An Old England Tale: The First Test Cricket Match
The French team had arrived at Windsor to play the first Test cricket match against England. The two teams were training in preparation for the start of the game. King Pierre had sent Cardinal Ami du Roi as captain of the French team and George’s man Jack had been made captain of the English team.
Jack came running up with a concerned look. Have you seen the spinning launcher on him? he asked Merlin.
‘What is a spinning launcher?’
You’re just as bad as George. I’ll talk to the real cricketers.
Jack ran off as fast as he had come and Merlin saw him in a group with Bothum and Knott-Evans. Later, they were joined by Slogger Smith and Coalpit Heath Hurricane. ‘What is happening?’ George asked.
They’re figuring out how to deal with the French pitcher.
‘What is a spinning launcher?’
You better ask Jack, he won’t tell me.
Freddie told Merlin that he wanted the game to start the next day, so they called Jack and the Cardinal to join them. “We will begin in the morning at ten chimes,” said Merlin.
“We will win first,” said the Cardinal.
“No, you won’t,” said Jack angrily.
“We are going to fight a duel to decide,” said the Cardinal. ‘Cricket balls at thirty feet!’
Can’t we find a smooth way to start? pleaded a concerned king.
“Give me one of those new gold sovereigns you just minted,” Merlin said.
‘I won’t give you one of those,’ said Freddie. He may not get it back. Here’s a silver shilling, and make sure you don’t lose it.
‘Now look at this corner,’ said Merlin. On one side is a head.
“Very ugly,” said the cardinal.
“Very handsome,” said Freddie.
‘No matter its aesthetic qualities,’ said Merlin, ‘the important point is that the head is only on one side of the coin.’
‘Why can’t I have it on both sides?’ Freddie asked.
‘Because it would be useless to start a game of cricket!’ shouted in exasperation a prime minister who felt harassed by ignoramuses.
‘How can you start the game?’ Jack asked.
“First of all, I will ask the captains to choose one side of the coin.”
‘I don’t want that disgusting head,’ said the cardinal, ‘I’ll take the other side.’
‘That’s called a tail,’ said Merlin. ‘Then Jack may have a nasty head.’
Jack didn’t want it either, but a stern look from the King convinced him to be patriotic.
“I’ll twirl the silver shilling in the air and drop it to the ground,” said Merlin, “and whichever side is up, the caller can decide whether to bat or field.”
The coin fell tails.
‘That’s mine!’ exclaimed the cardinal. I told you we would win first.
‘I knew that nasty head would bring us bad luck,’ Jack sulked, but had to accept the verdict of fate.
