Super 4s: Practice Reports

Short descriptions of the context and nature of each practice session.

14-12-96: Karunakaran, Korbel, Lin, Ng, Novakovic, Shehata, Simon, Squires. [at Stanwell Park beach]

A thoroughly enjoyable beach cricket experience that was just one of the day's activities which also included forcings back, bodyboarding and getting pissed. The sandy pitch that disintegrated easily meant nearly no bounce or turn was experienced and the sea was a fielding hazard, but in the end the tennis ball used was never lost, even without enough fielders.

19-12-96: Karunakaran, Korbel, Lin, Ng, Novakovic, Qadri, Shehata, Simon, Tan.

A veritable crowd of people enjoyed this preliminary Super 4s practice session, with a range of sports including soccer, volleyball and the traditional tennis being played at the court which would become the hallowed Super 4s ground. Some of this group also went ice-skating later in the day.

29-12-96: Koh, Korbel, Lin, Ng, Qadri, Shehata, Simon, Tan.

Another big day, with cricket being played in conjunction with tennis and generous lashings of Nintendo games, particularly Super Mario Kart and TMNT4. Later on in the night, the Kiwi cult movie 'Bad Taste' was seen along with 'Halloween 5' and 'Copycat' and followed by more TMNT4 and a round of Trivial Pursuit, which was won convincingly by Keith Ng.

30-12-96: Korbel, Lin, Ng, Qadri, Shehata, Simon, Squires, Tan.

Ed Squires made the trek to the Super 4s ground this following morning, but his appearance was somewhat overshadowed by Teng Tan's ominous discovery later in the day. Most patrons were fairly amused, although the culprit himself was not so pleased with the incident. Nearly everyone was tired from the late night and previous day's play.

5-1-97: Korbel, Lin, Simon, Squires. [at Kangaroo Point]

An interesting indoor cricket game was played out, with the improvisation of using the large shoe of Ed Squires as the bat. One handed catches were allowed off obstacles such as the snooker table but batting was limited because of the number of delicate items in the room and the susceptibility of the vertical blinds. Also the upper sliding door bracket painfully prevented Ed Squires from using his full overarm bowling action.

31-1-97: Ding, Karunakaran, Koo, Lin, Novakovic, Qadri, Shehata, Simon, Squires, Tan. [at NS TAFE]

A concrete tennis court, complete with dual basketball rings, at North Sydney TAFE provided the venue for this game of cricket. Large plastic bins were used as stumps, allowing people to be bowled out quite easily. The use of the tennis ball meant many runs were scored and the hard surface precipated difficult fielding. Nearly all players had a good day, although Kinseun Koo was reluctant to bowl.

17-2-97: Ding, Korbel, Lin, Ng, Simon, Tan. [at Sylvania Waters]

The flats of Sylvania Waters were an ideal location for this night street cricket experience. An alternating lawn - concrete - ashphalt ground combined with extremely long boundaries and a shortish pitch yielded some interesting matchplay. Play was upheld temporarily because of the tennis ball penetrating through to inside the house, which resulted in a stern summoning of Vic Ding.

20-2-97: Korbel, Lin, Ng, Qadri, Shehata, Squires, Tan.

Another large group enjoyed a long awaited return to the Super 4s ground, although Teng Tan and Ad Korbel both arrived later due to complications. Other customary activites such as Super Mario Kart, tennis and Pizza Hut scoffing were included in the itinerary, but the highlight of the day was the viewing of the critically acclaimed SGS Last Day video. Ed Squires was also hit in the head during tennis, thus explaining the derivation of the phrase 'Ed in the Head'.

21-2-97: Korbel, Lin, Shehata, Simon, Squires. [at NS TAFE]

A familiar yet dissimilar group enjoyed cricket at the North Sydney TAFE ground the day immediately after the 'Ed in the Head' day. To almost everyone's surprise, Ed Squires was again hit in the head by both a tennis ball and later a basketball. Besides this, a 'chicken burger'-inspired trek to the nearby KFC was made and later on, thoroughly enjoyable WWF rounded off a fine day.

19-4-97: Karunakaran, Koh, Lin, Ng, Qadri.

Axis & Allies filled most of the day, with Gopi Karunakaran learning the ropes from old hands Mus Qadri, Keith Ng and Tommy Koh. Mus Qadri's 'public' debut with his 'P's was a trip to the Chatswood Mandarin Centre for lunch. Later on in the night, the cricketing group joined up with Korbel, Shehata, Simon and Squires at St. Leonards for a hearty meal at the Genghis Khan Mongolian restaurant in Chatswood, when the fashionable phrase of the time was slightly modified to 'Ed at the Head'.

26-4-97: Karunakaran, Koh, Lin, Ng, Qadri.

Cricket was played recreationally as a much-needed break from the sitting room strategies of Axis & Allies with only Mus Qadri and Will Lin really enthusiastic about playing the sport instead of the board game - perhaps a sign of things to come. A late night trip to City Extra! in Circular Quay supplied an $84 dinner.

6-7-97: Koh, Korbel, Lin, Ng, Qadri, Tan.

Another new player, this time Ad Korbel was introduced into the Axis & Allies membership, replacing the indisposed Karunakaran. Ad Korbel, like Gopi Karunakaran before, quickly learned to enjoy the game and the rivalling taunts of Tommy Koh and Mus Qadri. The cameo appearance of Teng Tan, not a Axis & Allies player, introduced the cricketing interest into the day as Will Lin joined the new arrival on the Super 4s ground, somewhat abandoning the board game tactics and playing as a 'strategic dero'. A disheartened Mus Qadri, who lost many a 'man-down', also followed suit.

12-7-97: Ding, Karunakaran, Koh, Korbel, Lin, Qadri.

The unlikely Axis victory spearheaded by Ad Korbel and Mus Qadri was viewed by nearly everyone as a unique triumph, the exceptions being Vic Ding who was busy devouring old Transformers comics still held by Mus Qadri and the still inexperienced but eager Gopi Karunakaran who premiered his body jewellery at the unyielding requests of all present. The Allies and their dice rolls could not answer Tommy Koh's calls of 'Show me the money!'

26-11-97: Korbel, Lin, Shehata. [Sylvania Heights]

One of Ad Korbel's local sports grounds was used to play both soccer and tennis ball cricket. Will Lin had an unfortunate accident in goal as a result of an uncontrolled short range kick from Ad Korbel, but recovered to participate in the cricket nets afterwards, where the tennis ball used gave the batsman an unconquerable edge. Even the Super 4s record duck holder Will Lin could not get out.

28-11-97: Korbel, Lin, Qadri. [Sylvania Heights]

The chance to practice proper cricket lured Mus Qadri and Will Lin from the North Shore all the way back down the nets at distant Sylvania Heights. Despite the long tiring drive all the way down to a disappointing shonky playing site, all three players enjoyed the occasion which was cut short by local schools' grade cricket teams. As could be predicted, only Will Lin did not pad up for a knock.

6-12-97: Karunakaran, Lin, Qadri, Tan.

The last minute withdrawal of both Ding and Koh meant only a practice session could be played by the Super 4s players, thwarting the highly anticipated match debut of paceman Gopi Karunakaran. A hot day left most players extremely worn out and a Pizza Hut dinner and poor movie of unusual amusement value ['Crazy Hong Kong'] concluded the day's engagements. Even during play, Gopi Karunakaran seemed much happier talking on the phone with contacts unbeknownst to others and slurping Coca-Colas than practicing Super 4s cricket in the blazing sun.

11-12-97: Lin, Ng, Qadri, Tan.

This time, it was mystery man Adrian Phoon who did the last-minute cancellation, much to the frustration of the curator as well as attendees Keith Ng and Will Lin. Despite this, the four players involved held a satisfactory practice session on another hot summer's day. Another unworthy movie, this time 'Spawn' was seen, although this time it was watched at Chatswood's Greater Union cinema at the unworldly Mandarin Centre and thus cost signficantly more.

31-12-97: Ding, Lin, Ng, Qadri, Squires. [Pottery Green]

Real cricket equipment, and a good quality playing ground allowed a decent cricket practice session to be played even without many participants. Both Super 4s, rubber and authentic cricket balls were used and all batsmen wore at least a legside pad. Hot weather and resulting fatigue stopped the action in the early hours of the afternoon.

31-12-97: Ding, Korbel, Lin, Qadri, Shehata, Squires, Tan.

A twilight Super 4s practice session involving varying numbers of fielders, the seven players present rotated with bat and ball and enjoyed easygoing cricket after the arrival of Korbel and Shehata interrupted the preceding first-class match.

8/9-1-98: Korbel, Lin, Novakovic, Shehata. [Sylvania Heights]

Soccer was preferred, so the little bit of cricket practice was about as rewarding as the movie seen that day, 'Flubber'. Luckily Mark Novakovic didn't try to clobber anyone in the head outside the cinema.

11-1-98: Ding, Koh, Korbel, Lau E, Qadri, Shehata, Tan. [Pottery Green]

An excellent day's cricket, wherein each batsman was given two outs. Ad Korbel and Eddo Lau formed the best partnership of the day, until Mus Qadri bowled Korbs in a controversial manner that was heartily celebrated by all the fielders. Tommy Koh showed that he wasn't meant to open, bowled by Eddo Lau's pace, while Teng Tan remained not out at the end of the day. Will Lin grazed his whole left side, diving to avoid a run out set up by batting partner Vic Ding, but the throw missed anyway. Mena Shehata dropped two relatively simple catches, but later on redeemed himself.

20-1-98: Korbel, Lin, Qadri, 'Chris'. [Pottery Green]

The last chance to play before the departures of Will Lin and Ad Korbel on their respective trips overseas didn't draw much of a crowd. Teng Tan and Mena Shehata were slated to come, but both averted the confrontation. A local kid called 'Chris', an average bowler and batting bunny, joined the depleted practice squad.

4-2-98: Lin, Qadri.

Scouting around the northern pitches, the enthusiastic Mus and Will discovered some beautiful playing grounds and many tennis courts but not a single set of practice nets. The Super 4s turf was grudgingly settled on as the day's practice venue.

18-2-98: Korbel, Lin, Shehata, Squires. [Sylvania Heights PS]

The end of summer was approaching, but the Cronulla waves weren't living up to their expectations on this hot sunny day. Despite Mena Shehata's self-effacing 'wet patch' shorts, a tardy dose of tennis ball and crappy bat cricket was taken at some public school down south in short pitched practice nets.

25-2-98: Lin, Ng, Qadri, Rayappu.

Johann Rayappu was warmly welcomed to the hallowed Super 4s ground on a blistering summer's day. Tennis was the main course for the day, but a fruitful period of cricket was played by Will Lin (who was bowling offspinners and the occasional leg break), Rayapps and Mus Qadri while waiting for Keith Ng. If the cricket and tennis themselves were straining, it was incomparable to the intensity of the debate which followed later that night about the state and health of cricket in the 1990s. Great stuff.

26-4-98: (Lin), Qadri, Tan.

Teng Tan was in 'one of those moods' as he organised an impromptu three-man short cricket session. Will Lin was apparently studying and although he did decide it could be worthwhile going, it was too late.

5-7-98: Karunakaran, Lin, Ng, Qadri, Tan.

Gopes made a long awaited return to the Super 4s ground, allowing everyone else to catch up on another six months of life in the fast lane.

7-7-98: Korbel, Lin, Qadri, Shehata, Squires.

Soccer overruled the day's short cricket session as Mus and the Bones Boys were held in the grip of France '98. The Bones Boys stayed up 'til 4:30am (by playing WarCraft 2) to watch Brazil play Holland.

12-7-98: Aly, Lin, Ng, Qadri, Shehata.

'Event Horizon' was the video of the day, while tennis superseded cricket in the sports stakes.

14-7-98: Lin, Qadri, Tan.

The three stooges took a typical run through cricket, Doom II and WarCraft 2.

16-7-98: Lin, Liu, Qadri, Tan.

The third session in five days, basketball was added to the regular repertoire as Charles Liu finally managed a return visit to the Super 4s ground.

25-7-98: Korbel, Lin, Ng, Qadri, Shehata, Tan.

Keith's farewell to Super 4s before an exchange trip to UNC followed a night of drunken partying. The X-Files Movie would prove to be a disappointment.