The most common complaint a service class man makes "it has been Monday all week." I am no different and my wait for the weekend starts the time I go to bed on Sunday night. It’s not that I am a lazy person but relaxing is my best hobby. Weekend gives people a chance to meet each other which creates social bonding. Although I hate meeting anyone on weekends but it is satisfying that I am a responsible citizen who thinks about the society.
. . and then I came to UK to get another reason to wait for the weekend- CRICKET !! I have played this game till my collage days and then took VRS at the age of 21. I have been playing quite well at that time and every now and then I used to surprise everyone by scoring few runs. So why did I retired? Perhaps I became the Service Class Man after that or perhaps as a socialist, I wanted to give space to other young players who were waiting for their chance. Whatever was the reason but for last few years my vision of cricket has been reduced to the 29" Idiot box.
My 3rd UK visit this year reincarnated the cricketer within me. One of the player in my Boss's team has backed out so I was called to play a match for his team. Outsourcing has been a great phenomenon during the last 2 decades and I think that it’s not only the brilliant bhartiya brains but also the capability of Indians to play cricket which makes the Indian outsourcing companies favourites among Britishers. Somehow I also feel that during the 18th century, Britishers have foreseen that their upcoming generations will be short of players for their national game and that is why they spread this game among the natives wherever they established their colonies.
I was anxiously looking at the clock when the doorbell rang. I opened the door and found an English man smiling and extending his hand towards me. I greeted him and came out to go with him. I then realized that I was going to get a lift in a stylish BMW. I was thrilled and at the same time I recalled memories of my school days when in the scorching heat of May, I used to carry two of my teammates on my Hero Jet Cycle for around 4-5 kms to the ground. What a luxury it is now !!
The ground was around 35km away and situated in a small village. The BMW zoomed through the scenic countryside. With the up downs of the road, it was a roller coaster ride. The way was covered by lush green trees as we went thought a small forest. I had to confirm that whether we are going to play cricket or are actually out on hunting. He removed the roof of his car, smiled back and said 'both, but we will use balls rather than bullets.'
First glimpse of the ground was mind-blowing. I felt that the child within me was more excited and the cricketer was simply delighted. Ground was surrounded by the sunflower fields and covered by lush green grass. Day was damn sunny and breezy. Pitch was well rolled, hard and grassy which reflected that it’s going to be a typical English bouncy wicket. I looked at the outfields and realized that two side screens are kept at both ends of the pitch. Now that was another luxury which I never had in my Cricketing career. This was not the end of surprises, there was a pavilion too, which was situated at around 6 ft from the ground. Inside, there were two changing rooms, a well equipped kitchen and a small Bar. 'Ohhh Man . . It’s going to be a great picnic today' I told to myself.
Match started and we fielded first. Our captain was a 70 year old man. In India, it’s difficult to find anyone who would be involved in any outdoor games at this age. Later, I came to know that there were many Father-Son pairs on the field and I was amazed when their wives and daughters also joined in to cheer them up. Who says that people in the west are not social!! Family bonding grows stronger when children encourage the parents to perform.
I came to bowl my first over on the English soil and considering the weakness of Britishers, I bowled spin. I have been sent out of the boundary for short deliveries but much to my amazement, got big time respect for the full length, flighted deliveries. Those balls which would have gone for six in India were remained near the pitch and I heard people saying 'Well Played, mate'. I got my first lesson of cricket at the international level.
A batsman attempted to hit my flighted delivery which was slightly over-pitched. Ball went up high in the sky and then started descending to the player standing at the mid on. Everyone in the field screamed 'cccccatch it'. I looked at the ball, then to the fielder and then back to the ball . . It came down, landed in his hand and then tossed up. He dropped the catch. I was astonished. My first wicket in UK was so close yet it went so far. I could not believe it and I was literally shocked when others on the field started consoling him 'Unlucky mate, Unlucky'. In India, if somebody would have done that he would have reminded of his whole family by his team mates and that would not be enough, the opposition team would have started yelling ‘GADDDHA hai, GADDDHA hai’ (That is the place through which ball can easily be sent to the boundary). I have discovered that why Cricket is considered to be a Gentlemen Game here.
Opposite team scored 222 in 45 overs. Thanks to unlucky attempts at 4 instances. We went back to pavilion. This was the first time I have played this game for so long. I was feeling hunger of food as well as runs. A variety of sandwiches and English snacks were waiting for us. I quickly fed myself and started waiting for my turn.
Our captain, the same 70 year old man went for Opening and scored 29 in 85 balls. What a classic inning it was!! We had lost the hope and match by the time he got out and rest was formality. It was my first match so I was sent in the middle at number 11. I went to the non striking end and other batsman got out on the next ball. I have made my debut but did not get the chance to bat. Unlike the typical Hindi movies, it was a tragic end. But I wasn't disappointed. At £6, it was a great day out and worth of the time as well as money. Hope I will not be UNLUCKY next time!!
