First Cricket Match in CGQ

In the spirit of cricket and the mass-British hysteria that has recently swept throughout the country due to their triumph over Australia in The Ashes, five ex-pats gathered to play an informal cricket match on Saturday, 24 September 2005, from 1500 to 1700 hours.  Comprised of two Limeys, two Yanks, and one reluctant Aussie, a match was played in good conduct on a dirt field at Changchun University.  There was plenty of reveling words from the fielders focused at the batsmen and talk about the weather from the on-field commentators.

 

Not accustomed to the British way of bowling (pitching), the Yanks showed some of their baseball throwing techniques, which threw some of the batsmen off and brought about a story of a British cricket team from the early part of the twentieth century.  This team once had an American bowler who brought havoc to the sport on The Island because of his difference in bowling the ball.  Opposing teams, at the time, apparently had to change their batting styles to compensate because the team with the American was winning every game.

 

A second match is planned for next weekend with more in attendance, it's hoped.  I imagine there might be some thermoses of English Breakfast tea and possibly some cucumber sandwiches this time.

Part of standing around is all about waiting for the outfielder to find a small red ball in the brush.

Starring down the ball.

Nick (UK) with the wind-up.

Richard giving Julie (Michigan) some batting tips.

Matt (Aussie) with the bowl.

There's a lot of standing around.

Taking a break from "The Ashes" of CGQ. This was "Tea Time" (minus the tea).

"Sir" Richard (my counterpart across the Pond) up to bat and Nick making a heckling comment.