Brisbane paparey bowled out before taking the crease

Though domiciled in Australia, those of Sri Lankan origin feel so much for their country of birth.

This is why Brisbane residents, seeing the team's poor performances on the first day of the first cricket test, wanted to organise a ' paparey' band to lift the national team’s morale. With none being available in Brisbane, they got in touch with their compatriots in Melbourne who organised one for them.

The plan was for the band to fly from Melbourne and arrive at the Gabba in time for most of the third day's play. Several Sri Lankans had also planned to go from the third day onwards as the first two days of play were working days.

However, with our batsmen falling like ninepins early on the third day, there were fears that the 'paparey' would be in vain. Frantic calls were made to the band members asking them not to undertake the trip. However, band members were already airborne, en-route to Brisbane. In the end, the trip ended on a sour note and they returned to Melbourne with not a drum beat being played, leaving organisers in Brisbane out of pocket. The fans who went to watch the team perform were also out of pocket having paid for their travel arrangements.

Perhaps the well-meaning Brisbane Sri Lankans should have consulted Cricket Australia first. When they marketed the test match tickets, only tickets for the first four days were available for advance purchase -- the fifth day was not. By the way, those who bought tickets for the fourth day were offered a full refund by Cricket Australia -- maybe even they did not expect such an easy victory!