By
CAPT Phil Pyke
IT seemed simple enough.
A game of Sunday cricket outside the Baghdad International Airport
between members of the Air Force contingent made for a relaxing
time.
Well, it did until members of the US Air Force turned up and looked
on in bewilderment.
“What’s this?” asked one. When told that it was
a game that most English speaking countries played, he shook his
head, stating the US didn’t have a team.
Even if they did, Australia would still be world champions, was
the good-natured comment from the crowd.
“It’s a bowler, not a pitcher,” explained one Air
Force member as his USAF counterpart bowled a wide that bounced
off the building.
A USAF major stepped up to the crease, swinging the bat like a
baseball bat. His first shot was great, almost a six (well a four).
He soon learned that the high shots are easy to catch, with several
being taken by a visiting Australian Army mover.
The game went on into the afternoon as more US personnel came
and joined in. There were comparisons between baseball and cricket.
“You mean you guys don’t run in a diamond? And there
are two of you running? What are those stick things.”
And the crucial question – “Does the pitcher, sorry
bowler, ever bowl underarm?” No one answered that one.
What this game of cricket shows, is how well the Royal Australian
Air Force personnel have been accepted since their deployment
in Baghdad International Airport.
Who knows – the USAF might yet field a team for a mini world
cup series between the Coalition partners.
