Pwease... can I play?

So today was a good day.

My shoulder-strengthening exercises done for the day, I decided to get in some late afternoon net practise. Since my net buddy skipped out on me, I was flying solo. Whatever, thought I, I'll just work on my line and length.

When I got to my spot (a community sport park with two uneven, grassy "pitches" that playslike shit), there were a couple guys practising and using up both nets.

Damn, guess I'll have to come back tomorrow.

Then a wave of grade-school nostalgia hit me, so I parked, took out my kit and walked up to the guys.

I'm apprehensive. A couple of weeks ago some high-school guys were playing cricket in the net next to us. They asked if they could join in and a few minutes later they were demolishing our bowling and taking wickets. 17 Years of gaming, programming and drinking has left us with a large gap to close.

Remind me to tell you about the time we got wasted by a team of 13 year olds.

At least I brought a box.

"Mind if I join in?"

"Sure, why not."

I'm sure they're better bowlers than the guys I usually practise with on Saturdays. They've got consistent line & length, good bounce and some spin too. For some reason batting was easier against them, though.

I think it's because I stepped back in my crease and played my shots a lot later than usual. I'm definitely going to test that out later in the week.

That's a theme of life: mix things up, experiment - it usually leads to some discovery.

I'm sure my action is completely transparent, though. In fact, it's more like I've got three actions. One for leg-spinners, one for off-spinners and one for top-spinners. I would work on that if I could find any information on wrist-spin actions that doesn't make my head explode.

Whatever. At least I get more turn than Paul Harris. I'm much better looking, too.

Pick me instead Cricket South Africa! Damn your black hearts.