My Cricket Diary

It was my childhood dream to play at any level of cricket in the UK!! And alas, it happened on my childhood buddy Giri's 38th birthday (21st Aug 2006). I played for the Burgess Hill CC against Bolney CC at the picturesque Bolney Cricket Ground. BHCC lost this match big time. I was guilty of dropping two sitters (one that cracked my little finger), and lost out an opportunity to "bat-it-out" in the middle. But still, the day does give me very happy memories. Also made me think how easy it is to be an arm chair expert, while how tough the execution can be. For example:

Catching: How little time a fielder gets to judge and catch a 5 and half ounz cricket ball!! And then, there are external factors like the wind, the moisture in the atmosphere etc. that comes into play.. moving that ball out of a fielder's grasp at the very last minute. Blessed indeed are those who catch everything that comes their way!!

Line and length: It looks so easy when seeing the likes of McGrath, but is it really that easy? I bowled 5 overs for 38, and thought I actually bowled well!!

Bat - even if you're injured: I have seen frenzied columns of reporters asking cricketers to bat with a fractured hand just to show a bit of patriotism. Hey, when you have a fracture - nothing comes to mind, except the pain. :-)

# posted by Unknown @ 1:35 AM