My young fellow played his first game of cricket on Saturday. A handful of parents were there to watch their kids play in the Under 10s.
A collection of picnic rugs, camping chairs and scattered cricket equipment provided the grandstand as parent and sibling watched on, cheering every wild swing, delivery that landed on the pitch or occasional run.
It brought back some memories. As a boy growing up in country NSW, summer meant one thing.
Cricket.
I was from a young age a cricket tragic and my son is the same. I was always playing something to do with cricket.
Playground cricket, backyard cricket, indoor cricket, throwing and catching a ball or bowling for hours at an old chemical drum. Nowadays whenever I get home from work it’s to be greeted with “Do you want to play cricket, dad?”
Apparently the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
My son has all the books by David Warner or Glen Maxwell. He tells me his favourite shot is the ramp shot. Perhaps this is because these days kids don’t play with a rock hard six stitcher in the under 10s.
When I was a teenager my favourite book was The Joy of Cricket by John Bright-Holmes.
Just short of 300 pages, with Beefy Botham on the front cover, playing a pull shot, naturally.
There are no words to describe how much I loved that book. From the on-field exploits of cricket legends, to poetry about the early days of the game and tall tales about grudges between neighbouring counties playing out on the cricket pitch.
It couldn’t have been more appropriately titled.
What came through those pages was a pure, unadulterated love of the game, with all its traditions, quirks and foibles. Thrilling victories, devastating losses, gentlemanly declarations and over all the contest between bat and ball.
I saw that love of the game in action on Saturday: 20 kids out there doing their best to get the ball to the other end of the pitch. The intense concentration as the ball comes near.
The boasts of “I’m going to hit the first ball for six!” from the next batsman in. The sheer joy of hitting the ball past the fielder.
If you ever find yourself despairing when you read about team selections, clashes within past captains, 5-0 whitewashes and so on, remain calm. There’s a solution.
Get yourself down to your local park and watch an under 10s game. The excitement of these kids when they take a catch, or hit the ball, or get a ball on the stumps is an absolute breath of fresh air.
Or go and see a local seniors’ game for that matter, where the players play for the love of the game.
It’s the love of the contest between bat and ball.
It’s the joy of cricket.
Dutski
Guest
Thanks all. It just top fun watching people play for the love of the game. I can't help but wonder "what if I hadn't been so timid with the bat. What if I didn't have a suspect bowling action. " If it weren't for injuries that have curtailed my own playing days I'd be all fired up to be out there myself. And now we have the test coming up tomorrow. Ah cricket!
Ozzie Bob
Roar Rookie
I don't have kids of my own yet but my early memories of cricket are the best! I was obsessed with Dean Jones, I don't know how many time i read his books and all the 89 ashes diaries! I was always deano in the backyard. Playing under 9's/10's cricket was some of the best times of my life. My Dad still talks about me being under my first high ball. 'Please god let him catch it' was going through his head. Thank god I did. Playing with your mates and the first four or first wicket was the greatest! The best thing in those days with the under 10's was the fact that you batted in a pair and you had four overs. At the end of the game the number of wickets lost was put against the number of runs scored. Waiting for the parents to do the maths to determine the winner was heart breaking! Greatest game of all.
matth
Guest
It's good fun, no doubt. Around the 10 or 11 age, my son was on $5 per four, given he was the smallest in the team and played like Chris Tavare. Then out of nowhere in the last game of the season he hits two fours in an innings and from the on field celebrations the other team must have thought the game was over. This year I have just sat through a two morning game on a diabolical pitch. After leading by 50 or so on the first innings, my son's team were rolled for 30, but then fought back. Last over before times up we needed 3 wickets and they needed 9 runs, so all four results possible. Two bowled's and a run out later and the boys have been in a good mood for a few days now.
Ben
Guest
Great article Dutski. I too took my 9 year old down for his first u11s game a couple of weeks ago, very interested to see how he would respond. Watching the young kids learn the nuances and the pace of a cricket game is fantastic. My boy - he did great, not overawed by being the smallest, he has the correct instincts to get in line when it's straight and fast and to give himself room too whack it when it's wide. What a way to spend a Saturday morning!
AlanKC
Guest
What a great day! Glad to hear your young bloke is infected! Growing up in country Queensland every break at school in summer involved hastily arranged games of cricket followed by backyard games when we got home - good times indeed.