CHAPTER 10 SEMI FINAL PART 4
Seventh over
First Delivery:The bowler delivers a good-length ball. I confidently strike it towards deep mid-wicket, and the ball races to the boundary after one bounce, resulting in a four. The timing and placement were perfect, leaving the fielders with no chance.
Second Delivery: The bowler follows up with a sharp bouncer. I quickly adjust my stance, raise my bat, and execute an upper cut. The ball sails over the third-man boundary for a spectacular six. The crowd erupts in cheers as the shot showcases both skill and precision under pressure.
Third Delivery: The bowler delivers another good-length ball. I time it perfectly, driving it towards the cover region. It's a well-executed shot, but the fielder from the little boys youth club displays excellent athleticism, swiftly stopping the ball and restricting me to just a single. The fielding effort earns applause from both teams.
Fourth Delivery: The bowler pitches a short-length ball. The batsman attempts a pull shot, but the ball takes a thick edge off the bat and flies into the air. The wicketkeeper makes no mistake, taking an easy catch. We lose another wicket, and the pressure mounts as the new batsman walks in.
Fifth Delivery: The bowler continues with a good-length delivery. The new batsman plays it cautiously, defending the ball with a straight bat. It's a solid start for the new batter, focusing on settling in.
Sixth Delivery: The bowler delivers a good-length ball. The new batsman plays it with a soft touch, guiding it towards mid-wicket. We quickly take a single, ensuring the strike rotates and keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Eighth Over
First Delivery:The bowler delivers a full toss, and the batsman capitalizes on it, smashing the ball towards long-on. It looks destined to sail over the boundary for a six, but the ball falls just short. The fielder from little boys youth club positions himself perfectly under the ball, ready for an easy catch. However, to everyone's surprise, the ball slips through his hands, and the batsmen manage to sneak in a single.
I can't help but feel frustrated. When it was my turn to bat, this same fielder turned into a superman, stopping my perfectly timed boundary with an incredible effort. Now, he drops such a straightforward catch! What terrible luck I have .
[System: If your luck is bad, then everyone on the field must have even worse luck than the author.]
{Author:(°°) Why me? } (hidden thought, only for readers)
Did you say something?
[ System:No... ]
[System: Hmm, I think your soul didn't merge properly with your younger self's soul during the last process. That's probably why you thought I said something. So, are you ready to restart the soul-merging process? ]
No, stop! I'm perfectly happy with my current condition, thank you very much. I don't want to feel that pain again.
[System: Suit yourself. But don't blame me for you mental problem. ]
I take a deep breath, clear my mind, and focus entirely on the game. The chatter with the system fades into the background as I prepare for the second delivery. My grip tightens on the bat, and my eyes lock onto the bowler's hand, waiting for the ball to be released.
Second Delivery: I confidently strike the ball towards mid-wicket, sending it racing to the boundary for a well-timed four. The fielders can only watch as the ball speeds past them.
Third Delivery: I guide the ball towards third man with precision, and we sprint back for a quick double. The running between the wickets is sharp, and the fielders are left scrambling.
Fourth Delivery: Another solid shot! I hit the ball firmly through the covers, and it races away for another four. The bowler looks frustrated as the runs keep flowing.
Fifth Delivery:I continue my aggressive approach, smashing the ball through mid-wicket for yet another four. In the crowd my parentbcheers as my form shines through.
Sixth Delivery:I play a beautiful straight drive, but the ball deflects off the wicket at the non-striker's end. We easily take a single, but to my surprise, the non-striker doesn't move an inch. He just stands there, frozen like a statue.
After the eighth over ends, I walk up to him and ask, "Why didn't you take the run? It was an easy single!"
He replies, "I want to keep the strike for the next over. It's better if I face the first ball."
I stare at him in disbelief. *"So, you didn't take the run because you wanted to keep the strike?
He shrugs, avoiding eye contact. "It's just strategy. Better safe than sorry."
I just Shake my head in disbelief.
Ninth Over
First Delivery:The bowler delivers a sharp delivery that completely beats the batsman. It's the batsman's fault this time—he misjudges the line and plays all around it.
Second Delivery: Another fantastic delivery! The bowler outsmarts the batsman again, leaving him stranded and unable to make contact. The batsman shakes his head, clearly frustrated with himself.
Third Delivery: The batsman manages to hit the ball towards extra cover, but the fielding is sharp, and no runs are scored.
Fourth Delivery: The batsman gets a thick upper edge, and the ball flies high into the air, sailing over the boundary for an unexpected six. Luck is on his side this time.
Fifth Delivery: The bowler delivers a sharp ball that hits the batsman's pad. There's a loud appeal for LBW, but the umpire shakes his head—not out!
Sixth Delivery: The batsman hits the ball towards mid-on and immediately calls for a single. However, I don't move. Even though it's an easy run, I signal *"No!"* and stay firmly in my crease.
After the over ends, the batsman walks up to me, visibly annoyed, and asks, "Why didn't you take the run? It was an easy single!"
I calmly reply, "It was too risky. We might have lost our wicket!"
He narrows his eyes, clearly not buying it. "Risky? That was the easiest run we could've taken!"
I shrug, giving him a knowing look. *"Better safe than sorry. Besides, I thought you'd appreciate the strategy. After all, you didn't take the run last over because you wanted to keep the strike, right?"
He freezes for a moment, realizing what I'm implying. "Wait, are you saying you didn't take the run just to get back at me?"
I smirk, crossing my arms. "Let's just say I wanted to show you how it feels. What you did to me, I can do the same to you. Fair's fair, isn't it?"and one more thing if you play for yourself atleast score some runs.
Last over
The little boys' youth club captain hands the ball to their main bowler, the one they've been saving for this exact moment. I glance at the scoreboard—14 runs needed off the last over. It's doable, but not easy, especially with their best bowler steaming in.
I take a deep breath, adjusting my grip on the bat. My heart is pounding, but I force myself to stay calm. This is it—the moment that defines the game.
The bowler starts his run-up, and I focus entirely on the ball. My mind clears, and everything else fades away—the crowd, the fielders, even the pressure. It's just me and the ball.
First Ball: He bowls a good-length delivery outside off. I lean into it and drive it firmly through the covers. The ball races to the boundary, but the fielder cuts it off just in time. We sprint back for a quick double.
12 runs needed off 5 balls.
Second Ball:He bowls a slower ball, and I spot it early. I wait patiently and smash it over mid-off for a boundary! The crowd erupts, and I feel a surge of confidence.
8 runs needed off 4 balls.
Third Ball:The bowler tries a bouncer, and I leave it alone, thinking it's too high and wide. I look at the umpire, expecting a wide signal, but to my surprise, he doesn't raise his arms. Dot ball.
8 runs needed off 3 balls.
Fourth Ball:The bowler delivers a full-length ball outside off. I lean into it and drive it firmly through the covers. This time, the ball races to the boundary for a four! The crowd cheers, and I feel the momentum shifting.
4 runs needed off 2 balls.
Fifth Ball: The bowler delivers a perfect yorker, right at the base of the stumps. I dig it out at the last second, but it's too well-placed to score. Dot ball.
4 runs needed off 1 ball.
Sixth Ball: The final delivery. The fielders crowd in, and the bowler takes his time, trying to psych me out. I block out the noise, focusing only on the ball. He bowls another yorker, but this time, I step out of my crease early, making it a full toss. I swing hard, sending the ball soaring straight down the ground for a SIX!
The crowd goes wild as the ball disappears into the stands. I raise my bat, soaking in the moment. I score my first half century in this life.
As I walk off the field, I can't help but smile. This is why I love cricket—the thrill, the pressure, and the sheer joy of pulling off a win when it matters most. The little boys' youth club fought hard, but today, it's my day.
I glance at their main bowler, who looks dejected but gives me a respectful nod. I nod back, acknowledging his effort. Cricket is a game of moments, and today, I'm just glad I was on the right side of this one.
Now, it's time to celebrate with the team. After all, victories like these don't come every day!
DING!! DING!!
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