Cricket

Calvin started the cricket summer season on Friday, 5 November. He was feeling really awful but went anyway and did well despite his headache. It was definitely a lesson for me since I have no idea how to play cricket nor do I know anything about anything related to cricket...ie. gear, equipment, etc... Calvin picks up sports pretty quickly and listens well to get the form correct and all. I was very proud of him. This cricket season will be one to learn the skills and also to socialize. After "practicing" they have a sausage sizzle and coke for the kids while the parents can have an adult bev if desired.

It was great to have mom and dad with us for Calvin's first practice. Ben had to drive to Palmerston so he missed it but hopefully can make the next one. Mom and dad fit right in, meeting new people and had a blast. Dad even cooked up the sausages with his new found friend, the uncle of Calvin's coach.

Here are some details about cricket since I had to google it to figure out how the heck you play this sport and bits and pieces. In the US we call the event a game but they call the event a test.

Cricket is a bat-and-ball team sport. Many variations exist, with its most popular form played on an oval-shaped outdoor arena known as a cricket field at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard (20.12 m) long pitch that is the focus of the game. A game (or match) is contested between two teams of eleven players each. One team bats, and will try to score as many runs as possible while the other teambowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the runs scored by the batting team. A run is scored by the striking batsman hitting the ball with his bat, running to the opposite end of the pitch and touching the crease there without being dismissed. The teams switch between batting and fielding at the end of an inning.

There are also variations in the length of a game of cricket. In professional cricket this ranges from a limit of 20 overs per side (Twenty20) to a game played over 5 days (Test cricket, which is the highest level of the game). Depending on the form of the match being played, there are different rules that govern how a game is won, lost, drawn or tied. The rules of two-innings games are known as the Laws of Cricketand maintained by the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC); additional Standard Playing Conditions for Test matches and One Day Internationals augment these laws. In one version of Indoor Cricket, matches include just 6 players per side and include two 12-over innings.

Cricket was first documented as being played in southern England in the 16th century. By the end of the 18th century, it had developed to the point where it had become the national sport of England. The expansion of the British Empire led to cricket being played overseas and by the mid-19th century the first international matches were being held. Today, the game's governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), has 104 member countries. With its greatest popularity in the Test playing countries, cricket is the world's second most popular sport after Association football.

Sign for the "Club"

Practicing his tossing and catching

Learning the proper form of throwing using the starfish approach. There is also an underhand throw called bowling.

Practicing hitting off a tee. The bat is flat on one side and has a ^ shape on the other. Just to be sure, I had to ask which side to hit the ball with...the flat side. :)

Mom taking a picture of me taking a picture of her.

MaeMae the trooper. She was feeling awful that day as well but made it through to the end.

Afterwards, they gave each child a coupon for a cricket test, packet of Milo energy drink (thanks just what we needed :) and a cricket ball.

Notice the seams on the ball...to throw overhanded your 2 fingers go with the seams and to bowl they go across the seams. I paid attention too. :)

Dad making new friends and cooking up the sausages.

Mom and dad never meet a stranger. Everywhere we go they also talk to people, ask how they are and engage in conversation. It's amazing to watch the transformation of people's attitude when others are nice to them and genuinely want to know how they are, like they do. It's a trait I've always admired in them and look for the courage to do the same when I'm out and about. Thank you for leading by example, mom and dad!