Chapter 17

The next two deliveries

were slower, although the batsman connected, he could only push the

ball directly at a fielder.

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 his way again.

Whilst the new batsman