CRICKET: THAT intrepid bunch of cricketing eccentrics known as Ipswich Greyhounds set off for their 37th tour of Southern England on Sunday.Another fun week is guaranteed for the party that is run on regimental lines by 'colonel' Paul Crane.

THAT intrepid bunch of cricketing eccentrics known as Ipswich Greyhounds set off for their 37th tour of Southern England on Sunday.

Another fun week is guaranteed for the party that is run on regimental lines by 'colonel' Paul Crane.

Paul has been on every tour and among other regulars in this year's party are Paul Mobbs (embarking on his 16th consecutive tour), David Goodchild, Jim Wilde, Graham Morris, Stan Singleton and Neal Manning.

Jim and Graham both travel down from the north, along with Tony and Liz Ogden, with Graham playing his club cricket for the delightfully named Upper Thong club in Yorkshire.

Bognor Regis-based Dan Hansen is touring for the first time for many years and Paul is hoping he proves a better omen than on his last trip.

"We played at Reigate on the Sunday and then did not play another game all week because of wet weather," said Paul. "It will be great to see Dan again and with at least 20 in the party on any given day the 2001 tour looks like being a big success."

The Greyhounds play five games before returning to Suffolk next Friday. The next 'major' tour is to Zimbabwe and South Africa early next year.