Mad Frogs in Boiling Water

maddogssydney
Feb 18, 2014
4 min read

By Sean Garvey

I knew there was a reason our beloved team adopted the name of Mad Dogs. Only a bunch of half crazed English die hards would have continued to play Cricket in weather best described as monsoonal. It went like this……….

Arriving at the ground to heavy rain we gave ourselves till 11.30 to make a call after missing the usual 10.30 first ball. At 11.25 we saw our chance, a glimmer of sunshine; this was to be the last that day.

It is said that a frog warmed up in boiling water will not jump out till it is dead. Placed in an already hot pan it will immediately jump out. This glimmer of sunshine was our entry in to the metaphorical pot of slowly warming water. The Mad Dogs and the Goons were the little Frogies about to play a game of cricket they will not forget.

Having counted the numbers (with many predicting this was not a day for Cricket) each side had even 8 players. Not optimal but doable.

Despite the gap in the clouds, rain started again in the first over with a newbie Gareth Chambers going for a mildly embarrassing 12 runs. As we realised we were 25 for 0 after 2 overs the raindrops took on a heavier feel and the clouds a darker complexion. No bother, we were English and the Goons (by name and nature) looked like they were keen to play.

After the first two batsman retired with very comfortable and very quick 20’s, the break through came off a Luke Knowles ball caught at long on. This was followed by a cheeky off cutter on to leg stump in Sean’s next over. Sixty for two off 8 overs was not great, but not bad-the rain applauded our quick wickets with a slight ease in raindrop size.

The game continued at a steady pace with a much slower 4 an over. Unlike the run rate, the rain increased and like the proverbial Frogs the Mad Dogs paid little attention to the slowly worsening conditions (the need for tight fielding with only 8 players ensured our concentration on the game). It was not until the 17ththe decision was made to start applying wood chips to very muddy crease. At this point we should have realised that time was up and the rain had won! No, Mad Dogs by name…

We were sent in to bat with a run chase of 120, which was respectable given the rocket start the Goons achieved. By now it was certainly uncomfortable seeing fellow cricket players so drenched that one could see chest hair and nipples (Bondi wet tee shirt eat your heart out). However on we went.

The final straw to call an abandoned match should have been when a Goons bowler slipped over 3 consecutive balls-his whites were anything but at this point. But “Oh No” we were 20 for 3 off 5 overs still in with a fighting chance. The clouds darkened further and the frogs in their now very warm water continued. The on field pair of Keith and Gareth decided quick singles were too dangerous. Boundaries were the only currency to avoid slipping over between creases.

There comes a point where, as a batsman you must decide that enough is enough. When you can’t see the ball till it bounces is one good indication. However, so hypnotised were we by the rhythmic drum of rain, completing the game was the only objective. After all we were probably the only team in Sydney still playing.

Just before the water boiled and all the little frogs on the field died- up turned the Groundsman. Although now too dark to see his face, his long angry tirade of colourful language, which could be heard over the rain at cow corner, said it all.

What the F**k are you doing?

This was an obvious question given the now appalling conditions: - near zero light, ankle deep mud, a wicket which was covered in wood chips and two cricket teams that looked more like swim teams.

Of course, all the little frogs now close to boiling point had no idea.

Needless to say the groundsman went on for half an hour about how even Footy teams would not be stupid enough to play in these conditions. Clearly he was not cut out to be a Mad Dog. The bottom line, we abandoned the game with Mad Dogs chasing 120 with a score of around 23 for 4 off 5 overs (we would have been pushed to win I reckon). Waking the next day some of the quotes reflecting on the game said it all: