Observing the Aussies: Cricket...

I love cricket.

There's no other way to say it. When I first arrived, I was like the 299,999,999 out of 300 million Americans with no idea what cricket was other than that everyone wore white, hit a ball for some inexplicable reason, and the game itself appeared to be named after a rather annoying insect.

But that was before I returned this last time while the Ashes Test were going on and Australia was simply wild about cricket. So much so that as each match was played it would be up live on TV's, wide screens, and PC monitors everywhere. It was at that point my Aussie hosts decided I would learn what this game is about.


Now I know what my fellow Americans are thinking "Are you kiddin' me? It just doesn't make logical sense!" One thing to realize is that there are 23 rules to the game that make no logical sense. They are what they are, having been that way since some olde England gentleman tripped over a large chunk of wood, hit his head on a croquet ball and said "Foresooth, me thinkest yon wood and yon ball can be made a game of the ages!" followed by a stream of olde profanity at the knot on his forehead.

Believe it or not, there are two websites that my Aussie mates gave me that helped me to understand this game. The first one is a succinct description of the 42 rules. They are not that difficult so just read 'em and take'em at face value. Don't bother to question why.

The second one is how the game is actually played. Very important since rules can be interpreted in many ways, right? So like the 42 rules, you just accept 'em.

You're all set! Now find a cricket match on TV or the web and just watch it. Suddenly you'll see that not only does it make sense, but it's actually a pretty good game. Oh yeah, it also helps to have someone you can shoot a question to now and again.

But when I was in a pub watching a Test match and something happened on-screen where I yelled "WHAZZZAAAT!!!" along with the whole bar?

Psh. I was in.

- Farmer Ted