Facebook group Panel of Cricket Experts on its sixth anniversary, had organized a writing contest where the members were asked to write about their favourite cricket team including but not limited to what they liked about that team, how they fell in love with that team, happy and sad moments. The top 5 writings of that contest are featured in WicketNepal.com
- Saroj Karki (Top 5) England
Cricket is not just a game for me; it has now been the way of living. But it wasn’t always the case for me earlier; I have to be honest here. Unlike many other members of this group, I do not have a very long history of following this beautiful game of cricket. I used to watch cricket occasionally with no real passion. But everything changed during the back end of the year 2012 when England toured India.
It was during my vacation days when the series started. And I’m still not sure how did I fall in love not just with the England Cricket Team but with the game of cricket as a whole. Maybe Alastair Cook’s resolute knock of 176 during the follow-on of 1st test followed by Kevin Pietersen’s flamboyant knock of 186 in Mumbai has to do something with it. England won that series 2-1 and later knowing the fact that England had won the series in India for the first time in 28 years made it extra special. Total team effort, hard-working nature and the commitment to give more than 100% on the field made me further fall in love with the England Cricket Team. Since then it has and will always be true love, support and gratitude towards the England Cricket Team no matter whatever the situation is.
“I feel the happy memories are all created through these beautiful small moments and who knows something big in World Cup Trophy may just be round the corner with the team constantly playing attractive brand of cricket with some real panache and enthusiasm.”
With the passion towards the team rapidly increasing with each and every forthcoming match, I went back to know more of the history about the England cricket and what really stood out for me was Ashes series win in 2005 and of course the 2010 T20 World Cup triumph. And since I started following the team deeply, test series win in India and South Africa, hard-fought test match draw against NZ in 2013, that captivating ODI series win over NZ in 2015, Liam Plunkett’s mind-blogging last ball 6 to tie the match against Sri Lanka, massive opening partnership of 256 runs between Hales and Roy, record-breaking ODI highest score of 444 against Pakistan and reaching T20 world cup 2016 final are some of the heart-warming fond moments associated with the team.
Oh, I nearly forgot the recent world cup win of England women team against India fighting back from a difficult position courtesy of Anya Shrubsole special. It indeed was pretty special. Well, some of you may argue your team has not won any major title during this tenure but I feel the happy memories are all created through these beautiful small moments and who knows something big in World Cup Trophy may just be round the corner with the team constantly playing attractive brand of cricket with some real panache and enthusiasm.
“I literally ended up in tears when Carlos Braithwaite’s magical four-ball punch destroyed all my hopes and dreams of seeing England lift the title. It was the saddest moment for me but that was certainly not the end as we are seeing this young, bold and fearless England team making a lot of positive strides learning from such crucial moments.”
Being an English fan was not always easy with all the criticisms being pointed towards the team time and again. May that be Kevin Pieterson saga, team’s approach towards the ODI cricket or failure to win some crucial matches. Seeing the British press all over the team during hard times was never a good sight.
To be honest, I really don’t want to remember 5-0 thrashing in Ashes, ICC CT 2013 final loss against India, being knocked out from the group stages of 2015 world cup and of course the so near but not-ought to be the ICC T20 WC glory. I literally ended up in tears when Carlos Braithwaite’s magical four-ball punch destroyed all my hopes and dreams of seeing England lift the title. It was the saddest moment for me but that was certainly not the end as we are seeing this young, bold and fearless England team making a lot of positive strides learning from such crucial moments.
Well, some of you may have started thinking it’s too long and so much boring. So, let me finish it on some funny note. I could not remember the countless instances when I watched England’s match sitting on some weird positions and ending up with leg/body pains, not moving from a particular place, checking the scores in particular tabs, crossing the fingers and many other similar silly acts. You may call me superstitious or something similar for these kinds of activities but that really doesn’t bother me for finding unique ways to think for the betterment and good fortune of England Cricket Team. It is after all a love and support towards the team.