The Seagulls head to Sri Lanka

The Seagulls squad on their  tour to Barbados in January 2013

This January sees fourteen of St Andrews’ most talented cricketers embark on a once-in-a-lifetime tour to Sri Lanka. Armed with only their wits and an excessive amount of stash, ‘The Seagulls’ take flight on January 4th to apply their skill-sets to the dustbowls of Galle, Kandy and Colombo. Leaving behind the green-topped fortress of University Park for flatter pastures, The Seagulls will have to adapt, and know that a true challenge of character and ability lies in store for them.

Many of the greats of the game have had their definitive moments whilst on tour. Namely, Club wicketkeeper George Robinson rose to prominence during the Seagulls’ last international sojourn to Barbados. With an eclectic mix of tiring old warhorses and dewy-eyed freshers in the ranks, the 2015 tour will see a coming together of talent that hopefully leads to greatness.

As the days until lift-off tick away, the final desperate fitness sessions and last-minute kit purchases have created a palpable sense of excitement within the Club. With little over two weeks until the first ball will be bowled, The Stand sat down with Captain John Lowe to discuss all things tour:

John Lowe is a natural leader. As we start our interview at the bar he wastes no time in getting the first round in and thinks nothing of ordering the suspicious sounding ‘Haggis Nachos.’ He is refreshingly laid back for a man with such responsibilities. It is not too long until he will be walking out to bat against first-class outfit Galle CC at the Galle International Stadium, but instead of worrying about the turning ball, Lowe’s mind is on tea leaves – specifically those of Sri Tea, the tour sponsor. Wittering on about yogis and oolongs it is clear that the Seagulls owe a lot to the generosity of Sri Tea. “We are very thankful to them”, were his exact words.

The Seagulls are sponsored by UK-based tea company Sri Tea

We work our way to some seats and the conversation quickly turns to the touring squad. The Seagulls certainly boast some talent at the moment and Lowe has managed to build on last year’s BUCS winning side with an influx of some serious players. Indeed, it hardly seems believable that Hari Soneji, an international u23 captain, now plays for St Andrews – I guess it’s a sign that the club is moving in the right direction. Lowe has the air of a proud father as he talks about the intake of Freshers who have managed to force their way (with the help of a fat pile of cash) into the touring squad. From the sounds of things St Andrews cricket has excellent strength in depth with Alex ‘Haino’ Haines, Caspar Everett and Kit Betley all bringing something new to the squad.

The Club has added to the squad that were victorious in BUCS 1A 2013-14

Lowe is a veteran of the infamous Seagullian tour to Barbados and so knows what makes a successful tour. It is clear that cohesion in the team is important. The tumultuous events of England’s Ashes series down under have clearly had an effect on the young captain and he talks openly about the importance of man managing alpha-males George ‘Big Cheese’ Robinson and Ali ‘El Presidente’ Stokes. It certainly sounds an unenviable task, but one that has to be done if the Seagulls are going to be able to compete against the likes of a ‘Sri Lankan Combined Universities XI.’ Lowe muses as I ask him what advice he would give a young tourist. “It’s a game of two halves,” he says with the typical dry northern wit to which I have already become accustomed. I ask who he thinks will be the stand out players on tour and this time he elaborates. He indicates that Max Arthur and James Earnshaw could be potential game winners at the top of the order whilst also mentioning Kunal Chopra – St Andrews’ answer to Lasith Malinga – and the self-proclaimed Chris Gayle of the side, Tansher Singh.

The Seagulls will take on Galle CC at the Galle International Stadium

A lull in conversation is met by the arrival of the nachos. Lowe seems unfazed when it looks just as disgusting as it sounded on the menu and digs in with aplomb. I can’t help but think that this sort of cavalier attitude to food will come back to bite him in the sub-continent. By the sound of things there are some big and adventurous eaters amongst the tourists, with Tommy Abbot leading the way in this regard. Having already taken on every eating challenge that St Andrews has to offer, he has expressed his excitement at taking on the Sri Lankan cuisine, regardless of the consequences.

I am offered to share some of the nachos but I politely decline, shifting the conversation instead to the fitness of the squad. The ‘Gulls are playing six matches whilst on tour, and in the sweltering heat of Sri Lanka, this is no mean feat. Lowe however, seems confident that the touring party’s strict fitness regime will pay dividends. There have been beach runs a-plenty as well as a blanket ban on the axis of culinary evil, Empire and Dervish. The team are svelte, physically strong and relishing the chance to get undone by a 15 year-old mystery spinner.

The Stand would like The Seagulls all the best in their sub-continental endeavours.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons