When I told my father I was going to watch an actual cricket game for the first time ever, he laughed for a good five minutes. That should tell you everything you need to know about my involvement with organised sports.
Growing up in Ireland, cricket wasn't a popular sport so I knew nothing about it before going to see Nottingham Vs Derby at Trent Bridge on Thursday, May 19. I was quietly confident that I could pick up the gist of it though so I did absolutely no research before I went. After all, I had managed to pick up the rules of rugby the same way in previous years.
However, within minutes of it starting, I was totally lost. As I took my seat in the press box to the amusement of the other journalists who were there to actually cover the game, I started to panic - what had I signed up for? I didn't have long to panic though as I was told Nottingham had won the toss and elected to lead the field. What did this even mean!? No one explained so I did a lot of smiling and nodding in the hopes I knew what I was on about. In hindsight, I may have looked a bit over-enthusiastic or terrified.
I grew up on sports like hurling and rugby so I'm not used to games where there is no threat of actual bodily harm. Cricket feels very gentle in comparison which isn't a bad thing. I'm now googling words like wicket and innings because I have no idea what is happening. All of the other journalists are writing furiously so I'm hoping my googling will make me look like I know what I'm doing when in reality I've just written 'man throws ball at other man.'
I'm also now completely confused as to which team is which because they have changed into all-white clothing when before they were helpfully in different colours. Given this game lasts for four days, we have got a long way to go yet. Another journalist enthusiastically tells me that this game could still end on a draw - how is that possible?
A groan from the audience after a man hits the ball confuses me because I'm not sure why people aren't happy about it. He hasn't knocked any of the stick things behind him over, is that the point? Does he have to run to bases like in rounders? I'm lost but I realise that I've been watching intently though as it's holding my attention.
While I am confused by the game, I can see the appeal of it. The sun is shining, the coffee is flowing and the fans are really enjoying it. It makes sense given it's an absolutely gorgeous day for it. It's surprisingly faster-paced than I expected as well. A huge cheer goes up as I take my eye off the game for five minutes. It can be 'blink and you miss it' stuff.
I was invited back to attend the T20 Blast on Friday, May 27 and told this was cricket at its 'wildest.' I quietly thought, how wild could it get right? Turns out no one was joking about it and I was not at all prepared for it.
The atmosphere is what makes this an incredible evening out and really good fun. The quiet game I enjoyed the other night gave way to a ruckus of cider in the sun, music up full blast, fireworks and actual, non-accidental bursts of real fire on the pitch.
I've been to quieter nightclubs than this but the atmosphere was electric with packed stands. The fans cheered, screamed and whooped along while waving pink cards with a number four and six on them. Why the numbers? Who knows! Certainly not me.
My poor partner spent a good part of the game not only explaining what was happening before giving up and drawing me a diagram. Despite not really understanding, even after that, it was impossible to not feel the excitement of the crowd, and the speed of the match which is much faster-paced than the four-day event I had been at.
Obviously, this isn't going to be the article that tells you who did what, how many points were scored or anything technical about the game but I can tell you that The Notts Outlaws went on to win against the Worcestershire Rapids.
I am actually quite surprised at how enjoyable I found the whole experience. I do recognise that some games are better suited to having a strong understanding of the rules but there are a lot of accessible events like the Vitality Blast game. I'm not giving up my rugby any time soon but I would be very tempted to make a return to the grounds for another game sometime in the near future.
Watch this space.
