11 years later and he’s back, thanks to one of the dads from Aarons junior cricket team, who talked me into talking Aaron into going. Two boys from Aaron’s junior team were touring and they were keen for Aaron join them in what would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Aaron was initially reluctant. All of the touring party other than Aaron had played representative level cricket, some at state level and most played grade cricket. Aaron had never been that keen to strive for higher honours in any of his sport, so had never had the chance to test himself against better players. Instead sport for Aaron had always been more about time with his friends. So given the quality of the touring party and opposition, he was concerned he would be out of his depth.
But as the tour progressed he surprised us all and most importantly himself.
Batting down the order in the first couple of games Aaron performed well before being give his chance batting at 3. With the tourist chasing a competitive total on a difficult wicket, the loss of an early wicket brought Aaron to the crease. Two 4’s though mid wicket settled the nerves and boosted his confidence on a wicket and bowling that created lots of issues for his team. After a solid start wickets started to fall in a flurry and the team struggled. Aaron found a way to survive, keep the score ticking over as he provided the foundation for the run chase. Late in the innings with his team running out of wickets and overs Aaron was bowled attempting to increase the run rate. A wonderful effort that has been a source of frustration for his coach, in that Aaron showed what he can do, but turns up to training without a care in the world. But that’s happy Az. We wouldn’t want him any other way.
Anyway for his effort Aaron received that prized Zebra shirt awarded to the player of the match.
The tour rules stipulate that the recipient is compelled to wear the shirt until the next match AND that it is never washed. So imagine smelly teenage boys pulling on a shirt after a full day of cricket in India, its gotta smell bad. Aaron got great mileage as the next two days were sight seeing and he had to wear the shirt through it all.
With some solid performances and feeling like he belonged Aaron settled into touring life and began to enjoy the experience and the comradery of being on tour with a bunch of like minded people.
There were lots of laughs.
It was still a learning experience though. Aaron really developed his game batting against good spin bowling on sub-continent wickets. He also learned that players who grow up on these wickets really know how to play spin and they really put him to the test. He did have some success but generally just mumbles expletives when asked about his bowling on tour.
That one as OK though.
Its great how a photo can prompt a memory. When he viewed this photo he said, ‘I remember that net session. I was shitting my pants the whole time’. Prompted, it seems that some local quick bowlers had been recruited to bowl to the team and were keen to impress. After taking some stick from one of the lads, a NSW U19 rep, they were keen for some revenge when Aaron followed him in the net. How fast are these guys Aaron asked, “not that quick, only in the 120’s I supposed came the reply”. Aaron continues the story. “Only 120’s, I dead set didn’t see the first few, and it seemed like the guys were trying to kill me, every second ball was a bouncer aimed at my head.” But he survived, didn’t take a backward step and learned to cope with the onslaught. A good learning experience as its rare to face a net full of bowlers all at that pace.
The tour progressed and Aaron had his successes and failures, but more that anything else had a great time. He came back more confident and much happier with his place in the world. I’ll leave the final word on the tour to Aaron.
“The tour made me realise just how good we have it at home.”
Link to the official tour video: