Global Cricket Series - Day 7 Tobago 2027
Caribbean Tour Diary – Day 7… birds, heartbreak and the one that got away! 
Today was a slightly more civilised start… no mad rush this morning!
Breakfast consisted of the now obligatory fresh fruit, yoghurt and French toast. I could quite happily get used to Caribbean breakfasts… coming home to a bowl of Shreddies is going to be a disappointment!
Stuart would be loving all this fresh fruit 
Before we even left the hotel, though, there was a very important consultation taking place…
Fin’s X-rays made their way down to breakfast where they received expert analysis from the tour’s very own medical panel—physio parents, doctor parents… everyone had an opinion! It was like an episode of Morning Live, just with more coffee and less professionalism. 
Talking of live TV Coach Dean & team captain Miles only went on local TVs edition of good morning to chat about the tournament 
With the bus not leaving until 9.15, Some parents and I took a stroll to the local mini mart. We’d been warned there was absolutely nothing near today’s ground, and with a growing teenager (and hospital patient!) to feed, emergency snack supplies were essential.
Today’s venue was Moriah…
And what a setting!
After climbing higher and higher into the hills, the bus suddenly took a sharp bend before plunging steeply downhill to reveal a cricket ground tucked away in what felt like the bottom of a valley. It was one of the most picturesque grounds we’ve visited.
Thankfully, there were marquees up today and—luxury of luxuries—proper chairs! No concrete steps to perch on this time.
The only downside?
The muddy grass underfoot meant shoes had to stay on… a tragedy for those of us who’d perfected the art of spectating barefoot! 
Before play started, a few people wandered around the boundary…
Big mistake.
It turns out one side of the ground was home to ground-nesting birds who took protecting their chicks very seriously.
Get too close and suddenly you’d have an angry flock dive-bombing your head!
The assistant coach discovered this first…
Closely followed by several unsuspecting players.
It quickly became clear that at Moriah, you weren’t just playing against the opposition… you were also taking on the local wildlife! 
Batting first, the Trailblazers looked in complete control.
At 124-2, a huge score looked on the cards.
Then cricket reminded us why it’s such a wonderfully cruel game.
A mini collapse saw 124-2 become 142-8, before the innings eventually closed on 172 all out. A competitive total, but one that perhaps felt just a little below what had looked possible.
The chase began with the opposition putting together a solid opening partnership of 61.
No panic.
The boys stuck to their jobs, stayed disciplined in the field, and suddenly wickets started tumbling.
85-5…
121-6…
128-7…
161-8…
163-9…
Suddenly…
It was on.
One wicket needed.
Two runs required for the opposition.
The whole ground held its breath.
The next ball went high into the air.
The catch was there…
Take it… and the boys complete one of the most memorable wins of the tour…
…
…
Dropped.
The batters scrambled the two runs they needed, and just like that, the game was over.
I’ve rarely seen a group so gutted.
They’d worked incredibly hard, fought their way back into a game that had looked beyond them, and come within inches of pulling off a famous victory.
Sometimes cricket can be wonderfully cruel.
Meanwhile, Fin had fully embraced his new off-field role.
Throughout the innings he channelled his inner Adam Sandler in The Waterboy, somehow carrying armfuls of drinks with one hand while balancing even more using the cast on his injured arm!
Who knew a plaster cast could double up as a drinks tray?
Thankfully, the evening provided the perfect pick-me-up.
We headed to a beautiful Italian restaurant opened by a chef who moved from Italy to Tobago over twenty years ago. Fresh pasta, incredible local produce and one of those meals where every course somehow tasted even better than the last.
The perfect way to end another unforgettable day.
Tomorrow already brings our final day of cricket…
A round robin featuring two T10s, a T20, and then the awards evening.
Already?
Honestly… where has this week gone? 
