Me too!
What an amazing Test I witnessed! After a lovely catch up breakfast with Squiz last Sunday, I headed to the G not knowing what would happen on Day 4. The Indians made a good score for their second innings and then had us 6/91 and completely on the ropes, until Labuschange and Cummings, and later, Lyon & Boland frustrated the bowlers and we scored 234 all out after a couple of overs the next day.
An incredible crowd of 74,362 attended the 5th day, which took the total to 373,691, making it the best attended Australian Test ever. I had a quiet breakfast by myself at The Windsor, before packing, leaving my bag with the concierge, and walking to the ground for the final time. The gates opened at 9.15am and I was able to get a great seat, close to my friend, Brendan, from Morwell. He had been there every day, but we hadn't met up.
The last day had everything we could wish for - brilliant batting by Yaiswal, who made 84, but even better bowling by Pat Cummins, and Scott Boland, who each took three wickets. There was controversy over decisions, even DRS took a hammering. We eventually bowled the Indians out for 155 at 5.15pm, winning by 184 runs. I left the minute we won, as Wes & Morse were parked in Lansdown Street, about 10 minutes' walk away. Morse was delighted to see me and licked me non-stop.
It took us a couple of hours to drive back to Daylesford, dropping by The Windsor to collect my bag, and then negotiating our way onto the Calder Highway, avoiding the West Gate Bridge which had its annual lane closures. We were all tired when we got home, and I went to bed after a quick shower, leaving the unpacking until Tuesday. Wes served me tomatoes on toast and I fell asleep early.
It was great to get back into routine walking Daylesford Cemetery with Wes and Morse at 6.15am. Morse was thrilled that I was joining them again and I received more licks from the back seat. Then it was time to unpack, wash clothes, change sheets & towels, check the PO Box and get back in the swing of daily life with a Zoom with my sister, Leanne. I had also hoped to speak with Jan Pengilley, but she still had no voice, so we postponed that pleasure until she is better. Wes had done the Coles shopping on Monday, which was a big help, as I seemed to be on the go until 6pm, when I collapsed, exhausted, and was fed steamed trout, peas and spuds in bed.
We were delighted to find there were no fireworks from the Lake House at midnight and no parties in our street. It was very quiet here in Daylesford, although plenty of locals & visitors had enjoyed the annual New Year's Eve Gala & Parade in Vincent Street during the evening. It was a beautiful day - we took Morse to Lake Daylesford, as it was quiet early, and I filled only one bag with rubbish - the cleanest Lake Daylesford has been on New Year's Day in years. Morse wasn't really happy that he was on his lead and not chasing bunnies.
Wes cooked a whole trout, which he served with steamed carrots, peas and stone fruit. We were able to sit outside on the decking and enjoyed a glass or two of his precious Charles Melton Rose of Virginia. The rest of the day we spent quietly, although I have been watching minis of each day of the Test, as it was so special, with so many highlights. Second only to the Centenary Test at the MCG in 1977, which I also attended, and which Australia won by 45 runs, the same result as the very first Australia vs England Test at the MCG in 1877.
On Thursday morning, we walked at the Cemetery again, much to Morse's delight and he chased up and down the perimeters to show his pleasure. Then Wes headed off to Bullarto Reservoir to fish and left Morse at home with me, which makes fishing a lot easier.
We were excited for Day 1 of the SCG Test as it is the decider and thrilled when Indian won the toss & decided to bat. Our bowlers had the Indians second-guessing and took plenty of wickets. While I was watching the game on TV, I got started with my New Year resolution, which is to trim our vast library to make room for all the new books we've accumulated since we last made some hard decisions. I'm not sure how long it will take, but it will be worth it as books are piling up untidily and out of order, which is agony to someone like me.
Yesterday was very hot and we were pleased to be glued to the TV in our cool lounge room, watching as the Indian bowlers got Australia all out for 4 runs shy of their 1st Innings total. We had them 6/141 at stumps with Boland the pick of our bowlers with 4 wickets.
It's going to be hot again today, although it was pleasant when we walked around Daylesford Cemetery early this morning. We're off to the Sunday Market shortly, and then I think it will be more of the same - glued to the Test, which should be decided today unless it rains in Sydney.
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