S&C contributor and Pompey Politics Podcast host Ian Morris shares his experience of the lockdown, as someone with diabetes. It’s Day 72, and Ian gives a blow by blow account of the Blind Cricket Quiz League’s latest match, Sussex vs Gloucestershire.
Wednesday 27th May, Day 72 of 89.
Down to the wire.
As lockdown winds on, there is still little hope for the sports fan of any meaningful sport being played and my own cricket season looks like it is a non-starter. In a bid to keep us all enthralled, last night saw the first fixture in the Blind Cricket Quiz League. I had the pleasure of leading Sussex out against Gloucestershire via the magic of Zoom.
It started somewhat shambolically as one of our opponents seemed to have the technical skills of a tin of tuna. His efforts on an iPad, laptop and iPhone saw him repeatedly so nearly make it in, before my screen reader announced that ‘Mike T has left the meeting’. After 20 minutes and dialling in by phone, we were assembled and away we went.
I couldn’t fault our early efforts as we were 10 for 10 after the first two rounds. Sadly so were our opponents. The second round, we chose pop music. The question was: ‘Were the following in Girls Aloud, the Sugababes or neither?’ My head was in my hands, I wouldn’t know either of these groups if they bit me on the leg. This was going to be a car crash – except my team mate Phil grew up in love with Girls Aloud, and as every name came up his cry of ‘Girls Aloud! Definitely, final answer!’ took us through with 9 out of 10. The pressure was on then, except our opponents ‘mythical beasts’ were Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings or neither: their set of questions were as difficult to answer as putting on a hat. They got 10 for 10 and we were behind.
Then there were the individual rounds: Pop Music, Film, TV, and Cricket were the four specialist subjects. Like any noble captain, I let my team pick and choose and I was left with the one nobody wanted. We did ok but dropped further behind and now trailed by three points.
Another 10 out of 10 in the next two rounds and we were into the final individual rounds. Their captain had a shocker on Pop Music and our lad closed the gap to one point. My opponent went first and got 4 out of 5 for Cricket.
The scene was set: I stride forward. If I get all five right, we tie.
Now, much as I love cricket, I wouldn’t say I was a student of the game. Of the four categories it was my second least favourite after Films.
The first question is a stinker.
Which non-Test playing nation reached the semi-final of a world cup?
I stare into space. Who was it?
The Netherlands has pulled an upset or two, so has Ireland.
I answer, ‘Kenya’.
It’s right and all of my opponents are giving me, ‘Bloody good answer!’
The next three answers flow effortlessly and here we are. Just one question for glory.
In the 2019 World Cup, which player was out for a golden duck second ball of the tournament?
I know it’s England, and it has to be an opener. It’s either Jason Roy or Johnny Bairstow. It’s got to be Roy, he always faces first ball.
‘Jason Roy.’
No, it’s Johnny bloody Bairstow and I have lead my team to ignominy and defeat.
I can’t fault my team. We dropped only eight questions out of 55 and in the group chat after, there was a forensic analysis: how we didn’t get the rub of the green, how our questions seemed much harder than theirs, but alas defeat still stings.
We now have to demolish Berkshire to stand a chance of reaching the Semi-Finals, so I reckon some extra quizzing practice might be needed in the next week or so.
Don’t miss Ian’s diary each day, keep an eye out for new entries here, along with past editions of the Pompey Politics Podcast. How are you managing the lockdown at the moment? Get in touch with us over on Facebook or Twitter and let us know your experiences and any hints and tips you’re finding helpful right now.
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