Hit for six
Across the road from our seaside hotel the local boys challenge our Habitat team to a game of cricket. It turns out we're better at building houses than building a run chase.
For those of us not content to relax at the hotel after a hard days work - to swim in the ocean, dive in the pool, take a full body massage or just have a drink at the bar - the evenings entertainment would be provided in the form of a friendly cricket match. It should have been obvious what lay ahead. The local lads were grinning from ear to ear and laughing compulsively at our group of guys and gals. The captains lined up and we negotiated a few playing rules. Limited over was the flavour although the system of point scoring seemed to have lost something in the translation. The toss was won by the local team and they had no hesitation to bat first. Fading light and a tricky pitch would prove formidable advantages. They also provided an umpire for proceedings whose impartiality and experience was never in doubt.
Our team was a mish mash of nationalities but none-the-less designated 'Australia'. Not wishing to be lambs to the slaughter we recruited our local Intrepid leader, Bruni, our local guide, Sisera, and the bus driver, Andrew. They found another couple of Sri Lankans to join up and when the fist ball hit the deck it looked like we might have a chance - fight fire with fire.
To the credit of our enthusiastic team we did manage to take wickets and we did hold our own. It wasn’t until late in the game that the run scoring got out of control and the 'Australian' team fell apart. The bowling remained stoic in attack but lacked the penetration of our experienced contributors. A few of the girls showed the way however by taking wickets and proving difficult to cart over the fence for six. No such luck for yours truly of course. Amidst the howls and screams of joy from 'Sri Lanka' the target score had been posted - 175 runs after 12 overs.
Our team was studded with potential however and the daunting total before us was no barrier to our confidence. We had a few look-a-likes in the line up and felt sure that the presence of Ricky Ponting and Darren Lehman would drop back those cocky Lankans a peg or two. Ricky did indeed take a liking to the pitch conditions and was in fine scoring form when disaster struck and he retired hurt with shoulder pain. There were a few close run-outs to heighten the drama and the umpire, supplied by our team for the second innings, sought assistance from the third umpire. Silence is golden and the batsmen invariably received the benefit of the doubt.
In the dying moments of a gallant run chase our Scottish representative took charge of the pitch. Having never held a bat before he demonstrated a cool head and mighty blow as the runs began to flow. His innings was cruelly cut short by a catch in the deep and with the loss of his wicket went any hope of a win. In the end we fell less than 100 runs short and can take a measure of pride in that achievement. The match photo was taken with all the members of both teams and will be a treasured snapshot of this great sporting event.
Our touring side managed better fortunes a few days later when taking on a some village "under 9's" in Unawatuna. It's always good to head home with at least one win to your credit.
(* photo courtesy of James)
For those of us not content to relax at the hotel after a hard days work - to swim in the ocean, dive in the pool, take a full body massage or just have a drink at the bar - the evenings entertainment would be provided in the form of a friendly cricket match. It should have been obvious what lay ahead. The local lads were grinning from ear to ear and laughing compulsively at our group of guys and gals. The captains lined up and we negotiated a few playing rules. Limited over was the flavour although the system of point scoring seemed to have lost something in the translation. The toss was won by the local team and they had no hesitation to bat first. Fading light and a tricky pitch would prove formidable advantages. They also provided an umpire for proceedings whose impartiality and experience was never in doubt.
Our team was a mish mash of nationalities but none-the-less designated 'Australia'. Not wishing to be lambs to the slaughter we recruited our local Intrepid leader, Bruni, our local guide, Sisera, and the bus driver, Andrew. They found another couple of Sri Lankans to join up and when the fist ball hit the deck it looked like we might have a chance - fight fire with fire.
To the credit of our enthusiastic team we did manage to take wickets and we did hold our own. It wasn’t until late in the game that the run scoring got out of control and the 'Australian' team fell apart. The bowling remained stoic in attack but lacked the penetration of our experienced contributors. A few of the girls showed the way however by taking wickets and proving difficult to cart over the fence for six. No such luck for yours truly of course. Amidst the howls and screams of joy from 'Sri Lanka' the target score had been posted - 175 runs after 12 overs.
Our team was studded with potential however and the daunting total before us was no barrier to our confidence. We had a few look-a-likes in the line up and felt sure that the presence of Ricky Ponting and Darren Lehman would drop back those cocky Lankans a peg or two. Ricky did indeed take a liking to the pitch conditions and was in fine scoring form when disaster struck and he retired hurt with shoulder pain. There were a few close run-outs to heighten the drama and the umpire, supplied by our team for the second innings, sought assistance from the third umpire. Silence is golden and the batsmen invariably received the benefit of the doubt.
In the dying moments of a gallant run chase our Scottish representative took charge of the pitch. Having never held a bat before he demonstrated a cool head and mighty blow as the runs began to flow. His innings was cruelly cut short by a catch in the deep and with the loss of his wicket went any hope of a win. In the end we fell less than 100 runs short and can take a measure of pride in that achievement. The match photo was taken with all the members of both teams and will be a treasured snapshot of this great sporting event.
Our touring side managed better fortunes a few days later when taking on a some village "under 9's" in Unawatuna. It's always good to head home with at least one win to your credit.
(* photo courtesy of James)
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