10 Things #34

Greetings from Como Park and other good things

1/ The Champions Trophy is still on….

2/ ….but to be frank, we’re almost calling it for lack of interest, what with the rain, the mediocre coverage, India’s sedan chair ride into the finals, and the opportunity for an update here…

….now that the gilt is off the Bazball gingerbread. Although Pete and I pondered podding about it this morning, we decided to have breakfast instead, and by this we think everyone gained.

3/ Besides, it had been a big weekend at Como Park, what with the Yarras inaugural comedy night after play on Saturday, which went off, then the Et Al Events Afghanistan Fundraiser on Sunday afternoon, which raised nearly $10,000 for our good friend Mustafa Qamari.

That’s Mustafa in the middle, flanked by our guests from The Grade Cricketer Pez and Higgo, flanked by Pete and myself. There was a lot of love in that room, with Greg Baum, doyen of Australian sports writing, also joining us, an outstanding performance at the barbecue from Sue and Janeen, and stalwart work behind the bar from Yarras president Faz. The Yarras generously donated the bar and barbecue proceeds - not a small gesture from a community club, but indicative of the general spirit of goodwill. As a Yarras player more than thirty years, I’ve seldom been prouder of us.