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 Fleming
and Astle wrote this book during the Black Caps' tour of Singapore,
Zimbabwe, Kenya and South Africa during 2000, aiming to record,
diary-style, the experience of playing cricket in Africa.
Unfortunately, it was not as positive as they hoped. The tour
was marred by numerous injuries amongst the New Zealanders
and a woeful double series defeat in South Africa. As a result,
Cricketing Safari - particularly Fleming's contemplative
'internal monologues' - often makes for a gloomy and depressing
read, although the tone of the work is lightened by Astle's
interspersed segments of casual 'chatter'. Still, the 2000
touring season included some highlights for the Black Caps
- the 2-0 defeat of Zimbabwe and, above all, the Kenyan campaign
which saw Fleming's team win the innaugral ICC KnockOut Trophy,
all described first-hand. The book also includes some entertaining
photos - check out Roger Twose in the hot/cold tub, and Flem
as Mr Ed!
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