It seems hard to believe after all the hype at home, the will-they, won't-they pontificating and the repeated inquiries into whether I was going to be here or not, I'm in Chennai looking forward to a day of Test cricket tomorrow. I'm sat with a dozen fellow fans in our hotel bar discussing this Test, this series and many others that have already gone by.
Security at the ground is heavy to say the least. The chances of getting anywhere near the training today was about as realistic as Jimmy Anderson scoring a Test century. But with a focus on tomorrow, we've found an area of the ground to congregate in.
The biggest discussion as I write surrounds what we'll be able to take into the ground. It seems like nearly everything will be confiscated, including cameras and mobile phones. That's not particularly handy if you want to take photos for the Barmy Army website or need your phone to chat to the media. I applied for media accreditation for this tour on behalf of the Barmy Army but we got refused because apparently websites don't count as media. That seems particularly ironic as I've now got my ramblings on Cricinfo as well.
But while that remains a worry there is a buzz about our small group. We're going to watch Test cricket tomorrow. In India. Despite everything that has happened. Despite concerns from home. And the locals seem very happy to have us here, which is always appreciated.
And if you think that cricket is the biggest deal going on here I can only point out that I've just looked up at the television to see the headline ‘War on Pak?’ The situation is much bigger than cricket when you get to the country concerned, and rightly so, but for those of us who have made the pilgrimage tomorrow will be about the sport. And if that takes everyone's mind off the atrocities then it can only be a good thing.
A real heartfelt thanks, Paul, for coming here despite all these problems. I sincerely hope you're stay in the country is safe and secure. I know there are people who are still complaining that we shouldn't play sport now, but hey, since when did politics mix into sport? If, we as a country stop playing cricket on the basis of escalating war tension, then we should also stop doing day-to-day leisure activities like watching a movie, going out to eat, maybe even going out for a chat with friends?
Posted by: Param Iyer on 12/10/2008
I appreciate all of those who have decided to come down to India to watch Test Match Cricket. England have some really dedicated fans who travel around lending their support.
I am sure Chennai crowd will throng in large numbers to support the Test Match. Chennai has been one of the good venues in India and has produced some exciting cricket over the past few decades.
Let's hope the Test Match goes off well :-)
Posted by: pritish on 12/10/2008
Hi Paul,
Read your blog. I am happy to know that the security in India has certainly increased. I am indian who come from chennai. I study at Cardiff. Like every other Indian, I was devastated seeing the terroist attack and how things changed in due course of time.
You have mentioned in your blog that it is an area of concern that the Barmy army is not allowed to use mobiles or cameras. But, I think the police force have certainly made the right choice considering what has happened in the past and also with the terrorists targeting innocent foreign nationals. I am in full praise of the police force who have finally started thinking about security of our ocuntrymen and foreign nationals.
And considering cricket is treated like a relegion and lot of people will come to witness the match, none of us will want to see any uneventful thing happening hampering every bit of happiness. Wish the England cricket team good luck. But we Indians will rock.
Posted by: Lokesh on 12/10/2008
Paul, really appreciate England team and barmy army coming to play cricket.
Posted by: Karan Parikh on 12/10/2008
Hey Paul,
A real heartfelt thanks for visiting India. I really appreciate English team and the Barmy army coming to India.
Posted by: Helios on 12/11/2008
Hi Paul,
I really appreciate Barmy Army's gesture of coming to India after such a big incident. This appreciation comes from the bottom of my heart. I hope your stay is not only safe but enjoyable also. I was never a big fan of England team before. But the way KP handle himself and held the team together made this team my favourite team only next to India. I will consider myself part of Barmy's army and cheer the team remotely (I live in the US) with all my heart for all their games when they are not pitted against the team from my motherland, India.
I tip my hat-off to the plyers, fans, administrators of English Cricketing community.
Helios
Posted by: Dave on 12/11/2008
I've been such an avid follower of English cricket for 25 years. I'm glad we are here, really looking forward to the tests. Its a great filip to the game, to India and to world cricket that we have decided to come back. Much as cricket can political, esp in the sub continent, the players themselves are getting to do what they love best. Put on the whites, three lions on the shirt, and be out there with 10 other mates in the heat of battle, trying to win a test match. I understand their trepidation based on the mumbai attacks, but i think most will agree that coming here is a positive step, will help the team, the sport and lets be honest, for those of us who love the parry and riposte and ebb and flow of 5 days of test cricket, its fantastic. Hope its a really competitive game, and benefits both teams. BRING IT ON.
Posted by: Osama Ashfaq on 12/11/2008
Well Done England, For going back to India. May you all have a wonderful time in the country. But do remember that there exists another country towards the west of India, which if you all remember is called Pakistan, where people not terrorists live, which happens to love cricket as much as India, where it now feels as if a national cricket team does not even exists as it is rarely seen, who are also trying to keep the show going but do not receive the type of generosity that is currently being showered by the English and the rest. Kindly do remember that country too even if you do not like coming to the place. Rest, Enjoy the Game.
Posted by: Ashish Sachdeva on 12/12/2008
Hey Paul,
Thanks for coming to India. Just for the sake of barmu Army I wish the series read 1-1 at the end. Normally I will not settle for less than 2-0 for Indian win. Hope you have rocking time.
Posted by: ashish on 12/13/2008
To Paul & the Barmy Army,
Thank you very much for supporting India in these trying times.Cricket means a lot to us Indians.Obviously not as much as life itself but still it means a lot.And by Supporting Indian Cricket at its most vulnerable time,you have ensured a special place in Our Hearts.
Go England Go!!!
Ashish.
Posted by: girish gadre on 12/15/2008
to Paul and barmy army,
thanks for coming to india. we will have a cracking series.
I am amazed to see the photograph of the guy in your article, as he resembles me completely. will want to get in touch with him if possible.
thanks
Posted by: Srinivas on 12/24/2008
My heartily thanks to england players for coming here. Though India might have won the series but you guys have won our hearts.... I should say you are the champs too...
Paul Winslow is the Barmy Army's web and magazine editor, a role that allows him to turn an unhealthy and expensive addiction into something vaguely productive. No-one is quite sure how he's managed to combine a career as a sport, travel and motoring journalist with so much travelling to watch cricket but he's blagged it somehow, although he will remain unfulfilled until 2012 when England tour Bangladesh and he will have seen them play in every Test nation.
RSS Feed
