Buck's Blog: Back on tour
Sun, 31 January 2010
It's great to be back with the boys again and on tour. It's been over a month away, after missing the Big Bash and having to nurse a broken hand. Touring sounds like one of the perks of first class cricket. Away with eleven mates for a week or so at a time - throw in a game of cricket or two - and people think we are constantly on the equivalent of an end-of-season trip. The reality is it's not as good as it sounds. We're here on business and the emphasis on professionalism is at an all-time high. Let yourself down with some ill-discipline, like a night on the tiles, and it could be your last. But that doesn't stop people from enjoying each other's company. Banter amongst the guys is non-stop and if you get a good roommate, it can be a great week. Dirk Nannes was my first 'roomy' when I started playing for the Bushrangers and still one of my favourites. As soon as we arrive Dirk drops his bags on the floor, sets up his two laptops and goes about his business. On days off, I've known him to sit there all day typing away, while on others he will sleep from 8pm until midnight and then get up and work until 3am. It scares the bee-gees out of me when I have to get up in the middle of the night for a toilet run and he is banging away on his laptops. And on top of this uniqueness, he is hilarious and has me laughing all day with his off-the-wall humour. Dave Hussey is another favourite. We end up playing two-man Euchre - a card game we both learned in Perth that usually consists of four players. We'd get Warrior Dave Bandy, and ex-Warrior and now the fitness guy for the Australian cricket side Stuart Karpinnen, to come over and play for hours in two teams of two. I was never on Huss's side then, and so the rivalry continues. At the moment he might have the edge on me but it is definitely luck. A few guys always like to room together. Brad Hodge and Andrew MacDonald are best mates and like to, but sometimes they break it up and let their prot
by Chris Rogers, opening batsman for the DEC Bushrangers
