Postcard from New South Wales

Hello everyone..

A chance to see many of the Australian side at the Sydney suburban ground of Hurstville Oval was too much to resist to-day. So I jumped on the Gosford to Central train and then on to Hurstville for the not so princely return train fare of $2-50. Thank goodness for State owned railways. The 4th day's play had already started when I arrived with Steve Smith batting. NSW were playing Western Australia. He went on to make 127 in his usual fidgety but occasionally sublime manner to the frustration of the bowlers. After NSW declared their second innings Western Australia through openers Marsh and Bancroft  played excellently to put on 179 for the first wicket. However, WA then completely collapsed to the fiery NSW bowling ending up 223 all out. NSW won the match by 171 runs. Sensationally Mitchell Starc took a second hat trick in the match ! The quartet of NSW front line bowlers : Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon will doubtless play in the opening Ashes Test at Brisbane's Gabba a fortnight to-morrow.

I have to say I fear for England and in particular the batting but hope I'm proved wrong. 

All the best

Andy

Andy has since been to the Women's Test at North Sydney Oval and photos from that day and this day can be found on Facebook/HarryButlerDaft