Shawn Uweni: Cricket is more than just a game (30 Days, 30 Voices)

by Shawn Uweni

I’ll like to drop this off. I know it’s very awkward to see a Nigerian boy talk about cricket. I just want to enlighten people on how much I adore cricket and how it is more than just a game. Many of us say cricket is boring, stupid, long daft and annoying. All these things are true until you finally play the sport. Cricket is as competitive as many of these sports we play as much as I love soccer and basketball my love for cricket is more like passion.

I started playing in year 7 when they had trials for my schools cricket team. Out of everyone in my set I was the only one that actually focused and continued playing the sport I got into the team and after 3 years of playing I went for the u-15 trials I didn’t make it but shortly after I got invited into a closed camp as a second team player . The closed camp was really tough compared to the king like treatment I got in school. Since then I haven’t stopped playing and I’ve gotten lots of awards. Let’s not go into that.

Most of you see cricket on TV and change it. It makes me laugh when I mention cricket and guys go like “uggggghhhh”. In my mind I’m like if only they knew what it is like hitting a ‘six’ or getting a ‘wicket’ or throwing the ball to the wicket for a ‘run out’. Hahaha, while reading this I’m sure most people are clueless about what any of those things mean ill briefly explain the game.

In cricket there are two teams of 12 players each 11 on the field and a 12th man who is like a substitute. Before the game begins the captains come together with the umpires who are like the referees they take a toss of the coin and the winner chooses if he wants to bat or bowl. If he chooses to bat two people from his team will come out all padded up to bat and the other 9 will wait on the bench. The job of these bats, gosh!!! , is to HIT. While hitting they are also trying to protect 3 sticks behind them these 3 sticks are called the wicket.

The bowling team will come onto the field with 11 of their Players one of them behind the wicket, one bowling the ball (throwing) and the other 9 scattered around the field. The person Bowling the ball is trying to hit the 3 sticks behind the bats man and the batsman is trying to protect the bowler from getting these 3 sticks while doing this he is also getting points and trying to hit the 6 and the 4’s. Getting a FOUR is hitting the ball out of the boundary, but before it goes out it touches the ground. THE BIG SIX (6) this is hitting the ball out of the boundary line without it touching the ground. Hitting the ball sounds very easy but when you get to play you see that it isn’t so easy because of the variation in the bowling.

The pace of the bowler can change, the swing and the direction of the wind can change. Cricket is recognized by very few Nigerians. So many people don’t even know Nigeria has a cricket team. If you tell them they’ll think it’s a lie. Nigeria has one of the fastest bowlers in Africa in Saheed and one of the biggest hitters I’ve seen in my life is Endy Ofem. I wish to see cricket at the forefront of Nigerian sports and I wish to see our team at the top of the ICC rankings with the likes of the South African Hasheem Amla, Chris Gayle of the West Indian and so many others.

Cricket is regarded as a sport for gentlemen. I consider it beautiful, elegant and glamorous struggle.

After reading this y’all should stop by at TBS, Lagos Island, to watch our local cricket league or channels 202 to watch the best of international cricket. Garraaaa !

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Shaun Eweni is a budding photographer who has done a lot of works with different professional individuals and agencies. Shaun is also a writer and loves the game cricket. He currently, is a student and he communicates through:

Twitter: @_ShaunE

Instagram: @shauneweni

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