ODE TO A SPORTSMAN

He was sixteen that day......as he walked out to keep the bowlers at bay.They were 5 down for 100 odd...he was his captains last trump card."He is a kid" they did say ...."he should go back home rather than play".But they didn't know ,that the king had arrived....and he was here to stay.An array of bouncers greeted him on his way.....he twisted and turned but didn't fall a prey.They stared at him and he stared back ......in his life he never had and never would crack.Then one struck him on the head...but that didnot deter him altough he bled.He clenched his teeth and took fresh guard...and told himself to concentrate hard.A bowler then, offered him a half volley...he drove it to the fence and turned it into mockery.He cut, he pulled , he drove and made merry......While the bowlers payed the price of trespassin into his territory.The mood in the dressing room soon became peppy.....as the crusader continued to scintillate with his epee.Slowly as time chugged on....he saw to it that his team avoided follow on.He reached his century during the course of the day...but it didn't matter he had to be there till the end of play.He fell finally, was the last man out...but not before he had completed the rout.The crowd gave him a standing ovation....and he smiled for the first time feeling immense satisfaction.It's been 16 years since that day.....and in our hearts he will alwayz stay.