Crusaders- that’s what Cambridge university second XI are called. 11.30 start; most of the games I play are. Only two of our players arrived on time. “Do you want to open?” asked the captain.
In a practice net, I asked for throw downs to warm up. I’d read Viv Richards thought that nets were bad for out of form players. He preferred half volley lobs to get him ready for master blasting. He was right. Creaming half volleys in the nets does wonders for your confidence; mine rocketed.
I was out for 17 trying an overconfident drive on the up, needing only 83 more runs.
In ‘truth’ I failed because my beloved bat broke- the first of many great excuses. I also blame the new bat I was given. Like the majority of modern bats it was far too heavy. I find anything weighing more that 2 lb 6oz a strain.