----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Weiss" <[log in to unmask]>
> Back to baseball, etc. The Spicer poem that Pierre posted is an example of
> a large genre, written and in film, of baseball as metaphysical drama.
> Which is the way USians tend to experience the game. Is there a similar
> literature of cricket, or does it always remain cricket?
>
> Mark
A friend of mine, S.J. (Jackie) Litherland, whom some of you may remember,
is a cricket fanatic as well as a poet. I phoned her just now to ask what
she thought about this.
She says she sees cricket, particularly the proper 5-day version, as akin to
the Sagas. It's a game of endurance and attrition, and yet there's plenty of
opportunity for display of skill and character -- Great Feats by the Heroes.
Each team has its battle strategies, yet Chance plays a part (the Toss,
determining which side bats first), and Gods interrupt in the form of Rain
and Bad Light. The 5-day match gives full play to all of these factors, and
also exposes individual character, revealing flaws as well as strengths.
Becoming more and more lyrical by the minute, she said that the batting
strokes are like fencing moves.
As for a literature of cricket, Jackie has herself written a long sequence
of poems ('The Homage'), which she hopes will be published next year.
I've read several fairly minor novels, mere entertainments really, on the
subject of cricket. These almost invariably deal with Village Cricket, that
quintessence of Englishness, and the thrust of the story usually involves
the efforts of the local team to save their cherished cricket-ground from
being sold off to some industrial concern. The village rallies round, a
celebrity lends support, and the day is saved. All good clean English fun,
good for reading if you're ill in bed.
And I must say that there are few thrills to equal watching a brilliant
batsman, right on top of his form, pull off a stunning performance to save
or win a match -- as anyone who remembers the so-called 'Botham's Ashes' at
Headingley in 1981must surely admit no matter what side they're on.
best joanna
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