Cricket, explained by my British son

My son Sam who is in year 7 is quite sporty and has discovered his favourite school PE activity is cricket. To my understanding, they play a slightly modified version which is more suited to their age and ability. However, knowing diddly squat about cricket to begin with, I wouldn’t have known any different.  Although Sam explained quite descriptively (and probably very accurately) how cricket is played, he could have actually been saying anything, for what I understood by the end of it was as clear as mud. Not his fault. I take full responsibility for what can only be described by my son as ‘ponage’.  Which basically means I am stupid. Its true, there is something I just don’t get when it comes to cricket. It doesn’t click – it’s a similar thing with the offside rule. Although sometimes I do actually get it and I generally understand most things about the game of football, meaning soccer. So what is it about cricket? No idea. Perhaps you have to be British or Australian to have that innate ability to understand it, let alone enjoy it.

The games and activities in British schools that Sam tells me about never cease to amaze me.
For example, bench ball. In my mind I picture lanky kids trying not to fall off a bench, never mind trying to pass and catch a ball. After Sam’s explanation of bench ball, my only response was “what happens when you fall off the bench?” His response was full of disbelief and disdain, “Mum, no one ever falls off the bench.” Again, ponage. Gah!