Colossal Crickata
My name is Colossal Crickata (the nic name the kids at school
gave me). I am an overseas exchange student and when I first
arrived at school things seemed very strange indeed. Firstly the
language. I had to quickly learn that G'day meant Hi,
whatyadoin meant are you up to anything important, wanna
join us fa a game meant would you like to join us for a game.
To which I was eventually introduced to the game of cricket.

Sent out to the school oval to be part of the inter school team I
watched as a small red ball was propelled over three upright
sticks, towards a person waiting at the other end; strangely
dressed up in white, wearing what looked like padded stockings
and a helmet. Furthermore, the ball was about to be hit with
what looked like a baseball bat come hockey stick gone wrong.
Suddenly a roar went up from all over the place. Why was
everyone cheering? All I saw was a ball rolling towards a line
on the ground and someone running towards this line. When
the ball went over the line the crowd cheered even more. I was
told that was a four and I went "huh"?

Soon it was my turn to bat. Walking awkwardly towards the
pitch, I stumbled because of the silly things that I had on my
legs. With my helmet on I felt like I was going into battle rather
than playing a game.
Standing facing a person who started running towards me at
high speed I saw a ball coming towards me. Swiping at it like a
barn door swinging in the wind I connected and heard a
scream "run". At this point all I could think of fantastic, I get to
go back to the rooms and have a rest with all the other kids. Not
so. I was meant to stay at the other end and run again.
The umpire came over and informed me that I was holding the
bat upside down like a baseball bat. Now I understood why
everyone was laughing. Mildly embarrassed I righted the
situation and waited for another scream. Facing my end I
again swung like a barn door except this time I heard "howzat"
and I went "oh hows what?" to the nearest person next to me.
The umpire at the other end lifted a finger in the air to which I
lifted mine in the air not realising that it meant I was out.
Dejectedly I walked off the field. Perhaps being a person
cheering was more fun and I should leave cricket to the
cricketers. But if I couldn't play the game why not participate
in another way.
I observed that each person's bat was special to them, like a
totem with a handle on it that they could wave about. Why not
make the bat more colourful and turn it into a work of art? (You
can do your own design on page 3 if you like or just colour in
the design Danny did)
Completing a design on the back of a bat I said to one of the
players "take this out and see what happens". Not only did the
bat look good but people came from all over to see the design.
And I even think the batter played better.

From this I learnt that just because you can't play or you don't
understand the rules or because you feel left out doesn't mean
you always have to feel that way. Sometimes not playing a
game can be as much fun if not more. When I did what was
right for me I felt better smiled more and was happier. I think
that's what sport is about. Whatever position or part you play as
long as it feels good for you then its the right one.
internal design by Danny
Story by Angela