3) Here goes nothing

"Hmm... that's a healthy number. 30 students."

"Mm sir."

"ahm... let's continue than. Tell me your names and your positions, starting from you in the right."

Fuck... did i have to be forst?

"Mm... Julius Rashton, Wicket keeper Batsman."

"Next."

"Albert Routrow, Bowling all rounder. Medium pace."

"Next."

...

"So, that's 30 members. 4 Wicketkeepers, 8 all rounders, 10 Batsman and 8 bowlers. That's a good number."

"I'll be explaining the rules. 30 of you will be divided into 2 groups of 15. As you all know cricket only has 11 players but batters will bat and bowlers will bowl. Each of you will get 3 overs each. while the all rounders will get 2 overs to bat and 2 overs to bowl."

"Wicketkeepers are 4 so everyone will keep for 10 overs each. The best will be chosen. Because only 1 keeper is needed rest of you will have to try again next year."

"Huh?"

"Cadet Julius, do you have a problem?"

"Aa...mmm Nn...no."

she just stared at me for a bit and than continued.

"That's about it for the rules. Each team will contain 5 batsman, 2 keepers, 4 All rounders and 4 bowlers. Match will consume in 30 minutes so please get yourself ready and geared up."

This... is crazy. So, I'll have to keep 10 overs? Though I'm fine with that because the usual keeping number is for the whole match.

But, i can't believe they only need 1 extra keeper.

Meaning theybalready have 1 or 2 keepers in the squad.

This might be a problem honestly.

Because, if i Don't do better than the other 3... I'm done for.

maybe i should have practiced my keeping a bit more.

...

The match started. The bowlers were doing well. Quite well honestly.

The opponent team had around 3 seamers and 1 spinner.

I was the first to keep.

3 overs were done and i was doing my best to just catch the ball.

It wasn't that hard considering the speed isn't high but the pitches here.

They are doing some insane shit out here.

Or is it just the bowler?

Nope, it's just the bowler. That guy... he ain't ordinary.

What was his name again? Albert Routrow, he said medium pace but his pace is far from medium.

It's on the higher end considering his age.

Close to 120-130 Kmph.

For a 13 year old that's fine bowling.

His control, It's pretty damn impressive.

...

"That bowler, Albert... He said he was a medium pacer... but his speed for a 13 year old isn't medium pace at all."

"Yes sir, his control too is quite impressive."

"It sure is. Well, what do you think? Should we select him?"

"his 2 overs were truly impressive. but let's see what he does in the death overs."

"That's true. You know Layla, You are one heck of a manager. It makes me feel like you are the head coach and not me haha."

"I'm sorry sir, that wasn't my intention."

"It's fine, I was complimenting you."

"Thank you sir."

"The biggest problem, wicketkeeping."

"Yes sir."

"We actually Don't really need one considering we have such a good person in the mix."

"It's better to have one, he won't be with us for long."

"This is what's annoying about this job layla. Everyone leaves but the head coach. Well... i get paid a lot and all i have to do is deal with little kids. It's fine isn't it?"

"Please concentrate."

"Yaa yaa..."

"That wicketkeeper."

"He's awfully sloppy isn't he?"

"Well yes, he doesn't take catches cleanly. He doesn't have the proper technique. Did he not get taught how to take a ball properly?"

"But, it's impressive that even after having no proper technique he's taking the balls well. He's pretty good."

"That's true, but will he able to do well against spin? Will he be able to rip the bails off in time?"

"I'll give the instructions."

"I'd appreciate it."

...

a spinner was called in in the 5th over. The beautiful women who was staring at me that time was the one who gave the instruction.

I wonder what's going on.

It's still the powerplay. Why call the spinner in.

But, I'd better get ready.

God damn bending like this is a pain in the ass.

ooh... ooh...

Dumbass, if you step down the track on the first ball like that you'll obviously get out.

Because the pitch is spinning.

i took the ball just before the stumps and ripped the bails off.

well... bye lil bro.

You played well.

...

"My god."

"That... What was that?"

"That was quick."

"Layla get me the camera, I'd like to watch that again."

"yes sir."

...

"This... was it a fluke? How did he just. This guy, look at this layla."

"Yes sir..."

"..."

"This... how did he..."

"Yes, i can't believe it... He caught the ball a millimetre behind the stumps."

"His hands predicted the trejectary of the ball and he collected the ball before it reached his hands. He went towards the ball rather than letting the ball come to him."

"yes... he saved atleast a whole second and increased the percentage of it being out by 90%."

"But... what if it's a fluke."

"We'll just have to check again."

...

Man... I'm saved... I was this close to making a mistake while trying to be flashy.

I did not do it again because i didn't master it yet.

If I'd been a milli second faster I'd have been a noball.

Because i collected the ball before it reached the stumps.

I didn't do that again.

It's all up to luck now if I'll get selected or not.

I've done my best in the 10 overs that i kept.

All that's left is the luck.

...

"Next... Julius Rashton, your turn to bat."

after getting around 10 overs of break. I was told to go to bat.

As an opener for the 2nd innings.

Hmm... i did say i wanted to bat at 1, 2 and 3.

But i didn't expect to take strike of the very first ball.

And... they only scored 140?

In 20 overs. is that fine in this world.

I've never really seen the average scores or matches in this world much.

but whatever i have seen... They were around 150, 160 mark.

hmm... It might be the perfect opportunity to get my eyes in before trying something extravagant.

If i can make an impression with the bat, I can get selected.

...

Damn... only 3 (10)* balls?

I've played 10 balls and only scored 3 runs.

It's a bit hard to understand the pitch.

it's definately double paced.

It's great that these brats made 140 in 20 overs.