Meet the Players Flying

As I was leaving home heading to Heathrow airport eagerly awaiting trip I got text from Barmy Paul from Heathrow 4 hours before take off to say Toby Radford was with him and all players are on our flights.  Given numerous flight options for this trip this a massive co-incidence. As I turned up at check-in having initially mistakenly queued in Business Class area, queued up behind Ace in Standard Class and didn’t think it was a good time to comment on his feelings about being here. I also didn’t ask him how he felt when he was reading in Daily Mail about how ideally suited Bopara’s temperament is for test cricket. 

The idea was to meet Kimmy for first time in the boarding area.  This we thought would be easy for her as we would be recognisable in pink. At time of arrangements we didn’t expect players to outnumber us.  It turned out that Kimmy did ask some players whether they were fans. The players directed her in the bar direction to find me.

Barmy Paul was sitting next to Gareth Berg on plane journey, by default as I accidentally took his seat. They had lot to say to each other. Paul did mention the benefits of bowling length of line, which advice appeared to have been followed next day. 

The best incidents involved Danny Evans, who is now a MTWD legend.  On arriving at Edinburgh airport as all bags gathered Danny’s were put back on carousel by “team mates” (“where’s me baags Mann” in best Geordie accent was heard across arrival area). Throughout game Danny picked up the “C’Mon the Middle” cries and joined in and was dancing. This carried on during journey home and he appeared to educate Phil Hughes who happily recited “C’mon the Middle” repetitively in best Aussie accent. 

All the players were sociable throughout and made us feel valued as fans.         

 A Memorable first night

Dodgy Morning of game

A few minor calamities. Mine nearly a major. I couldn’t get out of bathroom, the door appeared to be jammed.  It required a process of pushing hard and turning doorknob in certain way but was stuck for frightening 15 mins. Funnily I twice did shut myself in again, but then worked out Krypton Factor of opening with a bit of struggle. 

Meanwhile Beefy had 3 rounds of toast at breakfast. Each burnt and disposed of.  The Krypton Factor toaster test failed.  Although next day, having completed required training, became he toaster memtor for the old dears at hotel. 

I turn up ready to leave for game in my Pink Panther garb. Immediately was having problems balancing Panther head on my  head as face didn't fit. But made do , with theory if going to look stupid, look totally stupid. 

Panther losing head early on 

The next failure was following Shrek, the trusted sensible one in group. He was leading us with some Multi-media map to the Grange that took us completely wrong way.  Luckily when realised this, there was awaiting cab that gave us good door-to-door service. 

It was a great feeling when arrived at ground beautiful setting, surprisingly glorious sunny weather but with strong wind.    We found good square on position.

Pretty in Pink

Then wanted to put flag up. Whoops forgot laces bought for flag. Through inspirational uses of scraps of string flag was up with pride. Some top bonus Krypton Factor point here.

  Who says cricket not popular in Scotland 

There was a game of cricket?

Most of this has been covered and was always going to be shortest part of report.   Our innings really started off with lack of urgency.  At 70-2 after 20, a big score didn’t look on. It was only after Shaggy promoted above Dexter was there an acceleration and a crucial power play of 67 off of 5.  Mind you he benefited from 6 dropped catches and whole team 10. We were aware of 1 day career best of 78 and off last ball ecstatically applauded his single off , you guessed it, a dropped catch 

Before reply a eight-way sweepstake on how many overs Scotland would bat and answers varied between 30-45.  Their reply, we got an early wicket but a fifty partnership that looked more comfortable than our 2^nd wicket effort, had us worried and highest over predictor feeling confident.   Then, a few wickets followed by a dramatic collapse. Then excitement as the overs lasting,  was close to centre of predictions and Ken sneaked it by 3 balls from Shrek, who’s prize was £8 and to buy a round that cost more than that. 

Game over and team waved out our section. We perambulated got better acquainted to players and few drinks in the lovely quaint pavilion. 

Freaky cartoon character.....with Barmy Kev as Panther  

Shaggy Bog Story

This one of highlights of day-we were easily pleased. Now I was encouraging Kimmy to help with MTWD reporting . Having little cricket knowledge is not necessarily a deterrent. However, she felt she was a more qualified authority on lady’s loos.  Her report was female portaloo not up to scratch but pavilion one fine.    Kimmy will fill you in with more too much information on subject later. However, our captain may have opinion that I have yet to receive feedback on.   At end of an over he sprinted to our area like the youngster he is, hurdled the empty seats and did what he had to do in Kimmy’s portaloo.  He came back with more satisfied look and I’m sure not due to checking how far Scotland were behind on D&L.

Another memorable evening I think?  

After game and taxi back we arranged an hours rest before meeting up  to watch Beefy’s Leeds team in Play off semi.  I thought I’d rest my head at hotel to wake up to numerous missed calls texts with words to effect where are you. There was fear I was locked in bathroom again.   I overslept by ¾ hour and got to venue for 2^nd half. Sadly for Beefy Leeds lost and his mood not good for approx 5 minutes.   He was reminded there are worse places to watch Leeds lose and the cricket events consolation. It was getting late we were tired and hungry, so was case of cab to an Indian. The cabbie knew one. Dropped off outside it - closed for refurbishment. There was Nepalese opposite, theylooked like they were closing up for night, but stayed open for us. One memorable moment was Kimmy saying she had an announcement. We were worried.  “ You know I’ve really enjoyed myself over passed two days.”    I think I complimented her by saying "she is more normal than she sounds on the website." 

The Return of the Pink Panther?  

One issue I had was had £100 deposit on pink panther outfit which suffered from a great deal of  wear and tear.  I was on white wine in case of spillages and coped with dodgy head as ably as I could. That was, until a big rip was spotted- how it happened I don’t know.   My potential £100 loss was greeted with as much sympathy as me getting trapped in bathroom.  The “Where’s you £100" chant was invetable. There was talk of tactical folding for its return so I could get away with it. Next day, I was ambling the streets of Edinburgh ½ hour before taxi to airport and suddenly a sign in a shop saying "we do clothing alterations". I went straight in there and asked if they do panthers?"   “Yes” was the answer I rushed to hotel and took outfit back to repair shop.  The staff took it into a private room where emergency operation performed, where despite laughter of surgeon the tear repaired in quick time, cost £3.  Yes, when I returned the Pink Panther back to hire shop they accepted wear and tear was natural, head in tact- £100 deposit returned.    

Safe return of Pink Panther 

Conclusion

 A good time had by all MTWD contingent of 6.   Hoping to do more tours in future hopefully with more numbers, but not sure about costume mind you. Thanks to all my travel companions, the Scottish hospitality, the weather and most of all players for your role in a memorable few days     

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