Free Playing Up by David Warner Page A

approached.
    â€˜I’d put a sock in it if I were you.’ Davey bowled the next ball as fast as he could but it was over-pitched, and Steve sent it flying over the fence.
    â€˜Great shot!’ Steve threw his bat into the air.
    But his delight was interrupted by a high-pitched squeal followed by a loud crash and the sound of something shattering.
    â€˜Davey Warner!’ Sunil’s mum shouted from the other side of the fence.
    Davey pulled a face. ‘Sorry, Mrs Deep!’ he called. ‘Look what you’ve done!’ he hissed at Steve.
    He jogged over to where Kaboom, his cricket bat, lay on the grass, waiting. ‘Six and out. My turn to bat.’
    But Steve was already wandering towards the house. ‘I’ve got to meet Danny and Jerome for practice. ‘We’ve got the big game against Shimmer Bay Skiffs on Saturday.’
    â€˜No way!’ Davey shouted, holding up Kaboom. ‘ My turn to bat! ’
    â€˜See you later, little brother.’ Steve ruffled Davey’s hair when he walked past him.
    â€˜David?’ Mrs Deep was peering over the fence. She waved a broom in the air. ‘I’m waiting!’



‘Steve!’ Davey called again, but his brother had already gone. Typical.
    â€˜Coming, Mrs Deep!’ he called. At least he wouldn’t have to hear any more of Steve’s ‘advice’.
    Davey looked at Max. ‘You stay here,’ he said. But the dog was already dashing down the side path ahead of him.

CHAPTER 2
ROUND ONE TO MUDGE
    Davey gazed out of the classroom window at the dusty playing fields. He squirmed restlessly on the hard wooden seat. It was a brilliantly still summer’s day – perfect conditions for cricket. In fact, it was perfect conditions for anything other than listening to grumpy old Mr Mudge drone on relentlesslywith algebra questions while Davey’s whole class – 6M, for ‘Mudge’ – nodded off.
    â€˜A boat is travelling at a constant speed for five hours, covering a total distance of 338.49 kilometres. How fast was it going?’ Mudge asked in a monotone.
    This is torture , Davey thought. Does he really expect anyone to answer?
    Davey’s mind drifted off to cricket, and he pictured himself at the crease, leaning into his bat, Kaboom. The ball came fast and straight. The crowd ‘Ooh-ed’ when they realised the ball was rocketing straight for his face, but he didn’t even flinch. Judging it perfectly, Davey struck it and with a mighty crack sent it flying high over square leg and then the boundary for six.
    The crowd erupted! ‘Warner! Warner!’ they chanted, cheering their hero.
    Davey nodded and smiled, soaking up the adulation. Cricket glory, fans, playing for a rep side – it was all within his reach. Davey and his bat Kaboom were going places.
    â€˜Warner!’ a familiar, cranky voice snapped Davey out of his daydream. ‘ What is so amusing?’
    Davey came back to earth with a painful thud. Mr Mudge’s face was just centimetres from his own. The teacher didn’t look happy, and his ears, which peeked out from under lank wisps of grey hair, were rapidly turning a shocking pink.
    Davey remembered – maths. ‘Yes, Sir?’ he asked innocently.
    â€˜We’re waiting for the answer, Warner,’ Mudge drawled.
    The answer? Davey didn’t even know the question. Something to do with a boat? He looked at the board for clues but it was just a mass of squiggles and equations. He made a show of studying his notes, but the page in front of him was full of cricket bat designs.
    Mudge crossed his arms impatiently. ‘We’re waiting.’
    Just as Davey opened his mouth, there was a knock at the classroom door.
    â€˜Saved by the bell, Warner.’ Mudge scowled at Davey. ‘Don’t move a muscle. I’ll be back.’
    The school principal was standing in the doorway.
    Mudge gave her a welcoming smile.