27/3/15

Dear Diary,

Another great sleep in a real bed and another sunny day in Sydney (Uggh, Sydney.) As much as I hate Sydney and as much as I like free accommodation at my Melbourne mate, Myles, place I am not looking forward to returning to his neck twisting couch. The only reason I’m in Sydney for this day was in case there was a rained out game yesterday and this would be the reserve day. But with nothing but blue skies for as far as the eye can see there was no chance of that yesterday and with similar weather today it’s just too good to stay indoors. I decide to take a walk from South Coogee to Bondi beach. It’s only a couple of suburbs up, can't be that far, and there's a coastal walk path that starts just outside my accommodation. I’ve never been to Bondi and now that I’m a British citizen it seems like it’s compulsory so off I trot.

On the way my mind travels to the upcoming final of the World Cup. It is my number one dream scenario : Australia V. New Zealand was my first choice lineup for the final (well, assuming Scotland didn't make it that is!!!). The two home nations, two great nations with rich history between them, the traditional underdog of New Zealand V. the traditional powerhouse of Australia. New Zealand in resurgence before the World Cup and dominant/unbeaten throughout the tournament, Australia rebuilding and ironing out kinks before the tournament and peaking at the right time during it. This is truly a clash to savior.

Despite my Australian heritage there is no doubt that I want New Zealand to win the world cup and during my walk along the stunning Coogee coastline I wonder why that is.

It's not just because I have money on them to win the cup, after all that £1 investment is more of a fun joke bet than a serious get rich quick scheme, although the £8 I stand to make from it if they do win won't be sneezed at.

It will give me another occasion to wear the New Zealand supporters T-shirt I bought as an impulse buy after they crushed England in Wellington. I was thinking just the other day that that was probably an expensive outlay for a T-shirt I will never have an occasion or desire to wear outside the house once I get home. So having the opportunity to wear it another time is appreciated but that's not a valid reason for wanting them to win the cup.

I think I want the New Zealand cricket team to win the world cup for the nation of New Zealand. I loved my time there traveling around watching cricket in all corners of the country and found it to be a nation of full of friendly people , beautiful country side with a great atmosphere. I would love to see them gain the boost that winning one of the worlds biggest sporting tournaments would give them bringing in new confidence to continue taking on the world in the exceptional and progressive way that they already do.

From a cricket point of view New Zealand have been a nation that always produces amazing talent and often fights above its weight but has never managed to pull it all together at the same time. This time feels different. This time they have several world class talents all peaking at the same time and to challenge Australia, the noisy and sometimes unpleasant neighbour, and beat them at their own game, in their own back yard would really shut Australia up for a wee while. And that's something truly good to hope for, but still not the main reason I want them to win it.

In the end I think the main reason why I want New Zealand to take home the cup is because it gives Scotland some realistic hope of what can be achieved by a small nation on the big world stage. Both are small nations with a similar population size, both in close proximity to bigger, more dominant (population/economically) nations that are also antagonistic towards them. New Zealand taking home the trophy should give Scotland hope and encouragement for the future and a path to follow towards not just competing on the top of the world stage but winning at it.

Of course the road is long and not straightforward for any nation including Scotland, and New Zealand have a hundred year head start on us, but there they are, shining the light for other smaller nations to follow.

Show us the way New Zealand. Take the cup home. Dream big.
After two hours of wondering and wandering I am only about half way to Bondi beach. The coastal walkway has been amazing and I grudgingly have to admit that Sydney is a stunningly beautiful and pretty city, it’s just a shame that it has such an attitude problem. As I turn back to walk home the sun is in my eyes and I get a glare headache.
(uggh, Sydney.)

"Look for the ridiculous in everything and you will find it." Jules Renard - (1864 - 1910)