Bondi lifesavers revive jaded tourists, by Jamie Pandaram - 9th January 2008
(Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald)

THE TERM "Aussie spirit" has held a certain connotation among the Indian players following the Sydney Test debacle, but an encounter with some iconic national symbols yesterday reminded the visitors not to judge a country by its cricketers.

So when the side met Bondi's lifesavers and played a friendly match of beach volleyball after spending most of Monday on a bus or in hotel rooms, it meant much more than clearing heads and stretching legs.

"The Australian culture, we embrace everybody, no matter what has gone on in the past," said head lifeguard Bruce Hopkins. "That's all forgotten and you get on with another day, and that's what happened here."

And well before the International Cricket Council bowed to pressure by granting Harbhajan Singh an appeal against his ban and sacking under-fire umpire Steve Bucknor from the next Test, the tourists enjoyed their first victory of the day: India 14, Lifesavers 12.

It wasn't the result that was important but the contact with the Australian public to reaffirm the players' belief this country is sympathetic, fair and fun.

Giggles erupted during play, points were offered back and forth between the teams - "you take that one," the Indians offered - even Harbhajan was laughing as he sat on the sand observing the action.

And as Mahendra Dhoni and RPSingh jumped into a game of beach soccer with local youngsters, and Irfan Pathan signed autographs while also taking holiday snaps, it was apparent that the Indians' view of Australia has in no way been tarnished by their annoyance with its cricket team.

"All that sort of stuff was in the back of their minds today, you could tell," Hopkins said.

"They came out here to have some fun and get away from things for a while. They started by just joking around with each other, and then joking with us. I think it was a real success.

"No matter what goes on, you are still going to look up to an international cricket team. To be playing at that level, they are still great athletes and they've shown that in beach volleyball."

Olga Colavecchio, who provided the net and equipment for the match is an experienced player and said: "A couple of them were really good players."

And while the tourists welcomed their beach experience, the locals were more than happy to meet one of India's national treasures. "Sachin Tendulkar is one of the greatest cricketers in the world," Hopkins said. "Most Indian fans go crazy just by looking at him, and I got to play a game with him."

Profiles

Bondi Beach

Cricket