The General Spin

Locally purchased, bat eight fittingly fulfils the ‘spinners’ position. Used by locals, children and indigenous security forces, it truly illustrates the power of cricket to build rapport and facilitate freedom of movement. This was in sharp contrast to the ‘public’ division at the heart of the coalition. GEN Stanley McChrystal, who ran the Afghan campaign over this period, was sacked shortly after signing the bat for criticising politicians. Imagine criticising politicians?! McChrystal was replaced by GEN David Petraeus, with whom the author and Mat Locke MG shared an office during 2003 / 04 in Baghdad. Interestingly, the bat was ‘lost’ by GEN McChrystal’s office, thankfully to be returned months later back in Australia, sparking rumours that Stan may have preferred practising his forward defence rather than his putting in his office