In its 130th year, our friends across the ditch, I Zingari Australia, were able to re-establish a historic fixture on their calendar, The New South Wales Governor’s XI match.
Most recently played in 1995 at Victoria Barracks and again in 2014 at Camden Park, the Club was excited to be able to host His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret) and his wife at Camden Park where the Club first played on 8th January 1891.
The Governor’s XI was made up of representatives from a range of clubs and schools that have association with I Zingari. I had the pleasure to be asked to represent both Christchurch Boys’ High School and The Willows alongside fellow Willower, Sam Davis.
A crash on the M5 meant the drive out to the ground actually took longer than the flight from Christchurch to Sydney, but we eventually made it to the historic and picturesque Camden Park where we were greeted and capped by His Excellency.
The match itself was reduced to 30 overs due to our late arrival and the searing 40-degree heat which felt much like having a hair dryer blowing in your face. Not easy off the long run! A strong bowling performance from the Governor’s XI first up saw I Zingari restricted to a modest total of 132. Sam Davis did his best to feed some runs to the hosts to make a contest of things going at 8’s off his four overs but they failed to get going and posted a below par score.
Before the start of the second innings, Robbie Deans and I were presented with our I Zingari caps to join Andrew Nuttall as members of the Club. The Governor’s XI top order were aggressive and got the run chase off to a good start. Batting at six, Robbie spent most of the chase pacing up and down with the pads on, gagging to have a hit and make a contribution to the game. Fortunately he got the chance to steer the visitors to a comfortable six wicket victory and walk back to the sheds with a wee “red inker”.
At the end of the match there were a lot of parched men in need of a refreshment. After some presentations to the Club from Sam and myself, the hospitality continued at the local tavern. A fantastic end to a wonderful day.
The relationship between I Zingari, The Willows and CBHS continues to go from strength to strength and occasions such as these are a wonderful celebration of friendships that exist. I am proud to be able to wear all three of these caps. If any Willower happens to be in Sydney and looking for a game, I would suggest that the IZ’s would be only too happy to look after you.