May 17, 2003

Cricket

Michael always tells me that Americans would never adopt the game of cricket because they would not be able to comprehend the appeal of a game which lasts five days and can still end in a draw. Well, I don't know what that says about me, because I have grown to love the game.

I have learned to tell the difference between a leg spinner and an off spinner, to talk of googlies and wrong 'uns and yorkers. I've learned all the field placements, and the words "three slips and a gully" roll easily off my tongue. I could talk to you at length about the shameful underarm incident of 1981, and explain to you why Donald Bradman was the best batsman ever in the history of cricket. And, if you were inclined to listen, I could go on and on about how cricket is the perfect combination of strategy, skill and luck.

Last night I fell asleep to the sound of cricket commentary on the radio. New Zealand versus Sri Lanka, second innings, New Zealand batting. That sound is so comforting to me - the gentle pace of the game, the quiet account of each ball as it's bowled, the way the commentators ease the play-by-play description into the flow of the conversation with barely a pause. It makes me feel so secure and peaceful.

I did not grow up with cricket. There is nothing in my background which should evoke such a feeling in me, but listening to it and watching it just seems so normal to me that it seems like I have always done it.

It makes me feel like I am home.

Posted by deb at May 17, 2003 09:54 AM
Comments

Have you read anything by Crusoe? His real name was Robertson-Glasgow. I've never played or seen a game and probably never will, but I enjoyed the man's writing.

Posted by: Eeksy-Peeksy at May 17, 2003 10:50 AM

Keep talking. Sounds like the language of Cricket would be a 'funner' and easier language to learn than French or German. And your blurb --though short and non-specific has made me really curious about the game.

Posted by: Roberta at May 17, 2003 05:53 PM

No, I haven't read any Crusoe, but I understand he was a witty cricket writer. I love to read books on cricket, except players' autobiographies which seem to be obligatory these days and ever so mediocre. Can do without those. Clever commentary, I love.

Roberta, you're right, cricket does have a language all its own - "bowling a maiden over", "out for a duck", "a hat trick", "owzat?", "a leg-cutter", "night watchman". I could go on for a very long time, so I'll stop now :) Cricket rocks, folks.

Posted by: deb at May 18, 2003 12:36 AM

bowling a maiden over

I'd almost forgotten that. He he.

Posted by: Waspish at May 18, 2003 10:31 AM

One has to admire a game that stops for lunch and afternoon tea.

Posted by: Catherine at May 19, 2003 10:19 AM