England play with cow power
St Lucia - There was a cow grazing in the middle of the parking lot outside the KFC, around the corner from my hotel, when I strolled out the other morning. At the time I wondered what it was doing there. Now I realize it was hiding from the England team.
Just 100 yards around the corner, at the start of the strip of bars and restaurants that occupies the eastern side of Rodney Bay and walking distance from the hotel where all the teams are staying, is Big Chef’s Steak House.
Unconfirmed reports (someone I spoke to at the bar) suggest one England player earlier this week earned a Big Chef Certificate for finishing off a 32oz steak, with trimmings.
So, on the eve of England’s World Cup opener against New Zealand I donned false moustache and dark glasses and went on a 'steak out'.
No sooner had I ordered a modest-sized rib-eye than the bulk of today’s starting line-up sauntered in and took a table. Among them was Kevin Pietersen, the Beefy of the modern era.
I’m afraid I was unable to get close enough to report what the party were eating or drinking for fear of blowing my cover, and of being thrown out by Big Chef.
If any of them did indeed go through the full 32oz last night it isn’t showing in morning warm-ups, where they all look pretty agile.
It rained pretty heavily this morning and there were plenty of puddles around the ground on my way in (accompanied by a group of England fans who had been pointed to the wrong bus) but it is already hot.
The square, which has looked as golden as a pie crust all week, is showing patches of green – which might favour seamers early on - but the convex outfield looks in as good shape as ever.
There were no surprises in England’s XI once James Anderson was pronounced fit. Spin, and perhaps medium pace, will dominate the middle of the innings so much will rest on Panesar and Dalrymple.
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I've heard you mention the 'azure blue' sky before when you commentated on England vs S. Africa a couple of years ago - it must be nice to actually see it for real rather than from a TV monitor in a rainy West London.
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Where is Henry Aggers? not that I am unhappy with your commentry, but I ma sure Henry would enjoy the odd cordial in St Lucia??
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I'm now more interested in the players' lunch than the on field action!
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All that suggests, Simon, is that I'm short of adjectives. I'll have to pop to the nearest hardware store and find a paint chart.
BTW, the sand on Reduit beach wasn't as white as I'd expected. More of an ochre, really.
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Hi Martin
I think the same cow almost caused our taxi to crash
yesterday, lucky to survive and see the match today!
Speaking to your unconfirmed source on the bus back from the ground so, afraid your blog is old news.
Will try the Big Chef for dinner tomorrow thanks for the recomendation.
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just developed some sort of interest in the players' lunch although never concentrated afart from the field action!
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I've been to that Big Chef - and eaten the 32ox steak! My certificate if on the wall in the restaurant along with everyone else who has consumed the beast.
Best of all, if you eat the 32oz, the owner gives you a voucher for a free 16ox steak!
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I've been to that Big Chef - and eaten the 32ox steak! My certificate if on the wall in the restaurant along with everyone else who has consumed the beast.
Best of all, if you eat the 32oz, the owner gives you a voucher for a free 16oz steak!
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Dan, I think it was a 32 oz steak. If it was 32 ox, I doubt you'd have finished it!!
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