My First Cricket Test
There are, as they say down here, three sleeps to go till I get to watch my very first test cricket action here in Australia. Live.
The New Zealand and Australian cricket teams are in Brisbane in the lead-up to Thursday's test start. Unfortunately, they're getting drenched in hurry-up-and-get-the-ark downpours. The only day it's not supposed to rain is Friday, but let's assume it dries up by Wednesday night.
I want to see Australia bat. I'm secretly hoping that New Zealand wins the toss, but that's selfish and I'm working on that. Australia lost three of four tosses in India recently and that's not cool. So I guess I'll sacrifice my selfish desires for the good of Australia. (But still.)
I've been to the Gabba once before to watch the Queensland Bulls play the Victoria Bushrangers. That was fun, and it was good prep for what to expect on Friday. I got the inside scoop on such things as the uncomfortable plastic chairs we're supposed to sit in for about eight hours; the bathrooms (pretty good, they are, considering); the food (sucks); and the merchandise (one day, I will get a cricket hat that doesn't suck).
I'll have my mini cricket bat with me on the off chance I get up the courage to look for autographs. But most of all, I know I'll be a bit beside myself when I see Andrew Symonds, Michael Clark, Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey and the rest of them right before my eyes. I'm even looking forward to watching some New Zealand players I like. There's something about New Zealand.
To try to do something with my excitement, I've been watching cricket videos put together by an Aussie living in Kansas, and I've been meaning to read the Laws of Cricket. Maybe tonight. There is still a lot I don't know about the sport. I mean, a lot. The positions. Leg before wickets are still hard for me to catch. I wouldn't mind shouting with the bowler when they happen rather than relying on the replay. Power plays. Etc. I'm a newbie.
I've got a ticket for a day/night game in early December. And we're moving to Sydney soon (!), and I'm hoping for an apartment within range of the Sydney Cricket Ground. But writing about it now won't make Friday come faster, so for now, I'll read up on the laws. Or do some other writing. It's a little like Christmas. Or seeing the San Antonio Spurs live. But all day.
For now, have a look at Andrew Symonds in the field:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZPOxOgkx3A&hl=en&fs=1]
