Karachi Chronicles Epilog

Recently I saw an interview with the late professional mountaineer, Ueli Steck. He mentioned the difficulty of finding someone to discuss his expeditions with because no one around him could personally relate to these experiences. This really resonated as it's true, nothing prepares you for the return home from an epic adventure. The re-entry to everyday life, for lack of a better word is depressing. A few mates ask you how it was and then quickly get sick of you talking about it. Like a hangover that trails you for days, the stratospheric high from the trip is tempered by the crashing realisation that you will probably never repeat what you just did. While the memories and friends mostly remain, the experience is gone, done, finished.

As time marches on, you slowly get back into routine and continue to enjoy the things that matter most. Personally, after representing the country in Karachi, Pakistan, I must admit cricket has been a bit of a struggle. It hasn’t helped that the wickets have deserted me, for the moment. However, I am very fortunate to play for a great club, with a bunch of blokes I always enjoy training and playing with. All this aside, being back with my family has been the highlight of my life recently and this is where my most latest adventure has taken me.

During the end of year holidays, we took a break with the extended family in my hometown. Staying in a resort, instead of back at my childhood home, there were all sorts of amenities for the kids. I mean a pool out back, playground out front and doting grandparents on the scene, what more could a kid ask for. Understandably, my boy was having the time of his life and by extension so was I. Precious moments like this are just what you need to cleanse the mind, recharge the batteries and deal with the world we live in.

During our little break, my usual night time get up was my long sleeve Australian playing shirt. As a pace bowler I don't employ them, so I thought at least giving it some use would be "useful." One night, after a swim and a shower, I eased into my nightwear then went to chill on the couch with a beer. It wasn’t a Murree Classic Lager, but it was definitely cold. However, before I could get comfortable, the plan suddenly changed as my little man decided he would like to go outside to the playground. It’s always great to get a better offer or even just be involved, so I leapt off the couch and followed him out the front door.

I was expecting him to go to the nearby playground, but no he had other plans instead. With me in hot pursuit, he wandered all the way downtown to a bigger park across the road from the local watering hole. After a good play on the equipment and maybe a little bit of claret, sorry mum, we headed back through the rapidly receding daylight. As the sun sank below the Great Dividing Range, that bright yellow Aussie shirt I’d never really worn became a beacon. I wasn't overly concerned, as there was hardly anyone around, but once again I was wrong

Just as we got back to the resort, we stopped in at the nearer playground for one last bounce on the trampoline. That's when some young kid spied me in the Australian getup and blurted “Cool jersey, do you support Australia?” Not sure how to answer I replied with “well, I actually just played for Australia.” Excitedly he continued “show me the back of your shirt.” Hesitantly, I turned while unsuccessfully trying to subdue his enthusiasm by stating “It was the over 40's team.” Unphased, he excitedly replied “Oh yeh, the 1940s, you guys were awesome.” Meanwhile, all the surrounding adults had a great chuckle at the supposedly World War 2 era cricketer slinking away.

Fast forward a couple more days of not accidentally wearing my gear in public and I was feeling in the clear. We were splashing around the pool having fun, while keeping a close eye on my boy. Then abruptly, out of nowhere that same boy from the other day popped up beside us. He then proceeded to yell “hey you’re that cricket guy!” Without taking my eye of my child I replied “yeh, I guess.” Slightly embarrassed, I brushed it off and continued splashing around with my young fella.

Just as I thought it was over, in walked the young cricket fan’s dad with a burly looking mate in tow. On cue, the well-intentioned young lad screamed out “Dad, Dad there’s the cricket player I’ve been telling you about.” His old man glanced over and nonchalantly murmured “Yeh I know him…he plays up Brisbane or somewhere.” With the only option of escape being left as going under water and waiting for it to all blow over, but also having a child to worry about, I was stuck in a very awkward situation. That’s when my little co-pilot stammered “shower, shower” and just like that I sprung into top father mode. Quicker than a well-directed bouncer, I rose out of the pool and crashed straight back through the garden to our abode. Not for the first time and surely not for the last time my child had saved me.

So, although in my case it turned out to be a series of funny events, take this as a precautionary tale for the return from your next journey. Despite the triumph and euphoria on return, it's very similar to being at rock bottom. This is a situation where only those that are important will stick around and you will truely know who's in your corner. So, don’t expect many to understand you and when they do they probably won’t anyway. With that in mind, look out for your mates and good luck on the next adventure, wherever it may take you.