Semi Final v’s Sri Lanka..front row seats!

Well we made or rather The England Cricket seniors have made it through to the knock out stages of the 60+World Cup. By recording a clean sweep of 5 straight Wins in the Group stages we’England’are taking on The Sri Lankan team who were runners up in their Group behind Australia. Australia play NZ to determine the other finalist for Friday’s Trophy Final. My front seat view allowed the perfect aspect on match day proceedings. Sri Lanka made 169 all out in their 45 overs. England are currently 90 for 2 with 20 overs to play. So eminently getable the Way our batsmen are going about the chase with patience and hitting the loose balls.

Front row seat for Melvin today🌞

And so as England move in on victory today I look forward to greeting you all on Finals day from wherever that is and against whoever that is Friday 1st is when from 9.30 local time!

Cheers Melvin 🙏👍💪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏆🕺

Melvin Gone AWOL in Chennai!

Conspicuous by his absence!

On the eve of Our 3rd Group Match of the World Cup concern is growing for the whereabouts of our erstwhile mascot and cheerleader Marvelous Melvin!

Last seen at game one on the outfield( though disguised throughout as a red boundary cone). Melvin was in the thick of the action from the boundary’s edge.The Match v’s New Zealand went the way of England and I like to think Melvins presence gave impetuous to England seniors innings.

However following Melvins return to our wonderful hotel with the rest of the England Squad and supporters Melvin went for a well earned lay down.

But upon my awakening there was No Sign of him. His stand was empty!!! So the hunt goes on. Where is Melvin! If his Adsense continues into tomorrow( which is my Birthday incidentally) I may well raise the alarm and perhaps a missing persons declaration! Fingers crossed it is a simple misunderstanding and perhaps Melvin simply went AWOL for his own reasons and he will return refreshed& in Good spirits. I do hope so for his sake& for the well being of the whole England squad! Melvins absence has been remarked upon by concerned squad members and supporters alike!

Come back dear Melvin we need your support! Hope to find you or you find us again tomorrow🙏🌞👏

After final preparations before the warm up game last Friday.

Melvin was present at the practice session too.

Melvin’s Big Day Out at Chepauk Stadium(Madras Cricket Club)Chennai

First Full day in Chennai presented Melvin and the Full England Touring party with a very Special Start to our Tour today.Organised by Our Tour Manager and especially our Squad member Mel Hussein through his connections with the Madras Cricket Club.We were given the opportunity to play at this historic Club and current home to the IPL Super Giants Chennai Super kings.From start to finish We were all treated like Kings and Queens in fact!

The Match with Members of the MCC was a great occasion for all involved and we were afforded fabulous hospitality throughout the day.This ended with a great and moving presentation involving management of the Club and our Tour Manager and Capt along with Mel Hussein who had a close relationship to one of the Club organisers. Our whole tour group were honoured to receive 175 year History’s of the Club in a lavish book along with a Club tie(which happened to match my trousers perfectly!)

The after party and bar were also great and all in all this day will be hard to Top!

Melvin was rather excited by the whole day as well and really pushed the boat out to enjoy his day out as well.It’s a day that he and all of the Tour Group will not forget in a hurry!Especially those who were a little unfortunate to encounter Melvin towards bedtime, when through slight over excitement he find himself needing a quick rest on the landing on his way to bed.I think Melvin has learned his lesson however and is much better prepared now for what is involved in ‘Touring in India’!

Thanks once again to Mel and Paul and the Organisers for laying on this Special day!

Preparations Continue tomorrow with a Game versus India!

Try and Follow our progress from Next Monday when the competition starts for Real!Try this Link

http://tinyurl.com/28vadeem

We have Lift off!

Melvin is all tucked up for the flight leaving tomorrow from Stanstead via Dubai and onto Chennai.

It’s been a rollercoaster couple of weeks leading up to the night before departure. Melvin badly injured his bottom hand ( attempting a reverse sweep!) and making it touch and go whether he would be sufficiently fir to travel! Luckily and at the eleventh hour his New hand arrived and after a bit of DIY to get the hand to fit Melvin has declared himself’ fit to fly’!

Great News as I think you’ll agree and now 2 hand Melvin is fit to resume his role as Team Mascot and also to be able to write his blog.’ Along for the ride’!

To ensure everything was in working order Melvin had to face some’chin music’ from his co conspirator JB( Butters) a member of the Tour Squad and Melvins Minder whilst on tour.

JB put Melvin through a rigorous work out with bat in hand and is satisfied that MM is fully fit and ready to go!

So, watch this space for Melvins insights into what promises to be the trip of a lifetime for him and The England Over 60’s Squad at The World Cup in Chennai!

Bravo to Melvin and all making the trip tomorrow 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏏🏆🇮🇳we can do this say’s Melvin andvI’mbwith him all the way 💪JB