Hey Blog! Returning to a subject I talked about nearly two years ago, this post is about cricket!
Cricket is a team sport, played by an 11-man team on an oval field, or pitch. The players take on three roles – batting, bowling, and fielding. Two innings are played – the teams take it in turns to bat for an innings and then switch. There are several dozen fielding positions, most of which I still can’t quite remember; two wickets of three stumps each, where the two batsmen stand; and one hard red leather-wrapped ball. While it may not be the most famous sport, there is a rather sportsmanlike feel to playing a game of cricket on a sunny summer day, and having fun no matter who wins or loses then enjoying that classic, the cold ginger beer. I have played since I lived in Barbados, so for over a decade, and find it most enjoyable.
I currently play for the Under 15s team (15 and under would be more accurate) and I seem to be about the average for the team. My bowling is mostly accurate but rather slow; while I’m trying to bowl spin this year, my spin seems to go forwards rather than bouncing sideways! My batting is ok; I generally last a couple of overs (sets of six balls) before getting out, and most times I get out it is to a good bowler hitting my wicket rather than someone catching the ball I hit. The majority of games this season, I have scored only a few runs, but I did score 19 runs (including four 4s!) last match. My fielding is good; it’s the thing I’ve practiced most so I would expect it to be better. I am helped in this by being fast, thanks to my long legs, and I can throw the ball quite accurately. However, I could do some more work on catching – I broke my finger recently in a bad catch. I would say personally, I need quite a lot more practice – not while my finger is broken, but maybe at the end of the summer.
At the beginning of this year, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to carry on playing – it was another evening out of the house, two in the summer for matches as well, and, honestly, at that point I was a little frightened of facing the ball while batting. It felt like balls came a lot faster than I could react, and were likely to be a lot more painful. However, this year I have come from that level of nervousness to not minding much and absolutely loving it! So I’m pretty proud of how much I’ve done this year. Especially as – did I mention – I hit four 4s last match!
I should explain the scoring system. Runs are the term for points – as they are scored by the batsmen changing ends of the wicket quickly by running between them. If the ball reaches the boundary of the field after touching the floor, it is counted as four runs. If the ball reaches the boundary of the field without touching the floor, it is counted as six runs. I have hit one six – before the other lads caught up with my growing and I was stronger and faster than most of them so I found it easier to hit the smaller boundary. Because all our competitors’ fielders are now rather good, it is rare for any of my team to run two runs, and rarer to do so without getting out. Some of my teammates hit several sixes a match now, though it’s risky as by hitting the ball up in the air, it’s more likely to be caught and get you out. My favourite shot, if I can make it, is the four – safe, but effective. Have I told you? I hit four of them the other day!
I have also played one senior cricket match – playing with the adults, including the coaches – and that has been brilliant. While I didn’t score many runs, I felt the team worked well and I’m looking forwards to more next year! Finally, very recently, I have tried scoring. This is due to my finger, making me unable to risk catching in case I injure it more. So I get to sit on the side, press buttons to record the scores, and sip a glass of lime and soda in comfort. I’d still like to be out on the pitch, and it’s a hard job, but somebody’s got to do it.
I am super proud of what I’ve done this year, and am really looking forward to playing some more next year. Hopefully my finger will be healed by then and I can get back to bowling people out and hitting fours!