Story Hong Kong Days: Chapter 5: Where's Chris: Part 2

[riz7khan12]

cant wait:banana2

 

[TheGreemSim]

Hong Kong Metropolis, Sunday April 5th 2009​

Reported by: Elias Waters

Cricket is a sport that isn't popular here in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong isn't renown for its cricketing abilities, however this evening I got the chance to talk to a former international cricketer who plans on turning that around.

Steven Atkinson​

EW: So Steven, many of the readers won't know what cricket is, could you perhaps sum it up in a sentence for us?
SA: A Rudddy good game full of fun and suprises that everyone can enjoy.
EW: As far as I understand, cricket is a very slow paced game and perhaps this is why it's so unpopular around the world compared to the likes of Football or Basketball. Is it true that some games last up to 5 days and you still don't get a winner
SA: Ah, those 5 day matches are known as test matches, my personal favourite form of the game, called a test because it can really test a players patience. Bowlers can go hours without wickets and batsmen can go hours without many runs.
EW: Now, I think what everybody is wondering at this point is what are Hong Kong like at cricket. I've heard we're not terrific but what can you say?
SA: Well in cricket we have what's called test status, teams which have test status are teams that are allowed to play test matches, they normally are the top 10 teams in the world, then the rest of the teams are split up into divisions. There are 6 divisions in total and Hong Kong are in Division 3. Twice a year each division is played and the top 2 get promoted to the division above while the bottom 2 get relegated. Jolly good fun.
EW: Do you see Hong Kong gaining test status in the near future.
SA:Well you see, in the near future I'll be aiming to get Hong Kong into the ICC Intercontinental Shield. This mainly consists of Division 2 teams. Instead of 5 day test matches one plays a 4 day First Class match. The teams that come first and second get promoted to the ICC Intercontinental Championship where a team can gain test status if they win the tournament 3 times in a row. I'm not going to lie to you, I can't promise anything straight away, but in 10 years time I wouldn't be surprised if cricket had a massive following in Hong Kong.
EW: Moving onto the squad, we have the list and it's interesting to see you've picked so many new faces. Only 5 out of your 16 players have had past experience at international level.
SA: The problem the selectors face in a country like this is that because cricket isn't a professional sport many players who have previously played aren't available because of their jobs, family and other reasons. I still feel it's a full strength that'll be able to get us promoted.
EW: I know you're short of time but there's one last question I'd like to ask you.
SA: No, no, jolly good, do continue.
EW: I noticed that your son Jamie has been included in the squad, is this a bias decision in any way?
SA: What! That's ridiculous, I have chosen the squad that is best and I feel my son Jamie is one of the best, now good day, sir!

And that was the abrupt ending to my interview with Steven Atkinson as he walked out in fury. Here is the 16 man squad to face the other teams of Division 3 in Tanzania next month.

J Atkinson WK +
J Chilton WK +
R Hobbis ALL
D Thorpe ALL
C Kruger BAT
V Miller BAT vc
C Newell BAT
J Pipe BAT
L Sadler BAT
M White BAT c
N Woods BAT
R Huggins BOWL
J Jones BOWL
I Spelman BOWL
D Sutton BOWL
J Timms BOWL
​

 

[MaD]

Wow, Drake already makes his debut for HK, batting 4th wowees
lucky kid that one, good to see how the match goes, you write really well, no wonder you don't sound as young as you are. Great job

 

[TheGreemSim]

Wow, Drake already makes his debut for HK, batting 4th wowees
lucky kid that one, good to see how the match goes, you write really well, no wonder you don't sound as young as you are. Great job

Cheers for the writing complements, it's a shame I give my young age away with numerous spelling and grammar mistakes.

Sorry if I've mislead people about him batting fourth, that was just the squad list which I did in order of keepers, all rounders, batters and then bowlers.

 

[MaD]

No, your grammar is great, I just know you're not as old as you seem

 

[riz7khan12]

great writing there, good job on giving steve atkinson a english accent

 

[TheGreemSim]

great writing there, good job on giving steve atkinson a english accent

I went over the top a bit but yeah thanks

 

[Gaurav_7]

One of the better starts to the story, I've seen here. I am definitely looking forward to HK's journey in cricket world. Good Luck!

 

[TheGreemSim]

CHAPTER 2: TANZANIAN TROUBLE: PART 1​

I woke up extremely earlier than usual and voluntary offered to bike down to the corner store and pick up a copy of today's Hong Kong Metropolis as I knew the squad list would be in it. even at 8 in the morning the Hong Kong streets were busy and I was probably better off walking the rest of the way but dragging my bike along would've made it a nightmare.

I really hated going into the local corner store, it was really tacky with two smashed windows and empty shelves really made me dread going there. Also the smell was nightmarish, it reminded me of gone off Indian food. You could always here the unclothed store owners children in the background crying and then being yelled at by a very aggressive voice. Today I was greeted by the store owners beautiful 16 year old daughter Ling.

"Herro Jake!" She said enthusiastically.
"Eh, it's Drake" I replied slightly annoyed.
"Oh, wight, Blake!" she said in poor English rather pleased with herself as she assumed she'd gotten it right this time. I didn't bother correcting her.

There was an awkward silence, she was clearly waiting for me to say what I wanted but I didn't register this and instead stared at her like some disturbing pervert.

"What do you like? She asked eventually.
"Ah Yes," I paused so I could remember what it was I wanted. Ah yes the Hong Kong Metropolis, I bent over to pick up a copy which was piled under a bunch of twix bars. I also thought I could do with a drink but here in Hong Kong they sell those 2nd grade versions of big brand drinks like Miranda instead of Fanta and Dr. Thunder instead of Dr. Pepper. The best I could find was 7 Up instead of Sprite. The price came to $23.51, which is roughly 2 pounds it's great in this country because they have $10 coins which I always find quite odd.

On my way out I bumped straight into a very agitated looking Courtney Kruger.

"Watch where you're going, punk!" He shouted.
"Eh Courtney, right, what a pleasant surprise" I said nervously, "I imagine you're hear for the same thing as me." I continued, hoping to engage him in a friendly conversation.
"Yees, but I'll be going home heppy, yewl be going home deesapointed." I said trying to budge his way past.
"Don't be so sure," I chuckled.

He then snatched my newspaper and turned to the back to see the sports section. His eyes looked like they were scanning the squad list, he looked very surprised, he kept looking at me and then back to the newspaper and then back to me again. After a long silence I finally said,

"So am I gonna go home disappointed?" He threw the newspapaer onto the floor aggressively and then ran away but not before saying,
"See you et the airport, you twet!"

I peered down at the scrunched up paper but the squad list was visible and surely enough there was my name in bold print, 4th name down on the list. I jumped for joy and the sticky 7 Up went flying in the air and inevitably landing in my hair.

***​

"Where's the paper, boy?" My dad had always called me boy whether he was happy or angry with me. He was sitting at the dining table eating fried eggs for breakfast accompanied with an early morning beer.

"Er, it's a long story, dad, but doesn't matter because I'm gonna play for Hong Kong!"

"That's great, boy" There wasn't as much enthusiasm in his reaction as I was hoping for but then again my dad never is one to show much emotion.

"The tournament's in two weeks time, and are first match is against Cayman Islands, and there's 15 others in the squad, and if we win we go up to division 2, and it's in Tanzania, and we're going in 3 day-" His face went red and he cut me off by shooting beer out of his mouth all over my face. I was definitely going to need a shower now.

"Tanzania!" He screamed.
"Yeah, Tanzania" I replied.
"There's no bloody way I'm letting you go off with a bunch of strangers to a dangerous African country!"
"But Dad!" I pleaded.
"Absolutely no way, you can forget all about this cricket nonsense!" He could see my eyes were getting watery but that didn't stop him from yelling.

And just like that my dream of playing for Hong Kong was crushed so easily in such a short time.

 

[MaD]

I don't blame his dad, I wouldn't let my boy go there either.
Your story is more of a story rather than just a summary of matches played, that's great to see. KIU

 

[pcfan123]

/end story?

 

[TheGreemSim]

I don't blame his dad, I wouldn't let my boy go there either.
Your story is more of a story rather than just a summary of matches played, that's great to see. KIU

Yes well I'm sure Drake will find some way around it. Oh and we'll get to matches soon enough but yeah it won't just be a summary of each innings in the match.

/end story?

Nah, just plot twist.

 

[riz7khan12]

you dont even need the match summaries, your stories awesome

 

[hedger_14]

This story is better than your previous story, I reckon. Enjoyed reading it so far.

KUTGW

 

[treva]

Loved the conversation with the girl, the lexis made me chuckle. Liking this story a lot, hopefully you can keep this going for a while and really promote CC09 to those who haven't yet given it a go.