Chapter 73

Three balls remained, Eastly needing six runs to win.

Trevor pulled out his googly for the next delivery. It surprised the batsman who slashed at it. He got a thin edge and the ball went toward the gulley.

“Catch it!” came the cry. Thommo got a hand to it, but couldn’t hold onto it, the ball falling to the ground.

The batsmen ran a single.

“Fuck!” Paul said under his breath.

Trevor’s penultimate ball was hit hard toward Paul at deep mid-on. He picked it up and threw it under-arm at the wicket keeper, who caught it and smashed it into the wicket. The batsman who was running hell for leather toward his crease didn’t get there in time, and was run out.

The small crowd clapped enthusiastically.

“They still need a six to win,” Paul said under his breath, preparing himself should the ball come hisway again.

Whilst the new batsman came to the crease and took his stance, Thommo altered the field, sending as manymen out to the boundaries as possible.