May 24, 2004
"Oh. My. God."
This was sent me yesterday by my good friend Tom Burroughes in London, who gave me permission to reprint here:
Hi Russell, you remember my friend Martin who came over to California back in 1995? Well, he did a crazy thing today -- he went to Lord's cricket ground in north London, and as a "dare", took his clothes off and ran across the pitch before getting booked by the police, all the while producing pandamonium in the crowd.Oh. My. God.
Tom follows up that, "I checked the cricket reports on two channels and I have not come across the incident although I notice the television channels often tend to brush such stuff [aside]." He says that Martin was hit with a small fine and given a warning by the police. Anyone hear about this incident? Monica? Posted by Russell Whitaker at May 24, 2004 06:36 AM | TrackBack
It's called "streaking". Basically it consists of as you said, stripping naked and creating a ruckus out on the field by running around waving one's arms and generally avoid being caught by the police or the players.
It's not unusual to see this at cricket, football, rugby or tennis matches. As your friend mentioned, it's treated as a bit of fun and brushed off by commentators. Unless the streaker is especially adept, matches may continue as if nothing is happening. It's not really newsworthy. I'm surprised your friend was so shocked.
It's taken to its highest form, of course, when the lady streakers take the field. :)
Posted by: James on May 24, 2004 10:20 AMWe call it "streaking" here in the U.S. too.
Tom wasn't expressing shock that someone would streak at a cricket match, but that *our buddy Martin* actually went out and did it.
Posted by: Russell Whitaker on May 24, 2004 10:25 AMAh, I see now. Did his mates put him up to it?
All good clean family fun.
Posted by: James on May 24, 2004 10:31 AMRussell -
I don't have a TV.
I don't read the newspapers that cover sport or those (The Mirror, The Sun) that might print a naked man's ass on the front cover.
Oh, and one very, very important thing - I don't watch cricket. (Or, as those of us well-acquainted with the REAL origins of the game will know: 'krikkit' - HHGTTG).
I do sane things, rational things. I let men hurl me around on a mat for a couple of hours and have my wrists twisted in ways that wrists aren't supposed to go. I forgot just how painful a good training session is, now if you'll excuse me I'm off to bed - likely to dream of naked cricket ninjas....eek....
Posted by: Monica on May 24, 2004 04:41 PM