Early Years

I don't really remember when exactly I got into cricket, but I do remember watching the 1996 World Cup. I believe that was the beginning of a wonderful journey into the world of cricket. The more I watched it, the more I felt alive. Everyone on the family knew that if there is a cricket match going on, I must be sitting in front of the TV watching it. Life was so good, my brother and I would get up at 2.00 in the morning to watch the Ashes - Test matches for five consecutive days, or nights rather!

My brother and I took a leaf put of the Ashes, and held our own Test matches in our alley, which was about 50m long, 1m wide, with little protrusions every few meters or so. We held test matches between Australia (that was mine), and South Africa (which was my brother's). In fact, we started with the exact sequence: Kirsten would open the batting with Hudson, whereas McGrath would open the bowling with Kasprowicz, with Shane Warne coming first change. I was probably a better Warnie than McGrath!

Oh, the number of windows we've broken! And the number of tennis balls on the roof of our upstairs neighbours, right next to the tank! I bet you'll still find some there today! We were going through a dozen balls a week, and that's being conservative! Our downstairs neighbours weren't spared either: They had their share of windows replaced! This sort of carnage went on for several years...