A former junior cricketer has made a comeback through the Queensland Warehouse competition.
Adam (28) hadn’t played cricket in over a decade after a disappointing end to his junior days.
“I was 17 and a super-keen cricketer. While I couldn’t bat, I loved bowling my leggies and wanted to be the next Warney,” said Adam. “But at the end of my last season of juniors, I asked my coach if I should try out for grade cricket. He told me I ‘wasn’t good enough, I’d struggle to make a fifth-grade side, and I’d be wasting my time even trying.'”
A devastated Adam stopped playing cricket and sold his gear. While he still loved watching cricket, he filled his competitive urges by playing touch football, basketball, and soccer over the next decade.
“I missed cricket but didn’t think it was worth trying if I couldn’t play grade. I knew the longer I didn’t play, the harder it’d be to get back into it. So I didn’t bother.”
But after-work drinks with a new co-worker back in February gave him the push he needed.
“I started a new job in January and Steve and I clicked. I knew he played in the Warehouse comp and that he loved playing social cricket with his mates,” said Adam. “One Friday night, we were having drinks and he said his team (Surprising Declarations) needed a fill-in for their one-dayer on Sunday. At first I said ‘no’, but Steve said I’d just field and bat number 11, and he’d shout me drinks after the game. So, I played. It was only one game.”
The game didn’t start well for Adam. While he bought a cheap box, he had to borrow pads and gloves as he went out to bat #11, with Surprising Declarations 9/120 after 40 overs.
“I didn’t get any bat on the first three balls and was bowled on the fourth. I thought ‘here we go again! The team’s going to be angry and tell me not to bother coming back!’ I half-considered jumping in my car and driving home to save myself the embarrassment.”
But Adam was pleasantly surprised.
“They gently teased me and said it wasn’t my job to score runs and not to worry about it. That relaxed me.”
While Surprising Declarations lost heavily, Adam had fun in the field.
“Steve put me at fine leg and I had fun running around protecting that area. I didn’t get a catch, but I stopped a few balls. And it was funny hearing all the boys geeing each other up when they made a mistake. Clearly nobody cared much if you screwed up. As long as you put the effort in.”
He even got a bowl as the game headed to an early finish.
“Amazingly, the old action I had at 17 came back, but my first three balls were awful. But once I settled down I started to land them and even turned a couple. And Steve shouted me some drinks after the game, as promised.”
To his surprise, Adam was selected the following Sunday, and decided to take it more seriously.
“I spent most days after work down at the nets, getting used to bowling leggies again and trying to spin the ball hard. My shoulder’s sore, but that’s ok.”
The hard work paid off, with Adam taking two wickets as Surprising Declarations won by six wickets.
“The first wicket was a short ball that was hit to cover, but the second wicket was a nice leggie that turned a bit and was caught behind. That felt good. And I didn’t have to bat, thank God.”
The good news is Adam is continuing with Surprising Declarations as they start their winter Warehouse season next month.
“I’m having fun playing cricket again. I’m working on my leggies and getting my fitness up so I’m ready to go for the winter comp. I also bought some new pads, gloves, helmet, and a cheap bat. I wish I hadn’t listened to that stupid coach and stopped playing cricket, but I can make up for lost time.”
The Gurgler presents stories of the Park Cricketer, where we explore the lower reaches of the great game of cricket from the suburban ovals and rural grounds across Australia.
