01.17.05

Hogging the limelight

Posted in Cricket at 5:58 pm by

Hoggy Hoggy Hoggy.

“Have you seen? Hoggy’s got two already.”
“Three. Kallis first ball.”
…
“Any advance on thirty-six for three?”
“They’ve reached fifty.”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s all about whether the light goes before we bowl them.”
…
“Hoggy’s got another!”
“Four? He’s on fire.”
“Not four, five. Diepenaar and Boucher for a duck.”
“Good old Hoggy.”
…
“Ninety-eight for five at tea. What do you reckon?”
“We’ll do it as long as Hoggard doesn’t tire.”
“I’m not so sure. Will Smith bat? [South African captain Graham Smith had been concussed the day during catching practice with the ‘unconventional’ SA coach. The team doctor had told Smith to sit out the rest of the game, advice he was likely to ignore]?”
“If he can walk, he’ll bat. He’s as tough as.”
…
“Hoggy’s got another. Boje. Caught and bowled.”
“Blimey.”
“That’s six down.”
“I think they might just do it.”
…
“One fifty eight for six now. Gibbs is on for a ton, and Smith looks determined.”
“God. If Smith sees them through, he’ll be a national hero. Again. It’s like the Alamo.”
…
[Noises off]
“What’s that?”
“Another wicket. Who is it?”
“Gibbs. Gibbs for 98.”
“That’s big.”
“Poor beggar. So close, eh?”
“Surely we’ll do it now.”
“Running out of time, still.”
…
“Down to Smith and the rabbits, now.”
“That’s Ntini gone.”
“One more. One more to go.”
“C’mon Freddie, c’mon Hoggy.”
…
“I can’t bear this any longer.”
“I know. They’d better not blow it this time.”
…
“GOT’IM”
“No.”
“Oh yes. Got’im, got’im, got’im.”
“That’s bloody marvellous.”
“Guess who.”
“Not Hoggy, surely.”
“But it was. Seven, and twelve in the match. You beauty!”

That was quite a Test, and you know, sometimes following cricket at work is just the most perfect thing.

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