Peter Ketel |
I had a dream… a surreal dream.
And when I woke up I felt it was real, so clear were the cricket facts.
Mother: So happy that you are now playing a match in Adelaide against Australia’s First Eleven at full strength – even though it is unbearably hot there and you left the crease in the first innings in controversial circumstances when you were well prepared to do permanent damage to the old enemy.
Jamie: Actually, mum, the Aussies are without two of their biggest stars – Steve Smith who takes our Jofra Archer with mocking ease and swallows everything in the slip, plus Josh Hazlewood who is two classes ahead of the metronome Scott Boland who, unfairly, delivers a handkerchief again and again.
Mother: Oh…Well, I admired the hand that Usman Khawaja played, even when he batted at number four, from his usual position. Now I have an average of 43.6, I see…impressive indeed. A key figure in the team.
Jamie: Um… he was dropped after the Brisbane Test (which he missed due to back pain), but after he recovered he came to the match in Adelaide because Steve Smith was suffering from dizziness and couldn’t balance very well on his feet. Perhaps a result of celebrating too much after the first match in Perth. He’s doing well, Khawaja…just turned 39e birthday.
Mother: Still… not that old, your cricket-loving uncle Terry was still regularly scoring centuries well into his forties.
And for Pat Cummins to continue relentlessly, game after game… must be a bit of a nightmare for all the English boys!
Jamie: Okay, a nightmare, Mom. While he hasn’t shot a ball in any match for a long time… due to bone stress in his lower back… that hasn’t happened since he played against the West Indies in July.
Mother: I understand… but I expect you will have a match against the Aussies’ first choice team in the sacred Boxing Day match in Melbourne.
Jamie: Almost right, Mom. Josh Hazlewood will be missing, however; he has been ruled out for the remainder of the series due to hamstring and Achilles tendon problems.
Mother: That’s a blow… in a double sense. I was hoping to receive a photo of both teams at full strength on Boxing Day!
I have to console myself, this will be something to look forward to during the next Ashes series… at home in a few years. I bring my camera for the Lord’s test. That’s a promise!
Jamie: Be nice, Mama… although Captain Stokes has told me I can’t be sure about that series unless I get enough ‘dog’ in my batting.
Mother: A dog, uh…that shouldn’t be a problem. Our Golden Retriever will be happy to collect the balls you hit on Polzeath beach during your holiday there at the end of March. And you could ask Mr. Boycott to come over and give you some coaching.
Jamie: Oh…Guys, yes…most definitely. That would be great… a brilliant coach, in every way.
Mother: Well, Jamie, I’ve got to hurry… just send me a postcard from Melbourne. One from Luna Park would be nice.
Jamie: Of course, Mom. I pose with Brendon and Ben and eat a melting chocolate ice cream. My favorite treat!
#Dear #Jamie #exchange #letters #mother #Bernadette