Waugh at Sea

Waugh at Sea.

On the evening of October 16, Dubai’s sports stores experienced a strange phenomenon as dozens of cricket bats were snapped up by a number of Australians.

It was the response to news onboard HMAS Arunta (CMDR Ray Griggs) that the Australian Test Cricket side was to visit the ship the following day. A steady stream of Gunn and Moore bats made their way onboard during the evening in preparation for the visit.

The Test team did not disappoint and were most gracious in signing bats, caps, T-shirts, combat coveralls, 5” shell cartridges and posters during the two-hour visit to the warship.

One junior sailor commented to the ship’s CO after the event that, “I will remember this day until I die”.

There is no doubt that judging by the number of beaming faces around the ship that day the visit was a huge success. Large numbers of the ship’s company then provided the bulk of the Aussie cheer squad at Sharjah for the Third Test.

At one stage the ship’s company made up about 20 per cent of the crowd and, as requested by the team during their visit to the ship, kept the noise and atmosphere levels high, as the Aussies, led by the Waugh brothers, cruised to a third successive Test win and finished the series against the young Pakistan team with a clean sweep.

• By LCDR Andy Nelson

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