On the Nature of Fate

And so it was on that Sunday afternoon earlier in June, when Finn Daly was, once again, giving the assembled masses another in his excellent series of topical lectures.  Finn had chosen on that day to focus on the eastern religions adherence to the principles of fatalism – we, mere humans, are set on a dependent path – a huge chain of phenomenon where one event begats another.  The Buddhist cycle of Saṃsāra is a good example, extolled ‘Phil’.

Whilst cricket has the hallmarks of a religion; rituals passed from generation to generation; the sacred works of John Wisden and his almanack; a trust in a higher being to help guide in moments of crisis; a hope that there is redemption in the second innings for earlier lapses – all cricketers have a sense that fate is already determined. One might as well give that next ball a mighty hoick – because I am bound by karmic actions – and nothing will change the outcome.  If I was to be caught at cow corner then that was the way it was always meant to be.  Finn is an oracle on such matters.

As such, the fate of Walsham Cricket is set on the path during June.  The 1^st XI have battled hard in the headwinds of availability – and have had the rare pleasure of fielding teams comprised of family kinship – the Bryants, the Macraes and the Dalys.  Battling wins against Mildenhall and Long Melford, losses in high run chases at Abberton and Felixstowe.  Steve Moulton getting in both the runs and wickets, Oli Jackson and Matt Ellis scoring well.  The 2^nd XI, have had similar mixed results, but a highlight being Andrew Ross’s maiden century (110 not out) against Worlington in a 61 run victory.

The junior teams at Under 13 and Under 11 have been setting a strong pace in their hardball fixtures. Nail-biting final over victories are the regular turmoil inflicted on supporters and coaches. The U13s played local rivals Bardwell – Arun Chandraraj holding out in the gloom to seal victory; the U11s similarly against Stowmarket and Stowupland – with excellent all-round performances from Elodie Brown and Kasper Howling.  Matthew Moynehan’s left-arm ‘chinamen’ beguiling batters.  Howling won the reverse sweep-off against Albie Bryant-Howe – inspired by events at Edgbaston.  And that is the final word on fatalism – if we are to be out reverse sweeping the opening bowler, then so be it – it was pre-ordained, and nothing should stop us from trying it once more.