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Day 3: Sunday, February 1999
I woke this morning very excited about the cricket.  My joy soon turned to horror as I discovered most of the mini-bar was empty.  I told Damo he raided it in a mad frenzy, therefore avoiding a hefty payout myself.
Without wasting any time, we packed our bags, took a few Berroca's and headed for the MCG.  To show my support, I wore my "We're at Waugh" t-shirt.  Walking toward the stadium, and on the free trams, I felt like some kind of a freak with all the people staring at it.
Entering the MCG was a great experience.  As is customary whenever we go to a sporting event, the game had already started.  Our seats were good and you could just smell the atmosphere.  Or was that the Sri Lankan guy in front of us?  I hear they don't shower very often.
Gilly was the star with the bat today scoring a record 154 runs.  He was ably assisted by several other batsmen, notably Bevo and Shane Lee, who smashed two sixes in the final over.  The Aussie total was 310, which was a huge effort, considering they fielded controversial chucker Muttiah Muralitharan.
The crowd were going nuts after the brilliant innings.  There were plenty of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi" chants. Damo and I prefer "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Yob, Yob, Yob". And there is nothing like booing the members stand when they refuse to go up in a Mexican wave.  I find this un-Australian behaviour offensive.
Damo worshiping the AB shrine.
Damo calls back the boys - Tubby Taylor style.
It was nearly time to board when Damo spotted who he swore was a member of the Aussie cricket team.  Turned out it was!  In fact six of them.  He chased them down to offer his congratulations.
Upon boarding the plane we were thrilled to find that they would actually be travelling to Sydney with us.  Half your luck!  Naturally, we couldn't let the opportunity pass without getting a few autographs from Messrs Waugh(M), Ponting, Bevan and McGrath.  Junior seemed a little stand-offish but Punter and Pigeon were only too happy.  Despite all the stories and legends, there were no food fights or games of cricket on board.  That was a bit disappointing.
Nearing the end of the flight, I journeyed to the toilets.  When we hit some major turbulence, well let's just say, things got a little messy.  The air hostess chics wouldn't even let me back to my seat, so I just chilled out with them.  They had some nice assets on board.
We made several visits to the bar during the day, and I'm embarrassed to say once was for a hot coffee.  We were in a very cold section and were freezing our privates* off.  It's always funny to see the yuppies couped up in their warm corporate boxes sipping latte's.  Often we'll utter a few 'pleasantries' their way, as we did to this guy sporting a mullet haircut.
Sri Lanka batted well and it was headed for a close finish until the Aussie bowlers forced a collapse.  They were all out for 273 I think.  This called for some serious celebrations.
As we had a plane to catch in a few hours we headed back to the motel to pick up our bags and have a few celebratory drinks.  Thanks to our non-English speaking taxi driver, we were once again left with little time at the airport bars.  Three hours just flies when you're having fun!  We even felt it necessary to top up our drinks via Damo's hip flask.

*our genitals, that is.
Kicking on with Bev and Ponts at the airport. Like the shirt?
Bevo, the world's greatest one day player, gladly posed for a photo at Sydney airport, while Punter was spotted chatting up some of the local ladies.  The boys left soon after, most probably headed for the Bourbon & Beefsteak at King's Cross.  They were a great bunch of guys.  It almost inspired me and Damo to get ourselves in shape and play cricket too.  But for now, we headed to the nearest bar for a soothing ale.  It was a great weekend had by all.
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