Please wait. Contacting image service... loading

Article text

Cricket leads to
a culture clash
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 after
noon 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.
$