Galen... reading the report of the test match afterwards.... it is one of the best cricket writing I read lately... it’s almost lyrical.. hope you like it..
“R Ashwin usually starts his series in Australia with long-on and midwicket back. On his first tour he snapped back at a journalist who asked him why. The import of his words was that you had to be stupid to start with ambitious attacking fields on such true surfaces.
On his fourth tour, Ashwin has the mid-on up when he bowls to Steven Smith for the first time. Smith averages in excess of 80 against India. He has been out for fewer than 46 only in two of his 10 first-innings outings against India. The first ball is a lovely loopy offbreak, which Smith tracks well and pushes down the ground. Against old Ashwin and old India, Smith takes the easy single down the ground, only his second run in 45 minutes, and gets off strike. Now he doesn't. The next ball is the same. Another easy single not given.
The next one is released like an offbreak, but it is flatter, the seam is more towards square leg than fine leg, and is headed for the similar line of around off stump. Ashwin hasn't probably made sure this doesn't turn, but he has given the ball every chance to not turn. Smith has not noticed it, plays for the offbreak, and nicks off.”
It paints a picture, that's for sure. Who wrote this? Surely someone who's at the ground! I agree it doesn't sound very crickety as far as reporting goes; That can seem very matter of fact and often clinical...(Often biased Australia's way too). This...It's writing.
You know what? I don't know diddle about cricket, but I might know a little about writing. That bit reminds me of a guy named Jim Murray who was a sportswriter for a LONG time. He listened to baseball games and dictated his column after he went blind...
He once wrote "Willie Mays' glove is where triples go to die."
Thanks @azircon. While you are here, I'd gift to you a brand new mineral, never before noted or named. It's up to you.
Cricket is complex man :)
But some of us like it that way :)