Sandra Dawson's Diary

FRIDAY 8TH DECEMBER

At last, a day off for the squad to spend time doing anything else other than play cricket. Some of the girls hired cars to drive to recommended vineyards to sample the much talked about NZ grape; others chose to tour Akaroa and get among the Dolphins (which was absolutely awesome), and the "Gucci" bro's decided to check out the shops to replace Judy's shorts which sadly gave up the ghost after 12 years wear and tear!

The weekend followed where the squad religiously warmed up, trained, netted, went to the gym, stretched, netted, visited the gym (again) and so on! Thanks to Sam for demonstrating his lithe, silky skills when he took us on an early morning circuit before, yes, getting back into the gym again! As I see it, the only bonus at the end of training is that we get a sports massage which does wonders for the walking wounded. [Sam, hot up the oil and grease your palms - I'll be over in ten!]

Another 'barbie' ended a day of hard labour, where our hosts Trish (physio) and Joe (doc) laid on a top spread at their pad about 20 minutes from base camp. They're a fab couple and, due to marry in June, have worked around the clock to get us back on our feet - thanks a mill, you're simply the best!

TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER

We arose, uplifted, to another beautiful day here in sunny Lincoln having played out of our skins yesterday against a tricky Indian side, failing to record a tournament upset by a mere 30 runs. [For those of you who haven't checked out the match report, feel free to hit www.cricinfo.com for the details]. It was a big squad effort and to come close to the target of 199 set by such a compact side, fuelled specially by delightful spin bowling just for Beggy's pleasure (not!), was more than commendable given our previous disappointment last week. 'Nuff said, we're moving on up and are ready for our final two matches vs Netherlands and South Africa this week.

Mood in the camp has been rejuvenated back to the usual heights with a winning spirit and a 'can do' attitude in the air. We are fighting with as much Irish pride as we can collectively muster and we all know that we have a job to do.

If's, but's and maybe's could have taken up a whole night's conversation but instead we settled for an invitation to barbie with the Kiwi's at their palatial quarters up yonder from Ireland House.

Typically there was a stipulation in that we had to march, in time, to the party and announce our arrival. With Ciara ("Medser") as our cheerleader, donned the Tricolour, silly hat and feeling at home bashing two saucepan lids together, the troops were welcomed to rapturous applause when a shrill of "Who let the Irish out?" was met by the squads' "ooo ooo ooo ooo" retort!

All a bit of silly fun which got the party off to a cracking start and, having filled our bellies and quenched our thirst, adjourned to our usual campus haunt - Mrs O's - where the bar staff welcomed us with open arms and, for some, offered a few pre-poured "cheeky whites".... thanks Frankie, you're a gem!

For me personally, it was a great feeling to win another cap, get back in the saddle and to take on the canny Indians for a third successive world cup. Oh how I love the feel of leather on skin and the smell of sweaty inners - will I miss those gloves when they're hung out to dry? Probably.

Signing off for now, "Awesome" Dawson