Defence Cricket Challenge
By Mr Merv Parr
The International Defence Cricket Challenge (IDCC) is hosted by the Australian Defence Force to promote international relationships through cricket. IDCC 09 featured all of the Anzac teams and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). Cricket aficionado Merv Parr was there.
The tour began with some intensive training, which was put to good effect with a solid win against the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in the official T20 warm-up game.
With a win under our belt, we hit the IDCC with enthusiasm. The first four games were Twenty20, with the others being 50-over.
Day 1
Game One: RNZAF (win) v RMAF
We made a competitive 137/6. Tight bowling aided by 3 run outs gave us an exciting 9-run win.
Game Two: RNZAF v RAAF (win)
The RAAF made 161/4 and, despite our efforts, we never threatened and finished 130/9.
Day 2
Game One: RNZAF (win) v NZ Army
Miserly bowling restricted NZ Army to 112/8 and we prevailed in reply with 5 balls to spare.
Game Two: RNZAF (win) v RNZN
Our batting was hot, just like the weather, leaving RNZN chasing 177. Good bowling ensured a 41 run win.
Day 3
RNZAF v RAN (win)
Disappointing batting saw RAN win comfortably by 7 wickets.
Day 4
RNZAF (win) v AA
To make the Semis we needed to defeat the Australian Army (AA), who had been undefeated for three years. The NZ-like weather saw our bowlers flourish and had AA out for 93. With a 5 wicket win we were into the semis as the 3rd placed team!
Semi-Final Game: RNZAF v RMAF (win)
Our bowling limited the RMAF to their lowest 50-over score of 198/7, but unfortunately our batting collapsed to be 43 all out.
Final Game: RMAF (win) v AA
RMAF convincingly beat AA, which was good for international relations.
World Defence Team
Sergeant Robinson and (the late) Flight Lieutenant Madsen’s outstanding performances were rewarded with World Defence Team selection against an Australian Cricket Association Masters team featuring former and up-coming Australian players.
Besides the great Aussie hospitality, the non-cricket highlight was the team providing the honour guard and SGT Robinson playing the Last Post at the National War Museum’s closing ceremony. This brought many favourable comments.
Overall, the team did the RNZAF and the Anzac legacy proud.