Adelaide’s Australia Day Test Match

Having been convinced to travel over to Adelaide for the last test of the Summer, I ditched work at the earliest possible moment and made my way to my flight. Simon picked me up from the airport, and we ended up having dinner down at Glenelg.

Into town on Saturday morning to claim our spot on the Clem Hill with the rest of the traveling Waving The Flag group, Australia Day and India’s Independence Day were both marked at the start of play.

That evening, as the day’s play was ending, news reached us about the announcement of the retirement of Gilly. The traveling party convened at Bomber and Wizden’s apartment for a Chardy Party, which was filled with reminiscence of Gilchrist’s and the well-traveled cricket groups’ matches.

A disappointing end to the test, with a draw agreed upon at the end of the match. Punter stating that the test series had ‘obviously been played in the best spirit’ made the conclusion to a tumultuous series, where threats of boycott and suspension caused more debate about cricket than I have seen for some time, all that much more a non-event. But great to be there for Gilly's last innings. Many drinks after play at the Rosemont…and a missed flight back to Melbourne the next morning…! Oops!