Peter Steward

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An American Tale

To the uninitiated cricket is the most confusing game in the world. To the initiated it is the greatest sport ever invented.

Recently on a trip to New Zealand I sat on a coach in front of a Canadian and an American. They discussed a number of topics and eventually got round to sport and baseball. The conversation then went something like this (you’ll have to supply the accents yourself).

American – “I suppose baseball is a bit like that strange game cricket. Do you understand that because I really can’t see what they do?”

Canadian – “Yep it’s played quite a bit in Canada. My son plays. Basically you have two teams and the idea is to score the most runs.”

American – “So what’s a run? Is that when the batters cross over?”

Canadian – “Yes and the bowlers try to get them out.”

American – “Is that by hitting those bits of wood in the ground.”

Canadian – “Well yes but there are other ways as well.”

Anyway the conversation went on for some time discussing bowling actions, run-outs, stumpings and any number of other terms that would have left our American friend totally confused. The Canadian had a reasonable grasp of the sport, but the American was obviously struggling badly and eventually, after questioning how something could take five days and still end without a result, changed the subject to the coming race for the presidency.

I know from talking to many people that it isn’t just the Americans who fog over when the word cricket is mentioned. Many people from major cricketing nations throughout the world do not and cannot understand the great game.

I have always thought that the subtlety that is cricket leads to confusion. It might sound rather perverse but a draw can be as exciting as a win. It can be achieved against all the odds through attrition. A team seemingly down and out can dig deep into its reserves of tenacity and courage to cling on for a morale boosting draw.

There are so many nuances to cricket. In many ways it has become the thinking man or woman’s sport. A five day test match can enjoy subtle twists and turns not available in the biff-bang sports of say soccer or rugby where a strict time limit is applied.

That’s what makes it such a great past-time. The whole is so much more than the sum of its individual pieces. A game of cricket is like a jigsaw. There are plenty of pieces that you just know fit together, but the final picture isn’t revealed until that last piece is popped into place.

Millions of people will never understand the game. A few years ago some American friends of mine attended an English minor counties match. I was unable to go with them but met up for an evening meal.

Their main concern about the day was the necessity to have two doctors on the field of play at all times.

I must have looked totally confused by this.

“Yeah it must be a dangerous game. Having doctors wearing white coats on the field throughout.”

They were of course referring to the umpires and no they weren’t trying to be funny or ironic! They were just failing to get to grips with the subtleties of cricket.