Cricket Superstars

In a hastily yet worthwhile arranged fixture, the Lordswood U15 team found themselves in somewhat uncharted territory today having not quite played a side like this before.

The school in question is a bastion of sport (and academia) who pride themselves on their sporting glories - notably rugby and cricket - and have county, national and district level representation across many sports and disciplines. 

Upon arriving, our motley crew of part-time cricketers, led by their charismatic and dashing captain Mohit, proceeded to warm up under the watchful eyes of Bobby (yes, the Bobby). Having travelled separately, and knowing our opposition would be there after us, I decided now was the time to pick up a well earned (and preemptive) Costa, extra hot, extra shot. Without wasting a second of the precious moments before the toss, I gave orders for half the team to loosen their arms and bowl to our temporary and only wicket keeper Shaban, whilst the others were given a catching warm-up by Kamran - quite possibly the largest U15 year old you will see give anyone catching warm ups. More about Kamran Later.

Unbeknown to most of the Lordswood massive, the oppo's captain today was a certain S. Samir; who although shares some similarity with me, did try his best not to acknowledge the fact that I was indeed his father...murmurs and some rumours began to circulate within our camp, 'uh? who? how? naa man...Sir?!' but I swiftly dispelled any such notion that my loyalties were split and that today, I was a Lordswoodian first and a father last. At ease, we gathered around my team sheet and clipboard, sat, and forged out our plan for victory.

Gaskirit (our talismanic and towering opening bowler) took the new ball and marked out his run up. Fielders made their way everywhere and anywhere, until all were set and fine tuned by Mohit, like a conductor orchestrating musicians - it really was magical. The KES umpire called play, and Gaskirit ran (thundered morelike) in and fired down the red, shiny ball to the KES opening batsman, who wearing shorts, played and missed, narrowly missing the stumps! A chorus of 'Ooooos' and 'Aaaaaaas' rang around the pitch; everyone it seemed was now at ease, and any nerves it seemed disappeared for everyone, except the shorts-wearing KES opening batsman...I sensed this. I wondered, did Gaskirit? Next ball proved he did and highlighted just how much these boys loved their game. After bowling his 2nd delivery, the shorts-wearing KES opening batsman called for a single, only to be turned back by his partner, but too late - Gaskirit picked the ball up like a boy with a Lordswood homework deadline and fired it down to the wickets running him out with a direct hit and without scoring.  Lordswood could not have asked for a better start. 

In total, 8 bowlers were used and all bowled well - pick of them was Gaskirirt himself, bowling 4 overs, claiming 2 wickets for only 23 runs (figures that are like gold dust in the cricketing fraternity). And Hamza, who seemed to cajole everyone with his mystifying run up and action, and an equally mystifying glare, bowled 3 overs claiming 2 wickets for only 18 runs - crucially picking up the wicket of the younger Samir, and KES captain. Hamza, not quite knowing whether to celebrate or not, was reassured when I said 'well bowled' and that he would not get into any trouble.

KES still amassed an imposing total of 159 for 7 wickets at the end of their innings. 

After a quick 2 minute team talk where I took pains to explain that the pitch was actually smaller than what they are used to, the batting order and instructions were handed out, to which Kamran replied, 'don't worry Sir...sab teek hai' (translated: 'I'm on it; all is ok') The boys seemed confident. Kamran seemed unperturbed but once we got underway again, a quick wicket fell, and Kamran went in almost immediately. Normally, and again cricket lovers everywhere will know this, if a quick wicket falls, then the next batsman should not rush and take a few moments and deliveries to play his way in...not our Kamran. He hit his first ball for an almighty 6, the likes of which these KES players had not seen. It might still be travelling, somewhere. Batting with Mohit, this was our best chance of getting anywhere near the total - a partnership was needed. Mohit played a few glorious strokes, and after I told him not to be nervous, he retorted with the type of retort only superstar, international cricketers are used to - 'you're right sir...I am the best'. Might I add at this point that this was confidence, and in no way arrogance, a real quality of sorts on Mohit's young cricketing shoulders. Unfortunately, Mohit fell the very next over with a ball that, according to him, did everything. That normally means it's unplayable. From where I was standing and umpiring, it did really look as if he missed a straight one. But Mohits of this world don't admit to such petty weaknesses in their game and absolutely right not to.

Kamran was ready for the next ball. He went on to hit 4 more 6s and plenty of 4s - his innings was summed up well by another KES player to his teacher when he confirmed 'he hits the ball really hard sir'. Kamran, like all great batsmen, finally succumbed to a slower ball on 64 with about 4 overs to spare, and with at least 44 more still needed for victory. His steady and laboured walk back to the confused Lordswood team said it all. There wasn't much hope at this point, but the remaining batsmen toiled and battled their way to a total of 132 before the final wicket fell. Lordswood were short by 28 runs. In 40 years of playing cricket, this would rank in my top 3 for being the most unpredictable, and most enthralling. 

The team played above their level and above expectation. After the game, both sets of players shook hands and 3 cheers rang out aloud; Mr Fair, the KES Master in Charge of Cricket today, commended the Lordswood players and mentioned to his team how none of our players are actually playing any club-level cricket, yet we gave them more than a glimpse of what talent can do.

A quick and sincere thank you to Mr Calder, Mr Bradshaw and Mr King who turned up and supported our side and watched to the very end; the PE staff for doing a wonderful job with their cricket coaching, and also Bobby, without whom the team would probably still be making their way home. Please do congratulate the boys when you see them. Mohit, Kamran, Simon, Gaskirit, Jashan, Amritpal, Prayansh, Hamza, Inder, Shaban/Aun (year 9). 

Thank you Mr Rauf for your excellent commentary!