Game reports by Phil Cordingley
The 2003 MacRobertson shield was played at the National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, FL., USA from 1 to 15 November 2003
| Position | Team | Tests Won | Matches Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GB | 3 | 65% |
| 2 | Australia | 2 | 51% |
| 3 | USA | 1 | 44% |
| 4 | New Zealand | 0 | 40% |
Everyone arrives safely, David Maugham after a day's delay courtesy of Air France. In Paris though, so could be worse. Minor sartorial problem with GB blazers, solved when we discover that Dave and Robert have swapped shapes since they were bought, so a simple switch solves it.
In terms of the teams, the USA team is probably the most interesting. Their selectors have made the brave, but probably correct, decision to field their strongest team ever for any International by selecting John Taves and Jacques Fournier, who have had little competitive play over the last two years. They are also considerably strengthened by the eligibility of Wynand Louw, who is South African by birth. They have also selected two rookies, Curtis Drake and Kenster Rosenberry.
New Zealand has not been helped by the late withdrawal of Bob Jackson, who has been replaced by Peter Parkinson.
GB has put out a team of five old sweats and one newcomer, Matt Burrow of Jersey.
Australia has included some youth, with Trevor Bassett and Simon Hockey in their twenties. They are also the least experienced, with three newcomers.
The lawns are fast enough to be testing, the hoops reasonably firm considering the sandy soil. Wind strong enough to affect travelling balls.
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© 2003 The Croquet Association - www.croquet.org.uk