Playing Up by David Warner Read Free Book Online

there could be nothing left of him by the time this game is over.’ Sunil was pacing up and down the room.
    Davey shot him a withering look. None of this was helping his confidence.
    â€˜You saw Mudge on Friday,’ Kevin reminded them. ‘He didn’t let Kaboom out of his sight.’
    â€˜So,’ Sunil concluded, ‘wherever he is today, he’ll have Kaboom with him!’
    â€˜Mudge plays lawn bowls at Penguin Palace RSL on Saturdays.’ Kevin winked knowledgeably.
    â€˜We could go and plead with him,’ Sunil suggested.
    â€˜He’s not going to give us Kaboom!’ Davey was running out of time. ‘Mudge hates cricket even more than he hates me.’
    George didn’t say anything. He was deep in thought. ‘We have to think more like Clouter,’ he said finally.
    Sunil made a face. ‘ Clouter ?’
    â€˜Mo didn’t have Kaboom, but he offered us a trade and we took the bait,’ George explained.
    â€˜Hook, line and sinker,’ Davey muttered.
    A car horn beeped outside.
    â€˜Thanks for trying, guys but it’s no use.’ Davey shrugged. ‘I’ve got to go.’
    â€˜Wait!’ Sunil grabbed his Kookaburra from his bag and handed it to his friend. ‘You might need this.’
    â€˜Thanks, Deep.’ Davey took the bat and left.
    â€˜Good luck!’ his friends called after him.

    Davey’s stomach was in knots as they pulled up at the Shimmer Bay cricket ground. A large crowd of supporters had already gathered.
    â€˜Just in time,’ Steve said. The umpires were already on the field.
    They grabbed their gear and tumbled out of the car. Davey recognised a few people. His dad was sitting with a group of other fathers up in the stand. Howie gave Davey a wave.
    â€˜Go, Davey!’ His dad gave him a big thumbs-up.
    Davey waved back furiously and nearly whacked a Shimmer Bay player in the head with his elbow.
    The player ducked just in time. ‘Watch out!’ he snapped.
    Davey swung around to apologise and found himself face to face with Josh Jarrett, also known as Mr Perfect, the best cricket player Davey knew and the captain of the Sluggers’ rivals, the Shimmer Bay Juniors.
    â€˜What are you doing here?’ Davey asked.
    â€˜I could ask you the same question,’ Josh said, looking amused. ‘I sometimes sub for the Skiffs.’
    â€˜Guess I’ll see you out there, then,’ Davey said.
    â€˜This is the big league, Warner.’ Josh smiled. ‘Better keep your eyes open or you might get hurt.’
    Davey wasn’t sure which made him more nervous – seeing Josh, the game ahead, or having no Kaboom.
    But he had no more time to worry about it. It was time to play cricket.

CHAPTER 14
THE BIG LEAGUE
    The Shimmer Bay Skiffs won the toss and opted to bat first. Steve gathered the team together for a quick pep talk. Davey knew that, as captain, Steve would have to be on the go continuously, thinking on his feet and making it up as he went along. It was a huge job and now he had his little brother to look after.
    â€˜Today’s a big match,’ Steve said. ‘Let’s get out there and smash these guys, they’re nothing.’
    â€˜Well, technically, their current for-and-against record against us is seven to one,’ Jerome piped up. ‘In their favour,’ he added, a little unnecessarily.
    â€˜Yeah, but they don’t play with heart like we do,’ Steve countered with conviction.
    â€˜They’ve got seven rep players and the fastest bowler in the league,’ Jerome pointed out.
    â€˜You can shut up now, Jerome.’ Steve silenced his friend with a meaningful look.
    Jerome shook his head, but stayed quiet.
    â€˜We’ve done the hard work,’ Steve went on with enthusiasm. ‘Just stay on form and do your best.’
    The players nodded and wished each other a good game. Steve placed his fielders and saved Davey for last.
    â€˜You