How to enjoy your game of cricket

Bro. Nimal Gurusinghe

Cricket is a game which has become synonymous with sportsmanship and chivalrous behaviour. By following the rules and regulations it lays down, a youngsters secures a code of good conduct for his recreation and for life itself.

Outstanding cricketers are respected all over the world not only for their latent but also because of their well mannered behaviour. A youngster who does not respect the rules and code of good conduct and who thinks no end of himself will never be a top class cricketer who can win the hearts of others. Humility is a great virtue in cricket. Those who are humble can learn a lot from others.

Play it hard

Whenever you play a game play it hard and play it to win. Give your heart and soul to your team.

Always play with determination and the best way you know, from the very first ball of the match, combining your individual skills for the good of the entire team.

If you have to defend do it reluctantly and only when you are compelled to do so.

If you defend from the start of the match you will never win and you will not learn the art of winning. Remember attack is the true spirit of the game. Do not make any game dull due to lack of aggression.

This does not mean you should be unfriendly to opponents.

Cricket giants like Colin Cowdery, Ken Barington and Jim Parks were very friendly with their opponents, when they came to the field to bat against England.

But they tried their level best to send them back to the pavilion as early as possible.

Exciting game

Cricket is a very exciting game that calls for team work and reliability from every player. It is a game of "ups" and "downs" of success and failure.

The player who is not prepared to take disappointment and at time second place soon falls by the wayside.

If you are a newcomer and want to reach the top do not panic when you have to go through a run of failure. A cricketer encounters many failures.

The best International stars are those who have had to work hard to achieve Test and One Day status.

Same spirit

Those who have accepted disappointments and success in the same spirit are those who stand up to the rigours of Test and One Day International Cricket and overseas tours. They appreciate how hard it has been to gain their National cap.

Cricket is a game to be enjoyed by players and spectators alike. Both want to see a good battle between bat and ball, good fielding, throwing, catching and picking up of the ball.

Natural characters

There are a few players who are natural characters who can gain the following of the crowd. If you have such a personality use it wisely.

If not, try not to be funny for the sake of getting the attraction of the crowd. Some humourous incidents may centre on yourself, so learn to accept this and do not over play your position.

Coaches have a great responsibility to ensure that high standards are maintained.

They should continually remind their pupils that the morale of the whole team can be lifted or hurt by the action of one player. Winning teams are punctual teams and always have an air of confidence in each other which can be detected when they are on the field or simply by hearing them talk.

They are alert to their captains instruction, never fold their arms or put their arms in their pockets, and play the game the compliment of being physically fit. One man can by his own skill win a match and just as surely one man can lose it, but even in the midst of a slump in form you should never let your teammates down through an ill-considered action.

Controversial

One of the most controversial issues in modern cricket is that of "Walking" for a catch behind the wicket.

No player should look with disdain at the batsman who has obviously hit the ball and remains at the wicket to wait for the umpire's decision. This is his right.

I admire the player who does this, even if he is given not out and continues batting provided he does not make a fuss, if he is given out when he has not hit the ball. If he is prepared to take the umpire's decision in the first instance without comment then he must be prepared to do the same in the second situation.

If you are on the fielding side it is always good to recall the batsman who is not out even when the umpire has ruled him out.

That's called great sportsmanship. Even if you do not recall him it does not matter.

Then do not make a big fuss, if the batsman is really out and the umpire does not rule him out, and he continues to carry on.

This is a wonderful game played by people of many countries, of varying abilities, but all gain the same sense to enjoyment and satisfaction from it.

Playing or watching, only do those things which will bring credit to your team and above all to this great game itself. If you play this game because you love money you will not enjoy it.