literature

The barefoot cricket team

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Literature Text

Those of you who need help of cricket words and meanings or don't understand cricket related bits in the story.

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Everyone who's playing for the Serenity XI cricket team in New South Wales Australia must play barefoot. Everyone in the team is always barefoot, even when they're batting. The lower order batsmen aren't as good as the top and middle order batsmen but even they have to bat barefoot despite the cricket ball being very hard.

A cricket ball is made out of cork covered in leather, it's harder than a baseball and a bit heavier (156-163 grams), a baseball weighs 142-149 grams. Spin bowlers normally bowl at 75-95 km/h. Fast bowlers can deliver the ball at 145 km/h but on average, they bowl at 135 km/h. Since their team bats barefoot, it can cause serious foot injury if struck by the yorker flush but they have trained to deal with the yorker.

The Serenity cricket team have won the cricket championship a staggering twenty times in a row. The cricket team travels via bus and their bus is their home, like a big mobile home. Everyone in the team are girls and they all look beautiful. The age group in the team is 19-23.

The Serenity cricket team squad and batting order and their batting averages (##.##) Notes <10 poor, 10-19 seldom, 20-25 not bad, 26-30 decent, 31-40 good, 41-45 great, 46-49 awesome, 50-65 excellent, 66-98 legendary and 99+ Sir Donald Bradman.

1. Holly Jenkins (55.64) Opening batsmen
2. Jordin Hopkins (54.46) Opening batsmen
3. Megan Davis (60.34) (Captain) Top order batsmen
4. Julia Logan (57.75) Top order batsmen
5. Alyssa Torina (55.48) Middle/Top order batsmen
6. Jasmine Gilbert (52.33) Middle order batsmen
7. Nora Smith (53.43) (Wicket keeper) Middle order batsmen
8. Veronica Stevens (38.83) Lower order batsmen
9. Madison Gilbert (26.21) Lower order batsmen
10. Kelly Vernon (20.44) Tailend batsmen
11. Carla Edson (16.22) Tailend batsmen

12. Daisy Thomas (54.22) Batsmen (Bats at Numbers 1-6)


Madison and Veronica went out to the city all day. Both of them are new to the team after Layla Tills and Anna Roberts retired from the team about a week ago before the season started because they were both over 23 and the maximum age for the cricket league is 23.

Both Madison and Veronica were barefoot as always and their soles were very dirty. Veronica was wearing a black denim cropped shorts and a white tank top, she had nice long toes naturally unpolished and neatly trimmed. Madison was wearing a skinny blue jeans that go up to her ankles, she had a black top on and her bare feet had white toe nail polish and were neatly trimmed. Both of their soles are pitch black after walking around the Sydney CBD (Central Business District) all day.

They took the public bus back to their home bus which was parked at their home ground. The bus driver didn't care when they entered, the two girls swiped their smart rider cards in and they took a seat. "Oh shit, I hope Megan doesn't know we went out," said Veronica.
"Yeah, tell me about it, she's gonna kill us if she found out we're going out," Madison replied nervously.
"Let's hope we get there before she does," Veronica and Madison took a seat.

Megan Davis has been in the team for three years. From what they heard other players from other teams, is that she's strict and determined. It's only Madison and Veronica's first day in team and they introduced themselves earlier today and left to the city without Megan's permission. "Your feet look great," Madison said, staring at Veronica's feet.
"I like yours too, it looks beautiful," Veronica smiled and looked at Madison's cute pair of bare feet.

Both of them walked to the bus and sprinted on the road with their bare feet to the home bus where the rest of the team is. They ran on the grass feeling the brush of the green clean grass and arrived to the bus. As soon they arrived, Madison opened the door and Megan was standing on the steps inside the bus. "Where have you been girls?" Megan asked politely.
"We have been training for our first match," Veronica replied nervously.
"Show me your soles please," Megan insisted. Veronica and Madison showed Megan their soles and they were pitch black.
"Nice, try girls, I know you went to the city," said Megan knowing how dirty their feet are.
"No we went to the shops after we trained," Madison tried to lie.
"I'm not stupid girls, I know that your soles are too dirty for the shops, they only get that black if you go in the city all day, it seems like you's two don't wear shoes, by the way, come inside and have a seat," Megan guided the girls to the dining table and they walked there feeling the soft carpet with their dirty bare feet.
"How do you know that we don't wear shoes?" Veronica wondered.
"Because of the way your toes spread," Megan showed the two girls how naturally spread out her toes are. "The more your toes spread, the more you went barefoot, because shoes confine your toes that need to spread out and going barefoot a lot can help spread out your toes," Megan explained.
"Why does everyone in the team have to go and play barefoot? You are aware that tailenders aren't as good at batting as the middle and top order players, they may not be able to handle the yorker well especially if it's reverse swinging," Madison said not knowing why they have to bat barefoot. "Believe it or not, the even the tailenders are very good at handling the yorkers even when it's reverse swinging. You see going barefoot has given them more confidence when batting because if they aren't afraid to show their bare feet in the cricket field or anywhere, then they have no fear when batting barefoot." Megan explained wiggling her toes.
"Veronica and I only wear shoes when we bat for obvious reasons such as the yorkers, this shoe is a great minimal alternative because it has minimal soles but adequate protection and it doesn't confine your feet so barefooters wearing this shoe can still have spread out toes. Other than that, we don't wear shoes when we field or bowl and any other places such as the shops, city and other places that you don't normally see bare feet," Madison replied, wiggling her toes.
"That's awesome, no wonder you toes are still spread out," Megan smiled "Going barefoot has enhanced our senses that you wouldn't get when wearing shoes. Girls in the team has batted better and the bowlers have bowled very well and more accurately. Sure we do get bowled out but batting barefoot helps us get a feel of the pitch because we know how the ball will behave and what type of pitch is, whether it's bouncy, dry, moist, flat or sticky. This helps me whether we should bat or bowl first if I win the toss. So tell me, how does it feel bowling barefoot?"
"Bowling barefoot is great because my bowling action is suited to being barefoot, I remember bowling in shoes when I was five or six and I was injured a lot and my bowling was all over the place. I couldn't maintain a sustained line and length and kept bowling half volleys, short and wide deliveries, down leg where I get leg glanced for four and many bad balls. During my injury, I saw that they were other teenage girls at the time, were bowling barefoot and they had excellent averages and were very economical, so I decided to try it after I recovered and I felt like I bowled much better and ever since I've been bowling barefoot in every single match I played whether it's test or limited overs. My average, strike rate and economy has drastically improved and I have never been injured ever since." Madison told her side of the story.
"Now your turn Veronica," Megan turned her head to her.
"I've always bowled barefoot and it's the best thing in my life. I keep hitting the exact same spot that troubles batsmen. The pitch map shows that I've only bowled at same area of the pitch with a few full and short deliveries to mess with the batsmen, barefoot bowling kept me injury free throughout my whole career whenever I bowl, it's great getting a feel of the pitch underneath your soles so you can connect with it." said Veronica.
"There's a reason why we chose you two girls, because your barefoot and your very consistent," Megan paused a bit "By the way, invite me next time you go to the city,"
"Sure thing, how come your not angry with us for leaving the bus without your permission?" Veronica wondered.
"I'm always relaxed and chilled. You see, going barefoot has helped me stay relax during matches and as a person, it's hard to get angry when your barefoot,"
"Why is that?" asked Veronica.
"Because the charge from the earth goes through your body and you get a great feel and that energy helps me and the other players in the team including yourselves stay relaxed." Megan told them.
"That's awesome," Veronica and Madison said simultaneously.
"You know we're versing the Supa Tigers tomorrow, so lets get some rest,"

They made their way to the bedrooms underneath the bus and slept with everyone else already sleeping. Everyone woke up early except for Madison, Megan and Veronica because they slept very late. "That's weird, Megan's always awake before us on match day," Julia said, looking at Megan who was still sleeping.
"It seems like the two new girls Madison and Veronica have also slept in," Carla touched Megan's dirty soles.
Holly pulled the blanket to expose their bare feet and said "Madison and Veronica's got very dirty feet,"
"Tell me about it, they awesome," replied Carla.
"We should've went out as a team," Julia laughed.

Megan, Madison and Veronica woke up. They climbed up the big hatch saw that the team chefs Carla, Holly, Jasmine, Jordin and Alyssa have cooked breakfast which was eggs, toast and deserts such as yogurt, oats, bananas, strawberries, mangoes and watermelons. The whole twelve players enjoyed it, well only eleven play the match with the 12th person being a fielding substitution for a fielder needing rest or is injured. Yes, the team does squad rotations leaving one out so another can play.

Everyone finished their meal and cleaned up their plates and spoons. Nobody bothered to train because everyone in the team has played so many test and limited over matches since they were very young. Instead of pre match training, the whole team just hang out with each other in the bus.

The Supa Tigers cricket team is the biggest try hards in the competition. Most if the time they finish runner up or third place. They have a secret training facility filled with advanced technology. Their players are highly disciplined and their coach is cool but strict and he'll punish anyone for leaving the team without his permission. The Supa Tigers have never beaten the Serenity cricket team before and they keep losing by big margins. Their coach has spent plenty of time disciplining his team in every game against the Serenity XI and training very hard in their secret training facility.

After the barefoot girls chat and interaction finished, the whole team went out of the bus and saw the Supa Tigers cricket team arrived. As always, the Supa Tigers saw that they were barefoot. The players walked to greet each other. All of the Supa Tigers players are wearing proper cricket shoes and uniforms whereas the Serenity XI are wearing their normal clothes and not wearing any shoes.

Megan as the team captain inspected the pitch just by walking on it with her bare feet so she can get a feel on how the pitch is. The Supa Tigers captain Milton Hemsworth couldn't walk on the pitch because he was wearing cricket shoes which can wear out the pitch. Cricket shoes have spikes underneath them so they can gain more traction on the ground.

Megan got a great feel with her tough but sensitive bare feet on how this pitch is and she concluded that the pitch is flat which is great for batsmen to score plenty of runs because the ball bounces predictably and no movement on the pitch therefore batting becomes easier. After thirty minutes, the toss started. Megan won the toss and chose to bat first because the wicket is great and would start deteriorate later in the match, making batting for the other team harder.

Holly Jenkins and Jordin Hopkins made their way out to the wicket. They were barefoot as always. Since the Serenity XI bat barefoot which is very dangerous because of risk of yorkers hitting the foot, they'll easily block or work singles or even score fours against yorkers.

The opening bowler Tyrone Headley a left arm fast bowler, bowled the first ball and it was an fast in swinging yorker aimed at Holly's cute bare feet which she steered the ball to the boundary past fine leg for four. The next ball, Tyrone tried to bowl another yorker but it was a full toss and Holly easily hit it for six over long on.

35.3 overs later...

Both Holly and Jordin batted very well with Holly making 122 off 112 balls and Jordin made 114 off 102 balls. Serenity XI is 0-233 off 35.4 overs with 10 extras. Kyle Wilson the Supa Tigers right arm fast bowler bowled a good ball off a good length, Jordin gave herself room to hit over extra cover, but she instead nicked it to the keeper and she was out. Megan said to Madison "Get ready, your batting next,"
"But I don't bat at the top order," Madison replied.
"Don't worry, I know you score fast so your're a pinch hitter." Megan said as she walked out to bat.

1-233 off 35.5 overs and Megan came to the wicket. She was barefoot as always and marked her guard on middle stump and rubbed the crease with her bare feet to help mark where middle stump is. After that, the bowler, Kyle Wilson came steaming in and bowled a half volley that Megan planting her front barefoot on the wicket, lifted her bat, smashed it through cover for four, beating the sweeper.

The over was finished and Megan and Holly came halfway down the wicket to talk to each other. "I can tell their coach is not happy at the result," Megan said.
"Yeah, tell me about it," Holly smiled at Megan.

46th over...

Both Holly and Megan increased the scoring rate dramatically, scoring another 179 runs in ten overs. By then, Serenity XI is 1-412 including 14 extras with Megan on 87, Jordin scoring 112 and Holly scoring 199. Holly is facing George Griffiths the Supa Tigers right arm spin bowler. George bowled the ball and it was a bad half volley delivery, Holly galloped down the wicket with her bare feet feeling comfortable stepping on the pitch and smacked it for six over long on.

Megan came up to her hugging each other tightly. Holly raised her bat, taking off her helmet and jumping at the sky celebrating. She wiggled her toes in excitement in scoring a double century in a limited overs match! Both Megan and Holly played footsies with each other.

After the celebration was finished, George bowled a full toss and Holly smashed it over deep square leg for six. Holly and Megan walked to the center of the pitch and touched each others gloves and playing footsies in the middle of the pitch.

The next ball, George bowled a good length delivery that didn't turn and Holly galloped down the wicket and miss hit it and George caught it easily. Holly was out for 211. The score is 2-424 and now Madison came in instead of Julia. Madison walked out to bat barefoot for the first time. As she walked her way to the pitch, Megan came up to her "You ready?" she said.
"Hell, yeah," Madison, glove punched Megan.

After the over was finished, Kyle Wilson came back on to bowl the 47th over. Kyle knew that she was a new member of the team. He bowled a yorker that was aimed directly at her bare feet and Madison timed it beautifully past square legs for four. Madison and Megan came in the middle of the pitch to congratulate each other.

Kyle bowled another four yorkers on target on Madison's bare feet and she hit the next two past fine leg, the next one past square leg and the next one, she gave herself room and timed it beautifully down the ground for four. The fifth ball of the over, Kyle bowled a shin high full toss and Madison smashed it back over Kyle's head for six. The last ball of the over, Kyle bowled a bad half volley that was asking to be hit for six which she obliges and she hit it over deep midwicket for six. Twenty eight coming from that over and the score is now 2-452 with only two overs left. The two girls came to the middle of the pitch again "That was great, Madison," Megan congratulated her.
"It's so cool to bat barefoot, you get a feel of the pitch and how it's gonna play out and connecting to the world beneath your bare soles is the best thing ever," Madison said in joy, she wiggled her cute toes.
"Hell yeah sister," Megan, gloved punch Madison which means good job.

In the bus...

After that over was finished. Veronica padded up getting ready to bat next should Madison or Megan get out. "You want to bat next next?" asked Julia who was scheduled to come in next.
"I wanna bat barefoot, I know I'm a tailender but I want to see what's it like," Veronica insisted.
"Go ahead, and good luck," Julia giving Veronica encouragement. Everyone in the team was stunned that Veronica was batting next.

Back at the crease...

Megan is facing the right arm fast bowler Morne Nimzo. He's a fast bowler who likes to bowl at express pace. He bowled a short one and Megan pulled it for six. The next ball he bowled was a yorker but it was a full toss instead so Megan smashed smashed it over deep midwicket for six. The Supa Tigers coach is fuming at this since a team full of hot barefoot girls is scoring a massive total. The third ball that Morne balled was a perfectly executed yorker aimed at Megan's perfectly shaped bare feet. She missed it and it hit her her bare feet flush. Megan wasn't even injured because she toughened up her bare feet by getting hit by hard cricket balls. Morne was stunned that it didn't affect Megan. Megan smashed the forth ball of the over for six over point and it bought up her century. Megan was excited that she scored a hundred. She jumped up in the air and wiggled her toes in delight. She went up to Madison and hugged her tightly. The fifth ball Megan scooped the ball over the wicket keepers head for six by using the bowlers pace. The last ball of the over, Megan gave herself room to hit the ball over cover but she instead nicked it to the keeper. She was out and she made her way back to the bus, walking in the soothing grass with her bare feet.

As Megan was walking back, she noticed that Veronica was coming in instead of Julia who was scheduled to come in next. "Veronica, what are you doing batting next?" Megan asked looking surprised.
"I just wanna see what's it like batting barefoot," Veronica said, while making her way to the wicket.

"So your here, Veronica? Great to see you," Madison said.
"Great to see you too," Veronica marked her guard at middle stump by rubbing the crease with her bare feet and she got ready to bat at the last over.

The score is now 3-476 off 49 overs with one over to go with Veronica on strike. Tyrone Headley was bowling the last over and he started with a yorker. It was well executed and about to hit Veronica's naturally spread out toes but she flicked it for four, just beating the fine leg fielder. Tyrone went around the wicket and bowled a full toss which Veronica smashed it over fine leg. The next ball, Tyrone bowled another full toss and Veronica just smashed it down the ground over the bowler's head for six. Tyrone went back to over the wicket and he bowled a half volley, Veronica gave herself room and glided it past third man for four. His fifth ball was another yorker but Veronica gave herself room and timed it beautifully in between deep extra cover and deep cover for four. The last ball of the innings, Tyrone bowled another shocking full toss and Veronica just smashed it over deep extra cover for six and the innings is finished.

Serenity XI finished on 3-506 with 30 coming from the final over. The whole Serenity XI team was very happy on how they finished with two girls who are new to batting barefoot. It was very invigorating for the two girls batting barefoot. The rest of the team came out of the bus barefoot to congratulate them for showing confidence and punishing the yorkers while batting barefoot.

The Supa Tigers coach is pissed since they conceded a massive unchaseable total and spent time lecturing his players while the Serenity team continue to interact and have fun with each other. Only Madison and Veronica's second day with the team and they already because close friends with everyone especially Megan.

The players in this team are like sisters to each other and they love talking to each other about life and different things. During the break, they ate some small meals and talked to each other. The Supa Tigers team have to train very hard and listen to their strict coach all day. It's near impossible for Supa Tigers to chase 507 off 50 overs.

Half and hour later, the Serenity XI came out of the bus all barefoot and the two Supa Tigers openers Jerome Macklin and Tim Ebert. Megan came up to Madison and asked her to open the bowling. Jerome was on strike and marked his guard. "Good luck Madison," Megan shouted from second slip. Madison is a right arm fast bowler. Madison started her run up and ran to the crease, getting great sensation from the grass underneath her soles, she started her jump with her right knee in the air, her right arm cocking at 45 degrees angle, her left arm cocked 90 degrees with her knuckle in line with her head and planting her right foot on the pitch which becomes her rear foot and her left front bare feet stomping the crease. Her left arm thrusted down to her left shoulder followed by her right arm that was straight and catapulted the ball at 146 km/h. It swinged in very late and trapped Jerome lbw. The Serenity players appealed and the umpire gave him out. Serenity players all celebrated for the first wicket with the score 1-0.

The next delivery to Fred Rippert was a beautiful delivery, shaping away from him late Fred had no choice but to play at it. He could only get a nick to the Nora Smith the wicketkeeper who took an simple catch. Madison was on a hat trick with Supa Tigers losing their first two wicket for no runs. All of the Serenity XI players were hugging her.

Already 2-0, Hubert Johnson came to the wicket to face Madison who was on a hat trick. Megan had five slips, point, gully, cover and only one on the leg side with midwicket. This is a very aggressive field. Madison started on her run up and bowled a beautiful delivery that seamed in and hit Hubert's off stump. The Serenity XI team was ecstatic when Madison got a hat trick in the first three balls of the Supa Tigers innings. The whole team wiggled their toes and looking at each other's beautiful feet.

Now 3-0 with three batsmen back in the pavilion, Deon Ross, the only left handed batsmen in the team came out to bat. Madison was on fire, swinging and moving the ball. Deon managed to survive the over which was a maiden with Supa Tigers 3-0.

Tim Ebert, the non striker batsmen who saw the horror down the other end caused by the barefoot bowler was now on strike, facing another barefoot bowler, Veronica Stevens. Veronica was more of a hit the deck seam bowler and Madison was a swing bowler. Tim faced Veronica's first ball and he tried to defend it but missed and it went to the keeper. She bowled a perfect line and length for the next four deliveries and Tim played and missed all of them. Tim was known to have an impenetrable defense, however missed all five deliveries from Veronica. The final delivery in the over, Veronica bowled a more faster one, Tim played a strong forward defensive shot but it went past and broke Tim's off stump. He was completely outclassed by a barefoot female bowler who brutally bowled him out.

The score is now 4-0 off two overs and Simon Quenters came in. Both Simon and Deon managed to see off the powerplay overs which they were only 4-9 after 10 overs with epic fielding from the barefoot girls, stopping the boundaries and the quick single and excellent bowling from Madison and Veronica. Megan took Madison out of the attack and bought Carla Edson in. Carla's a left arm fast bowler who likes to swing or seam the ball both ways. Now they need 498 to win off 40 overs with the equation at 12.45 runs per over which they need to hit big shots for the next 40 overs.

Carla started beautifully and immediately made an impact. Simon was on strike and he hit a good length delivery that was a bit too wide straight to Alyssa who used the extra "spring" her bare feet gave her to make a one handed diving catch to her left at gully. Now the Supa Tigers are 5-9 with Sonny Barker the team's wicketkeeper coming in to bat.

Carla was making Sonny play and miss every ball in the over and it was a maiden. She bowled beautifully and her bare feet somehow made her bowl much better. Megan decided to keep Veronica on and she bowled a perfect line and length delivery to Deon who can only play and miss. The fifth ball in the over, Veronica bowled a perfect delivery that nipped back in and trapped Deon lbw, Veronica and the team appealed. The umpire raised his finger and gave him out. The team was celebrating and they hugged each other. The score is 6-9.

Tyrone came to the wicket. He was an alright batsmen but not as good as the top order. Veronica bowled an excellent leg cutting delivery that caught Tyrone's edge and an easy catch to Nora. Veronica is on a hat trick and she had to wait until Carla finishes bowling the next over.

The score is 7-9 The next batsmen was Leewood Minoff. He is a right arm fast bowler now batting with his side in deep trouble. Carla continued bowling and she bowled brilliantly the whole over, swinging the ball both ways. Leewood showed some serious heart in getting through the over against another barefoot fast bowler.

Veronica was back in the attack and on a hat trick. Sonny is on strike and getting ready to face Veronica's hat trick ball. She bowled it short, bounced it up to Sonny's head. He managed to get an edge and Holly took an awesome catch at short leg. The Serenity XI came up to Veronica and celebrated with her. They all wiggled their toes and rubbing their soles on the grass. Now the Supa Tigers are 8-9 with George coming into the wicket next.

9 overs later...

George and Leewood showed some of the best heart batting for another nine overs and surviving the brutal onslaught from the barefoot bowlers and even from their off spinner Karla Vernon. It was Karla's turn to bowl this over and now the Supa Tigers are 8-20 after 24 overs. She bowled the first four balls brilliantly, not allowing George to get off strike. Her fifth ball she deliberately bowled a long hop and it invited George to hit it over deep midwicket for six. However just when the ball was going to be six for all money, Jasmine Gilbert who was fielding on the boundary, pulled off a ripper. She ran about ten meters to her left, dived and took an epic one handed screamer, just when the ball was going over for six. Thanks to being barefoot, there was no way a shod person can jump that far, the muscles of her feet improved thus allowing her and her barefoot teammates to jump much higher. It could've been the Supa Tigers first boundary in this innings but Jasmine's brilliance stopped it and got Kelly a wicket.

The Supa Tigers are 9-20 and Kyle Wilson came to the wicket. He was the last batsmen to bat and he is now facing the dangerous barefoot bowlers. Kyle had to face the last ball of the over. Kelly bowled an excellent doosra and Kyle played and missed it, he was very lucky to survive that delivery.

After 25 over Supa Tigers are 9-20. They needed 487 off 25 overs which is near impossible to get, they need to score at 19.48 runs per over which is near impossible to pull off because of the elite quality of this barefoot bowling attack.

Megan called her allrounder Jasmine Gilbert to bowl. Coming off that stunning catch to remove George, she bowled an on the money yorker to bowl out Leewood and it sent the off stump cartwheeling.

All of the Serenity players are jumping in the air and they carried Madison and Veronica in celebration for their excellent performance and for taking hat tricks in the same match. "You done an excellent job for us Madison and Veronica," Megan jumped "It's an honour to have the two of you girls in the team,"
"Oh thank you Megan, that's so sweet," The two girls were very to hear the complement from their captain.

The Supa Tigers coach is very pissed off because of the amount of time training and preparing for this match. The pitch was flat and was favouring batsmen. The Serenity XI took advantage of it whereas the barefoot bowling attack of the Serenity XI managed to make something out of nothing to completely crush the Supa Tigers. Even with intense training and the state of the art equipment they have, they still lost badly to barefoot girls who just only socialise with each other. It was their worst defeat.

The Serenity XI players all went back to the bus and were drinking alcohol and partying after the match. They partied for four hours until they were tired. No one got wasted but they did get drunk.

The Serenity XI showed how really effective playing barefoot is and destroying other male teams and never losing at all.

I hope you enjoyed the story and please let me know in the comments on what cricket language you didn't understand :)
The only cricket team that plays barefoot!
© 2016 - 2024 aquility
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