I had some other blog posts planned but decided, given this would be my 100th blog post on WordPress, maybe I should take a moment to celebrate and not be too serious! Us Aussies love our cricket, especially when we are winning and hitting sixers all over the “G”. The Boxing Day test match series is a tradition for many and a way of filling in many hours on those hot, languid days. In the late 1970s I can remember my then boyfriend and I travelling by tram with an Esky loaded with cold tinnies to enjoy at the match. Those days are long gone with no BYO alcohol allowed now and limits on how much liquor you can buy at the grounds. How times have changed! Probably not a bad thing!

Cricket was everywhere. I think how ironic a tobacco company was the major sponsor with their logo emblazoned on the picket fence and high profile in the mainstream media. One positive was the inclusion of women who fielded their own teams and toured internationally from as far back as the 1970s.

As kids, we grew up in a country town and played French cricket on the road. It is a great way to include the whole family, whether in the backyard at Mum’s or on the beach. Wikipedia provides a good description of the game. “There is only one batsman, and their objective is not to be dismissed by the other participants — who are fielders or a bowler if they have possession of the ball — for as long as possible. The objective of the other participants is to dismiss the batsman. There are only two methods of dismissal, being caught or being “Leg Before Wicket“, but as there are no stumps “(but we used an upturned garbage bin!), this method of dismissal is affected by a bowled ball hitting the batsman’s legs typically below the knees. Once the batsman is dismissed, the other participant who took the catch or affected the LBW typically replaces them as the batsman, and the game-play begins again. There are many varieties of additional rules.”

But back to the serious game, Australia has certainly seen some incredible cricketing legends grace the hallowed turf, from Sir Donald Bradman to the late Shane Warne. Decades apart, they both knew how to play the game and entertain the masses, one for his batting prowess and the other for his fast bowling.

Not everyone is a keen follower of the game cricket or understands the attraction. The sub-continent embraced it with lots of enthusiasm after being introduced to it by the English colonists and continue the tradition. For those who don’t understand the rules this may help explain it in more simple terms.

As I reflect on reaching my milestone of 100 posts, I realise it is a bit of luck, but most of all, it is about showing up. Here’s to my next century! I just saw where I had achieved my first ever half-century with more than 50 likes. Howzat?

Reference: French cricket – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_cricket