Bat and ball

Climbing and arcing and into the sun
The man at the crease adds some more to his ton
The ball is retrieved and with catchers all round
There’s strangled appeals at some in-between sound.

A drive through the covers, the fielders are split
The next one’s a yorker but this too is hit
In comes a bouncer, which rises head high
And duly despatched into clear blue sky.

End of the over, the batsmen confer
Up on the hill they’re creating a stir
The bar’s getting empty with each shot that’s played
As all gather round to see history made.

On comes a spinner, who gives it some air
Coaxing the bat from his well-guarded lair
Dancing towards it our great padded swan
Lifts it majestically over long on.

The fielders are sweating, hungry for shade
Another sets off at the flash of a blade
He chases at first but is soon out of hope
And watches it gently pop over the rope.

It’s now round the wicket, a quick change of plan
But onto the back foot it’s cut to third man
It’s three more to win now – just one big hit more
The batsman is itching to settle the score.

With right arm and over the ball is in play
And met by an edge that runs safely away
The fielder pursues it; he’s closing in fast
Of all his exertions this could be the last.

There’s two easy runs but they go for a third
A run out right now would be quite absurd
The keeper is ready, gloves over the bails
As in from the boundary the cricket ball sails.

The batsman is panting, still out of his ground
With one desperate lunge can safety be found?
A stump is uprooted, the chalk and dust fly
And all turn their trust to the umpire’s eye.

‘Not out’ is the verdict; the bats are both raised
The crowd’s on its feet feeling thrilled and amazed
It’s one for the records, a game to recall
A fine summer’s day with the bat and the ball.