Cricket

I was born to watch the game of cricket from Sofa, ... not to land in the midst. If I ever have to step in the field, I must be ruler ... i.e. the umpire. I was so bad at batting, my highest score was a well-compiled 4. I was the original butter-finger. And the only ball I knew to bowl was a toss up and its-up-to-you-where-you-hit. In fact it was the society-cricket with its law of declared-out-if-you-hit-above-first-floor that fetched me few wickets. Whenever the fielding captain threw the ball at me, it usesd to be out of dispair than a vote of confidence.

So here I was next-in-turn for batting. The next to me was already warming up. Only this time, my cousines were standing near by, probably watching my game. I had my pride at stake.

Usually, I would choose heaviest bat. It used to be a funny site. I had a pretty thin build-up. After the ball was delivered, my concentration would be in lifting the bat so as to the connect the ball! This time, however, I accepted my own defficiency and picked up the lightest bat.

The geography of our fied was sort of 't' shaped. A pitch, emtpy drivable area in front, behind the slip and square of the wicket both on and off side.

First one, a bouncer. I realized it was a bouncer only after I had freed my arm and heard a gasp from one-and-sundry watching the game. The ball had disappeared in the square leg region. It was miraculous. I don't even remember seeing the ball.

The bowler sneered at me. It was his pride at stake now. A square leg was put in place. Next ball, again a bouncer. Another freeing of arms. Same result. The square leg put in position for the shot left searching for the ball.

The bowler got mad at me. He questioned, why I never play like this when we play against outside teams. Actually, the question was rhetorical, because I would figure in the playing eleven only when the team would be short of a guy.

I actually started enjoying the game for the first time in life. Next ball was a yorker length and I, like a pro, got fully forward and managed to push the ball in cover. It went the distance and I started for a run. However, the ball went to bushes and according to the law, 1 run was declared. I was too happy, since I would continue to enjoy my batting for another ball. I cut short my run and was returning to the crease. Suddenly a fielder found the ball and threw it to non-striker's end and I was declared out.

My great inning lasted 3 balls, each ball etched in my mind.
I was so happy with my performance, I did not bother protesting unfair runout.
I turned around to locate my source of inspiration. They were gone! I don't know when.