The Big Call Up
Let me start this blog with when I found out I would be travelling to South Africa with the Bushrangers to take on the best provincial teams in the world at the Airtel Champions League Twenty20...
Ryan Carters: The Big Call Up
Let me start this blog with when I found out I would be travelling to South Africa with the Bushrangers to take on the best provincial teams in the world at the Airtel Champions League Twenty20...
I was in Brisbane in August, competing in the 4-country Emerging Player's Tournament that concluded the four month long Centre of Excellence winter program.
I walked out to open the batting against the South African team, primed and ready to go.Two minutes later, I was back in the sheds, time for a shower.
Needless to say, a first ball nick straight to second slip doesn't leave you in the best of moods.
A little while later after the match had been abandoned due to rain; in walked Victorian coach Greg Shipperd, who was in Brisbane for the week preparing our fast bowlers for South Africa.
"Carts. You're going to South Africa. Well done." Straight to the point as usual from Ship.
That certainly turned my day around! The additional good news was my Bushrangers buddies Jimmy Pattinson and Glenn Maxwell (also playing for the AIS) were going - so we all had something to smile about.
There was a lot to look forward to with my first overseas trip with the Bushrangers; the opportunity to compete for the Champions League trophy (one of the few that Victoria has never won); the prospect of taking the field against some of the world's best players; and the chance to take in the sights of the diverse and alluring African nation.
Now here we are, two days in to our South African experience!
Today we played the Mumbai Indians in our first of two warm up matches. Eager to improve on our disappointing tour of Darwin, the boys really turned it on, chasing down 170 to win by seven wickets.
It was our experienced men who led the way. Shane Harwood bowled beautifully in the final overs, restricting them to a 'gettable' total. The second innings was setup by Bobby Quiney, Hodgey and Finchy, with Hussey and McDonald finishing the chase.
The two veterans got us home with a classy calmness, despite needing nine an over off the last 5. Ronnie's three straight sixes in the 18th over off Kieron Pollard was the game clincher.
Great to get a solid performance on the board early, with our first game against the Warriors fast approaching.
Off the field, the Sandton Sun hotel is magnificent, and we have enjoyed wandering down to the nearby Nelson Mandela square for our evening meals.
The menu claims the local steaks are 50% leaner than those in Australia. A big call, but after last night's servings I think that most of the boys would have to agree. The 12 foot statue of the national hero certainly seemed to gaze down with an approving smile.
Tomorrow we take on Bangalore and our would-be captain Cameron White. An unusual situation for the team, but more importantly another big chance for us to gather momentum before the real thing begins on Monday!
-Carts-
Comments