It was currently 79 and the 3rd wicket fell.
The victims were, 1, 2 and 4 and I the number 5 batsman came in with 165 more to get in 187 balls.
I came in, Did the necessary formalities and stood on the crease, Looking towards the bowler.
"Play"
The Umpire gestured and the bowler came in at full speed.
Delivered the ball, hit the good length and i defended it perfectly.
"HOW'S THATTT!!!???"
the bowler shouted, Gesturing towards the umpire.
Only problem with the defence was there was still swing on offer and it just barely passed the outside edge.
The Umpire moved his head from side to side.
Gesturing that it did not nick the bat.
The bowler looked at me with a smirk on his face.
As if he almost got me.
"Good ball."
I said, as he was trying to provoke me and left the crease as it was the end of the over.
He couldn't really say anything else so he too went back to his fielding position at 3rd man.
...
"Hey, can i change the channel? I wanna watch some drama."
The red haired employee that beat Ji yeong and became his senior in terms of position was currently very bored.
"Nope, I'm watching."
The boss gestured.
"What are you even watching anyway... I've beeb asking you to change it over and over again. What's so fun about this?"
"See that name on the scoreboard?"
"Scoreboard?"
"Shm... I was once like you myself. Who didn't even know what scoreboard was. right at the bottom of the tv screen. You see some numbers and names don't you?"
"Aah, yes. Read the names out loud once."
"Mm... is this a reading test or something?"
"Just do it."
Said bomi, gesturing that she wasn't testing her capabilities as a flower store Employee.
"Mm... fine, [Man-Shik 2/20 (6)], What the heck is that even supposed to be?"
"Continue."
"Mm... Chan Woo (32/25)... Isn't this that handsome guy i saw at the beginning. Those commentators called him that if i remember"
"Continue."
"Ji... Yeong? I feel like I've heard that name before... Wait, Is that?"
"Yup, that's him."
"Seriously? That's Ji Yrong? There's no way, I can't really see his expression beyond that helmate of his but... he looks way too dignified to be him. No way that clumsy, Introverted person is playing a sport."
"Well, that's him alright. He's afterall working here for the past 2 years so, we feel the need to support him, That's why i kept it on so other customers woukd also see it before leaving. Maybe we'll find someone who is interested in that sport and we'll tell him about Ji Yeonga and they can me friends. I've never seen him with anyone before."
"Boss, you are really thoughtful. That's why i love you."
"Ahhaha... kids these days, always flattering us old folks with their sugar coating."
"That's seriously that guy? That timid introvert who can't even talk properly. He looks so serious, His posture is so upright unlike his usual sloppy unmanly posture."
"You really hate him Don't you? What made you hate him so much anyway?"
"Huh? I Don't hate him, I just Don't have a favourable opinion of him. It's not like he's some bad guy who i should hate. If he were like the is right now... I'd even think about dati- Well whatever. I'm taking a break."
"No you aren't young lady, get back to work. Break is after 4:30. it's only 4:25."
"Argh, fine."
...
*Achoo*
Damn it, whenever you sneeze it means a bad omen and you should stop doing it for 5 seconds and than do it again.
But, i don't believe much in superstitions so whatever.
*Slam*
Take that mfr...
This shit just bowled a slot ball with mid on and mid off both inside.
Is he stupid or something.
Ofcourse i didn't use too much force because i was afraid of Not timing it well.
Got the timing and placement both right.
I was slowly feeling pressure after being 5/15 but that four helped my Figures.
Now i was 9/16. So i didn't have to worry about boundaries for a while now.
...
"What match is this? It's definately not some run in the mill game since it's being broadcasted."
"Well, As much as i know... It's a follow up tournament from what happened 3 months ago."
The boss gave a brief reply.
"3 months?" asked the red haired girl named Mi-Rae.
to which the boss answered.
"Yaa, there was a smaller game. Where i think 20 teams participated? out of which 150 people were chosen and he was one of them."
"150? How many people are there in 1 team?"
"Well, as much as Ji yeong told me. It's 11 players and 4 substitutes. But substitutes can't really play as in they can do fielding but can't bat, nor ball."
"I see... I Don't understand."
"Well, they can do 1 minor thing but can't do the 2 major things as substitutes."
"I see... I guess i understand that."
"Good. So each team has about 15 players. so 300 in total, so half were not involved."
"I know the math smh."
she pouted as she got an answer before she could even calculate.
"Aal well, whatever. I still didn't get my answer though. Is it like a national or international match or something?"
"i'm not sure myself, but ig it's between Cities. oncy difference is, Now all the 150 players were jumbled up and are now playing in A to J teams."
"Aah, i see. I understand now."
...
Why's there still purchase on the pitch even after the end of the 30th over?
It's getting kinda hard to score.
Due is starting to appear on the pitches so it's a good sign.
But being 20 runs off 31 balls is not great.
Well here he comes.
he landed the ball on that good length again and again, I tried defending it but missed.
"HOW'S THATTTTT!!!???"
The bowler shouted again
The Umpire again unmoved.
And the bowler again looking dejected going back to his mark.
I've got insane luck today to not be nicking those balls.