Visited the Netball and Hockey Centre in Royal Park, out of curiosity to see a local league hockey game. First thing that cousin and me noticed was the sturdy phyisique of the players, even the women. We are so used to hockey players back home being skinny, gangly fellows. The venue was the same that hosted the hockey events during the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Although Australia's national teams are world-beaters there is rarely any national press coverage in comparison to other sports. Was amazed at the astroturf and stadium facilities ... since I in contrast played all my inter-school and inter-college tournaments in Mumbai on grass where the ball bounced dodgily over the uneven school and college grounds. Made a mental note to come back in a months time when there's a tournament featuring the top regional teams. If memory serves me right, Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming flick 'Chak De India' which is a hockey version of 'Bend it like Beckham', was shot here. SRK plays coach of an Indian womens hockey team playing a tournament in Melbourne that in typical YashRaj Films tradition emerges victorious against all odds (ya rite!) ...only in Bollywood.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
My first Hockey game in Melbourne
Visited the Netball and Hockey Centre in Royal Park, out of curiosity to see a local league hockey game. First thing that cousin and me noticed was the sturdy phyisique of the players, even the women. We are so used to hockey players back home being skinny, gangly fellows. The venue was the same that hosted the hockey events during the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Although Australia's national teams are world-beaters there is rarely any national press coverage in comparison to other sports. Was amazed at the astroturf and stadium facilities ... since I in contrast played all my inter-school and inter-college tournaments in Mumbai on grass where the ball bounced dodgily over the uneven school and college grounds. Made a mental note to come back in a months time when there's a tournament featuring the top regional teams. If memory serves me right, Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming flick 'Chak De India' which is a hockey version of 'Bend it like Beckham', was shot here. SRK plays coach of an Indian womens hockey team playing a tournament in Melbourne that in typical YashRaj Films tradition emerges victorious against all odds (ya rite!) ...only in Bollywood.
Ode to McGrath and Warnie's last bow
Tonight Glen McGrath retires from his role of chief torturer of opposition cricket batsmen. Since I'm too far from Barbados to soak in the moment I thought I'd reminisce about last December when I was lucky to watch Warnies final bow at the MCG Boxing Day Test.
The day couldn't have been scripted better. First the rains threatened to spoil the day, and then Ponting refused to give Warne the ball. And when he was tossed the ball, he takes a 5 wicket haul! How incredible is that. I managed to get a free upgrade to a Corporate Box - with beers, wines, lunch and high tea flowing continously. Almost felt like being back at Ten Sports sitting in the good seats. Can't sit with janta anymore you see. At lunch time, Merv Hughes came to the Corporate Yarra Room to do a Q&A session about Warne and McGrath. Poor Poms in the stands
were racially abused continually and finally gave up and left after the England innings ended. We left too and missed the two Aus wickets which turned out to be a farce considering what Symmonds did the next day. Latest news is that one of the Eng cricket players has ordered Chicken curry from a Indian restaurant in London to be couriered to Sydney to pep up the players. Every newspaper and advertisment in taking the Pommies case.
The day couldn't have been scripted better. First the rains threatened to spoil the day, and then Ponting refused to give Warne the ball. And when he was tossed the ball, he takes a 5 wicket haul! How incredible is that. I managed to get a free upgrade to a Corporate Box - with beers, wines, lunch and high tea flowing continously. Almost felt like being back at Ten Sports sitting in the good seats. Can't sit with janta anymore you see. At lunch time, Merv Hughes came to the Corporate Yarra Room to do a Q&A session about Warne and McGrath. Poor Poms in the stands
were racially abused continually and finally gave up and left after the England innings ended. We left too and missed the two Aus wickets which turned out to be a farce considering what Symmonds did the next day. Latest news is that one of the Eng cricket players has ordered Chicken curry from a Indian restaurant in London to be couriered to Sydney to pep up the players. Every newspaper and advertisment in taking the Pommies case.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Anzac Day in Melbourne
This Wednesday was Anzac Day a day commemorated in Australia to recognize the war veterans who laid down their lives in WWII. A highlight of the annual Anzac day celebrations is a Aussie Rules Football game between two popular Melbourne teams. This year Collingwood beat Essendon at the MCG to even the overall win tally at 6 games apiece. The sober and introspective mood on all the newschannels and on the persons participating in the Anzac Day dawn services was a sight in contrast to the tepid celebrations back home on Republic Day. I spent most of the holiday in bed recovering from a severe bout of stomach acidity ... proof that marketing guys are always full of gas??? Thankfully Eno was easily available at the local Cole's and a few glasses quickly did the trick. The same night the cricket team made the Australian flag even prouder making a mockery of South Africa's status as the #2 ranked cricket team. So much for a repeat of the great Edgbaston 1999 semi-final.
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