Formula 1 Cricket

Another poem about cricket! (And don't change the channel on your remote!)

Formula 1 Cricket

 

A winning cricket team 
is a much admired, glorious machine
that can be likened to a potent racing car.
Each component must gel and glean, 
on field be ruthless, mean,
a well tuned engine will propel it, fast and far.

The captain sits behind the wheel 
knows which buttons to press, pedals to feel,
reads the road and stays in constant control.
He seeks out weakness in the opposition 
to gain advantage and pole position,
then decides if to bat or if to bowl!

It's the batsman who selects the gears
as the captain guides and steers,
with perfect timing on the clutch.
First, second, third then really club her, 
fourth and sixth to burn rubber
fifths hard to find, stuck in neutral, Out! Return to the hutch!

The bowler fuels a powerful carburetor
by means of the accelerator,
he can rev it up and make those pistons sing.
A tricky obstinate hairpin, 
can be overcome with a little spin
then pedal on the metal, mindful of late tail end swing.

The keeper is the pick of the lads 
with protective gloves and heavy pads,
he looks after handling and applies the brake.
It's his swift hand eye coordination and reaction
to why the car retains perfect traction,
as the chasing pack are left behind in her wake.

Waiting by the pit, the groundsman with assorted kit
if the track gets wet he will cover it,
prevents nasty accidents, pooling water and soggy mires.
While the car nips in for shelter 
ensuring the track remains a belter
as it refuels, ablutes and changes tyres.

On the course two men in white or blue
to assist and help all through,
they uphold the law and give each relevant sign.
Undue care and attention will incur wrath, 
as will running down the middle path,
if unheeded they will impose a caution, 
next, its off the road with a heavy fine.

In order to pass the chequered flag 
its clear each cog is required, 
to assist and prevent turbo lag.
So jump onboard, though heed the words of Aristotle
'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts', 
then turn the key and as she starts, 
can you taste the bubbly from that big green bottle?

 

Reviews

[Yellow Butterfly]

Another great write from you Tom.... I loved it enough to NOT change the channels this time.... growing up with brothers... and also the head of the house.. my father.... there was no such thing as changing the channels when CRICKET & FORMULA 1 was on.... I'm a fan.... only this much ()...... lol

I enjoyed this one alot... :O)

[Tom]

Thank you kindly Yellow Butterfly, glad to hear you are a fan...if only this much ().... its a start at least!!

[Yellow Butterfly]

Lol.... I am a fan of Cricket () this much.... and I am a fan of your work this much (......................................................................................................................)

[Tom]

You'll do for me honey !

[Yellow Butterfly]

:O)))))))))))))

[SquinklaPsyOps]

The story caught me right from the very beginning.

Your writing style brings it all together very nicely.

This is my favorite "on field be ruthless, mean"

[Tom]

Thank you Squinkly pops !

[Angi]

I know nothing of cricket, but I do like a good fast racecar! This flowed so well, I could almost smell the burning rubber! I know bubbly, too. Well done, Tom! Angi~

[Tom]

Thank you very much Angi, we'll soon have you playing too !

[Chris]

A unique view - logical and quite thoughtfully done.

[Tom]

Cheers Chris !

[Chris]

toasting back...

[Emerald Seas]

First of your poems and I find this magnificent piece. Nw, I know nothing of cricket, but I kinda loved the racing of old (not these newer computer cars where everyone's the same) and your poem brought it all back to me. I enjoyed the detail and description. I felt like I was there smelling the fuel, rubber, and feeling the ground rumble as the engines roar. I haven't been to a good race in over a decade. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Well executed with even cadence, rhyme and meter.

[Tom]

Thank you Que Sera Sera, great it brought you back to a former enjoyable pastime !

[Sheila Kline]

Very clever indeed!!! I should like to race a "car" like this one straight onto the Cricket field..........lol
You have done a magnificent job of comparing the two sports to make one not dare put down that remote!
I agree with Emma that you should have this published in some sort of sports magazine, and not the "Swimsuit Issue" of Sports Illustrated, though this baby shall surely appeal to many......giggling!
Wonderful - rhyme, meter and all that as well!

[Tom]

Thank you Sheila, you truly flatter me !

[Keith]

Top write, clever analogy. Your amazing work has even managed to fire up Americans who know nothing about the game but are allured by your poetry. Just look at those reviews! Had to laugh at the English team watering the grounds controversy, who cares, long way to the pavillion and men's rooms.

[Tom]

Thanks Keith, yea kinda takes the gloss of their celebrations somewhat !

[Frieda P]

I have no clue about this subject but you've taught me something and that's always a plus whilst reading poetry, I did get the 'taste of bubbly from that green bottle' finale down pat! Ha, and I didn't touch my remote....thanks for the experience!

[Tom]

I'm am so happy you did not press another button on that remote and chose to tune in here Frieda! And thanks for you're encouraging words !

[Frieda P]

My pleasure, you gonna share that bubbly? :-)

[Tom]

If I ever win, we will fill our glasses to they runeth over !!

[Frieda P]

Sounds like a plan, I'm counting on it!

[Rita L. Sev]

Before reading your poems, I knew absolutely nothing about the game of cricket - you make it sound like a lot of fun! Great flow to this, and a good metaphor too!

[Tom]

Thank you Rita, I take great solace from your enlightenment !

[Marie]

I know little about cricket, little about motor racing. But I think this is a grat analogy.

[Tom]

Thank you Marie