Playing Up by David Warner

‘The team’s stuck with an eleven-year-old and me. It’s not looking pretty.’
    â€˜That’s where you’re wrong, Harry,’ Davey said. He held Kaboom to his chest and felt a surge of confidence. ‘This is a game changer. We can win this!’
    â€˜O-kay . . .’ Harry looked doubtful. ‘What’s the plan?’
    â€˜We need five runs, right?’
    Harry nodded. ‘Yeah, I checked with the scorer.’
    â€˜Just try and block the first one somehow or let the ball hit you,’ Davey said. ‘No matter what happens, run . I’ll be coming.’
    â€˜I’ll do my best,’ Harry said.
    Harry moved back to his crease to face his first ball. He looked really nervous and Davey watched anxiously as Zane sent down one ofhis fastest balls. Harry never had any hope of actually hitting the ball with his bat, but he bravely took it on the arm.
    â€˜Oof!’ Harry grimaced as the ball made contact.
    â€˜Ooh,’ cried the crowd in sympathy.
    â€˜Run!’ Harry yelled, taking off from his end.
    Davey took off and sprinted down the pitch with all his might. They just made it, scampering through for a leg bye.
    Only four runs to go! Zane didn’t look happy. He went back to the top of his mark and glared at Davey.
    â€˜This’ll sort the men from the boys,’ he said loudly enough for Davey to hear.‘If you thought that one hurt, wait till you feel this!’
    Davey glanced at Harry, who was still rubbing his arm. He shut him out. Davey ignored Zane and his sledging and he thought about Ricky and everything he’d learned. He gripped Kaboom. All other distractions faded away. It was Davey, Kaboom and the ball.
    â€˜You’ll feel it all right,’ Davey said to himself, as his eyes followed Zane’s every move.
    Zane ran in and let fly a fast bouncer aimed straight at Davey’s head.
    â€˜Ooh!’ the Saints supporters voiced their alarm when they saw the trajectory of the ball.
    Up until now Davey had tried to avoid hitting the short ball, ducking and weaving and concentrating on keeping his wicket. As the red blur came screaming towards him, Davey realised there would be no second chances. It was now or never. He had Kaboom back in his grip. He didn’t even have to think about how to stand or hold his bat. It felt completely natural. It was time to take action.
    â€˜Show me what you’ve got, Kaboom,’ Davey said. He kept his eyes fixed on the ball and swivelled on his left foot. Kaboom hooked the bouncer high and handsome, way over the fine leg boundary for a huge six!
    They’d won! The crowd erupted in a roar and Davey felt completely stunned.
    â€˜We did it!’ Harry yelled, running down the pitch towards him. He looked completely and utterly ecstatic.
    It took a minute to sink in. They’d won. They’d won! Davey was suddenly surrounded by people jostling him, slapping him on the back.
    As usual at the end of a game, the players from the two teams all shook hands with each other before leaving the field. Josh even managed a grudging ‘Good shot, Warner’, before joining his team to talk over their defeat.
    Even Steve was beside himself. ‘Well played, Davey,’ he said, grabbing his brother in a bear hug. ‘You little beauty!’
    Rob, the selector, appeared at Davey’s side, his little notebook in his hand. ‘You played some impressive cricket today, Warner,’ he said. ‘I’ll be keeping an eye on you.’

    â€˜Thanks!’ Davey couldn’t remember ever feeling so happy. He hugged Kaboom and ran to find his friends.

    Later that night Sunil, George, Kevin and Davey were hoeing into homemade pizzas at Davey’s house.
    â€˜I still don’t understand how you got Mudge to give Kaboom back,’ Davey said.
    George chuckled. ‘The poetry book. When we got sprung in the classroom, I stuck it in my pocket. I’d forgotten