The Greatest Sound Of All

I knew I was close.. Feeling the pain, physically and mentally, facing yet another ball from the Pikey End. I don't have long left to get these last few runs to reach a major milestone in my short-lived cricket career. The bowler runs in and pitches it short. I sense my opportunity and go on to the back foot, painfully, and pull it through square leg for my 19th boundary. Straight off the middle of the bat, it felt good. I hear a ripple of applause, getting louder and louder. I had done it. My maiden 100. The greatest sound of all.

The truth of the matter is, it wasn't physically painful, (up until the moment my hamstring went at least) and I have to admit it was one of the least demanding mental innings I've ever played. We were only chasing a minor target of 164 so I was very confident that even if I didn't get a good innings, there were batsmen behind me capable of doing the job. This relaxed me immensely and, matched with some pure filth of bowling, helped me develop a good score early on. By the time I was on about 20, part of me knew this was the time. I felt so good at the crease. They had one good bowler, a left hander, but nothing was getting through me and I hit him for 2 boundaries an over, at least. Before I knew it, I had reached 50 but I barely celebrated. Most of me, the 'new' me, knew that the job was half done and for the first time, ever, I believed I could get a 100. I was getting more and more confident with every shot, even when the bowlers bowled beamers at my nose and hit me on the thigh, lofting shots for 4 with ease.

I was on around 60. I played a solid forward defensive shot and my batting partner called me through for an unexpected quick single. I dashed out of my crease and just before I reached the other end, my hamstring went 'twang' and I pulled up heavily. I had felt it go tight a few overs earlier and knew it was coming. From then on, my attacking play was down to the fact I couldn't do a lot else and I reckon the injury contributed to me getting 102 not out. The fact I had a runner and I could just concentrate on playing shots made things much easier for me. However, the 102 still goes next to my name and the century is all mine.

Nothing can compare to the moment I hit the runs to take me over the mark though. We were close to winning so it was a now or never moment. Hitting the 4 and hearing the applause and suddenly my batting partners and the umpire coming to shake my hand for a fantastic effort, it goes down as one of the top 3 moments of my sporting life. It must have looked like I wasn't hugely fussed but in all honesty, I was amazed. When I started playing the game a few years back, I thought it would take me years to reach my first 50, let alone 100. Now I have a few 50s and the elusive 100 under my belt, the world is my oyster. Just a shame the England test squad was announced that morning..

When I got back to the dressing room, my "not fussed" face must still have been on because a few people said I didn't look hugely happy. The truth was, I was still shocked and it still hasn't sunk in yet. It sounds slightly sad I know, but I have dreamt of getting a 100. Sad. Yeah, I know. But I don't care. The funny thing is, I wasn't even using my own bat. I had broken it in a friendly on Friday, snapped at the splice, so I used Boony's 808. I offered to buy it from him after! But I will just be borrowing it as much as possible from now on..

Strangely, when I got home, I told my parents of the afternoon I had had and my Mum said, "Is that good then?" followed by my Dad's laughter and admitting that he had had a "premonition" that I was going to score a 100 today.. The strangeness and joys of parenting in contrast there!

However, throughout all the joy and happiness of getting this mountain of runs, I had still picked up an injury. I never get injured. I have probably had about 6 injuries in my whole sporting life and I can't cope with it. I don't know how a few friends of mine cope with all the injuries they get. If I end up not playing next weekend at all, I will be severely unhappy. Working, knowing I'm not doing anything later will destroy me. Part of me reckons this injury was karma's way of telling me, "You should have gone to work, so you're not having all the laughs". Then I realise, there's no such thing as karma. Korma on the other hand...

Work was painful tonight. Limping around trying to get everything done and being in agony after a few hours. Of course, after putting most of your weight on the other leg, both legs become painful and it was torture towards the end. However, a small part of me was still smiling as I knew that it was the battle scar from a fantastic afternoon.

This is the reason I love sport. The moments of personal achievement that win your team the match or gain you a personal round of applause and a cheer. For me, there is no better feeling, and for me, today, it was the best feeling of all.

Ciao x