Saturday's match has been called off: This week we can't prepare our pitch because it's waterlogged. Indoor nets were arranged, but those who work outside a 9-5 couldn't make it and some are feeling very out of practice. It's becoming increasingly likely that when we do get to run around outside like late spring lambs, there will be injuries.
We ought to reclaim the streets for cricket and play with a tennis ball, or 'soft ball' (a roughened up, partially singed with fire, tennis ball) like the majority of people around the world do: One of our team grew up playing 'soft ball' cricket wherever there was space, barely daring to dream of the day he could play 'hard ball' cricket, because of the cost and privilege entailed. But at least he played cricket, incessantly, for fun and for cash, along the way developing an idiosyncratic and highly effective style, in much the same way as another local lad, Lasith Malinga, did.
Some people get sniffy when you suggest playing with a tennis ball, as if it's not proper or worthwhile, or fun and free. In the absence of much green space in our cities, let alone dry green space at present, all that concrete and all those walls should be utilised to the maximum.
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