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Monday 12th September
After a long and tiring journey starting at 1510 on Saturday in Guernsey and (via Gatwick and Dubai) ending in the Hotel Istana in KL at after 0100 on Monday the group emerged for breakfast at 0900 looking remarkably spritely. A session with 'Fish' in the pool followed despite the attempts of a local 'urchin' who tried to intervene.
Club Aman was the afternoon destination for a middle practice that first required us to 'chuck' Jersey off the square, still they need the practice! Rain unfortunately brought that to an early close but at least the legs got a stretch. Slice checked the toilets out.....thoroughly.
Quiet evening with a team meal out which was either hit or miss on the food front.....Roscoe's 'Chicken Ball' being a particular culinary delight!
(written by ML awaiting the arrival of the main man)
Tuesday 13th September
Early start with team weigh in at 0710 then breakfast. Coach then picked us up to take us to Royal Club Selangor which as you will see below is a beauty;
Dinesh at the MCA had arranged a 50ov friendly for us and with the sun shining brightly and very hot the guys began a warm up with Fish to prepare themselves for the day.
Guernsey won the toss and chose to bat first and opened with Lee Savident and Ross Kneller. After a couple of sighters Sav soon got into his stride with a couple of classy drives whilst Roscoe bidded his time at the other end. Sav was then given out LBW which was later acknowledged by the bowler as being 'a bit of shocker' albeit we already knew Sav was never out cos he says so..............often!
Roscoe then took over as he was joined by Jeremy Frith and they set about building a solid base to the innings. Both dealt with anything off line taking full value and despite the heat ran well to keep the score moving along nicely. Roscoe finally went LBW for a well made 45.
Frithy was then joined by Tim Ravenscroft who immediately set about playing his shots. Together they traded shots and produced a stand of 132 for the third wicket with Frithy eventually out for 87 off 105 balls. Tim then put the pedal down as he was joined by Stuart Le Prevost, Ben Ferbrache, David Hooper, Adam Martel and Tom Kimber to nudge the score up. Tim fell for 94 off 79 balls and the innings closed on 326 for 7.
Lunch was then taken in the fabulous Royal Selangor Club pavilion which was fish and chips with coleslaw......the fruit was less popular with some of our athletes!
After which fielding practice took place before we took the field to bowl..........as ably demonstrated by Fraggle below....
When Royal Selangor Club batted they came out blasting with anything short or off line going over the ropes in a flurry of boundaries. Chris Van Vliet removed one of the openers but the young Aussie Hodge kept up the pace as the second wicket yielded plenty of runs seeing RSC over the 100 in 14 overs. Hodge fell to Frithy for an excellent 66 although dropped on 0 and Frithy also removed the other danger man as RSC fell to 124/4. Thereafter RSC lost regular wickets going to 151/5 and 176/8 after 34 overs. Gary Rich had joined Frithy and they plus the introduction of Tim Ravenscroft kept a check on things with their spin. David Hooper and Adam Martel then came on to close the game out and having also batted together earlier hinted of a great future for Guernsey cricket. The game was brought to a premature end when rain fell which allowed Andy Cornford to reveal his weather forecasting talents predicting "it clears up quicker here than in Singapore"......whereupon a monsoon enveloped the ground floofing the outfield whilst thunder, lightening and wind blow out some windows in the RSC pavilion. We finally managed to swim for the coach and get back after a satisfying day and having been superbly looked after by Royal Selangor Club.
More photos from the day are available by clicking here.....
Wednesday 14th September
Another session with Fish in the pool to tune the guys up and for some ensure they get a wash....
Followd by a short coach trip to Club Aman and a T20 game vs KLCC. Arrived at the ground to see KLCC finishing their innings against Jersey and falling just short. Unfortunately as we started to warm up the rain came again and a delay was as ever the outcome. Eventually a 3.15pm start was agreed and an 18 over game was the order of the day. Guernsey won the toss and batted. Sav and Adam Martel opened up and both looked in decent touch on a sticky wicket adding 23 before Adam fell playing on. Sav picked up with Ben Ferbraches coming to the wicket and they added a further 38 before Sav was gone for 29 off 26 balls. Ferbiewas then joined by David Hooper and they were to run twos well and pick gaps as they batted excellently taking the score to 116/2 at close. Hoops ended up with a run a ball 28 and Ferbie a classy 46 from 40 balls.
KLCC began their innings looking to take on the Guernsey bowlers but came unstuck at regular intervals. Chris Van Vliet picked up two early wickets one to catch from Tom Kimber who kept tidily all game to see KLCC at 14/2 after 4 overs. Ex-pat Gary helped get the score board going but the introduction of Stuart Bisson changed things as he took 3 wickets, whilst Hoops chipped in with one off his first ball. At 61/7 after 11.5 overs the rains unfortunately returned and the game was abandoned but it had been another good run out for the guys. After the game as ever Guernsey were looked after by the KLCC boys and a small presentation ceremony was held before a welcome beer was offered and accepted.
Left - Not the scene Hoops sees everyday when playing at KGV!
Amongst the skyscrapers that ring the Club Aman are the twin Petronas Towers which are an awesome sight although capped by mist when we were playing.
Right - The two teams after the little ceremony plus the umpires who stood on the day
More photos from the day can be viewed by clicking here.........
Thursday 14th September
Rest day.
After 3 days of getting the body clock back on line and playing some good cricket and getting some general fitness work in the guys were left to their own devices today before the tournament proper kicks off with official practice on Friday. Some took advantage of the hotel pool others went shopping or up the KL Tower nearby to see KL from 421m!
Fraggle, Fish, Pastie and your truly went off in search of some local delicacies for lunch and found a little place in the back streets which served the proper fare and we enjoyed some dumplings with a particularly fiery sauce, some Tom Yum soup and a Malay curry with chicken or fish. Several cans of 7Up or 100Plus were also needed to cope with the sweats caused by food and sun. Meal for 4 = RM56 (about £12 !!).
Room with a view.............16th Floor to pool area below at Hotel Istana
Friday 16th September
Offical tournament training day today and we are paired with Nigeria from 1.00pm-3.00pm at Kinrara Oval where tomorrow we will play Jersey on Day 1 of Pepsi ICC World Cricket League 6.
After breakfast it is to the pool again and some aqua-aerobics to loosen up before the coach pick up and trip to training venue. Early night after some chow and then off we go!
Saturday 17 September, Kinrara Oval, Jersey v Guernsey
10.50am, Guernsey 45 for 1 off 8 overs: Good morning everybody. Scoones now here having landed in Kuala Lumpur at 9.30pm last night.
Any way, straight on to the cricket and having won the toss, Guernsey are 45 for 1. Jeremy Frith is out in the middle with Lee Savident after Savs' opening partner GH Smit after hitting some typically lusty blows, went for 21 off 27 balls having played on to Jersey's big opening bowler Anthony Kay.
Before I go on any further, I would like to take back in time... well back to Thursday afternoon when I wrote my pre-tournament thoughts. This is the first time I've come across some decent wi-fi to be able to post it. If you followed me in Singapore for the last tournament in 2009, you know I struggle with wi-fi...
Thursday 15 September, 5.35pm (GMT), Gatwick Airport
Ok. Here we go again!
The Guernsey team are once doing battle on hot and muggy fields in the Far East.
After playing out of their skins in Singapore in 2009 in the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division Six, where they finished third after getting the better of Malaysia on the final day, they once again find themselves in Div. Six.
And once again, I’ve been persuaded to come along to record the events, on and off the field, for prosperity and as a historical record for future generations…
I’m currently writing this sat in the The Red Lion Weatherspoon’s Pub in Gatwick’s North Terminal, awaiting my 9.15pm flight for Dubai.
Where I’ll catch a connecting flight to Kuala Lumpur.
I’ll (hopefully) land in the Malaysian capital at 9.30pm, Friday night.
I’m naturally excited to be going away again, but I’ve got to be honest, I was not that taken with Kuala Lumpur when I swung through there earlier this year, on my way to Thailand for three weeks (what happens in the Pirate Bar on Bang Bang Street, Phuket, stays in the Pirate Bar on Bang Bang Street, Phuket).
I didn’t like the place as much as Singapore and Hong Kong (where I’ve been a couple of times) – it doesn’t have as much character and it’s so spread out that there doesn’t seem to be a central point where all the action takes places.
But to be fair, we were only there for two days and really didn’t make the most of those two days - just chilling out before heading north to Thailand.
However, I’m hoping to be proved wrong.
Any way, on to the important stuff… the cricket!
Guernsey has got a cracking chance to get themselves promoted up Division Five.
On Saturday they face a little island just south of us – Juersey… Jerssye… sorry, Jersey.
The Greens absolutely pelted the old enemy a couple of weeks ago in the inter-insular.
Jersey picked a young side from the players they have available for KL.
Due to various reasons, they were without their big guns of the Ryan Driver, Morrison, Matt Hague and the Carlyon brothers Tony and Steve, and they will be without these established stars for Div Six.
Stu Le Prevost’s side will undoubtedly go into this match at the exotic sounding Kinrara Oval as favourites, but complacency can be a killer.
They’ve got to forget the inter-insular and start again.
Out of the other teams – Malaysia have got to be favourites to win the tournament as hosts.
From what I remember of them from Singapore, they’re mainly made up of Indians, ex-pat and Malaysian-born, so they know how to play cricket.
Guernsey lost to them during the round robin stage but overcame them on the final playoff day to finish third.
So they can do it.
Not much is known of Fiji but they’ll be mainly Indian as well.
However I don’t expect them to make any big waves.
The same goes for Nigeria.
Admirably they’re all homebred and they performed well at Division Seven in Guernsey, summer 2009, but they’re not going to set the world alight.
However, Japan’s opening bowler Patrick Giles-Jones, who played against them in Botswana not so long ago, has informed me that they are greatly improved. So who knows…
For me though, Kuwait are the wild cards in the tournament.
Not much is known about them but they’ll be made up of Indians and Pakistanis.
I expect them to be in the same vein as Bahrain. But they will they be as good as Guernsey’s ‘bogeymen’??
What about our boys?
Well, to be honest, none of them have been white-hot form this summer with bat or ball.
Runs were proving hard to come by for the top order… although that was until Jeremy Frith struck a wonderful 130ish against Jersey to effectively win us the match.
But, as my old man always says - ‘Form is temporary. Class is permanent.’
We’ve got some class and I expect us to finish in the top two and go up to Division Five.
That’ll be nice. That’s in Singapore in March.
PS - Big thanks to Guernsey Cricket Board CEO Mark Latter for kicking off this blog. Nice work Sepp.
11.46, Gsy 92 for 2 off 23
Back to the present and the Greens have lost Savs to a low c & b to Ben Stevens. The big man didn't want to go and stood his ground, questioning whether it had carried or not. But after conferring, the umpires gave him out.
Jersey have taken the pace off the ball with the left arm spin of Stevens, who I think is going to be Jersey's big player this week, and James Faudemar, who has one of the strangest actions I’ve ever seen – he looks like he’s about to serve in tennis.
11.54 – WICKET, Tim Ravenscroft b C Perchard 21, Gsy 102 for 3 off 24
Somehow ‘Chuggie’ Perchard, who had replaced Faudemar with his medium pace, managed to squeeze one through the young Hampshire player’s defence.
Ross Kneller comes to the wicket. We need an innings from the Yorkshireman. No pressure...
By the way... the update score is at http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/match_zone/scorecard.php?type=C&matchId=41952
12.10, Gsy 130 for 3 off 30
Frithy has moved past 50. Another valuable innings from Mr Cricket to go with his ton against Jersey a couple of weeks ago in Guernsey's victory in the inter-insular. We could do with another three figure score from the main man again today...
Got to say that the Kinrara Oval is a beautiful facility. Built five years ago for the Commonwealth Games, it comes complete with floodlights and a media centre, which is where I’m based. This is the view from my desk…
12.28, Gsy 154 for 3 off 35
Roscoe and Frithy going on nicely. A local told me earlier that 230 is a good score here. I reckon we should be looking for 280.
12.30, Gsy 154 for off 35
A big hello to the Big Man himself - Dave Nussbaumer, who is still up at 5.30am in Guernsey and is giving me abuse on Facebook. Big kisses Dave!
12.33, Gsy 159 for 3 off 36
I've been joined in the Media Centre by my old Guernsey Press Sports Dept colleague - Gareth 'Muzza' Le Prevost. I said to Muzza 'It's just like the old days.' To which he replied 'Yeah but with more clothes on...'
The man himself:
12.42, Gsy 173 for 3 off 38
Muzza has just told me that I've had a shocker - Kuala Lumpur hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1998, so the ground must have been built 15 years ago. Thanks Statto.
Frithy and Rossy are still going well. Ross may be lifting his bat soon for 50. If I haven't just put the kiss of death on him...
12.48, Gsy 187 for 3 off 39
Muzza's taken a couple of action shots.
Frithy facing Ben Stevens:
Tim Ravenscroft off the back foot:
12.52, WICKET - Kneller lbw P Gough 50, Gsy 198 for 3 off 40
Ross got to 50 with a glorious lofted drive over extra cover off the spin of Gough but went the next ball lbw looking to keep the momentum going.
Well batted the most metrosexual man in Guernsey cricket (photographic evidence to follow). Captain Stu Le Prevost strides out.
12.56, Gsy 198 for 3 off 40
The photographic evidence:
We'll have some more candid pictures of the team relaxing by their hotel pool later. And, you'll be pleased to hear, the return of the ever-popular caption competition!
13.02, Gsy 203 for 3 off 42
But before we get on to those pics. Here's one of me working hard and contemplating life:
13.08, WICKET - Frith c Stevens b Gough 80
Frithy was well caught by Stevens at long on, going for it. Dave Hooper walks out and the ginger whippet plays a delightful punch-drive through the covers for four off his first ball.
Total: 212 for 5 off 44
13.16, Gsy 216 for 5 off 45
Guernsey call their batting power play and Jersey bring back their strike bolwer Anthony Kay.
13.26, WICKET - Stu Le Prevost run out 21
Hoops hit straight back to Kay who ran out Prev at the non-striker's. Jamie Nussbaumer bundles out to the wicket. We need some big hits from the Cobo capt in the final two overs.
233 for 6 off 48
13.29, WICKET - Nussbaumer b Stevens 1
Nussie goes for i going for a huge hoick. Tom Kimber makes his way out.
We could do with 20 more runs from the final 11 balls.
13.33, WICKET - Kimber run out
Kimbo run out going for two. Stu Bisson walks out.
Hoops hit the first ball of the final over for four with a glorious off drive, bolwed by Kay.
13.37, Final score 251 for 8
A testing total there from Guernsey but I get the feeling that they would have hoping for 20 or so more runs. Some good scampering in the final over from Hooper and Bisson.
Which leads me nicely on to another candid shot from the swimming pool:
Time for a spot of lunch now. Back in 45 mins.
14.57, Jsy 53 for 0 off 9
After a most agreeable lunch of Vietnamese beef noodles at the local shopping mall, I've come back to the Kinrara Oval to find out that Jersey had got off to a bit of a flyer. Things have calmed down with the introduction of Frith and his left arm spin, but Dean Morrison and Ed Farley are going along nicely. Guernsey needs a wicket.
15.27, Jsy 85 for 0 off 17
Jersey are in cruise control at the moment - taking singles for fun. We need a breakthrough.
Reminder that you can follow the score at http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/match_zone/scorecard.php?type=C&matchId=41952
Also, Lats is doing a twitter feed - http://twitter.com/guernseycricket
15.33, Jsy 94 for 0 off 19
It's a Catch-22 situation for Stu Le Prevost out there - he needs to keep the runs down so the field is spread. But he needs to take wickets and the field is spread... Who'd be a captain? Any ways, drinks have come out.
15.40, Jsy 96 for 0 off 20
Prev has called a bowling power play and has brought on Hoops. Bit of a risky move with an inexperienced bowler but bringing in the field might create some pressure on the Jersey pair. And we all know that pressure leads to wickets...
15.47, Jsy 103 for o off 22
Farley has just past his 50 with a shot down long on that just bounced inside the rope off Hooper's medium pace. Need a wicket...
15.50, Jsy 111 for o off 23
Morrison passes his 50 with a push to long on off Gary Rich. Need a wicket...
15.59, Jsy 124 for 0 off 25
Halfway stage: Frithy has just sent down a mix bag and was dispatched for a couple of fours off that over. Farley and Morrison are finding the boundary all too easily at the mo. The Greens look flat while the Reds are chirping away merrily in front of the pavilion.
16.02, WICKET! Morrison run out 59
The breakthrough at last! Non-striker Morrison run out thanks to a smart piece of work by the bowler Stu Bisson who deflected the ball on to the stumps. Big wicket. And just as I was saying on the BBC that it wasn't going to rain today, the covers come out as it starts to drizzle heavily. I don't think it's going to last.
16.11
Famous last words... it's now pelting it down. We've played 25 overs of the second innings, so we've 'got a game' and if it's cancelled, it's Jersey's as they are well ahead on Duckworth-Lewis.
16.13
To keep spirits up, it's 'Caption Competition' time! What's Guernsey captain Stuart Le Prevost saying to team manager Peter Vidamour or vica versa?
Answers to aaron_scoones@hotmail.com. Prize yet to be decided.
16.21
Ok. I'm not going to try and judge the rain again this week as it's halted as quickly as it started. The players are out. The left handed Ben Stevens joins Farley in the middle.
16.25, WICKET! Stevens b Nussbaumer 0, Jsy 132 for 2 off 26
Got him! Nussie coming round the wicket totally outfoxes Stevens who shoulders arms just to see his off stump uprooted! Sam de la Haye comes in. Apparently it's Sam's 21st birthday today. A slip is in place.
16.34, WICKET!E Ed Farley b Nussbaumer 64, Jsy 134 for 3 off 28
The big one!! Farley plays on to a Nussie snorter! That's a huge scalp and possibly puts the Greens slightly ahead now.
16.39, Jsy 141 for 3 off 29
Talking rain... there are some nasty black clouds coming in from the north. Bit oif thunder as well. I'll try and sort out the D/L sketch. Those wickets would've helped Guernsey...
16.48, Jsy 155 for 3 off 32
Ok. I've been talking rubbish. Apparently the big black clouds on the northern horizon aren't an issue as the rain is coming from the south. And the DL score is at the bottom of the scoreboard. Jersey are well ahead on 155. DL says 137.
16.52, JSY 158 for 3 off 33
Right. This is the last time I talk about the rain. There's thunder and lightning plus the dark clouds in the north are getting closer. The grounds man has got his tractor by the covers. It's only a matter of time before they come off and that's not good for Guernsey. DL score is 141.
17.03, Jsy 170 for 3 off 37
Jersey still well ahead. DL is 151. Jersey are still well ahead. I've said this before. We need a wicket...
17.04, WICKET!!! Gough lbw Rich 17, Jsy 170 for 4 off 37
What was I saying!! The Jersey captain went for a big sweep and had put in a big stride but they all count. DL is now 163. Jersey still ahead. The thunder continues.
17.13, Jsy 179 for 4 off 39
The DL has closed in - we're on 177. Good over from Grichy. One from it.
17.14, Jsy 180 for 4 off 40
We're now ahead on DL - we've got 182.
17.18, JSY 188 for 4 off 41
DL is 188. Of course, remember folks that the DL score is the 'DL par score at the end of the over'. Jersey are just ahead. But a wicket would change everything.
17.21, WICKET! Corey Bisson c Kneller b Frith 29, Jsy 191 for off 42. DL is 198
That's the wicket we need!! A good catch by Ross at long on and we're now up properly on DL. Brilliant. And the grounds man has moved his tractor next to the covers again...
17.25, Jsy 192 for 5 off 42. Dl is 204
Nailbiting stuff.
17.32, WICKET!! Kay st Kimber b Bisson 2, Jsy 202 for 6 off 44. DL 213
Great work by Kimbo down the leg side! Guernsey ahead.
17.34, Jsy 321 for 6 off 45. DL 219
After a great start to the over - Fraggle bowled two lots of five-run wides and was hit for a big four among others. 19 runs off the over. Jersey back in control.
17.38, WICKET!! Perchard b Ravenscroft 5, JSY 226 for 7 off 45. DL - 223
Perchard took a big step to the off and was bowled round his legs, sweeping. Guernsey needed that!
17.41, Jsy 226 for 7 off 46. DL 228
Jamie Nussbaumer has been brought on to replace Fraggle.
First ball, a full toss edged down to third for four. The Guernsey bowlers are struggling in the conditions.
The wind has picked up as well. A storm is coming in.
18.00, Jersey all out for 242. Guernsey win by nine runs
OK. I know you're not going to believe this but I've been afflicted by wi-fi problems once again. Jersey needed 10 runs to win off the last over, bowled by Tim Ravenscroft, with one wicket left. James Faudemar went second ball, bowled, reverse sweeping.
To be honest, Guernsey were very lucky to win that. We didn't bowl very well and we really should have scored another 20-30 runs. By all accounts, Guernsey coach Andy 'Pasty' Cornford is not a happy bunny and I don't blame him. The Greens have got to improve if they want to get promotion.
But hey ho. We won!
Sunday 18 September, Bayuemas Oval, Guernsey v Fiji
11.20, Gsy 73 for 1 off 14 overs
Good morning everybody. After winning the toss, Guernsey were put into bat and were cruising. Openers Lee Savident and GH Smit were hitting boundaries for fun and had put on 72 before Smitty just went lbw to the spin of Tukana.
Frithy has gone out to join Savs.
Guernsey have named the exact same side that deafeated Jersey yesterday - (not in batting order) Smit, Savident, Frith, Ravenscroft, Kneller, Le Prevost, Hooper, Kimber, Nussbaumer, Bisson, Rich.
11.57, Gsy 109 for 1 off 24
Savs has passed 50, which came in 57 balls, and has just hit a massive six over square leg. I'm glad the big man has got runs. He's had a bit of a lean summer by his own high standards.
If I thought that the Kinrara Oval, where we played yesterday, was impressive then the Bayuemas Oval, where we're playing today, is just as impressive or more so. A little way out of Kuala Lumpur, it's another beautifully cut surface with two dominating structures at each end which act as media centres and TV platforms.
The Golden Hope End with clouds in the background (a metaphor for life...):
Nussie and Piggy (in his lucky green shirt) enjoying the view and each other's company at the Sime Darby End:
It'd be nice to have these two at Port Soif. Not Nussie and Piggy but the towers.
12.28, Gsy 142 for 2 off 30
Savs went for 82 lbw to Kilda. He was a bit of the way down the wicket and he didn't look happy when given. But when does he...
The players are currently off the pitch due to one of those short, sharp rain bursts that they have here. It's still coming down now but hopefully they'll be back out soon. Guernsey are going well.
12.36
While it's raining I would like to take this opportunity to clarify something... While I was being for interviewed for Island FM yesterday, I may have given the impression that I was going out into the bright lights of Kuala Lumpur last night with the Guernsey team to celebrate the Jersey victory. This was not true. I only had two beers and was back at my guest house by 12.30 while the Guernsey boys were all tucked up in the bed by 11. But's the media for you. They twist your words...
13.00, Gsy 143 for 3 off 30
Play has resumed with no loss of overs. But as soon as they went out there, Tim Ravenscroft was caught behind for 9. Ross Kneller goes out.
Reminder that the updated score is at: http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/match_zone/scorecard.php?type=C&matchId=41957
13.06, Gsy 153 for 4 off 32
Kneller's gone for 4 caught and bowled by Dabea. Capt Stu Le Prevost walks out. I hope we're not going to throw away our good start...
13.11
The Malaysian Cricket Board have come up with a good way to ensure that the team buses get to and from the grounds on time - they've organised police escorts! Here's our two outriders clearing the traffic along the motorway into KL after yesterday's match with Jersey:
15.04, Gsy 279 for 6 off 50
Right. I'm not a happy chappy. As my regular readers know - I suffer from wi-fi and technological problems. Well, it's happened again and somehow I've just lost the last 1.5 hours of blogging.
Any ways... Frithy ended up on 82 and Prev came in at 6 and smashed 52 off 46 balls to set Fiji a challenging target of 280 for victory. The problem, like yesterday, is the rain. Today's two other matches between Jersey and Kuwait, and Malaysia and Nigeria, are both halted due to the weather.
It's drizzling a little here but play started after lunch. According to the dreaded Duckworth-Lewis, the par score after 20 overs (when we will have a 'game') goes as follows:
0 wickets down - 69 runs
1 - 80
2 - 94
3 - 111
4 - 133
So Guernsey could do with wickets...
15.12, WICKET!! Ravoka b Bisson 5, Fiji 12 for 1 in 3
There we go!!! Boffin gets his man when the left handed Ravoka went for an expansive drive and the ball squeezed in underneath his bat. That helps things.
15.14
Here's some pics from earlier:
Lee Savident says 'Get past that'.
The boys 'chillaxing'. Island manager Pete Vidamour can find the camera even it's 100 yards away while Frithy's in the 'zone'.
Savs acknowledges the crowd for his 50 before walking into the stumps
Scenic shot - 'A Beautiful Setting'
15.23, WICKET!!! Cakacaka c Kimber b Savident 6, Fiji 22 for 2 in 6
Savs has just bounced out the greatly named Cakacaka! He's bowling beautifully and with a bit of zip. He's getting the ball to carry through to Kimbo behind the stumps. I've not seen him bowl this quick since that little opener from St Ouen's blew him a kiss at the FB Field about three years ago.
There's life in the old dog yet...
15.29
Here's a little treat for everyone - a picture of our hard-hitting South African, GH Smit, asleep and curled up like a baby:
Thanks to GH's room mate, Adam 'Plugger' Martel, for this gem.
15.33
But in actual fact - Plugger probably has the quote of the tour so far. When at the check in desk at Guernsey airport, he was asked where he was flying to. He replied 'Kuala Lumpur'. When the exasperated check in desk lady then asked 'via where??' Plugs replied 'Dubai.'
15.40, Fiji 35 for 2 off 10
Spin on now at bothe ends with Gary Rich and Frith. The rain is holding off at the mo.
15.43
Got an email from former Guernsey Cricket chairman and legend - Gary Tapp!
Hi Scooners – loving the blogs and the fact that Guernsey are winning. What more can a man want.. England Rugby on TV, Scooners Blogging and the wife in the kitchen getting breakfast ready.. Great start to a Sunday.
Come on Guernsey...
All the best
Gary Tapp
The team and the feminist movement welcome your support Tappy!
15.53, WICKET!! Rika c Kneller b Rich 18
Fiji's captain and opener has gone to a low full toss from 'Stan' which he hit down Ross' throat at cow. To quote team manager Pete Vidamour - 'That was effing filth!'
Fiji now 48 for 3 off 14. Guernsey taking control of the proceedings.
16.00
Talking of Vids... I've had an entry for the Caption Competition:
From Stuart Bisson: 'Quick! Throw water on him.'
16.08 WICKET!!! Kida c Le Prevost b Rich 8, Fiji 57 for 4 of 17.4
Prev holds on to it on the second attempt at midwicket. This is all going very much to plan. Fiji now more than 40 runs behind the DL.
16.17, Fiji 60 for 4 in 20
We've now got a game and Fiji are 73 runs behind the DL of 133.
Jersey's game with Kuwait has been called off due to and will have to be played tomorrow. While in Malaysia's game with Nigeria, because 20 overs were bowled in the first innings they have 'a game' so they are apparently waiting until up to 4.30 and if they get on, it's be a reduced over match.
While it doesn't look like the weather will affect the proceedings here. The sun is out. Famous last words...
16.47, WICKET! Tukana c Frith b Smit 30, Fiji 99 for 5 off 30
Another gone. This is firmly in Guernsey's hands now. Fiji need close to 200 runs to win in 20 overs. Start the car Dave.
And another has just gone! 100 for 6.
17.32, Fiji 166 for 8 in 41
Sorry for the lack of blogs - went for a lap as the game is petering out.
As I write this, David Hooper has come on and has bowled another Fijian batsman. Nine down. Where's the fat lady's songsheet?
17.37. Fiji all out 171, 42.3 overs
And that's that. Fiji number 10 Tavo comfortably run out by Savs.
We'll have to wait to see whether the win sends Guernsey to the top of the table as Nigeria are chasing 181 from 29 overs against Malaysia. They are currently 44 for 3 after 14.3 overs.
It's a glorious evening here now. I think it could be a nice night as well. Rest day tomorrow...
19.53
Malaysia ended up beating Nigeria by 79 runs but I can't work out the table to see if we're top...
Any ways, here are some pics from after today's game to keep you going:
The boys taking it all in after they've put their bodies on the line for their island one more time. Makes you proud.
Jeremy Frith winning yet another man-of-the-match award.
The Fiji team watching Frithy receive his man-of-the-match award. They really belted out their national anthem before the game, acapella style and with different harmonies. They may be singers but I wouldn't want to get into an argument with any of them. Especially the one in the green vest.
GH Smit enjoying his compulsory ice-bath after the game. Apparently the boys only need to cool their bottom-halves. Read into that what you will.
Now a treat for our more mature female readers... Veteran off-spinner Gary Rich finds time to strike a pose while waiting for his ice-bath.
Right. I'm off out now! Hope everybody enjoys the rest of their Sunday.
18.35, Monday 19 September, Sahabat Guest House, Rest Day
Everybody has been taking a well-earned day off with today's 'rest day'. Here's a few pics of what's been going on today:
Kuala Lumpur is a melting pot of different cultures and their culinary delights - Malay, Indian, Chinese, Indonesian, Middle Eastern... The boys had pizza for lunch.
Myself and Jamie decided to go up the Frossard House of Kuala Lumpur - The Petronas Towers. Once the tallest buildings in the world. Unfortunately, this is as close as we got to going up it because it's having work done to it. GH Construction has put in a quote for the job.
Undeterred, we then went to second tallest building in Malaysia - the KL Tower.
The views from the top
We then went to the KL Tower Animal Zone. As you do. Here's Jamie with an Albino Burmese Python. It has stretchy ligaments in its jaw that allows it to swallow all of its food whole. The snake also likes to eat.
A couple of Prairie Dogs make a bid for freedom by trying to tunnel out.
These are my digs - the Sahabat Guest House. Unbeknown to me when I booked, it's on the edge of the red light district. But as my old man says 'The best restaurants are always just outside the red light district' so there's plenty of good places about. Also, the old Chinese taxi driver who drove me from the airport told me about how he lost his virginity around here. That was nice.
The view from my balcony down the street.
Ok. I'm off for a curry with the boys.
Remember any comments or questions - aaron_scoones@hotmail.com. I'll be going through the caption competition entries that I've received tomorrow! Stayed tuned. And it's Kuwait tomorrow...
Tuesday 20 September, Bayuemas Oval, Guernsey v Kuwait
11.23, Gsy 70 for 2 off 13.3 overs
Good morning everybody. We're back at the delightful Bayuemas Oval today against Kuwait who defeated Jersey yesterday.
Having lost the toss, we were inserted into bat. GH and Savs were going well and saw off the new ball before Smitty went, bowled by the off spin of Raza for 13 and Savs gave his wicket away, after looking imperious, chipping Raza up to mid off for 29.
One change from the team that played in the first two matches - Ben Ferbrache has come in for Stuart Bisson.
11.40, Gsy 75 for 3 off 16
Tim Ravenscroft just hit Raza to cover. Kneller has gone out to join Frithy. Bit of a wobble. We keep getting ourselves out. We need another innings from Mr Cricket.
12.07, Gsy 102 for 3 off 24
Frithy and Rossy are steadying the ship. Picking the low fruits. Ticking it along...
Famous last words. Ross has been bowled going for an almighty heave. Terrible shot. Why do we like to make life difficult for ourselves?? Gsy, 104 for 4 0ff 25
12.24, Gsy 116 for 5 off 28
Stu Le Prevost has gone as well. LBW to Mirza's spin. This is becoming a bit of an issue now. Ben Ferbrache goes out to join Frithy.
An action shot:
A rare off-side shot from Kneller...
12.44, Gsy 140 for 5 off 35
Frithy has just past his 50. Where would we be without this hero?
12.46
Some action shots from today:
That's more like it from Kneller...
Frithy received some treatment from physio 'Fish'. Thankfully he was ok. Perennial 12th man, Plugger, sleeps in that vest.
Kneller watches the flight while Steve Davis (the Australian test umpire - not the 'Nugget') looks on
Guernsey supporters Sparrow and Pooley watch the action with interest while thinking about which art gallery or museum they're going to visit later
13.09, Gsy 173 for 5 off 41
Frithy and Ferbs are doing a huge job here for their team. They've turned this around.
13.12, WICKET Fernrache c Abdullah b Khalid 23, Gsy 177 for 5 off 41
I should learn to keep my mouth shut. Ferby's gone caught in the covers. He's done a good job here. Hoops goes out.
13.20, WICKET, Gsy 182 for 7 in 43
Damn. Frithy's out for 82. LBW to the pace of Khalid. Another invaluable knock from 'Bubbles'.
He's soon followed by Hoops - Gsy 188 for 7 in 43
Nussie and Kimbo in the middle. Two big hitters. 230 would be nice.
13.36, Gsy 195 for 8 in 46
Nussie and Kimbo running well together.
Ice bath pics time! Ferbs after his innings...
The one all the ladies have been waiting for... Frithy.
13.46. Gsy 211 for 9 in 49
Nussie's gone. Gricky's out there now with Kimbo. Last over. 220...
13.50. Gsy all out for 212 in 49.1
Grichy was yorked second ball of the over by Khalid after the first ball was wide. The total's not what the Greens would have wanted but it's runs on the board. Lunch.
14.49, Kuwait 5 for 0 off 5
We'd heard that the Kuwaiti openers like to give it a smack and they're certainly trying to do that. But Jamie Nussbaumer and Lee Savident are bowling beautifully at the mo. Jamie's bowling with some venom and has dropped a couple of short ones that the batsmen have had to sway out of the way of. Savs is swinging it round corners and is taking it very well that the Kuwaitis keep swinging and missing...
I've got a good feeling about this.
14.55
Some more action pics
Ferbs done like a kipper.
Frithy - A hero.
Another one for the ladies - Frithy getting treatment and toweling off.
90% of the game is mental. Tim Ravenscroft visualising success.
