England, United Kingdom
This chapter will be rather brief. It is this way, as many of the overseas readers may not understand the game of cricket. But to all, the game of cricket is more a way of life, a religion, even a passion. This was somewhat spoiled recently with the South African ball tampering saga where the Australian Captain (Steve Smith) and two other players Cameron Bancroft and David Warner, were caught red-handed (you’d think that they would wash their hands !!), tampering with the ball so as to gain an advantage. The Australian hierarchy subsequently banning these players for a year or so. I have more to say about this in a later chapter titled, “World Events”.
But to Lord's. Fred had organised that our accommodation was only 20 minutes walk from the hallowed turf of Lord’s. So named after Thomas Lord who in the early 1800s established this ground from which the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) sprang. The latter was essentially responsible for the proliferation of the game. It is regarded world wide as the home, the Mecca, of cricket.
It seemed like “centuries” that I held the desire to come here. I was really, perhaps somewhat, “bowled over” by the experience. For those of you who think that I am over stating this, I will “go into bat” to further support my feelings until I “run out” of ideas. In fact, a French gentleman on our little tour didn’t know all that much about the game, so I decided to explain the game to him.
After offering this rare opportunity to this somewhat “backward” level of understanding another 2 other gents joined this tuition. Indeed, it was the “third man” that appeared the most interested. My explanation started like this:
You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man that's in the side that's in goes out, and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out. When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in, out. Sometimes you get men still in and not out.
“ .............When a man goes out to go in, the men who are out try to get him out, and when he is out he goes in and the next man in goes out and goes in.
“ Most interesting said one of the gents. But I had to stop him as I said, “Wait there is more”.
“ .......... There are two men called umpires who stay out all the time and they decide when the men who are in are out. When both sides have been in and all the men have been out, and both sides have been out twice after all the men have been in, including those who are not out, that is the end of the game!” “Wow, sounds like a very complicated game you could have knocked me for a “six”, said the gent just about to “slip” away from my conversation.
He returned when I indicated that he was brave to wear shorts on such a cold day. He said, “ I want to show off my “fine legs”. Well, I was astounded to the point that I felt that I had just ‘bowled a maiden over”. They seemed to be impressed. I reckon that I was a ‘big hit”. I was careful not to step outside any “boundaries”. I allowed my inner self to “drive” me forward with such an International Act of unity and understanding.
“Merci bouquet”, the gents said, let us proceed with the tour. So into the famous Long Room, the players’ change rooms and the very odd looking media centre. All very interesting and well explained. These areas along with the very well stocked museum, all adding to this rare viewing.
Fred and I had to have the customary pint of English bitters (at room temperature of course). This we had in the Lord’s Tavern next to the ground.
A bit of a warm-up for dinner that we were to have later that night in an English Pub. Fred having the “fish n chips” and I had bangers and mash. All washed down with a pint of Guinness and a local Pale Ale.
Kathii Langadinos
2018-04-05
Ian, Your explanation of cricket is only for the initiated..... as for the rest of us - the ins and outs of cricket are still a mystery. Can I presume your audience was a "captive" one?
Louise Payne
2018-04-05
Did you explain the ins and outs of cricket as you went in or as you went out?
John Dunn
2018-04-05
Perfectly understand. You are a master of the words
HAGG
2018-04-05
YOU BOWL ME OVER BRO !! BEHAVE YOURSELF !! PLEASE ??
Stewart aka "the son"
2018-04-06
I wanted to add some more puns but needed to first consider 'howzat' appropriate to upstage the author of the blog. Well I'm here to 'declare' that the linguistic apple doesn't fall far from the 'willow' tree. Yes truly, the 'Duke' of puns has to take the 'gloves' off every now and then and 'cut' loose. Just reading the above I thought there was more to 'cover', or in some cases just provide 'extra cover'. Now it may 'seam' as though I'm being overly critical or making a 'silly point' here but I believe the 'gully' between us is plain to see for anyone. But if you don't agree with my 'pitch', that's 'fine', it's been a privilege to 'square' off against the ol' man none the less... ...for now this is me saying 'over' and 'out'
Slim
2018-04-06
Well done Stewart you are your fathers son a chip off the old block
Suzanne Morey
2018-04-17
My Norwegian work mate fully understood your explanation.