Evergreen
by cricketjeff on May 26, 2019. © Jeff Green, All rights reserved
His arthritic fingers struggle for the grip they used to get,
Then his shoulders ache and grumble, while his knees complete the set,
His run-up’s now a walk-in, there’s no bound to reach the crease
But at Armley-Under-Pastures they know wonders never cease.
No longer does much fielding, he still bats at number eight
Though his hook no longer flashes his off-drive can still look great.
Where they once saw “minor counties” other teams now start to grin
But their batsman stop their smiling on a pitch that’s taking spin.
He took five for five last Sunday, three for ten two weeks ago;
When great-grand-kids come to watch him he will always steal the show.
Been five years since he made fifty but he rarely makes a duck
And his laughter says he’s heard him when a bowler mutters “luck!”
First two daughters then three grandsons have played with him in the team,
One of them had trials for Essex, could have fulfilled Grandad’s dream.
All those youngsters are now watchers but he’s never gonna quit
While his arm’s still turning over and there’s balls he can still hit.
Author notes
I’m not sure exactly where Armley-Under-Pastures is, but the village cricket
team still plays in the county league (second division). Non-cricket fans may
not follow every nuance but we can’t all be perfect!
16 lines
English