Stare, stare, stare

It’s strange being an Australian in another country when the team loses, and in India it gains you more attention. People who didn’t recognise me before suddenly are – and they want to talk. “Sorry Australia,” one young boy said, smiling as I walked to the ground on day five. The rest want to know whether Brett Lee or Matthew Hayden should be dropped.

Those that don’t talk have seemed to stare more over the past day. It feels like there’s a red dot on my body, like the ones created by the hi-tech guns the contract killers hold. Or maybe I’m just imagining it.

After two decades of Australian success, perhaps it’s me who is feeling differently. I had nothing to do with how the team played at Mohali, but it’s hard for the result not to have some sort of effect. It was shocking to see such a one-sided game – with Australia behind.

Maybe this is how England fans feel every Ashes series (exception – 2005). As I left the ground at Mohali I was thankful it was so empty. If results like these become regular it will take a while to get used to.