[Anthropgrad] ANTHROS VICTORS IN CRICKET MATCH

[Francesca Merlan]

ANTHROS VICTORS IN CRICKET MATCH – BUT UNDERGO MASSIVE IDENTITY
CHALLENGE, LARGELY SELF-INFLICTED (AS USUAL)

In yesterday’s Eighth Anthropology-Archaeology Cricket Challenge, held
on Fellows’ Oval (future Vice-Chancellor’s parking garage), a team of
anthropologists leveled the cumulative tally to 4-4, defeating the
soi-disant `archaeologists’ by 99-92. But most interesting on the day
was the play of identities, cross-overs, and border skirmishes.

It was early revealed that the assembled group was heavily weighted in
favour of anthropologists, led by its Scandinavian organizer, who
thought we were all there for an early-season round of down-hill slalom.
Quickly disabused of this by an absence of snow and lack of skis, he got
the group engaged in some pre-match practice, and many who felt
themselves pretty inadequate to the task were mightily encouraged by the
arrival of a few Aussie and Kiwi-looking types who actually seemed to
have some grasp of the game. 

But shortly, in order to try to realize that Anglo spirit of fair play
by evening up the numbers, three from the anthropology side, who shall
remain nameless, actually volunteered to play for, or even as,
archaeologists. The first of these, Patrick Kilby, commented as he
removed himself spatially from the group of anthros and literally `went
over’ to the other side, `I’m not really an anthropologist anyhow, so it
probably doesn’t matter’.  The second, Kevin Murphy, was heard to
mutter, `I’m been so long on the border between Australia and PNG that I
really do feel a bit liminal’, and he matched action to word by standing
between the two groups as long as this chameleon position could be
sustained. The third, Patrick Guinness, umpired in a spirit of fairness
and disinterest for most of the match, but also wicket-kept for the
archs, and late in the game suddenly handed over the tally-sheet to
Andrew McWilliam (seemingly because he was one of the few who seemed to
know what he was doing all the way through), donned some pads and upped
the ante in batting and running. Between Guinness and Murphy, things
could have been lost for the anths! But this raises some interesting
problems of who anybody thought they were, on which more below.

There were some game highlights, such as a stellar catch behind the
wicket by David Butterworth, Alan Rumsey’s nailing a high-fly which put
out one of the more dangerous-looking arch players, some deadly bowling
by John Burton and Stephen Meatheringham, and high batting scores from
Damian Tybussek and Fraser McDonald (does culture require practice, or
does it osmose?).  The character of the game was illuminated for some of
the newer arrivals to these shores, like Assa Doron, who with typical
personal diplomacy couched his views thus: `This game really is very
good for contemplation’. It remains unclear whether Doron ever
understood which side he was playing for, or that there were `sides’.
In summing up the implications for the future, Bec Parke noted that all
of Patrick Kilby’s courses will henceforth be re-badged as archaeology
offerings.

Relationships of sidedness were made more incalculable by appearances of
hangers-on large and small from RMAP in multiple roles;  of key
archaeologists, including Matthew Spriggs, after the game but just in
time for the barbecue; and of Phil Taylor, who’d just arrived a few
minutes before from Viet Nam, noticeably jet-lagged and under the
impression that he was about to attend another temple festival. 

A good time was had by all, and a big thanks to Bec Parke for getting us
together, Heather Leasor for cooking beyond the call of duty, Sue Fraser
for continuing to run outside of office hours, and everyone else who
helped and came along. 

It was decided the next competitive event would be baseball, where the
North Americans – who, some Australasians rather ungraciously noted,
persist in `chucking’ the cricket ball and batting like Willie Mays –
may have some hope of redeeming themselves.

A Participant Observer