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I had a dream… surreal.
And when I woke up, I felt it was real, so solid were the facts about cricket.
Mother: I’m so glad you’re now playing a match in Adelaide against the full Australian First Eleven team – even though it’s incredibly hot there and you left the field in the first innings in controversial circumstances when you were ready to inflict permanent damage on the old enemy.
Jamie: Actually, Mum, the Australians are without two of their biggest stars – Steve Smith who takes our Jofra Archer with mocking ease and swallows it all down the underpants, plus Josh Hazlewood who is two classes ahead of that metronome Scott Boland who, unfairly, always delivers on his promises with a tissue.
Mother: Oh… Well, I admired the hand that Usman Khawaja played, even when he was batting at number four, out of his usual position. I now have an average of 43.6, I see… really impressive. A key member of the team.
Jamie: Um… he was dropped after the Brisbane Test (which he missed due to back pain) but, after recovering, he came into the Adelaide game because Steve Smith was suffering from dizziness and couldn’t stand very well on his feet. Perhaps a consequence of too much celebration after the first game in Perth. He’s getting through it, Khawaja… just turned 39th birthday.
Mother: Yet… not so old, your cricket-loving uncle Terry was still regularly scoring centuries well into his forties.
And for Pat Cummins to continue relentlessly, match after match… it must be a bit of a nightmare for all the English boys!
Jamie: It’s a nightmare, Mom. Although he hasn’t fielded a ball in any match for a long time… due to bone strain in his lower back… he hasn’t played since his match against the West Indies in July.
Mother: I see… but I think you will have a match against the Australians’ first choice team in the hallowed Boxing Day match in Melbourne.
Jamie: Almost right, Mom. Josh Hazlewood will be absent though – he has been ruled out for the remainder of the series with hamstring and Achilles tendon problems.
Mother: It’s a hard blow… in a double sense then. I was hoping to receive a photo of both teams in full on Boxing Day!
I’ll have to console myself, it will be something to look forward to in the next Ashes series…at home in a few years. I will bring my camera for the Lord’s Test. It’s a promise!
Jamie: Be good, Mom… even though Captain Stokes told me I couldn’t be sure of anything for this series unless I put a lot of “dog” in my stick.
Mother: A dog, eh… that shouldn’t be a problem. Our Golden Retriever will be happy to collect the balls you hit on Polzeath beach during your holiday at the end of March. And you could ask Mr. Boycott to come and give you some coaching.
Jamie: Oh…boys, yes…most definitely. That would be great…a brilliant coach, in every way.
Mother: Well, Jamie, I have to get through this…send me a postcard from Melbourne. One from Luna Park would be nice.
Jamie: Of course, Mom. I’ll pose with Brendon and Ben, eating melting chocolate ice cream. My favorite treat!
