2.34pm
Went for a walk to the toilets under the old members stand opposite the cricket museum. Definitely the cleanest toilets I've encountered at a first class venue. I remember a few years ago visiting the toilets at Seddon Park and they smelled like cats had been urinating in them for thousands of years. These ones are freshly painted battleship grey and feature toilet lollies and everything. One of the more pleasant urinations I've had in a while. I have regrets that I didn't investigate the toilet roll delivery mechanism though. Nothing worse than a toilet roll dispenser that won't let you have more than one square of one ply at a time. Those annoying contraptions were the bane of my childhood. I'll make a note and check next time.
3.01pm
Spotted Martin Crowe wandering the boundary in a limited edition white Redfern Sons of Glory jacket. He seems to be stopping and chatting with pretty much everyone on his way around. Must be hard being a famous cricketer at a cricket ground with 60 spectators because every single person knows you. Maybe he likes talking with the general cricket public? I hope he doesn't spot me. He's spotted Chris Kuggeleijn and has stopped to talk to him. I wonder if they're reminiscing about the tour to India in 1988/89 when Kuggs took that slip catch to make Hadlee the highest wicket taker in history. Maybe he's giving him gyp about his middle name, which happens to be Mary. Quite a pretty name for a boy, Mary. Certainly prettier than Mervyn, Bert or Bruce.
3.30pm
Auckland Cricket CEO Mark Cameron just came and introduced himself to me. Nice guy. Kindly invited me to check out the hospitality in the Bert Sutcliffe lounge under the Merv Wallace Stand.
3.42pm
Retire to the Bert Sutcliffe lounge. A cricket tragic's wet dream ... actually it's better 'cos there's no washing to do here. Photos, memorabilia. A bar with a view to the pitch. This is perhaps Auckland's best-kept secret. I wonder if they serve tequila?
3.55pm
Just realised my car is in a bus lane which becomes a clear way at 4pm. Don't want to leave but don't want to be towed either.
3.58pm
Leave Eden Park. I think Wellington were on top.