Lumen Winter 2018 - Flipbook - Page 29
to just eat a few bananas, muesli bars and the
like, but some blokes would dash off to the
nearest deli. Afternoon tea was a more lavish
affair, particularly when we played at home.
The players had to bring something and as
the undergrads generally lived at home, their
mums usually sent along something nice.
In fact, the quality of their afternoon tea
contribution was sometimes used to make
a lineball team selection decision.
Sometimes the captain gave a wrap-up at the
end of the day’s play. We then hit the showers
and got changed. If you were playing away,
you generally went into the other team’s
clubrooms for one or two beers.
In the 80s and even early 90s, the club/
pub was where a lot of the social stuff
got organised. There was no Facebook or
even texting so things just got organised
by word of mouth, very archaic but it
generally worked.
Bonny: Before the game I print off the team
sheet at home and will often write down
some notes about strategies that Alex (our
coach), Leanne (co-captain) and I have
discussed during the week.
After arriving at the ground, the team often
has a chat/kick of the footy for about 15
minutes. We do a general warm-up with
everyone, which usually involves a fielding
drill, and then Leanne and I will go to the
toss at 12.30 pm for a 1 pm game. Then we
do a specific warm-up based on whether
we’re batting or bowling first. Just before we
go on field we have a huddle where the coach
and captains give some last minute tips.
There’s usually a few jokes to get everyone
alert and involved.
At the innings break we usually have
something to eat and drink and then warmup for bowling or batting.
After the game we often hang around for
a drink, although we tend to change up
what we do week to week. There have been
weeks where we go out to the pub after
the game – our team is really close so we
love to hang out.
How did/do you celebrate a win?
Chris: Wins are a big deal in cricket. The
game goes for a long time, so when you come
out on top it’s a buzz and puts everyone in
a great frame of mind and ready for a good
night. We probably wouldn’t do anything
special though, just the usual routine of
the pub and then go from there.
Bonny: We don’t make a big deal about
winning, especially this season it has become
a bit of a luxury that we take for granted,
having not lost a match. We always celebrate
with a congratulatory post on our Facebook
group, usually from our coach. She’ll relay
some of the highlights from the game and
congratulate players who played the biggest
part. After winning a final we always go
back to a designated house for a barbecue
and a swim in the pool. All sorts of things
can happen at one of these parties, from
water polo to Bollywood dancing.
How did/do you commiserate a match loss?
Chris: Cricketers are a very resilient bunch,
you need to be given the nature of the game.
The usual post-match routine would follow
a loss as it would a win.
Bonny: We do similar things after a loss
as after a win. We congratulate those who
played well and our coach will usually have
a chat to the team about what went wrong
and we work out how we can fix it for the
next game. We still get together after a losing
a final to celebrate the season we’ve had
and that we made it as far as we did.
What was/is the best thing about playing
cricket for the club?
Chris: The best thing was the lifelong
friendships I made. I still go to most of the
club dinners, lunches, reunions, past players
days etc. and watch the A-grade games
whenever I can. On these occasions I get
the chance to catch up with my ex-team
mates. It’s amazing that the relationships
and rapport are still there and we pick up
without missing a beat, and still carry on
like 20-year-olds!
Bonny: The best thing is simply being part
of a club. Since the women’s teams have
gained more attention, I have really felt part
of a strong community. I could go out and
get exercise anywhere but the thing that I
really value is having a close team that has
come together and grown so much in both
our cricket and in our relationships.
Alumni Magazine ~ Winter 2018
27
