Daniel's First Cricket Game

For over a year James and I have been saying that we should take Daniel to a cricket game. He loves playing the sport and we were pretty sure that he would love watching it too. Unfortunately last year there weren’t any afternoon games on so we could do it, but last night was the 1^st and only afternoon game for the Sydney Sixers so I got tickets. It was Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers. Howie and Oscar are members of the Sydney Sixers so we got tickets near them in the hope that we could sit next to each other at some point. Our seats were great!

But after a few overs we moved over to the next bay to sit with the Howies. Daniel was very excited to be with Oscar. 

Being at the game made me realise that Daniel didn’t really know much about the game of cricket and how it is played. He knows a lot of the skills, but not the game itself. He was very excited and this lead to many, many, many questions being asked by him. The first batch were technology based – What is that thing driving around on the field? (a camera on wheels). Why isn’t it on the field for a while? (because it would get in the way. It’s only used when batters come on or off the field) Why is the screen black? (so the batter can easily see the ball).

Then it started to be questions about cricket. Where is the bowler? Did they run because they hit the ball? Why didn’t they run? Are they out? Why are they changing ends? (because it’s the end of an over). So now they’re going to change ends? (after one ball of the over. No, because an over is 6 balls). Yay! That’s 6 runs! (No. Just 4. Why? Because it bounced before it went over the rope.) Why aren’t they out? (when the wicket keeper hit the stumps. Because the batter was still in their crease). Soooo many questions! But great that he was interested in the game.

I just loved watching his joy at different stages of the game. The Sixers batted first so there was joy when we hit 4 runs. 

Toward the end of our innings a few 6s were hit and that was very exciting! 

We didn’t do too badly. He cheered and clapped when players got their half century when batting. He loved clapping to the beats like the ‘We Will Rock You’ song. He loved getting up and dancing when the MC told us to. Oscar definitely helped him know when to get up and move, when to sing and things like that. He loved seeing the Sixers get wickets. 

He still needs to learn that even if they still have 20 runs off 10 balls that it is very possible that the other team can still win because for the last few overs Daniel was convinced that we had definitely won and that the Scorchers couldn’t win.

He got a bucket for being a bucket head when we came in. It was a bit big for his head but he had a go at wearing it for a bit. 

At the start he had it on and I was talking to him. A gust of wind came and it almost blew off. Quick reflexes meant that he did catch it in time, but it did result in me having a little scratch on my face. Bucket 1, Mummy 0. All good.

At the break I went down and met Poppy. He had kindly gotten each of the kids a 6ers Santa hat. Very cute to wear! I want one! Maybe next year Poppy ;-) Daniel and Oscar straight away changed their hats to their Santa hats for the Christmas spirit.

Dinner for Daniel and I was hot chips because the eftpos system was down at the SCG. Not so helpful. Fortunately I had some money in my wallet so I got us hot chips and Oscar a pie for dinner. Daniel enjoyed having his chips, but was a bit sad they had run out of sausage rolls.

In the end, the Sixers came home with the win! 

They did great with getting wickets when they needed and bowling dot balls, even in the last over. Winners are grinners. 

What a great first game to go to. I’m so glad that he loved it! We will have to go back again next year if they have any afternoon games and hopefully there will be many more over the years. Thanks for having us Sixers!

He also loved having the shirt from Woolworths cricket for the Sydney Sixers.

Daniel really enjoyed his time playing Woolworths Cricket. It was a lot better than last year. The kids played a lot of games to learn some of the skills and they were constantly active. It was great to see kids enjoying playing so much and Sean the coach was just great!