Day 3: Sun 25 October

CricInfo multimedia manager Rohan Chandran gives
us his daily view of the Wills International Cup...

"In this country, red means stop, and green means go!" No, I'm not talking about the lights used by the third umpire - it's simply what an ever helpful policeman in Hong Kong once told a jaywalking tourist. One does wonder though, what the Dhaka police might say. We've done a fair bit of driving around the city in the last few days, mostly in the three wheeled "baby taxis." It's been a really unusual experience, because unlike most places I've been, I've yet to feel any pangs of fear for my life. There's a clear system on the roads, and everyone seems to understand and follow it well. There's just one thing that I'm struggling to come to terms with. Apparently red and green both indicate that you should continue to proceed as normal. So what colour is stop, and why haven't I seen it anywhere yet ?

Speaking of driving, we actually had a car take us to the stadium today. With the exception of Simon, who is fast turning into a quintessential CEO type, we've all come to the conclusion that the three wheeler is the way to go. They're just as comfortable, they go faster, and they can make manoeuvers which would do a gymnast proud. It took us 30 minutes by car to cover a distance which normally takes 10 minutes by baby taxi.

This time difference is very important, because we need the extra twenty minutes to pick Alex up off the floor every morning. That's got nothing to do with the empty bottle of Glenfiddich either - apparently he just can't stay on his bed. I have yet to hear anything go thud at night, but it's little wonder his back hurts if he keeps falling off like this! I wonder what the lady who cleans the room makes of it all.

A couple of the Australian players finally arrived in Dhaka today. They checked into their hotel, and then got right down to business. The first thing they wanted was a doctors prescription for malaria tablets. They were told in no ucertain terms that this is a malaria free zone. Now I want to know why my doctor didn't tell me that before. Surely it has nothing to do with the fact that I had to buy 7 malaria tablets at a total cost of 80 US dollars ?

South Africa beat England handsomely in the important action today, but I'm afraid I barely saw a ball being bowled. In a way I don't really mind though. The whole experience of being at a day night match, with such a brilliantly enthusiastic crowd, was well worth it. England's cricketers certainly don't receive such passionate support at home, and I suspect neither do South Africa's.

Interestingly, the three South Africans who failed to contribute to the victory appeared to suffer a punishment immediately after the game, being forced to do a series of intense thirty yard sprints. They continued until they were completely worn out, which took a frighteningly long time. It all seemed a bit unfair really when you consider that it wasn't their fault that they weren't selected.

Perhaps Adam Hollioake could learn a thing or two from them. The poor chap was so tired after his efforts with the ball that he declined to come out for the post match press conference, sending David Graveney in his place. It may well have been the truth, but my life savings have been staked on Adam wanting to avoid questions about his Shane Warne impressions.

Tomorrow ought to be a blast. If we remember to actually go and get him this time, we'll have Tony Greig on air, video and audio. I've done a bunch of audio interviews for CI before, but the video, if we can pull it off, will be a first. Tony's an absolute top bloke, and internet savvy, so it should be well worth tuning into.

Footnote: I appear to have offended one or two readers in my diary, and for that I unreservedly apologise. I would however ask people to please understand that it is not my intention to be disparaging in any way. The intent of this diary is to provide a personal insight into what we're doing here, and to look at things from a lighter perspective at times. As always, please mail any comments, feedback and anything else to me at rohan@cricinfo.com