Free Playing Up by David Warner

CHAPTER 1
SIX AND OUT STEVE
    Davey Warner gripped the worn red cricket ball in his hand. His thumb traced the rough seam in the cracked leather before he found the right grip. He gave his shoulders a stretch and jogged lightly on the spot.
    â€˜Game on,’ Davey said quietly to himself.
    As if responding to Davey’s comment, the batsman at the other end of the pitch tapped the crease with the end of his bat and waited. His expression was of fierce concentration.
    Davey found his mark and turned. ‘Let’s see how you like this one,’ he muttered.
    He came in a few paces off a short run and released his leg-break. But it pitched short of a length and a loud ‘whack!’ sounded. Davey watched as the ball sailed over his head to the outer.
    What a cracker! Davey’s dog Max yelped and then tore off after the ball.
    â€˜Stink!’ Davey pulled a face.
    Davey’s older brother, Steve, looked far too pleased with his shot. ‘You need to mix it upmore,’ he said to Davey. ‘Try one that comes straight on.’
    â€˜Yeah, yeah,’ Davey muttered.
    It was Sunday afternoon and even though Davey had already played two games of cricket that weekend he was keen for more. Only trouble was, Steve was hitting him to all parts of the backyard and kept giving him unasked-for coaching tips. It was driving Davey bonkers.
    Max loved nothing more than fielding for the Warner brothers. He’d retrieve ball after ball relentlessly, dropping it each time at Davey’s feet in a slobbery pile.
    â€˜Hurry up, Max,’ Davey called. He was itching to get his brother out.
    Max let out a series of excited whines as he searched frantically through the overgrown shrubbery alongside the back fence.
    â€˜I can see how you’re holding the ball, so I know how you’re going to bowl,’ Steve told Davey as they wandered over to help Max in his search. ‘You want to keep the ball hidden from the batter.’
    â€˜Der, I know!’ Davey had just about heard enough of Steve’s advice.
    Steve shrugged and said nothing. He was fourteen and captain of the Sandhill Saints. Davey knew that Steve loved cricket just as much as he did, but Steve didn’t always love playing with his little brother. The feeling was mutual – Davey preferred to play cricket with his friends Sunil, Kevin and George. For one thing, they didn’t tell him what to do.
    Steve found the ball and after giving it a quick rub to remove most of the slobber he tossed it to Davey. They went back to their positions and Max moved to silly mid-on and crouched low. You won’t get it past me this time , he seemed to say.
    Davey ran in, trying hard to hide his grip. It felt awkward and he served up a full toss that Steve hooked to the fence for four.
    â€˜Double stink!’ he cursed.
    â€˜Don’t lose it, Davey,’ Steve called when he saw the dark look on Davey’s face. ‘You can’t just rely on your batting. You need to be able to bowl as well.’
    â€˜Yes, oh Great One.’ Davey rolled his eyes. ‘You aren’t exactly Shane Warne yourself.’
    He jogged over to the side fence that separated their house from his best friend Sunil’s. Davey had lost count of how many runs Steve would have scored over the last hour.
    Davey lined up at the end of his run-up for the next ball and tried to clear his head, but just as he was about to let rip his brother interrupted him again.
    â€˜Concentrate on line and length,’ Steve shouted.
    Davey slowed down and focused on controlling his delivery.
    â€˜That’s too short,’ Steve said, smacking it to the off side.
    Davey tried again.
    â€˜That’s too full,’ Steve said, driving it back over Davey’s head.
    Max raced for the ball again with a delighted yap. He hadn’t seen so much action in years!
    â€˜I’d concentrate on your spinners, if I were you,’ Steve said as Davey