Cricket

One sport here in Australia that I don't think I'll ever fully understand, get into or really follow is the game of cricket. To me it is one of the most boring games ever invented, well except for the 20/20 matches, because they are fast paced, and they don't get dragged out for 5 days. Yes, you read that right, there are cricket series that drag on for five days. (Currently Australia is playing South Africa in a 5 day series.)

Well, that's not too surprising that these games go for 5 days, seeing that they stop play to have lunch and then again to have dinner. Yes, they start before lunch and go until it gets too dark, then they resume play the next day. What is even worse than the 5 day series is Beach Cricket, where a bunch of washed up has beens (who happened to have been legends in their youth when they were playing) get together to play on the beach, cheerleaders in bikini's are there too...no wonder people follow beach cricket! :)

Well, guess what just started? It's cricket season! And every time it comes on I have to leave the room, I just don't see the point of sitting in front of the TV all day and watching the sport. Beach cricket is even on TV...ugh. For those of you that don't know anything about it, let me give you the definition that I found on www.answers.com.
"A game played by two teams with a ball and bat on a large field centring on two wickets. Each wicket is two sets of three sticks. The teams have 11 players each. A bowler from the defending team throws the ball (with a straight-arm overhand delivery), attempting to hit the wicket, which is one of several ways the batsman may be put out. The team batting fields two batsman at a time, and the batsman being bowled to (the striker) tries to hit the ball away from the wicket. If the batsman hits the ball away from the wicket but has no time to run to the opposite wicket, he need not run; play will resume with another bowl. After a hit, when possible, the striker and the second batsman (the nonstriker) at the other wicket change places. Each time both batsmen can reach the opposite wicket, one run is scored. The batsmen may continue to cross back and forth between the wickets, earning an additional run for each time both reach the opposite side."
Did you catch all that? Understand any of it? Well, not to worry, as you really aren't missing much. But I have come to figure out the real reason that cricket was invented....

So men all over Australia can have an excuse to take a nap! :) This was taken while Darran was "watching" cricket. Thrilling sport, don't you think? :)