Hi there! My name is Jason, and welcome to my little slice of the internet.
TheBoundaryEdge.com is dedicated to cricket, the sport that has captivated my heart and mind for thirty-… wait, is it 40 years now?
Wow, time moves fast.
This website is more than just a compendium of cricket knowledge, although hopefully it has some of that and you find it interesting; it’s a gathering place for men, women, girls, and boys who share a desire to delve into cricket’s magic and master its challenges.
My Story, such as it is.
I became a fan of cricket in the mid-80s, which, as an Australian, was a dark and depressing time, at least for cricket. It seemed the only way Australia could win a game of cricket was by hiding the cricket grounds in the hope the opposition wouldn’t know where to go and would just go home in confusion and forfeit the match. It was the days before Google Maps, so that was a possibility.
But even so, something about it piqued my interested.
I remember lunch at my primary school. We had a cricket pitch; it was concrete at that time, and the field, although big to a little wee lad of single digits years, was barely 40 metres from pitch to boundary edge.
But that pitch was the domain of the older kids.
For us young’un’s we had a big, wide tree stump. If the ball hit the tree stump, you were out, and we played there until the bell rang.
I first played a version of ‘actual’ cricket in the kanga cricket competition. This was about 9 or 10 years of age, and we’d have yellow plastic cricket bats and yellow plastic balls, and five overs to bat and do our best, or worst, as the case might be. I remember batting an entire set of 5 overs and, with my partner, scoring only 3 runs, thus proving the old adage ‘big swing, no ding’.
My first game was a ‘real’ cricket ball, a hard, red, leather one, was in grade 6. I batted, scored a single, and I remember running with pads I wasn’t used to, feeling very awkward.
I didn’t score any other runs that innings.
The second game was a bit better. I’d progressed to somewhere in the 40’s, and was feeling good. The umpire said, ‘Do you want to retire?’ and I thought, ‘nah! I think I’ll just stay in’. Turned out, that wasn’t a suggestion, it was the rule. Retire at 40.
Which was a bit annoying.
Still, there was another rule that said if everyone else got out, you could come back in again, and that’s what happened. On the last ball of the innings, I was on 49, hoping to score my half century … which for a junior cricket, is the equivalent of a century … maybe even a double. (Well, I could dream.)
The last ball was bowled; it was full, and I couldn’t really do anything with it. I hit it practically straight to mid-off and took off running. The fielder picked the ball up and shied at the stumps. I was miles out.
Except, that it missed, and went for 4 overthrows. I ended up finishing my second ever game on 54 not out.
That was a couple years short of 40 years ago, and yet I can still remember that feeling.
That’s what cricket can do. Even little tiny accomplishments feel big and become memorable.
That’s what I want to bring to this website. I want people, young and old, to have that feeling of making life-long memories.
I have many other memories as well. None of them will ever appear on espncricinfo.com, or on Foxtel.
But they are memories that make me smile thinking about them.
My best bowling effort was 5 for 8 off 4 overs. That’s 5 wickets for 8 runs, if you are from overseas. We read out our cricket scores different to most.
I was only 11, and I remember getting a triple-wicket maiden, just missing a hattrick by getting 3 wickets in 4 balls.
When I was 12, I got a trophy for the having highest average of anyone in our competition. 10 innings, 6 not outs, 370 runs and an average of 92.5. This was when we had to retire at 50.
My highest score came when I was about 15; 81 not out.
And I finally did get a hattrick, when I was sixteen. It was in the first over of an innings, balls 4, 5 and 6. At the end of the over, they were 3 for 0.
All very good memories.
And that is what I want you to have.
Whether you never make it beyond school or junior club cricket, whether you’re a ‘mature’ aged cricketer just having fun in the myriad of cricket completions that are out there, or whether you are really serious about the whole thing and are planning on becoming the next Pat Cummins, or Virat Kohli; this game of cricket lets you experience things that will stay with you your whole life.
It’s my mission to help you understand and appreciate cricket in all its complexity and simplicity, and to provide a supportive community where we can all grow together. Welcome to the fold, where every boundary pushed, every wicket taken, makes us better at the game we love.
Elevating Your Game: Tips and Insights
I’m here to help you with every aspect of your cricket journey. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the game for years, there’s always room to grow. That growth can come in the form of a stronger swing, a faster ball, or even a sharper mind.
I remember the days when executing a perfect cover drive or a yorker felt like the greatest achievement – hey, even catching a screamer in the slips sticks with me – and I want you to experience those moments of triumph.
You’re going to find out about techniques that will elevate your batting prowess. We’ll delve into different batting styles, footwork, and how to read the field. The aim is to have you connecting with the ball like never before. Bowling is just as much an art as batting.
I’ll share insights on various bowling techniques, from spin to speed, helping you to keep the batsman guessing and on their toes.
Fielding and wicket keeping are critical elements that often don’t get enough spotlight. But remember, a match-saving catch or a quick stumping can turn the tide of a game. I’ll take you through drills and strategies that can enhance your agility and hand-eye coordination.
More than just physical skills, cricket is a mental game. Developing mental toughness, staying focused under pressure, and learning the subtleties of team dynamics are subjects we’ll explore deeply.
Above all, we’ll talk about the spirit of the game – respect, sportsmanship, and fair play. My hope is that through TheBoundaryEdge.com, you’ll not only become a better player but also a true ambassador of the game.
So, ready your gear and bring your enthusiasm; together, we’ll embark on a journey towards making you a formidable cricketer.
The Beautiful Game: Tales and Reflections
I really hope that you’ve seen through my words the sheer splendor and complexity that cricket brings into our lives. I’m aiming to make TheBoundaryEdge.com a treasure trove of cricket lore, where the quirky meets the quintessential, and where every story resonates with the heartbeat of this amazing sport.
Cricket isn’t just about statistics and scores; it’s about the stories, emotions, and experiences that live within each game and training session. From discussions of iconic matches to deep dives into the intricacies of a well-delivered ball, my goal is to capture the essence of cricket in all its glory.
It’s my belief that everyone has a cricket story to tell, and at The Boundary Edge, each one finds a home. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a new enthusiast, I’d love for you to join me in this journey, as we discover and share what makes cricket more than a game, but a way of life.
Thanks for stepping into my world here at The Boundary Edge. Remember, this isn’t just a website—it’s a community, and it’s an adventure. I can’t wait for us to embark together on this exciting and enlightening path that celebrates everything cricket has to offer.
And who knows? Along the way, we might just unlock the secrets to becoming not just better players, but better lovers of the game too.