Cricket in Brisbane
Summer in Australia means many things, but I soon found out after arriving last December that one of the biggest things it means is cricket. And I happen to love it.
So it was with much excitement this morning that I hoofed it to Rebel Sports downtown in the CBD to the Ticketmaster window and bought tickets to day two of the test. That is day two of five. I wanted to attend day one, as well, but because this will be my first experience, I’d rather just go the one day and have my appetite whetted for more rather than be burned out by the end of two. In short, I don’t want to hate cricket.
Now about this Rebel Sports place. It’s magical for sports lovers, akin as it is to Big 5 (but better) and Modell’s. I’m talking athletic clothing, replica uniforms, equipment for all kinds of sports, workout iron and accessories, hats, shoes, everything. And its got cricket stuff.
I had never held a cricket bat or seen the gloves and leg pad things. This morning, I took my time with it all. I picked up a bat or two and took a pretty non-cricket swing. I saw all the mini cricket bats they had, and I want one. I even picked up the cricket bat oil. I checked out all the crickets sets. Beach cricket sets. Nets. Helmets. And there is even an FM radio that will give you the stations that call the cricket matches. This is something I am going to have to get, because just last week, I told the girl that while I’m excited to be going, I’m going to miss the call of the match.
I have no idea why I’m obsessed with this sport. My barber asked me yesterday if I liked baseball. Well, yeah, but I told him that these sports really can’t be compared. I read an article a few months back from a Brisbane newspaper called, “If Americans Played Cricket…” It was a fun read, as were the eleven pages of comments that followed. Some good, some hating on the “yanks.” But whatever. Baseball and cricket might at first blush seem similar, but they really are quite different games, each coming with their own sets of specialties. That’s for another post if I ever care to write it.
In the meantime, I am indeed obsessed with cricket, and I can’t wait till Friday, November 21st. It’ll be a week before the down-under summer, and I’ll be wearing flip-flops and green stuff on my lips rooting for Australia. Please may Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee, and Matt Hayden be named to the team. Them alongside Andrew Symonds, Michael Hussy, Michael Clarke…fuggedaboutit!
I can’t even pretend to understand, but I’m glad you get to see a match up close and personal. Maybe that’s what I need to appreciate the sport. Go myself and get the chance to see what I want to look at instead of being dictated by the shots they choose to show on the tv.
Great to see cricket is growing on you and you’ve caught the bug
I am an Aussie and have loved cricket for about 10 years now. Have never played at club level but plenty of backyard cricket and attended many games. It truely is a brilliant game. Many find test cricket a bit boring but for those that truely appreciate the game can’t compare it to anything else, it’s simply the best. I don’t mind baseball either and if I ever travel to America will be sure to checkout a live game.
Rebel Sports – that’s a whole other story, I can spend hours in there also, drooling my way through the store. I love checking out the cricket & tennis gear.
Danielle, will this do it: cricket and beer. Sun. Fun. Anything yet?
And Cricket Rules, I definitely caught the bug rather quickly. Just a few questions here and there about the rules and I was hooked. I think it helps having a great team to back, too. But then again, I was excited to watch NZ and England back in June. So it’s the sport first. See you in Rebel Sports! (I can’t wait to go back. This time with money.)