Aussiebear
06-24-2023, 11:09 PM
Our two industrious lads (Zack and Jake) have not just been selected to play in the Annual cricket match vs a visiting team representing VBAX, as it turns out, they were in the unique position where they actually could have won the game for the locals. Deep in the reply innings Walkabout Creek were 8 wickets down, needing just four runs to win, when Bent Axle Bob was dismissed, clean bowled by Paul H. The whole crowd collectively as one slapped their foreheads and groaned.... They knew that the only batman yet to appear was young Zack.
Batsmen the world over, are known to put on some protective gear like pads, gloves, protector, thigh pads, chest guards and arm guards, all accompanied with the helmet when batting. Somehow Zack had been pre warned about Paul H and his pace, and had a special order flown in just for the match. on the odd occasion some batsmen run onto the ground to loosen up the hamstrings, other wander on as if nothing more than a mere stroll, and then there's Zack.
For on the boundary, there's this nervous bundle of pads, with two hands holding a bat( much like a waiter with a serving tray), and the top of the helmet only just visible above the pads, wobbling its way to the centre. Zack's got so much padding on, as it makes a Hockey goal keeper's outfit look like it's been on a 12 month weight loss diet. The Umpires call for a drinks break as they understand it's going to take a while for the new batsman to reach the wicket. 4 minutes and 27 seconds later, young Zack prepares to take guard as the facing batsman. Georgiboy, the VBAX Captain, takes his time to set the field, by bringing the whole field up, then looks to Paul H, taps his chin and says "Play the music bro". Paul nods his head, sets himself, then tears in and delivers ball just short of a length, it whistles through to the keeper some 45 meters back from the stumps. Zack, who was standing there like he was the lead off batter for the Yankees, is sweating so badly, it's running off him as if he was standing out in the middle of a summer storm, never even saw it. Aussiebear, who is at a very short catching position on the leg side casually mentions to Zack.... "I see you picked his slow ball Zack.". Meanwhile, out in the crowd there's another round slapping foreheads.
Paul sets up for his next delivery, in he comes and....this one has some serious heat on it. Again just short of a length, but where it pitches, a small grass fire springs into life. Zack swings, but the ball is already in the keepers gloves. The umpires ask Zack to move forward as a means of dampening down the flames. Order is soon restored and Paul begins another delivery. This time, it is a brute of a ball, catching Zack in the middle of his chest. One second Zack was standing there and the next he's being lifted and deposited 10 meters behind the stumps. Some people talk about the time when the Americans land a man on the moon as a significant event in their lives but in Walkabout Creek it will be about "that" delivery.
Paul's next delivery was full and inswinging, a ball of the century Yorker. There's nothing like fear of crushed toes to make a batsman do anything and everything to prevent this from happening..... Zack drops the bat and somehow the ball cannons into the bat, and wobbles its way towards short cover. Georgiboy strolls over and picks the ball up, and starts to inspect the ball for damage. Mean while Zack has tumbled forward a meter, his batting partner Jake is scampering for a quick single, yells "Run", and Zack sets off for the other end. Georgiboy gives the ball another polish then lobs the ball to Pascal who whips a bail and in typical English asks the Umpire "How's that?" Zack is still 5 meters short of his ground and up goes the dreaded finger. May have to pick another sport Zack!! The crowd go back slapping foreheads.
Batsmen the world over, are known to put on some protective gear like pads, gloves, protector, thigh pads, chest guards and arm guards, all accompanied with the helmet when batting. Somehow Zack had been pre warned about Paul H and his pace, and had a special order flown in just for the match. on the odd occasion some batsmen run onto the ground to loosen up the hamstrings, other wander on as if nothing more than a mere stroll, and then there's Zack.
For on the boundary, there's this nervous bundle of pads, with two hands holding a bat( much like a waiter with a serving tray), and the top of the helmet only just visible above the pads, wobbling its way to the centre. Zack's got so much padding on, as it makes a Hockey goal keeper's outfit look like it's been on a 12 month weight loss diet. The Umpires call for a drinks break as they understand it's going to take a while for the new batsman to reach the wicket. 4 minutes and 27 seconds later, young Zack prepares to take guard as the facing batsman. Georgiboy, the VBAX Captain, takes his time to set the field, by bringing the whole field up, then looks to Paul H, taps his chin and says "Play the music bro". Paul nods his head, sets himself, then tears in and delivers ball just short of a length, it whistles through to the keeper some 45 meters back from the stumps. Zack, who was standing there like he was the lead off batter for the Yankees, is sweating so badly, it's running off him as if he was standing out in the middle of a summer storm, never even saw it. Aussiebear, who is at a very short catching position on the leg side casually mentions to Zack.... "I see you picked his slow ball Zack.". Meanwhile, out in the crowd there's another round slapping foreheads.
Paul sets up for his next delivery, in he comes and....this one has some serious heat on it. Again just short of a length, but where it pitches, a small grass fire springs into life. Zack swings, but the ball is already in the keepers gloves. The umpires ask Zack to move forward as a means of dampening down the flames. Order is soon restored and Paul begins another delivery. This time, it is a brute of a ball, catching Zack in the middle of his chest. One second Zack was standing there and the next he's being lifted and deposited 10 meters behind the stumps. Some people talk about the time when the Americans land a man on the moon as a significant event in their lives but in Walkabout Creek it will be about "that" delivery.
Paul's next delivery was full and inswinging, a ball of the century Yorker. There's nothing like fear of crushed toes to make a batsman do anything and everything to prevent this from happening..... Zack drops the bat and somehow the ball cannons into the bat, and wobbles its way towards short cover. Georgiboy strolls over and picks the ball up, and starts to inspect the ball for damage. Mean while Zack has tumbled forward a meter, his batting partner Jake is scampering for a quick single, yells "Run", and Zack sets off for the other end. Georgiboy gives the ball another polish then lobs the ball to Pascal who whips a bail and in typical English asks the Umpire "How's that?" Zack is still 5 meters short of his ground and up goes the dreaded finger. May have to pick another sport Zack!! The crowd go back slapping foreheads.