Pleasure and Pain

Well....where do I begin...
As everyone knows, I love Cricket.
Cricket Aussie style is ...interesting...

I am 'coach' to the Joondalup Kinross under 12's and it is fantastic...
The kids are so enthusiastic and seeing them improving is great.

The first match was 45 overs per side! played over two weekends.
Matches start at 8:30 and end at 11:30 and we won. We bowled the opposition out for 103 and chased there score for the loss of 6 wickets..... the lads were ecstatic. I was proud and life was good...however, Cricket, like life, has a habit of reminding you who is the boss...

Second game. We bowled...some of the lads exclaimed 'lets bowl em out quick and bat today.' Three 30 degree hours later, the opposition had scored 303 for 5...ouch!!!

LETS SEE HOW OUR RESPONSE GOES THIS WEEKEND!!!!!

Meanwhile my own Cricket adventure continues to frustrate me. My second match I was given one over to bowl (over 68 out of 72) I bowled a poor one and was 'rested'...I was gutted embarrassed and felt I had been treated very shoddily.

All this without 'Sweet balls' who was 'skipperring' the next team down. I will miss him as we seemed the only ones cabable of annoying the opposition...quote "he must be good he played that with his eyes shut"
"

The skipper is nice, enthusistic, good guy ...We agreed to disagree... The matches so far have been poorly executed by the players who have not performed. Many of the younger players do seem to lack the confidence to fight for the team and seem very quiet...(Yes I know Aussie and Quiet!!???) are they afraid to raise their heads??.

However the style over here does not seem 'consultative' I have not and don't expect to be asked an opinion, but after 30 years of Cricket as a player and Captain I might have some suggestions of use...???

Week two: I was at last given a chance to bat at number 5...ouch again I played a few decent shots and scored 13 I fear the chop will be dispensed which will be somewhat unfair after one batting chance in a position I have rarelly batted in... Still, results are everything.

Just to test the Aussie theory that, they, not us have a sense of humour...we will see. I have noticed the appearance of several posters proclaiming the following...

In Affectionate Remembrance
of
AUSTRALIAN CRICKET

which died at the Oval
on
12th SEPTEMBER, 2005

Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances

R.I.P

N.B-Ricky Ponting and John Buchanan
Will be crucified in a separate ceremony
And the convicts taught a severe lesson in 2006

Why would they drop me now...surely humiliation is a better option

Love STEW