Change of Seasons - May 2010

Now the season has come to an end in Argentina it’s my first chance to experience a winter in the southern hemisphere. We are in autumn now and the temperature can climb up to 20˚C in the day, with a clear blue sky, by the evening the temperature drops down to single figures. The change in climate has made way for Rugby, the nation’s second largest sport after football. The lush green grass which we played cricket on just weeks ago has been turned into a mud bath within days. 

The Belgrano cricket pitch four weeks after the cricket season

 
At weekends, we continue to train on grass but this is made difficult by a significant amount of dew on the pitches. Sometimes, we have to wait until 11.30am before pitches are fit to play on. This problem is compounded by the rollers, which are usually pulled by tractors. The pitch has to be completely dry and hard before the roller can be used, to avoid tyre tracks outside the off and leg stumps.

Cricket played on the same pitch just weeks before

I have been told that it snowed in Buenos Aires the winter before last and that the temperature can get to minus levels during the winter. I admit, I am not looking forward to this because we do not have the option of training indoors. On the plus side, the colder climate has finally killed off all the mosquitoes and we can train in peace. Mosquito’s in Argentina swell to the size of small aeroplanes during the summer after taking their daily blood samples, with a bite like a wasp sting. Until now, it has been impossible to go out to any area of grass or water without a bottle of the aptly named local insect repellent called ‘OFF’  close by.

OFF - Don't leave home without it

The national squad are now training for the Americas Division One which takes place in Bermuda next month and the ICC World Division Four in Italy in August. We train in the evenings during the week under floodlights on artificial nets now the days are shorter. This can be hazardous as it is not uncommon to have power cuts in Buenos Aires and this has occurred during some of our net sessions. Fortunately, a power cut has not happened yet once a bowler has let go of the ball.