On Saturday morning we laid a beautiful lady to rest, we had the most amazing funeral for my Grandmother who was 89.
On a normal day i would send my Grandmother a cricket report in the evening of myself and the kids and how we went today.
She was my biggest fan, we would often talk about state and national cricket, when she was younger she used to come to my games and tell me what i did well and what i didnt (which was alot).
Today was different...
Now I play grade cricket here in Toowoomba, i came straight to the game from the wake, basically having to strip and change on the side of the road and i was 10 minutes late.
We fielded first and kept our opposition to 173 off 40 overs, with our great little leg spinner Corey taking 5/50
So we had to bat in the heat of the afternoon, i normally open the batting, and regarless of funeral or not i took my place at the top of the order and faced the first delivery.
I didnt start well and when i was on about 15 i edged a straightforward chance to the keeper and he dropped it cold, that was my 1 in my head, next over same again big edge to 1st slip and he too clanged it, thats when i new something was different, i thanked grandma and got my head down and cut my next ball for 4.
Without giving you all a ball by ball report i batted all the way throught the innings loosing batting partners along the way,
It setup that we needed 30 runs off the last 3 overs, to which i was lucky their good spinner had a bad over i was able to hit him for 4 fours and a single.
We got down to the last over and we needed 5 runs, the young fellow i was batting with was facing and clipped the ball for a single to bring me on strike, unbeknowns to me i was on 97 at the time, i drove the next ball through cover for 2 which took me to 99.
I am sure the wicketkeeper thought i was nuts as i was talking to my grandma the whole way, by this time i had been batting for 3 hours and I was running on emotion as physically i was dehydrated and shot, and cramping badly (because i am in such peak physical fitness!)
They brought the field up to cut off any singles, the bowler delivered a full delivery outside off i was able to drive though the covers run the 2, win the game, bring up my first ever 100 in the 26 years i have been playing the game!
There i was a 101 not out, i kissed my sleeve waved my bat at the sky and broke down in tears and sobbed just overcome with the amazing day that had been, and how it ended.
Thank you Grandma, it was you batting with me today.
I have shared this with you all as you are my friends, and so many of you i consider family
