For all the bone-seriousness that the on-going ball tampering scandal has brought to cricket, it cannot be denied that it’s also fertile ground for world-class piss-taking.
Case in point: England’s notorious Barmy Army have exhibited zero sympathy for the situation and any of its affected individuals, cashing in on any opportunity to rip the whole thing a new one either by raucous chanting or, in this case, a little bit of cheeky gamesmanship with rival players.
The Poms are currently in New Zealand for a test series against the Kiwis, with the second test beginning in Christchurch today.
As is customary for outfielders, former NZ captain Ross Taylor took the time between balls to jog over to the fence and sign a few autographs for hungry youngsters.
Enter: The Barmy Army, and more than a little bit of cheek.
Some intrepid traveller, all het up on good-ass Kiwi froth dogs no doubt, handed Taylor a sheet of sandpaper to sign. Not realising what it was, Taylor obliged.
Ross Taylor signs a piece of sandpaper. pic.twitter.com/2JGPjmON5r
— England’s Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) March 30, 2018
Fair play to ’em, that’s a decent gag. And Taylor clearly saw the lighter side of it once he realised what was going on.
Still won’t stop any of us from quietly jotting the Army’s name down on a nondescript list while we wait for the Ashes next year.
Turnabout’s always fair play, lads. No matter what the circumstances.
