Home Supporters in the Spotlight Supporter Q&A – David Peacock

Supporter Q&A – David Peacock

by Addis Army Cricket

Q: What was your first overseas Test match?
A: Brisbane November 1994, aged 27, achieved a lifetime’s ambition to watch the Ashes in Australia. As a schoolboy I had stayed up into the early hours listening to the commentaries, all the grounds had magical connotations for a sports mad youngster and then I was there. 

Q: What is your most memorable overseas Test match you’ve seen?
A: It has to be the Boxing Day Test  2010-11 and to see the Australians capitulate to 97 all out on their biggest day of the Series. The homes fans deserting the sinking ship in their tens of thousands as we pile up 157-0 and the sheer elation and atmosphere generated by the England fans. It was capped off by all the players doing The Sprinkler in front of The Barmy Army in The  Great Southern Stand and then our own massive celebration in The Turf Bar.  That was my Carlsberg moment and will live with me forever.  

Q: Who is your favourite current England player?
A: Ben Stokes, box office in every facet of the game. 

Q: Who is your favourite England player of all time?
A: Alec Stewart – loved watching him bat, a brilliant keeper and a huge supporter of the Barmy Army in our early years. 

Q: Who is your favourite opposition player of all time?
A: Supporting Lancashire as a schoolboy and watching them many times at The County Ground in Northampton it had to be Clive Lloyd. As a fan I can’t bring myself to like any opposition players but I do retrospectively admire Mitchell Johnson. His song, his golden duck at the SCG and then getting his own back on us in 2013-14 when he was unplayable. An honour to have watched  it all. 

Q: What is your favourite overseas Test ground and why?
A: Adelaide, the beauty of the ground, the history and detail of the scoreboard and all the great times I’ve had on the  grass bank and the countless sessions in The Cathedral. The warmth of the welcome we always receive, it’s association with the Barmy Army and capped off by a decent record with  victories in 1995 when the player’s celebrated long and hard with us in Lord Raglans  and then of course going 1-0 up in 2011 with such a stunning start to the test.

Q: Which country is your favourite to tour and why?
A: Australia, for me it’s always been all about the cricket so it has to be The Ashes. It defines The England team and every player’s career and therefore it’s the ultimate series to watch for me.   I have been very lucky to have been on the last 7 tours. If it’s not all about the cricket then I would personally recommend Sri Lanka as a tour to go on,  for the beauty of the country, the warmth of the welcome and the great value for money.

Q: Of all the cities/towns you visited on town, which is your favourite and why?
A: Bendigo 95, a mid-Series Game v Victoria on the 94-5 tour, about 15 of us who were following the tour went and those few days were simply surreal. From the local paper headline of Barmy Army comes to Bendigo, to a presentation on the pitch from the President of the club, to drinking with both sets of players and getting VIP treatment from the pubs and clubs was just an incredible experience and one I’ll never forget.

Q: What is your most memorable non cricket moment on tour?
A: The honour of being only the third white team to play cricket against Soweto CC for the Barmy Army on the 1995 Tour, then to be invited out to one of the local shebeens and carry on drinking until the very early hours with the opposition.  To go back in 2020 and to play against and catch up with so many of their original  team was  both humbling and  brilliant. The day being capped off by opening the batting with Leafy and this time managing to get off the mark!

Q: What do you enjoy most about touring?
A: Very simple, I love cricket and it’s a dream come true to watch England, especially overseas. Going to some amazing countries, meeting so many fantastic people, many of whom who have become lifelong friends and just having the most amazing time regardless of whether we win, lose or draw.  I’d have to highlight the brilliant atmosphere and humour in the grounds, the  endless laughs in the pub,  the enjoyment of playing against the opposing fans and the unbelievable hospitality, welcome and scenery that each country has provided.  

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