Play starts too soon,
too soon play starts.
Check pads, bat, box ‘n’ gloves
are where you last left them,
stretch legs, arms, tendons
and tie up laces again.
Re-adjust eyes to the light,
roll-up sleeves not too tight,
hitch up your whites
but try to forget
how play ended last night
for today’s the deepest of breaths
that flutter by -
- nervily.
after original ‘If I were [...]
On the way here a bus advertised the remake of Taking Pelham 1,2,3 where a runaway NY subway train has to be, well taken. Which is the task facing the England attack, Taking Aussies 1,2,3.
to stand in judgement upon others
to view impartially
to assess the evidence
in the blink of a moment
before accession or denial of appeal
without expert witnesses
cross-examination
advice taken in chambers
whatever’s laid bare in camera
our aim is simple
to make most perfect the verdict
from the most imperfect of tasks
until all decisions are good
however badly they may be taken
on the occasion of [...]
no cavalier disposition
no frills nor fripperies
he bats round-shouldered
legs apart, more ready to shovel coal
than play straight in the classical manner
more relaxed and refined at the other end
weight on bat, one leg straight, other bent
at the knee, one toe to the ground, a yeoman farmer
lent on a gate turned a general of men,
he carries his duty [...]
The Spirit Of Cricket
Toiletry For Those Of Taste & Discernment
“The Spirit Of Cricket” is a range of supreme and hand-crafted bathroom essentials specifically for those who believe in the finer points of the game.
One dab of the l’eau de cologne, shake of the talc, sniff of the aftershave will turn any player, however professional, into a [...]
