by Dudley on Mon Aug 20, 2012 5:30 am
Played cricket yesterday. It was bastard hot. Even so, was feeling good whilst batting, defending well, had hit a couple of boundaries off looser balls, until I got bowled by a short pitched ball that I went to hoik but which shot along the ground.
Then kept wicket for the first time in 5 years. Again, was really enjoying it, being right there for every ball, until my mate Matt bowled a beautifully-flighted off break that drew the batsman forward, beat him through the gate and as a result, meant that I only picked it up again a milisecond before it slammed into my eyebrow. I went to retrieve the ball, to make sure they didn't sneak a run, but 1st slip told me stop and then I spotted the blood splashing all down my shirt and pads.
Two hours in A& E, I have four stitches, concussion and the shittest facial bandage you have ever seen. Weirdly, I just feel massively relieved that a) it hit me where it did, rather than eyes, nose or mouth and b) we still have the NHS, so I got sorted out for free after stupidly hurting myself playing a child's game.
Got back to the pub in time to be bought many sympathy pints. On days like these, summer in the UK ain't bad.
I rode the back of the bus but my grip kept on slippin'