Tour Diary - Will we play some cricket?

Day two of tour starts slowly for some. Wickman for one feels like someone has used a trepanning kit to open a big hole in his skull and filled his head with quick set concrete. Others too look like death warmed up. Barry says that sharing with Lively is a nightmare as he might as well be sharing with a vampire. Importantly a look outside at the weather convinces us that there’s a chance of playing that day’s fixture. A convoy is despatched to Hambledon. Despite the original club moving home from its base (where the drafting of the rules of cricket occurred) in the 1960s the fixture still feels important. The convoy starts up. All can hardly believe their luck as Lash leads the convoy through a toll booth, guaranteeing a severe fine later. Hambledon’s club is set in fantastic countryside. On top of a hill, it commands staggering views in most directions. The club house could not immediately yield a roll of loo paper but there are worse crimes. Amazingly the wicket is playable and we are off...