Diary of a greenhorn

From Mina Anand, India

I am a in a spot of bother. Correction. More than a spot. In a huge fix.

Am simply terrified. My knees are buckling. My tongue is dry. My hands are shaking. Am shivering all over..

Why? Because cricket is my daily fix and I am making my debut today - in the big real world of international cricket.

But the worry is not the usual one of fear of failure. Of wondering whether I will score runs or take wickets (as a potential all-rounder).

A hundred on debut? A fifer or a ‘Michelle’ ? You must be joking ! Those are fantasies that a normal youngster dreams of. But these are abnormal times. You bet.

Now all you can think of is: “Please God, I don’t want to bowl a no-ball.”

They will nail me on the spot.