me that over the years only not to make it however it was an email last week from Tirone that told me he and Tim were on their way and yesterday at Crockers Folly after the day's play we met once again! It was great to see the boys follow through on their word. They can't afford to do the entire series, but they nonetheless turned up at Birmingham and Lord's which was great to see. I wish both Tim and Tirone all the best in their travels around England and Europe and hope to see them not only in Australia later this year, but also in South Africa and beyond! [...see this postcard]

The Crocker's Folly
by Luke Gillian , 22/07/2001 09:58:09
Meeting after the game, any game, any sport, for a beer is human nature around the world. Everyone has their favourite Public House, while others just regulate the one nearest the venue. Although the Lord's Tavern -situated next to Lord's- is easily the most popular establishment after a day at the Home of Cricket, the more casual and open Crocker's Folly a few hundred yards away is where Bomber, Jacko, Flash, Dagsy, myself and any number of our mates have been residing after a day's play at Lord's to sample a few too many pints. It's a little bit further away, but at least you can get a drink when you want, and at the end of the day of 'Waving the Flag' for Australia (in spirit), that is a very good thing! [...see this postcard]

Outer Space not Outer Date
by Luke Gillian , 21/07/2001 09:21:33
It isn't the design, the facitilities within or even the purpose of the Natwest Media Centre that makes most shudder at first, second and even third sight. It is the fact that such a 'way out' contsruction was developed at the home of cricket where staunch traditions and histories dictate daily existence. Whatever can be said, or can't about this new media centre, built for the '99 World Cup, that looks remarkably from 'Outer Space', it remains sitting proudly above the hallowed turf of Lord's opposite the ageing pavilion now more 'Outer Date' than anything worth writing about!  [...see this postcard]

Smile Smiley!
by Luke Gillian , 15/07/2001 12:41:55
Our great mate Smiley is one to never hold a frown. Even when he sees red, he does so with a broad grin. So celebrating the opening of the Spanish Festival of San Fermin with Smiley -as we are here- is one way of guaranteeing that no matter what the crushed, wet, and threatening furore that pervades the Town Hall Square up to midday on July 6 each year, comfort can be found in Smiley's perpetual grin. Here I think Smiley was trying to say, 'I want to get out!' but thankfully not! Read more of our Pamplona Adventures in the travel tales section.  [...see this postcard]

London's Big Bus
by Luke Gillian , 15/07/2001 10:01:36
There are two very prominent sights in London. One is Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, on the banks of the River Thames, and the other is the ubiquitous red double decker bus. Though times are changing and the open back bus is disappearing, many still trundle the congested routes through the city, and out past the glorious clock of Big Ben making, at least for me, what can be termed a 'typical London' image. I hope to bring you more postcards of London over the course of Australia's Ashes Campaign.  [...see this postcard]

Where's Walshy?
by Luke Gillian , 30/06/2001 00:25:31
It has been said to Darren and I several times by the Australian scorer Mike Walsh, that he has no time for 'part time supporters'! This tone comes after missing the occasional and inexcusable day of cricket. So imagine my delight when strolling over to the scoreboard at the commencement of day three at Arundel to wish Walshy a 'Good Morning' to discover his absence! I saw him soon after entering the press tent, so jumped on the phone to call one of the journo's asking to express to Walshy my dislike for 'part time scorers'. Walshy informed me after the game that I have been removed from his christmas card list, unlike his friend Darren!  [...see this postcard]

The Team
by Luke Gillian , 26/06/2001 00:26:38
This is not the official photo, but it is ours at least! Returning to the great game after one week's absence, I found myself on the field at the commencement of the game in Arundel. It is always a pleasure to take a stroll across the village outfield and when the sun is shining as it was, not only was it a soothing reminder of why I follow the game, but it was great to see Funky Miller, Simon Katich, and Michael Slater (to name but a few) back in the team photo, the first of many for the coming Ashes Series. [...see this postcard]

Laughable Lads
by Luke Gillian , 15/06/2001 22:06:40
Manchester was cold! Damn cold! But nothing warms the soul more than a good hard laugh and these lads seated behind us for all the wet and dreary day and night were our entertainment routine. In true Northern fashion, they had a comment for everything. They had a go at everyone who walked by and all those who waved the English flag. There was no stopping them, but in the context of the game itself, it was pleasing that these lads could see the funny side of the England's capitulation, summed up by the response to Darren's comment "England are pathetic!" "No way!" one lad retorted, "We're not that good!" The laughter factor was high, unlike the mercury! [...see this postcard]

Aussie Beer Boys
by Darren Moulds , 13/06/2001 03:37:00
Celebrating the early fall of Pakistan wickets at Cardiff were (L/R) Michael Hickman (Adelaide), Daniel Morris (Brisbane), David Frank (Adelaide) and Stephen Dawes (Adelaide). The lads are all living and working in London and try and follow the Aussie sport, especially the cricket and the rugby around Europe. Having driven to Cardiff on Friday evening and sampling the local nightlife, Sparrow and I thought the lads were doing well to throw back a pint early in the game as Pakistan crashed to 6/85. [...see this postcard]

Gods of Spin
by Darren Moulds , 13/06/2001 03:32:00
Any sporting event attracts the weird and wonderful personalities that add to the colour of the occasion. In Cardiff during Australia's 1st ODI against Pakistan I noticed these 3 colourful characters from Brisbane. Calling themselves "The God's of Spin" the boys certainly added some humour to the occasion and they cheered the Aussies and Shane Warne on at every opportunity. The lads could be seen leaping toward the heavens when Warne had 2 wickets after his first over. The "God's" are all related, (L/R, Standing) Greg was 'God of The Wrongun', Criag was 'God of the Flipper' and (Kneeling) Dave 'God of the Leg Break' and they are following the Ashes all over the country. [...see this postcard]

Constable Cardiff
by Luke Gillian , 09/06/2001
The English Bobby, is as recognizable as a Pakistan cricket supporter on the day of the big game. There were thousands of supporters from both sides here in Cardiff and although the Pakistanis made far more noise than the Australian contingent, both sides kept the law on their toes throughout the day. The crowd spewed onto the ground at the end of the day's play to fill the field under the Australian balcony, to chant and sing the songs of high praise and while all this was going on, the presentations behind did little to break this Bobby's concentration of keeping a watchful eye on the mix of supporters, keen to get a glimpse of their heroes.  [...see this postcard]

Lord Stuart
by Luke Gillian , 06/06/2001
I have known Stuart (seated on the right) for almost 15 years having worked in Melbourne for his parents for the first six years of my cooking life. I don't often see Stuart or his wife Heidi and even though they too have been based in the UK for a few years now, going home periodically, it took a game at Lord's to finally meet up with he and one of the local lads (Robert) from the Buckinghamshire village they live. [...see this postcard]

Chauffeur Driven
by Darren Moulds , 04/06/2001
The view from the front seat of our van as the RAC towed us along the A40 motorway was not our favoured start to an Ashes campaign. Unleaded engines do not run too well on diesel fuel and some £200 and 7 hours later we entered the Worcester County Cricket New Road Ground just in time to see the start of the lunch break! What a great start to our tour. We are peanuts sometimes!!!  [...see this postcard]

Hunger Pains
by Luke Gillian , 11/04/2001 08:41:00
There comes a time in all travellers' days when they just need to let go and 'psychologically' get over the traumas of bed bugs, nightmare bus journeys, dodgy curries, picked pockets, cancelled flights and severe hangovers. And the best way to do that for most is to over-indulge in a spread of food more conducive to life at home in the comforts of your own kitchen/balcony/bedroom/wherever. [...see this postcard]

Scenery
by Luke Gillian , 08/04/2001 04:48:56
India is a vast and glorious country and training across India is the closest you may get to seeing the true heart and diversity of the country. Mile after mile, endless stretches of palm lined fields, rice paddies, ploughed earth capture the senses; your eyes locked on the passing rural existence, understandably completely non-plussed, if not entirely unaware, by your presence -speeding past, if not motionless for yet another unscheduled period of time. [...see this postcard]

The Urinal
by Luke Gillian , 28/03/2001 13:15:00
Need I say it again, 'Things in India will stop you in your place'? Yeah why not! Contrary to most Indians (male) taking the squat wherever they damn well please, at least in Kolkata, steps have been taken toward making sure people relieve themselves in some form of ablution block. This block is not far from Eden Gardens and in passing it each day on the return to the hotel after the game, it was well frequented. I failed to make use of it except for this photo again to capture the bizarre existence of India. I can't comment on the hygienic nature or even the whereabouts of the deposited waste but I can only imagine like most other cities around India, it merely flows under the footpath, and to be smelled on the breeze later in the humid day. What a lovely way to end a day at the cricket! [...see this postcard]

Tim and the Monster
by Luke Gillian , 23/03/2001 16:01:34
Let me introduce you to Tim Hall -on the left- and Shane 'Monster' Baisden. Tim enjoyed three days of cricket with us in the peaceful surrounds of the Essar Stand. For anyone who has been through the Bradman Gallery at the Adelaide Oval, Tim painted the 'The Don's' cover drive, 'Bradman signed' and certified! Thinking Tim, the artist, was here for the cricket, we came to learn that Tim (http://www.timhall.com.au) is an Evangelist and on a crusade of Southern India.  [...see this postcard]

Cass and Moe
by Luke Gillian , 21/03/2001 07:57:21
The most noticeable, cultural aspect of India, as indeed across the sub-continent is that very near most all the men have a 'moustache', hence we call India the land of the 'Big Black Moustache'. Some resemble a 'moe' you might have seen in an 'adult movie' while others are more like something you could hang your towels on, such as this fellows. [...see this postcard]

The Bird Run
by Luke Gillian , 17/03/2001 18:23:00
It was the most disgraceful act of sportsmanship I have ever seen. Not that I have seen many, but coming from the captain of a national side, a victorious national side on their victory lap what's more, 50 'Wave Slaves' stood shell shocked, before retaliating in our offended and no-doubt offensive way. [...see this postcard]

Breathe Easy
by Luke Gillian , 15/03/2001 07:10:23
Each day we would wander across the Maidan (open grassland), venturing through the hubbub of Kolkata peak hour, negotiating antiquated buses, trucks, taxis and the remains of some fellow's squat, and down to the 'Garden of Eden'. The pollution that hangs over the city, lingers for hours each day. It burns the eyes, stings the nose and makes breathing all that more difficult. The thought of taking up smoking for an intake of clean air has crossed our minds, especially when seeing it as thick as it was here this morning.  [...see this postcard]

Health Spa
by Luke Gillian , 12/03/2001 20:31:45
The Ganges River is the world's most polluted river. It is rife with diseases beyond any scientific reason, excrement, animalia of unknown histories, boats and their effluent, dead bodies and even live ones, such as myself! It may not be the best river in the world in which to swim, but doing is almost something regarded as a dare, if brave to dare not! [...see this postcard]

Black with none thanks!
by Luke Gillian , 07/03/2001 17:47:37
I have said it before, and I will say it again, tour games are civilised affairs. They are laid back and welcoming for all concerned and this was the finest example of taking liberties. Not only did we mangage to avoid all security checks by talking our way into the ground without tickets, but we made it through the pavilion and up into the members reserve looking down the wicket. It was brilliant. We were in shade, it was spacious and the members inviting.  [...see this postcard]

The Taj Mahal
by Luke Gillian , 07/03/2001 17:44:30
It is the quintessential gesture of love. Built 350 years ago by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his second wife Mumtaz Mahal who died while giving birth to her 14th child. It took 22 years and 22,000 men to contruct what is now, the universal symbol of India. And a visit to India should not be complete if you haven't seen this dynamic structure. [...see this postcard]

Our Names! Indian Railways.
by Luke Gillian , 06/03/2001 22:55:00
There is something is inefficient about railways around the world that make passengers cringe and bus commuters thankful they aren't on the rails and Indian Railways, in more ways that one, typifies these inneficiencies. On the other hand there is one practise of Indian Railways that is not only unique to India, but instills all travellers that maybe there is some form of 'system' in this country. [...see this postcard]

The Squat
by Luke Gillian , 06/03/2001 22:52:00
It is an art in India. Most usually used for the release of bodily excesses in any place where the urge hits (across the sub-continent is a range of popular places is railway lines, roads, pavements, open fields, public places and if conveniently located, a public ablution block), but also quite often, as a means of just passing time. With that, I mean where we in the western world would sit for brief relaxation, the Indians will squat. You will see Indians squatting wherever the urge hits others, but instead of first dropping the strides, they will be either reading the paper, playing cards, repairing car engines, making tea or simply doing nothing, such as this fellow. [...see this postcard]

Kaspa and Sparrow
by Luke Gillian , 03/03/2001 14:12:00
Kaspa (Michael Kasprowicz), in our minds, as we wave the flag feverishly for Australia, is a god for the terrace mongers! He rarely does anything wrong when in the side, but when he is for the majority of the time, carrying the drinks, we give as much vocal support as we can muster. All too often the value of the drinks waiter goes unnoticed, so we take it upon ourselves to ensure the 'waiter's' contribution to the game is commended graciously, efficiently and more importantly regularly.  [...see this postcard]

Invention Extension.
by Luke Gillian , 01/03/2001 23:45:00
Wandering from the game today, like most occasions, sights about India captures one imagination and surprise to the point where a photograph is necessary becasue if you were to define it to anyone who wasn't there, they just wouldn't believe you. Is there any need to say much about this scene? We stood agape at this fellow changing a light bulb, his mates offering precautionary assitance, while standing on what has to be an 'Only in India' step ladder. Indians! They know no fear! Which is just as well if you are going to making use of a ladder such as this!  [...see this postcard]

'Pap and Park Scheme'?
by Luke Gillian , 28/02/2001 23:44:30
In India it is not only the people, places, scents and sights that amaze, but also their command of the English language. To their credit, it is not their language and their endeavours to have bi-lingual street signage will, in many ways, stupefy you. Especially when seeing one such as this.  [...see this postcard]

Tears of Terror!
by Luke Gillian , 28/02/2001 23:38:00
This little champ recieved the shock of his little life today when a white boy came to take a photo of him digging in the dirt. He had no idea who this strange person was or what the contraption in my hand were going to do to him.  [...see this postcard]

Manic Mumbai.
by Luke Gillian , 27/02/2001
You have to love it. If you didn't, you would neither tolerate nor expect to ever go again. The crowds -as shown here in Mumbai on day 1 of the first test- in India are the most powerful anywhere in the cricket world. They are loud, stampeding choruses of brash cheer, abuse, joy and frustration. They are endless. They are intolerable, but you put up with them. You learn to block them out and get on with watching the game, because simply, they don't!  [...see this postcard]

SARGE
by Luke Gillian , 23/02/2001
This is ‘Sarge’. Well at least that’s all we know him as. Sarge welcomed Mark and I each day of the tour game in Nagpur as we entered the players and members gate. We were neither, but strolling through with utmost confidence left security wondering for too long if we were or weren’t allowed to come through, by which time we were already seated and admiring the game. [...see this postcard]

Saliors or Tailors?
by Luke Gillian , 18/02/2001 16:41:05
This is tiny tailor shop in central Mumbai only minutes from the Hotel Mark and I was living. There is nothing interesting about it as tailor shops are plentiful in India, and as proven with this store, Indians too have the ability to make a hole in the wall financially viable! [...see this postcard]

This is Hussein
by Luke Gillian , 18/02/2001 16:39:54
This is Hussein. He is 10 years old and was travelling with us on the Vidarbha Express to Nagpur where Australia is playing India A in a tour game. Nasser like most young Indians speaks English as fluent as the Queen and is most likely to be far more personable than she! [...see this postcard]

Arrival - Mumbai's International Airport
by Luke Gillian , 18/02/2001 16:29:33
Mumbai’s International Airport welcomes flights from all over the world at anytime after dark and most likely after midnight. It doesn’t make a calming entrance into one of the world’s great cities but when you do have a mate on your side, you can see the funny side of things and also share the cost of the 32km taxi downtown. [...see this postcard]

The rain and shine of Melbourne’s weather. Australia vs India. Dec 2000.
by Luke Gillian , 27/12/2000
Melbourne has always been renown for its weather. It is also renown for its test match victories. The only draw in the last 15 years has come as a result of rain and I am not talking losing a day. It will take four days of rain to prevent a test result in Melbourne these days and as threatening as this image presents, and with the hallowed turf half a foot under water on day 2, Australia still managed to crush India. Such is the brilliance of the MCG field, there is never a guarantee play will be called off due to rain. Sit it out, and when play does resume, enjoy the game if not the breathtaking images of Mother Nature.  [...see this postcard]

The ODI Team Snap. Harare, October 1999.
by Luke Gillian , 01/10/1999
The beauty of the game in Zimbabwe is that no one goes! Actually anything goes there. Bring your BBQ, set it up along the fence and cook away throughout the days play. At the lunch break. Everyone wanders across as if grazing cattle fattening themselves up. Cricket is played by the kiddies, mates stroll across to the pub for a pie and chips, and a lager of course while the elderly exercise their aches and pains with a couple of swift laps. If that doesn’t take you fancy, walk out to the middle with the team, take your place next to the official photographer and snap away a few hearty memories of when a day at the cricket was a truly fashionable day out. [...see this postcard]

Galle International Stadium Australia vs Sri Lanka, August 1999.
by Luke Gillian , 01/08/1999
The Galle International Stadium staged its first test match in July 1998 between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Just over one year later Australia was there to play Sri Lanka against the marveled backdrop of the Galle Fort, the huge stone garrison that pays tribute to the city’s former European dictators. It’s a shame the ground itself can’t pay tribute to the standard of most other test venues around the world. This is almost like a fenced off cow paddock, that thankfully kept the cow out. It may have been batter had the Sri Lankans not scheduled the test series in the middle of the monsoon, but then had the investment in this otherwise outstanding ground spent money on adequate drainage and maintenance, Australia might have played a game on a ground that has a capacity of 10,000 paying spectators while the fort walls accommodate 10,000 for nothing! [...see this postcard]

Local boy bathing at the riverside laundry. Karachi, October 1998.
by Luke Gillian , 01/10/1998
Following cricket isn’t just test arenas and pyjama game tactics, but cultural moments that couldn’t be defined in words if you haven’t seen them. This little boy was bathing in the washtub of one of the world’s largest laundry. The dhobi ghats along the Indus just out of central Karachi are home to over five miles of laundry. There are literally hundreds of washing and rinsing pools, wood furnaces for drying and mile after mile of washing line. Clearly unmarked, everyone has their own territory to carry out their business, such as washing everyday. This little fella lathered up for 5 minutes before liberally throwing the water to rinse off. A classic candid snap that epitomized the cultural diversity of Pakistan. [...see this postcard]

Street beggars are in their plenty. Peshawar, Pakistan October 1998.
by Luke Gillian , 01/10/1998
The beggars of Asia are something that strangely can make the difference between a memorable trip and an unforgettable adventure. They are a sad image and cannot be avoided, as they will be there with the hand out around every corner you turn. This poor fellow, only old and homeless, sat next to this bicycle for at least five hours one day. An aimless and endless wander through the Peshawar markets will not only offer an endless array of merchandise and supply but the beggars cashing in on the affluence of the city. This is the richest city in Pakistan with its wealth of gold and silver jewelers, merchant sellers and exploitive marketers. Unfortunately for this chap, the bicycle wasn’t even his and he ended up hobbling to his latest choice home for the night at 6pm with coin totaling about 50cents. [...see this postcard]

On the way to the Khyber Pass, Pakistan, October 1998.
by Luke Gillian , 01/10/1998
The Khyber Pass in Western Pakistan is situated 25km from the ancient frontier city of Peshawar. It connects Afghanistan with Pakistan and follows what used to be the ancient silk route, the road of Marco Polo in his hey day. Until more recently, it was a means of smugglers to bring their contraband and trade in and out of Peshawar. Though Peshawar still holds the flavour of its former glory years on the hit list of villainy and thieves, it is far from it. The Khyber Pass still harnesses the historical charm of the region. A no-go zone more to do with the political instabilities of Afghanistan, less so Pakistan, than thieves and smugglers, it has a magic and almost surreal atmosphere. Black and white will capture the true bleakness of the region. [...see this postcard]

Peak hour. Any hour. Rawalpindi, September 1998.
by Luke Gillian , 01/09/1998
This is Muree Road. It runs from Islamabad in the North, 25km to Rawalpindi. It is congested, polluted hive for buses, taxis, rickshaws and Pindi’s ubiquitous ‘Suzuki’. The Suzukis are the tiny narrow vans dotted throughout. They seat eight while an indeterminate amount hang off the back allowing the meshed chain and steel discs to drag along the road making a rather musical journey. The only drawback for the Suzuki driver is when heading down the Muree Road. There is never a lot of speed at most times of the day and even at midnight it is known to be bumper-to-bumper action. I was seated on the roof of the bus from the test stadium. There is a tremendous honesty policy on Pakistan public transport. Not only will the bus driver see you running for the bus from a blind angle and slow down allowing you to clamber onto the roof from the ladder at the back, the bus will stop to let you off just when you wondered how will get off, and wait for you to hand the conductor your money before you run away. If only their buses were as efficient! [...see this postcard]

Reflecting on the triumph in South African. Sossusvlei, Namibia, May 1997.
by Luke Gillian , 01/05/1997
Sossusvlei is a lake, though only small, deep in the heart of the Dune Sea. 32,000sqkm of red sand dunes lie 150km from Namibia’s coastline. Why the dunes are here are a mystery, but the fact they are is reason why they are one of the most fascinating natural wonders on this earth. Darren and I visited Namibia after the South African tour in 1997 and for all the talk and two months reservation time for a campsite in this park to see the sunrise and sunset over this burnt orange phenomenon, we were the only two to see both on two consecutive days. Solitude and lost wonderment were the essence of our freakish experience that saw us sit patiently waiting the new the rise of dawn or fall of dusk over this wind swept sand land. [...see this postcard]

Two practice matches underway at Border Oval, East London March ’97.
by Luke Gillian , 01/03/1997
I have always said the next best thing behind a test match, is the tour game. This was the scene at East London’s Border Oval, South Africa. Australia were playing their scheduled three day game against Border and while the action in the middle didn’t provide for much reason to write home, the action on the sidelines was kept the small turnout well on their toes. Playing our own version of the game seemed was the best course of action with a result that meant more than the first class game being waged. Though our support wasn’t as boisterous as in the test arena, at a tour game it never is. It is a time to relax and merely make up the numbers. [...see this postcard]

Darren ducks under a bouncer in the Kaligandaki Valley, Nepal, May 1996.
by Luke Gillian , 01/05/1996
The completion of the 1996 World Cup saw Darren, his brother Andrew and I, venture north into Nepal for three weeks trekking the Himalayan Ranges. From the moment we left Pokhara at 800m, crossing the Thrung La Pass at 5500m and descending back to Pokhara, we played cricket in some of the most unsuspecting and unrealistic places. This is the Kali Gandaki River Valley at about 3000m. It is giant wind tunnel used by the region to sustain electricity supplies to the area through the giant windmills situated further up the valley. The ball moved a lot in the air and a full pitch often resulted in a full toss well above the necessity to duck. Here Darren misread the swinging line of Andrew’s delivery and made sure he was well out of the way in any case. [...see this postcard]

Australia vs New Zealand Quarter Final, March 11 1996. We Won!
by Luke Gillian , 11/03/1996
Little can describe the emotions that overflowed when Australia defeated New Zealand for a place in the semi final against the West Indies. There were 11 of us at the game, sitting side by side at mid-wicket. Some of the guys gave up on Australia, others quietly confident. Either way, while some ate humble pie and others basked in their self-confidence, the Australian support rallied at the end for a monumental and joyous photograph, only one of countless, that sums up how we all felt after the win. The Kingfishers were a plenty in the corporate marquee after when invited to indulge in Australia’s disposal of New Zealand! Images such as this, make every disappointment transparent! [...see this postcard]

Juggling at the Taj Mahal. What better place is there to do it? March 1996.
by Luke Gillian , 01/03/1996
The Taj Mahal is one of the world’s most resplendent temples, a tribute of love from a prince to his princess. It is also the most unique backdrop for juggling. This great marbled wonder sits on the riverbank about 8km from the city of Agra, 5 hours by train south of Delhi. Agra also has a red fort, but then so too does 20 other Indian cities, but only Agra has the ‘Taj’. You haven’t lived India if you haven’t taken the trains and you can’t say you have been to India if you haven’t seen the ‘Taj’. The tour groups naturally came through and went and close to the end of the day, there was nobody there besides Darren, Andrew and myself. Lost? At the Taj Mahal, absolutely! [...see this postcard]

The sweeping terrace of Chennai. Australia vs New Zealand. March 1996.
by Luke Gillian , 01/03/1996
The crowds across any Indian One-day cricket arena are vast and create what can only be defined a sea of fanatical flesh and enthusiasm. This was the scene of the quarter final in Madras (now Chennai) when Australia took on New Zealand. The beauty of following the one-day game throughout the sub continent is that you will be guaranteed life-changing experience when introduced to such a wealth of spirit and reaction to the game, albeit neutral. We were kept glued to our seat by not only the closeness of the game, that saw Australia chase down 286 runs to win, but the enormity of the crowd transfixed on a game that held no bearing on Indian cricket perse. [...see this postcard]

A very, very harsh question at the World Cup Final, Lahore, Pakistan March ’96.
by Luke Gillian , 01/03/1996
So close yet so far from glory. After forfeiting the match in Colombo, and climbing from the depths of defeat in both the quarter and semi final, Australia reached the final of the ’96 world cup in Lahore, Pakistan to face Sri Lanka and was met with a sparring pro Sri Lankan crowd, no doubt caused by Australia’s decision not to play Sri Lanka in the first game. This young lady was very proud of her innovative sign and willingly held it aloft every time any Australian looked her way. In true sportsmanship though, she laughed off her stabbing gesture as easily as we saw the good humour and nature of her question. We weren’t well humoured at the result unfortunately! [...see this postcard]

The nightly mortuary at Victoria Terminus. Mumbai, February 1996.
by Luke Gillian , 01/02/1996
Some 25million people live in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) of which half is reported to live on the street if not in Victoria Terminus ticket hall as seen here on the night after Australia played India in the 1996 world cup. This is just the tip of the iceberg also. We camped the night in the station waiting for an early morning train to Nagpur. As shattered as we were, there was such a ‘fatigued’ buzz of expectation, the best we could manage to take our eyes of the slumbering masses, was to juggle. There was too much happening to sleep. Though most if not all of these people were catching an early train like us, there is little difference between here and outside where bodies littler the streets like discarded waste. Some alas, never wake in the morning. [...see this postcard]

The scoreboard tells the story. C’mon home Frank! Jamaica May 1995.
by Luke Gillian , 01/05/1995
‘A picture tells a thousand words’. Thankfully, around the world, once a game has been decided, the scoreboard attendants seemingly just go home, the results of the previous game held in trust for the period until the next toss has been won. The West Indies 1995, were the relaxed self indulgent fiesta it sells itself to be, but it also moments like this when cricket’s history books are rewritten for generations to admire. The scoreboard declaring Australia had beaten the West Indies for the first time in 20 years is a scoreboard we have waited too long to see. Go Frank!!!! [...see this postcard]

Anzac Day Parade from Queens Park Savannah to the Pelican Pub.
by Luke Gillian , 24/04/1995
On April 24 1995, an Anzac Day march was organized by Dave Sheehan. We met at 2pm on Queen’s Park Savannah to have an east coast versus west coast cricket match. The details of the outcome were not recorded but in the spirit of Anzac at 4pm, coinciding with the dawn service at 6am on the East Coast of Australia, we drew stumps for a one-minute silence before raising the flags and marching across the Savannah to the Pelican Pub to continue the true Anzac tradition of celebrating our lost Anzacs by drinking to excess and playing two-up. There were almost 30 in the march and the party at the Pub raised the level to at least 50 and lest we forget! [...see this postcard]

Carna Blues! It worked too! In the Barbados scoreboard, March 1995.
by Luke Gillian , 01/03/1995
It had to be the best view of the game any could ever ask. Early on the first day of the first test and Barbados’ Kensington Oval in March ‘95 I found my seat under the scoreboard where I sat with my feet on the boundary rope for the duration of the game except for this gem moment. Such is the subdued lifestyle here you could just about go anywhere. I talked to several of the scoreboard attendants when down from their duties and was invited up early on day three. With my banner supporting the fortunes of the Carlton Football Club flying proudly from within this unique photo was snapped on my behalf. It summed up the West Indies very early on. [...see this postcard]