Diary Of A Cricketer

ONE

The weight of my cricket bag felt heavy on my shoulders, as I threw it into the Mini-Van.

I had slept as early as possible last night, just so I could have enough stamina to play a fifty over game, from morning to afternoon, and win. I didn't know it yet, but I would be doing this almost every summer weekend for the next six years- And it would be worth it. You'll see.

Inside of the trunk was a variety of things. If you looked at the trunk with fresh eyes, you would think that we were going on a month-long vacation in the wilderness. Hammock, snack bag, chairs, a mat, a cooler, my cricket bag, an entire tent, and a shed.

I grabbed the trunk door, and pulled it down, startling the people in the van. My Mom, Faiza, my Dad, Qari, and my sister, Aliyah. My Mom would come to my games every single week, watching every ball, every hit of my cricket bat, every catch. My Dad would come and take me every single week too, not missing a game, watching everything. They loved cricket. Aliyah despised it, but she came too.

I pulled the van door open, and hopped into the back seat, before shutting the door. The Van had a clean new smell, probably from the AC my Mom had put on so we wouldn't get a heat stroke- It was summer, and not only would my family have to watch me, and get sweaty and uncomfortable, I would have to run around and use my energy all while having those exact same difficulties.

My Mom looked at me through the windshield. "Did you put on sunscreen?" She was wearing a hijab, correlating to the uniform that matched mine that she wore- Only hers had a skirt. Her skin was fair, her eyes dark brown, and she had eyebrows that drew closer together whenever she spoke.

I nodded, straightening my glasses. I didn't put on a drop of sunscreen, and it was showing by the tan on my skin.

"Okay. Are you excited?"

"Yeah." I chugged a can of redbull, before setting it aside in the cupholder next to me.

Next to me was Aaliyah.

Aaliyah was eight years old, and I was only twelve at the time. Her braid poked out the strap of her cricket hat, as she wore the uniform that my Mom and Dad wore. The difference from theirs to mine, was that theirs had their names, and mine had my own. She had a mix of fair and dark skin, and facial gestures that she wouldn't give a break to.

My Dad turned to look at me. "So, who's open batting?"

My Dad had tanned skin, was a medium sized beard that covered his neck, and forehead lines that creased whenever he talked. His eyes were dark brown, and his face was oval shaped.

I told him.

Dad backed out of the driveway slowly, before making a turn, and exiting the street. He made another turn, and I looked out of my window. Right by our street, was the Masjid, where I did Islamic School. I was memorizing the Quran, and what I didn't know was that I would finish it, in a couple years.

I pulled out of my phone, and flipped the lockscreen, before opening the camera app. I looked back at my reflection. I had tanned skin, and my eyes were dark brown. My sky blue hat was planted on top of my head, followed by the glasses that covered my eyes. My uniform theme was sky blue and midnight blue.

Cricket has been in my life for almost everything. The PS4 in my room? Cricket games. The desktop computer? Cricket games. The T.V? Cricket. Sport events? Cricket. The only thing that my life had enough room for other than cricket, was my Quran. I've been memorizing since I was ten, in my Islamic School.

I stared at the window. We had been driving for about half an hour, before finally reaching the cricket field- the same one where we played most of our games, Thermon Cricket Park. We rolled into the parking lot.