Image Gallery 2010
04 January 2010
Boxing Day cricket at Kandahar
Boxing Day cricket match played at Kandahar Airfield (KAF), between military sides representing Australia and England.
As far as Australian sporting traditions go, a fair argument could be raised to say that a cricket match held on Boxing Day between Australia and England would be towards the top of many peoples list of favourites. The battle for the Ashes.
Usually the match, drawing massive crowds, would be played on the superbly manicured surface of Melbourne Cricket Ground, and would be played in the most competitive of spirits by finely tuned professionals, with bowlers tenacity matched by batsmens fierce desire to first survive, then to dominate their opponents, and the fielding side desperate to save every possible run.
Kandahar Airfield is certainly a much less salubrious location. An uneven, stony dirt surface with a rolled out ‘carpet’ pitch, a field reduced in size so as not to impose upon the volleyball courts and hockey arena, crowd numbers peaking in the handfuls, and teams made up of willing participants with varying degrees of skill. However, this cricket match had one similarity to the ‘real thing’, the competitive spirit, albeit mixed with jovial interludes and a fair dose of friendly banter.
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We`ve heard of 'rolling the pitch', but rolling OUT the pitch?, Australian captain Force Support Units` Corporal Paul Sweeney lays the last of the 'carpet' out prior to the match. The pitch will be unrolled again on Australia Day for the next battle between the two sides.
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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Best of luck! The two opposing captains, Staff Sergeant Mark Salter and Force Support Units` Corporal Paul Sweeney shake hands prior to the start of play.
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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Smash it ! English player and man-mountain, Lance Corporal Vinnie De Souza, issues the invitation as he runs in to bowl to Australian batsman Sapper Aaron Woods . Unfortunately for Aaron, the only thing he smashed was his bat .. onto his own head ! Look closely and see his bat has snapped.
Vinnie captured three wickets, and top scored for the game with a hard-hitting, lightning knock of approximately seventy runs. (No official individual scores were kept).
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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Smash it ! English player, Lance Corporal Vinnie De Souza, issues the invitation as he runs in to bowl to Australian batsman Sergeant Robert Jordan . Vinnie captured three wickets, and top scored for the game with a hard-hitting, lightning knock of approximately seventy runs. (No official individual scores were kept).
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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The Australian crowd, while not huge in number, were willing in their support of the Aussie team, waving a patriotic flag when required.
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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The Englishmen can do nothing but watch as Corporal Adam King punishes the bowling with a classic off drive.
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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Sure sonny, you can have my autograph! Corporal Jimmy Reilly obliges one of the crowd, Flight Lieutenant Darren Edmonds, in a traditional boundary line fielding ethic, keep the crowd on your side !
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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Corporal Adam King gives his all in an attempt to dismiss English captain Mark Salter. 'Kingy' finished the match with one wicket to his name.
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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Putting your body on the line ! Corporal Jannick Hill dives full length and clings on to a spectacular catch late in the match. Ouch !
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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You little bewdy!! Corporal Jannick Hill embraces teammate Sergeant Robert Jordan as the rest of the side rush to join the celebration as the final English wicket fell, handing victory to the Aussies.
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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Good sports, as always. The captain of the defeated English side, Staff Sergeant Mark Salter (centre-left) was the first to congratulate the Australian team members on their victory.
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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With the match balanced on a knifes edge at the beginning of what became the final over, Commander Joint Task Force 633, MAJGEN Mark Kelly, AO, a keen supporter on the day, was trying to stay relaxed, hoping the English score didn`t advance any further. He got his wish !
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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The scoreboard tells the story, well sort of! The two teams pose for a team photo shortly after the match was completed, and the Aussies had been victorious.
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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To the victors go the spoils! Officer Commanding Force Support Unit, Major Jo Richards-Bell gladly accepts the "Kafway Trophy" on behalf of the Australian side from English 9 Regiment Captain Mhere after the cricket match held between representative teams on Boxing Day at Kandahar.
(Date taken: 26 December 2009)
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