Posted on April 14, 2009 - by Justin Hartman
GeekCricket – a very serious affair
For a few weeks now I’ve been following the GeekCricket Wiki, an initiative started by Rob Stokes and fellow Geeks, hoping that I’d get picked to play in Sunday’s game at the Wynberg Cricket Club.
At the time I was the 6th reserve but thanks to Easter holiday’s the guys started dropping like flies and I finally made it on the list. In all honesty I haven’t felt this excited about something in a long time and seeing as the last time I played a proper match was back in 1996 I was also extremely worried.
I’m sure many of you are giggling just at the idea of a geek cricket match and while I can’t blame you I have to warn you this was a very serious affair. We had 17 professional cricketers turn up, there were many geek cricket groupies, two photographers and dedicated media coverage and that’s not even taking into account all the young wannabe cricketers learning from the masters.
First ball was bowled at around 11am and the Kaapse Klopse were off to a flying start. I got picked for the Chevrolet Nashua Mercedes Supersport Nike Chargers and we managed to contain the Klopse to a formidable 145 all out. I didn’t think we stood a chance and after only making 5 runs myself I figured it was all over. In the end though the Chargers pulled off an historic win no thanks to our esteemed captain.
As you can imagine though geeks have no concept of stopping so we decided to have a second game – this time a short 10 over a side match. Needless to say we lost a few guys in the process so our nine a side game became a six a side game. At this stage the groupies had left and all that remained was the die hards of Wynberg Cricket Club.
It was our turn to bat and the Chargers put on a seemingly impossible total of 97 in our 10 overs. I had figured the batting aspect of my game out and was top scorer with 23 not out and this time I was convinced that Rob’s Klopse team had little chance of scoring 10 runs an over.
Things were going extremely well until I had to bowl. I think the Klopse needed around 35 runs to win and I got smashed for about 25 in my over. It was, without doubt, the most expensive over of the day and I had effectively lost the match for our team. I apologised after but somehow I doubt that I’ll get a chance to bowl next time in.
And so after two grueling matches the Klopse and Chargers were all square. After more than 10 years of not playing a real cricket game I have to say that 5 hours of action packed entertainment is just a little too much for my eroding body. I have little doubt that I’ll be struggling to walk the next couple days but hell it was all worth it.
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April 14, 2009
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New blog post: GeekCricket – a very serious affair http://tinyurl.com/cn3npf
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April 14, 2009
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That over was the highlight of the match for me. Especially since I had just been smashed for 19 in the previous over and you came on to replace me
As Rob “diplomacy” Stokes said, “cricket won on the day”. Can’t wait for the next one. My muscles disagree but to hell with them!
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April 14, 2009
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Haha, sounds very entertaining. I would love to get back on to the pitch and bowl a few leg breakers and off spinners. Those were the days.
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April 14, 2009
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lol, legend. Tell those boys to give the “25 runs a over” guys a chance to live the Dream too.
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April 14, 2009
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@Allan – thanks for putting me under pressure… bastard
@Seags you missed a good time man!
@Clifford that’s the spirit I like see. You’re in my team next time if you’re up for it
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April 14, 2009
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I tried desperately to get there and get a few pics of all you sports geeks in action, but alas, fate and the Easter bunny intervened. Sounds like you may see the start of a geek cricket league, although it may need to be indoor cricket as winter is about to descend.
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April 14, 2009
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What an awesome game. Cricket was indeed the winner, and my muscles were definitely the losers. Based on all the complaints of pain, it seems we could all do with a few more of these exercise days.
Thanks to all involved, I had a blast.
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April 14, 2009
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That was some good fun
MORE MORE MORE!
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April 14, 2009
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I reckon those Joburg geeks should get their act together so there can be a JHB vs CT geek cricket-athon! Hell, I’d fly back from London for that one!
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April 14, 2009
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@Brandon – you missed out pal… was a great time!
@Rob – thanks again for a great day. You do still owe me money for balls
@justB[coz] – thanks for leading the groupies – made it much for fun having some support on the sidelines!
@Jon – I think it’s a great idea. Maybe Rob and Mike can sort it out… although I have to say I think the JHB guys don’t stand a chance
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April 14, 2009
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I will play for the JHB team, could prob get someone else to play as well! 2 Man side so far!
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April 14, 2009
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@Justin – Ooooo now you have set a president!
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April 14, 2009
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@Seags – it’s the only way to get people to do anything
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April 14, 2009
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Well I am in for sure
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April 14, 2009
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So sorry we couldnt be there, sounds like an awesome day!
Maybe next time in JHB???!
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April 14, 2009
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I look forward to a JHB match