Swans Phil Johns, Daryl Taber and Chris Batchelor at the MCG

Today’s Herald Sun newspaper reported on yesterday’s play (the 3rd day) in the Second Test match at the MCG between Australia and South Africa. The Proteas tail wagged furiously. JP Duminey the Duminator and the Stubborn Steyn made a 180 run 9th-wicket partnership which is the third highest ever. Brett Lee’s foot stress injury will keep him out of the team for at least 6 weeks.

The Herald-Sun screamed – “Shell Shock!”, “Injured Lee out for the summer”, “Proteas tail humiliates Aussies”, “They’re clueless (the Australians) says Ian Healy”.

It’s not all good – unless you happened to be one of the following members of the Vietnam Swans – Phil Johns (current National Prez), Daryl Taber (former Prez) and Chris Batchelor (former player from Hanoi). They were located high in the stands of the Members’ Pavilion watching the drama unfold below on the hallowed turf. They then managed to slip into one of the bars for a quick, quiet one and bumped into a mate of fellow Swan, Micky Francis. Bouncing off him, they then bumped into another who knows Will Martin and Sam Grigg. He was tall, athletic, young – and destined for the Hong Kong Dragons (no good!).

Johnsy, Taber and the Batchelor are currently in Melbourne on a fact finding mission reviewing the MCG with a view to having Hanoi’s famous Dead Cat Stadium upgraded (nah, not really. Johnsy was in from Vietnam and Taber was in from Brisbane for Chrissy. The Batchelor, married with children, now lives in Melbourne).