never mind.
Can't say my first proper representative match was that er, character-building but it was pretty embarrassing for one incident.
I was 14 (I'm ignoring school cricket here) and to celebrate being selected by my local cricket club for the first time, I went out and bought some new cricket boots from Gunn and Moore.
They were very helpful - the guy behind the counter asked me whether I was a fast bowler and the like before producing these boots which looked like, er, boots (remember we're talking 1960's here. Look at old photos of Trueman, Statham, Higgs, Snow etc) with the high ankle supports etc.
I got them home and spent hours putting the studs in (you had to screw the studs directly into the leather).
The next day, the big game. Home match. My mum and dad, grandma, loads of friends turned out to watch.
We batted first - they put me down at No 8 and I scored 2* before we declared - yay, big cheers. I looked splendid in my new boots.
Fielding, I was put out to grass at third man and/or long-on for the most part. We were well on top so the captain brought me on to bowl. I measured out my run - 14 paces - and came steaming in. I took off in my delivery stride and when my left heel hit the ground - to my horror - I discovered that I'd stripped most of the studs out. I skidded about 5 yards before falling flat on my backside - still holding on to the ball.
Luckily, one of the other quicks (Rammo) had some spare studs and a spanner in his pocket, so he quickly shoved three or four in the heel. Funnily enough, the right boot and the left sole were fine.
I (eventually) bowled 2 tight overs and removed their last man - finished 1-2 I think. My gran and mum were all concerned for my welfare (whether I'd got hurt) - my dad was just pi**ing himself.
Later, Rammo (no longer with us unfortunately) told me the secret - you're supposed to SOAK the leather before putting studs in, then it shrinks as it dries and they'll hardly ever fall out.
The following year, Gunn and Moore had a sale of boots with sockets for the screw-ins. I bought some of those.
:wow:
