REAL FANS WEAR BROWN AND TAN

By Moscow on May 8, 2008 5:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (22)

Summer is here, it probably won’t last but we’ve learnt to deal with that. Meteorological mediocrity is part of our lives, in fact it probably defines us a bit. We complain when it’s too cold then moan when it’s too hot. In essence, we thrive on mediocrity. Another country rather fond of mediocrity is New Zealand. As a nation they are self deprecating, sarcastic and pretty relaxed. Their cricket side, traditionally at least, has represented that quite nicely.

Sometimes they are great, sometimes they are awful, often they are average-to-middling. I look forward with baited breath, then, to the arrival of the New Zealand cricket side, but more importantly the mighty Beige Brigade this month. They are the kiwi answer to the barmy army and they are full of passion, pride, booze and wit. Maybe they don’t expect a win, maybe they do, more important than that are the cutting and creative quips and chants that will be directed at our boys. Their local rivals, Australia, are used to it:

"Waugh Waugh - Your Mother's A Door" was the call as the men in beige circumvented the language restrictions at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Another highlight is their penchant for lycra. Catch a glimpse of now ex-player and BB icon, Mark Richardson, racing Ashley Giles in the traditional finale to any test series. The get-up is supplied by the Beige Brigade who organise a sprint between the slowest two players on each team. HMS Giles won this head to head in a blaze of averageness. Keep an eye out for the men in beige on TV this summer and follow their journey at www.beigebrigade.co.nz