Monthly Archives: September 2012

Sep29

Sport, Money, Sex Appeal and Desk Derriere……

Posted on September 29, 2012 by taniapics

Recently women in sport have come out against being paid less than their testosterone fuelled counterparts.

At the WT20 event in Sri Lanka it has emerged that apparently the winning team in the men’s tournament will share £616,000 compared to £40,000 for their fairer counterparts. In addition, male cricketers receive £61 a day as a living allowance, while the women get only £37.
Maybe they think women eat less? I could prove them wrong on that one, although trying to eat £37 worth of food in Sri Lanka would be a challenge. Even Chris Gayle may struggle. Read the rest of this entry →

Sep26

Anyone have a contact with the Rain gods?

Posted on September 26, 2012 by taniapics

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Anyone have a contact with the Rain gods?

It’s been a busy few days of travel, doing quality control on Lions and the cricket, which has been so heavily interrupted with rain that it’s been essential to keep the guys company at the Lion stand. I mean the only other options are Pepsi and KFC. I’d rather eat cow dung. Read the rest of this entry →

Sep22

The day has dawned…..and it’s a rainy one!

Posted on September 22, 2012 by taniapics

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A epic battle lies ahead as Sri Lanka and SA will face each other for the first time in a T20 match.
It’s going to be a nail biting event and there can be no clear winner predicted ahead of today’s clash, although the home team must carry some advantage. Both have had easy games thus far and today will be a true test of their abilities. Read the rest of this entry →

Sep21

Bags Packed and Going Home…..

Posted on September 21, 2012 by taniapics

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NOT US!!! Zimbabwe, the first team to be leaving Sri Lanka, – Unceremoniously trounced and beaten into submission.

Zim – their faces say it all

Nothing inspiring about SA vs Zim comes to mind. Its a bit like trying to passionately describe a smooth, flat, white wall. It’s white. Thats it. It’s not fiery, it’s not exciting it’s just white. Plain. Simple. Boring. Dull. Like last nights cricket. The local guys were all perplexed that we were going to M.Rajapakse Stadium on Thursday eve. “But there’s no match on?” was the standard response. And how right they were. The streets leading up to the stadium were empty, except for the customary massive police and military presence. You could easily start doubting yourself that there was anything going on other than a training session. Turns out it was. Read the rest of this entry →

Sep19

Match Day Massacre

Posted on September 19, 2012 by taniapics

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After our last bungle of bus and train travel, we wisely decided to get tuk tuk all the way to the stadium rather than risk missing the entire event which could happen as we are easily lead astray, often unintentionally.

Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium

The Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium in Sooriyawewa, about 20 kms outside of Hambantota, 80kms from Tangalle, which is about a 90 minute tuk tuk ride. Pleasant enough on the way there, passing paddy fields with peacocks, banana, coconut papaya plantations along the way. Coming back at midnight was like playing dodge-ems with a blindfold, while flying missiles hoot their way past you at high speed. Atari Asteroids comes to mind – if you’re old enough to remember……..

View of the action

Read the rest of this entry →

Sep18

Standing by, Rolling cameras and ACTION!

Posted on September 18, 2012 by taniapics

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AYOBA! It is here. The day has arrived. Day one of World Cup T20 Cricket action. Big sixes, fast bowling and mind boggling spinners. The players are ready, the fans are excited, the stadiums lie waiting, the food is being prepared and truck loads of Lion lager being chilled as we write.

Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium outside of Hambantota has a capacity of crowd of 35000 people. We’ll be in the middle of all the cricketing fever and madness. Read the rest of this entry →

Sep17

How to travel 195kms in almost 10hrs…… It’s easier than you can imagine.

Posted on September 17, 2012 by taniapics

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After soaking up the pre T20WC vibe in laid back Colombo we decided to head south.

T20WC Tickets

Match tickets had been collected and I had enough of being asked to pose for pics with all these cricket legends anyway. Working our way South to the land of sunshine, surf and maybe a few more cocktails. Tangalle, It’s only about 190kms…… Read the rest of this entry →

Sep13

Let the GAMES begin…..

Posted on September 13, 2012 by taniapics

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NO – Not the Olympics – even we know that’s done, dusted, finnito.
BUT the T20 World Cup. Words that Cricket purists would never dare breathe, let alone think of following this event. Sorry for them as this is one of the fastest, most action packed events on the sporting calendar.

Sri Lanka, where the world’s biggest hitters face off against the fastest bowlers and wildest spinners in an adrenalin packed 40 overs. If reading the newspaper or walking the dog in between overs is how you watch cricket, then this is NOT FOR YOU. However, if like us you love fast paced action, think Sri Lankan Malinga bowling deadly 150km/h yorkers or the ever smiling West Indian giant Chris Gayle smashing it out of the park for yet another big 6, or Aussie Dave Warner flying through the air catching the impossible, then this IS FOR YOU! Not for sissies. Or conservative purists.