Jason and David Shields (Sholshy) are enjoying this Australian winter playing cricket
in England. Follow their adventures and cricketing progress here on the Cobra website.
24th April 2002
Jason writes:
On Saturday, we played at the Norfolk county ground in Horsford. It was sensational. Probably
the best looking ground I have ever played at. The outfield was like a bowling green, although
the wicket was a bit poppy.
I batted at four in a 45 over practice match and the opener and some other bloke piled on about
150 for the second wicket, leaving me with about eight overs to bat. The first ball I faced -
my first in England - I smashed a cover drive all the way along the carpet for four.
Wasn't a bad moment!!
I then knocked around a few singles and took on a few ambitious runs before going for a big
drive which skied 80 feet in the air and I was caught. There were eight wickets in hand with
seven overs remaining. I thought it was worth the risk!
Yesterday, we had another game and I actually got given a bowl and did okay, although they did
hang it on me about my action and stuff, which was fine. I didn't really look like getting
wickets, but tied them down at the end of the innings to take 1/15 off seven, which was
respectable. I may get a run as the fourth change in the seconds or something. I know I'm no
great shakes with the ball, but I enjoy it all the same. We were chasing a paltry 126 in the
end and I got in with six runs needed and finished on a steady 0 not out!
20th May 2002
David writes:
How is life in sunny Australia people? Norwich at the minute is a comfortable 19 degrees and
pleasant. Now how do I explain my first cricket game to you all? I suppose i'll start by
saying that my first match was against Thetford (the town that i was to be playing for until
Norwich took me). I was playing in the 3rd grade against their 1st grade (no i'm not going
to explain).
The bowling attack was far worse than any i have faced, including c-grade rovers...
it was just slow and on the spot and got me out for a 7th ball duck!!! I kept adequately but
in all it was a pretty crappy old day.
The next day was fun. I got to play alongside my South African housemate Nicol and we had a
few gags. I made a slashing 6 not out before we reached their score.
Jason has been going really well with cricket, work and social life. Everyone over here is in
a bit of world cup fever, and i am going along with them. All the pubs have world cup big
screens and adverts everywhere, so i'm pretty pumped. Any main event that is held in a pub is
an event that has my full and utter support.
Hope everyone is enjoying themselves and i look forward to hearing from you all really soon.