The Wicket

I spent much of the afternoon watching the cricket action taking place between these two sets of stumps, a wicket of precisely 22 yards in length. It might just look like a strip of grass but it is very much more than that. This strange cool and windy weather might not be very conducive to watching cricket, but it seems to help the preparation of a good pitch with decent bounce and carry. Both the ground and the wicket were looking better than I've ever seen them - and I've watched a great deal of cricket here.

The first team won today, in the cup. They were lucky to get the chance even because they lost in the first round, but got forfeited the match because the opposition fielded an ineligible player. They were away at Olicanians where the boys actually learned their cricket. They always like to do well on their return here and Forrest did just that today. Chasing a target of a little over 200 he helped put on 60 odd for the first wicket before nicking off behind for 33. He looked as confident at the crease as I'd ever seen him and played a couple of glorious straight drives. I love seeing the ball timed to perfection and hit hard all the way along the ground. He's feeling better about life tonight. And that's rubbed off on me too.