Wednesday, April 18: Final week at last! Can't believe how long this World Cup has gone on for, and everything that's happened since it started. Roger, André, Herschelle and Justin setting fire to the hotel. AB's voice breaking. The whole team reacting to the gumbo at dinner during the Sri Lanka game, and almost choking. The mystery of AB's stuffed dinosaur being kidnapped by 'BD' (Billy Doctrove, we think). Herschelle getting six sixes in a row against Belgium. Months of cricket almost at an end; still one long and nerve-wracking week to go, though, until Australia. Have to admit I'm a little nervous.

Thursday, April 19: Slight injury worry after nets today. Have been working on a surprise bouncer with my arm ball, and dropped it fractionally short; hit my foot, and caused a surprising degree of pain. Makhaya collapsed laughing, which wasn't terribly respectful - or terribly bright, considering I haven't picked the team for the semi-final yet. Sat recovering while André bowled flat-out for an hour, screaming abuse at the end of every follow-through. And that was just bowling to a stump...

Friday, April 20: Still no news on Barney, and AB has really gone into his shell. Tried to find Billy Doctrove in the phonebook, but no luck. Maybe it isn't him responsible - but who else? Ashwell suggested Bangladesh, but that doesn't really make sense. Mark suggested Barry Richards, because the short form of Richard is... and then collapsed laughing. Sometimes wicketkeepers can be very immature. Herschelle suggested the Scottish player Dougie Brown, as the initials match. Bishops education... Lots of discussion on the yacht we were on (took a break to spend some time out at sea), but still no luck. Did bump into a scuba diver as we docked, though, who emerged from the water behind the yacht. Baby-faced guy behind his mask, and his brief 'hello' sounded decidedly Afrikaans; something strangely familiar about him.

Saturday, April 21: Foot still a little sore, so left Mickey to run the net session (Percy hasn't been seen for a couple of days, although housekeeping does have a growing collection of trousers, found each morning in the hotel bar). Did a bit of shopping to take my mind of things, and ended up with some awesome Caribbean curios (genuine stuff, not tourist rubbish): a giant conch shell (the West Indian vuvuzela, I reckon), a red, green and yellow knitted beret with fake dreadlocks (be great when I want to go shopping at Sandton City and avoid the paparazzi), and best of all, a Bob Marley Greatest Hits CD which - wait for it - he'd actually signed! Guy in a side street sold it to me; apparently, Bob signed the genuine stuff 'Marlee' for clandestine authenticity. Cost me a bit, but pretty damn cool. Emancipate yourself from the off-side...

Sunday, April 22: Dropped in at the police station just before practice, to pass on another piece of evidence, intercepted at reception - another letter to AB, with 'Wonder if Barney are flammable? Go home now!' scrawled on (and this is key) a piece of paper from the Bloemfontein Holiday Inn! Must mean the player or umpire responsible toured South Africa, and was involved with a game in Bloem! Another muted response from the sergeant on duty, who said he knew what was flammable, and wandered off clutching a bank bag. Takes a while to pick up the local lingo.

Monday, April 23: St. Lucia. Beautiful island, but not really in the mood for sightseeing. Great news for AB though - Barney's back! Police raided a hotel room early this morning, where there were reports of a woman being attacked; all they found was a stereo system, a couple of Patricia Lewis CDs, black and white photos of the team pinned to the wall - and Barney, minus one ear (I'll get Mickey to sew it back on). AB burst into tears, and phoned home immediately; great relief throughout the team. But who was the mystery 'BD'? Billy Doctrove? A rival player? A disaffected fan? I guess we'll never know.

Tuesday, April 24: There's a nervous edge to the team at the moment, very much the quiet before the storm. Andrew has been glued to his iPod, watching footage of 'The Big Show' versus 'The Undertaker' he downloaded this morning. Jacques and Mark argued whether to play five-day or one-day games on Brian Lara Cricket. Jonty did a couple of lacklustre cartwheels down the corridor, and then slumped down behind a copy of Adrenaline Junkie magazine. Then we watched the Sri Lanka game together; quite a performance. Sri Lanka in the final, if we get there. Won't be much sleep tonight.