Small matter of a cricket match in Cape Town and Test Match in Port Elizabeth

We held our tour event in Cape Town at Green Point Cricket club the day after our win. The event started with the much anticipated cricket match with myself & Richard named as captains!

It was an extremely close contest – Richards side – the Rebels – with an average age of 45 and mine- the Allstars- averaging 60! Although that only came out after the match, everyone had a brilliant game except yours truly. I haven’t played any real cricket since school Day’s and it was evident for all to see, I need some net practice badly!! So if there is anyone around the Chiswick area who can help I would love to hear from you!

It was played in great spirit! After a few painful injuries to Trevor and worse still to my good friend James Brumwell who tore his calf both needed hospital treatment, the match ended victorious for Richard and I was left a bit gutted. I know I won’t be able to forget it but more disappointed for James who missed his safari! I would like to say a big thanks to John Reed & Mark Wallis for umpiring and keeping us all in check!

It was a great day with drinks flowing and with Cricket celebrities in the shape of Robin Jackman, JP Duminy & Michael Holding joining us for the Day. A Q&A followed the Barbecue which unfortunately was slightly hampered by the weather. Big thanks also to all those who played in the match, to the staff & Green Point Cricket club for letting us host the event and for the celebrities for making it an enjoyable occasion for everyone!

The following day we said our goodbyes and we moved onto Port Elizabeth, very different to Cape Town, but it does have a couple of breweries one of which we used for another event, with great food & the ever young Barry Richards joining us – it was a lovely evening enjoyed by all, which finished off with several ladies singing on the coach! No doubt you are wondering who that was…..

So on to the 3rd test match which was interrupted on many occasions by the weather. It was extremely windy in the stands (PE is know as the windy city) so most of the group decided to switch vantage points around the ground! After England winning the third successive toss on this series we never looked back. After another brilliant century by Ben Stokes and a maiden test century by, in my opinion, the best young player I have ever seen which is Ollie Pope. He deservedly won man of the match for his innings and a string of great catches at short leg! He will be a huge asset to England in the future, I will be watching his progress all the way!

On the bowling front a fifer for Dom Bess – his first in test cricket. England running out winners by an innings and 53 Runs, our first win by an innings away from home since Australia in 2010/11.

I cannot remember the last time South Africa had an average test team. Four years ago we won here 2-1 but that side had a handful of world class players in it, but they are now in a very similar place to Sri Lanka having lost so many key players at one time, hopefully it won’t be long before they emerge with another great side!

All the best, my next report will be from Cape Town after the final test and the first ODI.

Gary