Posted by For some reason I am being asked to bat at nine. I don’t know why.
I sit and watch our innings with the haunted air of the disenchanted. After what seems like weeks, it is my turn to bat. The time has come for Laurence Elderbrook to take his stage.
Before I walk out, I take a moment to compose myself in front of the mirror. In my creased, off-white flannels, I look dishevelled. But still, it is time.
I don’t bother to take a guard. I just blink slowly and await the bowler. My captain is at the other end. I fix him with a languid, surly gaze before returning my attention to the ball. It pitches on middle and straightens. I leave it.
The pitch is hard and the ball whistles over the top of the stumps. It is at this point that I take the only option available to me. With a huge backswing, I knock middle stump clean out of the ground.
I watch it cartwheel away and then discard my bat. I pull out the two remaining stumps. With one in each hand, I drop to my knees and hit them against the floor in unison. I do this repeatedly. I do it maybe 20 times until they’ve made dents in the pitch. As everyone looks on in admiration, I toss the two stumps away, throw back my head and let fly a huge, bestial roar.
Pausing only to lower my trousers and moon my captain, I depart with the serene dignity afforded to only the very few.
Everyone admires the stand I have taken. They admire me.
Was a bit worried by the crise de nerfs shown there at the start – but much relieved by the ending – plus ça change plus c’est le même oaf.
Pah! this site is not bilingual!
Isnt 9 at the tail end ? Its dispicable that Laurence has to bat anywhere other than up top
I’d be wary about embracing the middle order if I were you, Laurence – you don’t know where they might have been.
The fact that Laurence was able to remove middle, leaving leg and off stump in tact, shows great potential. Didn’t even take guard. Knows exactly where his stumps are. Perfectly straight back lift. Etc.
Perhaps another go at eight is in order after that magnificent performance at nine.
I’m really enjoying these vignettes but I have one small query.
How does Laurence perform when the team is fielding?
Inquiring minds need to know
I doubt he fields at all but he sounds a bit like my 1st slip, we may learn.