Old Sweat said:
Actually the game requires a lot of skill, even with the tea breaks. It just is not suited for the North American mentality.
Oh, and if you would like to see snow, come and shovel my driveway after the next dumping. I guarantee you lots of hot rum and a big feed of hot pork and beans in front of the fireplace.
Haha, that sounds fantastic. I'll be on the next plane over! I just need to find my hat...
Maybe your right about the North American mentality. It is a slow game and requires a lot of patience. I used to coach a team of under 12's and it was great to see the transition in the fielding through the season from fidgety at the start and relaxed at the end. For a 12 year old kid to stand out in the field for 5 hours with only one or two quick drinks breaks is really something, but my kids learnt to relax and enjoy it, while still pulling off sharp catches and good fielding after hours and hours in the sun.
I remember when i was playing in Vancouver, a group of American kids came over while i was putting on my pads as i was batting next and starting asking me about it. "How fast does the pitcher throw?" they said as the bowler sent down a scorcer to the bloke batting, "This bowler bowls at about 130kmh" i said, "Thats about as fast as me" said a 12yr old kid, "Its the a bit different though...". I couldnt make them understand the difference and the intricacies. That it takes 10 wickets before the teams swap, that the batsman can only go out once, that because the ball bounces its actually quite a bit harder then if it is thrown at you on the full...
They got bored after 5 minutes and walked off. Maybe it is a North American mentality to need instant action and drama. But people who play cricket understand the need to wait and be patient. I like to think that someone who plays cricket can use it for the rest of their lives. The phrase "Its just not Cricket" isnt just some old English antique, its a term that i still use that describes things that modern society seems to have forgotten. Things like playing by the rules, waiting your turn and respecting others. Really, its a not just a game, its a way of
living life.
Anyway, enough of me singing about the game! 5 down for 230 now! They're chasing 440 and unless South Africa's tail wag's we're looking really good for a big win. Still, anything could happen in the second innings
