From Nuisance to Lullaby: A Gully Cricket Story

Gully cricket, is an informal version of the sport cricket that is played in non-traditional venues such as streets, alleys, parks, and backyards.  It is typically played with fewer players and simpler rules than formal cricket. The equipment is also often improvised, with a tennis ball or rolled-up paper serving as the ball and a broom or wooden stick used as the bat. The pitch is usually marked out with stones or chalk, and the boundaries are determined by the available space.Despite its simplicity, gully cricket can be a very exciting and competitive game. It is a great way for children to learn the basics of cricket and develop their skills. It also provides a valuable opportunity for socializing and building community spirit.

The old house had its charm: a courtyard, a veranda, and a corridor. The corridor, with its endless straight-drive potential and need for just one fielder, was our afternoon cricket haven. Judge Uncle's living room, tucked neatly in the corridor's "short cover," would erupt in commotion every time the tennis ball kissed their wall or window.

Today, playgrounds, verandas, and corridors are luxuries reserved for the lucky few. This made my house's front yard the prime target for the neighbourhood’s afternoon cricket matches. Now, my living room window stood a mere 3 meters away from the swinging bat, right in the heart of the "action." Add to that my

afternoon relaxation time, and you have a recipe for potential annoyance. The chirping chatter about cricket and schoolyard adventures followed them like loyal companions. The game usually ended when their "birth right" - sibling squabbles - took centre stage.

Initially, when the ball landed on my window once or twice, I threatened to knock their teeth out. A chilling silence followed, deafening my afternoon naps. It dawned on me: the silence wasn't due to fear, but a lost ball. That evening, I found myself at the market, buying them a new one.

Now, the symphony of "out!" shouts, bat thuds, and their animated discussions lull me to sleep like the sweetest lullaby. A little window's worth of glass pales in comparison to the magic and vibrancy of gully cricket. It's a reminder that sometimes, the greatest joy comes from unexpected sources, even if it arrives with a few dents and scrapes.