End Of An Era

When living in NZ, I was a keen indoor cricketer and I wrote this on my work blog a week before arriving in the UK in 2008 (which was the inaugural year of the Indian Premier League (IPL)) to start a new life. 

Reading it through again today almost 6 years later, I couldn't believe I wrote this one so well! So, I posted it here. Based on true events, enjoy the humour in this, especially mentioning the serious issue of the "brain-drain" affecting NZ.

The most capped player of the Dirty Hackers, Dirty Hacker Aaron, is finally calling it a day. Dirty Hacker Aaron has confirmed to St Lukes media reports that he will head to England in the middle of the Indoor Cricket competition, to play for the Indoor Premier League (IPL).

This move is one of many in the accelerating Player Exodus to the Northern Hemisphere, which is causing much concern as to the state of the game.

It was a clinical display from the Dirty Hackers who exacted revenge on the most controverisal team in the competition, Got the Runs. In an ill-tempered game marred by a controversial mankad in the final over, the Dirty Hackers restricted them to 68 runs, then easily chased the target with 4 overs remaining. Only the Dirty Hackers could lose the game in the final 4 overs, but Dirty Hacker Aaron ensured that no cheap wickets would be given to the opposition, as they confidently closed the game out, handing the Dirty Hackers a well-deserved victory.

For Dirty Hacker Aaron, it was a memorable final game, which will mark the end of his playing career in St Lukes.

“The win was a great team effort. Everyone stepped up in the field. I was a bit nervous closing the innings, in case I might hand victory over to the opposition, but with the old ball not swinging as much, we managed to shut them out comfortably.”

“I didn’t take so kindly to the mankad in the final over. I suppose they’ll do anything to win, but it’s not something I’d do myself.”

Dirty Hackers Captain, Dirty Hacker Bryce, revealed that regular talks with Dirty Hacker Aaron had been going on since January, in an effort to retain him.

“We were definitely keen to keep him playing here for the Dirty Hackers,” he said.

“He’ll be missed for his off-spin bowling contribution, and no-risk approach to batting.”

A spokesman for Indoor Cricket St Lukes denies that the ongoing Player Exodus will affect the current competition, but concedes that something must be done to prevent further talent from going overseas.

“The opportunities for these young men are too attractive to refuse. Just as our young doctors, nurses, builders and lawyers chase the benefits of overseas employment, so too will our Indoor Cricket players. We need to find a way to make the sport more attractive to the public”

Dirty Hacker Aaron is the most capped player in the side with over 180 appearances. However he never won a major title with the Dirty Hackers. After losing in 2006 against the Slack Caps, they tied against the Bunny Boilers in 2007, but an inferior net run-rate cost them their first finals victory. Dirty Hacker Aaron also played a part in the less successful campaigns, reaching the semi-finals four times. He also had 10 caps as skipper, and his first outing as skipper proved memorable as he decided to open the bowling with a spinner, evoking memories of Martin Crowe’s decision to open with Dipak Patel at the 1992 World Cup. 

Dirty Hacker Aaron will play for the Reading Royals in the IPL, which is being hosted in Glasgow, Scotland. He will make his debut for Reading at the start of next week, against the Glasgow Highlanders.