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Over the next couple of weeks I will take you on across the world on another cricketing junket. This one is first to Malta, of all places, where we play two matches before heading on to the World Cup in England. Martin and I have some media work to do at that event, while Jeff has some new tennis responsibilities, so it was an easy decision to stop over on this delightful Mediterranean isle. It was to become the inauguration of the CCC Crowe XI, the Crowe Cricketing Cronies. The concept belongs to my nephew Rusell Crowe, whose own cricketing career may have been frustrated by his burgeoning film acting. Russell is a natural athlete and sportsman, not surprising as his father and my brother Alex was a brilliant sprinter and soccer player before the family knee was badly damaged at rugby at Christ's College. He lives in Australia now so he travelled directly to London with his elder son Terry. Our flight stopped over at LA International airport where I was amused to hear a constant loudspeaker announcement: "Travellers are not required to pay money to solicitors." Sounds like a good idea for our country. A sign proclaimed that "this airport does not endorse or encourage panhandlers." As I use a carpetbag for my overnight gear I was apprehensive that a shoulder could be tapped at any time. After the movie LA Confidential its obvious anything can happen in the City of Angels, and what arm of the law would believe me if I claimed to be uncle to a star? Malta Airport was a pleasant experience, for we were ushered smartly through the VIP lounge without suffering the usual tedious formalities. Malta is often used for film making and this was the third location for the major Spielberg production "Gladiator." As months of shooting had taken place in wintry England and then tinder dry Morocco, it was an inspiration for Russell to organise our family teams' first matches against the local clubs. It meant a welcome break from the hard drive of a massive production, where the cast are often on set for up to 20 hours at a time. We were soon down to work for a three hour net session, followed by team talk and tactics. There was dispute over the leadership issue so I asserted my patriarchal authority and took over. Those other captains still have a lot to learn. There was also debate over the batting order so Alex and I opted to go down the list and leave the younger set to dominate the early proceedings. All this preceded an amazing event that was held in the Castello dei Baroni at Wardija. We were summoned by the Grand Priory of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. The Knights of Malta are headed by Chevalier Baron Adrian Busetta who is also Deputy Grand Chancellor Europe and Baron of L'Aquila and Wardija. The occasion was a fund raising for little Alessandra Haber who suffers from cerebral palsy and requires brain surgery and special medical transport. It was also the 900th anniversary of the birth of the Order. It was held in the munificent castle that is also the Baron's home and we were taken away by the splendour of the event and the courage of the little girl and her parents. In these troubled times it was doubly warming that the parents voluntarily surrendered half the funds raised to support the 44 refugees from Kosovo who are being harboured by Malta. We were all moved to support Russell's substantial contribution in recognition of our good fortune in being able to enjoy good health and world travel in the pursuit of sport and fellowship. Next report: How we coped with all this, and the cricket! Send Dave some feedback. | ||||||
