National Poetry Day poem: Space Cricket

Today is National Poetry Day in New Zealand. All over the country poetry events and readings are taking place. I thought I should post for fun a new cricket poem for Poetry Day. So here it is. This year we've seen a lot of discussion and changes to ICC cricket laws such as not allowing a runner for batsmen. Well, in space cricket the catch is something else again.

MARK PIRIE

Space Cricket

[Our roving man on the spot reports
from the new OSPL (Outer Space Premier League]

What is space cricket?

Well, it’s
the new craze
but the catch
is aliens
come on
as subs.

They’re a bit
quick
with the ball,
tho’, they
bowl with their
tails up
literally.

It sure can swing,
can’t it?

Yes, but
they only bowl
2 overs, so captains
can choose at
which stage
to bring them
on from
their favoured
pit end.

And the batting
power-play?

Well, again,
the aliens can
hit too well, they have
special vision,
can pick any
human delivery
early.

They only bat
for 2 overs, then
retire out, unless
all the humans
are out, and then
they can bat on,
last alien
standing.

Poem © Mark Pirie 2011