Life is Cricket. Cricket is Life

Actually. It is. I don't know whether it's the fact that I was born into this part of the world, or the fact that it's absolutely breathtaking: Cricket is an obsession. And the obsession is just reaching it's annual highs this time of the year. The World cup around the corner and knocking on the door, i spend most of my days playing cuts, pulls and drives in mid-air.

Cricket is simply 'the' sport, ever since, I was attracted to it like nothing else. I may have an unhealthy obsession, but sadly enough, the days I used to play for the school team my run rate was equally unhealthy. I had the passion, but I can't say I had the best of talent when it comes to batting. The days I used to play for the team, it was a mix bag of emotions. Alot of let downs, a lot of disappointment, and a lot of bruised limbs. But being in the game was what mattered the most. Going to the pitch, taking your run up, looking at the batsman with a fiery glance, and bowling the perfect seamer was all I was in for. I loved my bowling. To my dad, I used to be the arrow. Nicknamed so because of the steaming fast bowling action that I used to have. At some point I lost it. And how ever much I try, I can't produce the same pace.

There is one little incident, that really had an emotional impact on me. I broke my old pair of cricket boots (used for 4 years) and wanted a new pair of studded boots. My dad, as always, went out of his way to spend on the new boots at that time, because he never fails to know what makes me happy. But the very next day was squad selections, and I missed it. I missed the one opportunity to have my comeback as the opening seamer, but I lost it. And to this day, I haven't had the time or the heart to wear those boots. It hasn't yet tasted the mud and grit of a cricket field. I hope the day will come.

The two most memorable moments: Coming down the track and lofting a spinner for six, and bowling the perfect in-swinger and knocking down the middle stump.

Cool scene, I signed up for volunteer service for the World Cup. Running around a bit I don't mind at all, cause I get to watch the matches from the VIP stands, and get Sri Lanka Cricket shirts and security passes to meet the players. Somebody kick me into reality =P Cricket will always remain in my heart as my passion, my motivation and my want for the rush of adrenaline. Long live the game, and long be victorious the Lankan Lions.