Let's All Play Cricket
During this period of high sporting fervor, with country pitted agains country, I write to enlighten you to a sport that has International prominence but is little known here.
From the backyard version played by children with basic equipment, to local weekend competition, to International Test Matches, usually played as Series of the best of five, Cricket is the consuming interest of millions worldwide.
Major participants are England Australia New Zealand, South Africa, India Pakistan, Sri Lanks and the West Indies. You may perceive the influence of the British Empire in the countries involved. This accounts for the myriad of Knighthoods bestowed for "Services to Cricket"over centuries.
Formal cricketing attire is white, although a One Day version (called a travesty by purists), often occurring under lights, is played in pyjamas in different colors for each team involved.
Two batsmen, one on strike, defend three flimsy wickets with two bails atop, on a pitch 22 yards long, from the onslaught of the other team who are fielding. Each team enjoys two innings and test match proceedings last 5 days each of 8 hours play, for a result, perhaps ~ unless a breakthrough is forced by either team. Of course the wicket suffers wear over the proceedings and may later favor slower spin bowling over fast. And of course the advent of the "new ball" can change things drastically.
Like voyaging by yacht, cricket has long periods of slow pace, interspersed by moments of sheer exertion. Spectators vary from the formal members to the more relaxed, laid back even As Cricket is a huge spectator sport in the countries mentioned, during its season interest is at frenzy level. "Taking a sickie" can mean "at the cricket". Spectators watching spectators is not unheard of either.
"Avagoyamug" is considered a term of endearment. You can practice it as your Strine word of the day.
Terminology is a big thing in Cricket. You have openers and tail enders. You have players in slips, in the gully, at long on, silly mid-wicket, square leg and a variety of other strategic spots. Overs of 6 balls are bowled (rigid arm over) before ends are changed. "no balls" occur that can affect the score of runs but don't count in the over. Batsmen can be bowled out, caught out, run out or determined lbw (leg before wicket).
Two umpires are in attendance at all time, holding hats and jumpers, providing sun screen, indicating fours and sixes and determining all out situations. Of course, lunch and tea are taken formally, supplemented by drinks.
Books on Cricket abound, usually found under Humor. So many are written by the participants, often detailing a warts-and-all look at personal experiences. You can take to heart the feelings of Australian batsmen talking about in India in century heat, playing before 150,000 raving fans ~ all of whom have had curry for lunch.
Your next step - find your local Aussie (we're everywhere), ply him with an ale and ask him his experiences of cricket. You'll be hooked.
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