Robbie Jones's
Letter from Australia

4th November 2003

I'm staying in a place called Beaumaris, which is in the southern suburbs of Melbourne, about a 20-minute bus ride out. It's a pretty wealthy area so very pleasant and about 10 minute walk to the beach.

I'm playing for a side called Kingston Saints. We've just entered the Sub-District leagues which is the one below where all the pros play when not representing their state side, so it's a pretty high standard -reckoned to be Minor Counties equivalent. We have a website at:
http://www.cricketvictoria.com.au/club.asp?c=1219

We've just finished the second part of our second game - they're spread over two Saturdays with an 80 overs-a-side format. It's win/lose unless you lose 30 minutes or more through rain. It pissed down on Saturday so we were down to 55 overs, chasing 276 and never likely to win, Yarraville being one of the strongest teams in the competition. I was instructed to "block the arse off it pommie". I went in at number three and batted like Boycott for 40 overs. We finished 8 down for 80 and saved the game. Jones, 9 not out! I received a barrage of abuse, as you can well imagine (I'll let you know of any amusing sledging when I get some).

I'm playing for a team called the Melbourne Crusaders this week against one of the colleges. They are a touring side who select a variety of overseas guys to play for them for the home games. Last year, Vikram Solanki and Paul Collingwood were the pommies, so I've a bit to live up to! Rumour has it that Warnie will be making an appearance as well. I'll let you know how it goes.