‘With a quiet nod to the applauding spectators he looks around the ground knowing he has a lot more work to do if New Zealand is going to save this test. Brendon McCullum, 50, not out’ Radio Sport commentator
I was sitting in my car yesterday eating my lunch and listening to my favourite sport – Test Match Cricket.
Now most people don’t like cricket, unless your from India, but I love it. It’s an acquired taste that once you understand the finer points of the game it can become an obsession.
Played over a potential time period of 5 days it is a test of each teams skill levels to the max. Strategy, planning, team work, lengthy concentration and other wonderful attributes all come into the game.
This week I am reaching my test match 50. I will celebrate being 50 years young. A party is being planned where family and friends will gather and applaud.
I will quietly nod thanks and appreciation for them coming and their contribution to my test match 50. I am not sure whether I will make a century and that’s fine.
7 gleanings from being out on the pitch and smacking 50 runs.
Life throws up some opportunities, play every ball on its merits.
You don’t have to play every ball that is hurled at you – be picky.
Enjoy the applause, but don’t bask in it or the next ball will definitely take you out.
Keep concentrating on the next ball to be faced, it could be a tricky one that you have never faced before, or it could one that you could hit out of the park. Both need you to be concentrating.
Your team mates are your most valuable ally.
I was once told that cricket is not a team game and could not be used as a metaphor of team leadership. Sorry, wrong! I need a team around me. People who will cheer me on, challenge me to take risks and give helpful advice. Sure, I am the one facing every ball, but to have a team cheering me on is vital.
Protect yourself!
Some balls thrown at you in life come real fast, high and are purposely designed to frighten you and put you off your game. I have at times experienced some very vicious bowling attacks, some have hit me on the body and left scars and bruises. Roll with it! Suck up the pain and face the next ball because it might just be one that you can hit out of the ground. The bowler, hands on hips, muttering, wanders back frustrated to throw you another ball.
Discover your style of playing and hone it until it is sharp.
Everyone has there own unique style of living. For some its a smashing wallop at every ball faced. Short lived but certainly entertaining to the uninitiated. For others its a careful and craftsman like working of each ball. Dabbing it here and there, stroking it through the gaps in the field. Highly entertaining to those who truly understand the game.
Listen to the coach.
I have the best of coaches. He has been out in the middle himself facing both incredibly fast bowlers, sneaky slow spin bowlers and he even knows how to strike a six off a ball bowled along the ground. His name is Jesus and is famous for the day he took it on the chin for the rest of the team. His body is covered in scars showing that he has the track record that beckons me to sit at his feet and listen to his every word.
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Don’t become legalistic and rule bound.
There are some players that focus totally on the rules, the methodology, the statistics, the … (you name the obsession). Yuk! Enjoy the game, be free to take risks, have fun, and avoid the rule makers. Your the one out in the field. You are responsible for the decisions you make.
If you are from North America and have managed to read through this blog, well done! You might just like Test Match Cricket!
What is your favourite sport and what does it teach you about life?
Barry Pearman
Image: Cricinfo
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