Where will I start?
I don’t have the right words to explain how I feel right now. Guess, It will take a while for me to process this. Of course, I know this is going to happen soon. Like real soon. You are 37. Around for 20+ years. The day was certainly around the corner but again, I never knew it would impact me so much. Maybe, because I grew up watching you.
It’s all weird, isn’t it?
I do exactly remember when I first fell in love with you. It was around the 2006/07 season. Blackcaps were playing Champions Trophy during the same year and in one of the matches, a commentator was talking about upcoming talents in Blackcaps and there you were.
For someone who worships Blackcaps, I wanted you to go well. Of course, those were the days we never had fast internet connections to browse things. So, I had to wait for years to see you bat.
At the same time, White Ferns had a series in Chennai and I fell in love with Suzie Bates. Lesser did I know that you both turned up for Otago. To add more, your birthday came just three days after mine. Hey, It was old times, and I was just a teen. For that kid, these reasons were enough. And everything began there.
A couple of years later, you had your international debut. It was certainly frustrating when you threw your starts away, and let’s just not talk about your debut match controversy. Still, I was just happy to get a glimpse of you. Every time there was a squad announcement or playing eleven announcements, I prayed. I desperately wanted you there. You did eventually get in. When you entered the main stage, they called you a superman, the best fielder in the setup, and you did rule that point and backward point region. It was a treat to watch. Of course, it didn’t last long as you couldn’t convert those stupid starts. Nothing made me angry at that time. I would’ve shouted, cursed out of anger plenty of times whenever it happened. But again, at the end of the day, I was just happy to see you.
**
Guess, it was around 2012. I remember trying to print your picture and spoiling my college’s printer. Fun times, eh?
It was that time when net connections became common, and you were doing wonders on the domestic side. However, it wasn’t easy to catch highlights or matches as global live streaming wasn’t really a thing at that time. Then came the Champions League T20. You entertained all of us with that ton against Perth Scorchers. It was a proud moment. I remember how I went gaga about it for months.
And then there was this move back to Canterbury happened. I was a little frustrated because it was hard for me to adjust as a fan. All these years, Otago became my go-to but when you decided to move, it was certainly hard. I know it is funny to think about all these now but in those days, it was a major problem. When I finally made up my mind to support Canturbury, you thought it would be fun to move countries. I mean, for a Blackcaps fanatic, it was really hard to even think of supporting England. I mean, how could you? (Yes, yes, I get it now, but those days it wasn’t the same, and you can’t expect something more from a college kid.)
Thankfully, before you couldn’t make up your mind, an international call-up literally saved my day, and you announced your return in style with a ton and 90+. How do I put these in words?
You made it to the Test squad too and got an opportunity but again, you thought it would be fun to throw your starts once again. I mean, who does that? I was super disappointed when that happened. It did hurt but to see you play in all three formats felt like an achievement. It doesn’t happen for everyone, right?
In the last few years, access to live scoring and then live streaming to all Otago matches was the best thing that ever happened. You are literally the GOAT whenever you don that blue and yellow. Runs. More runs. I was there to watch you play even if it was two in the morning in India. I skipped nights of sleep, I showed up late for work. Definitely, no regrets, thanks to you.
All good things must come to end and this is one of them. This certainly leaves a huge void in my heart and it is not easy for me to process this anytime soon. Tears rolled down when I saw you walk out for the one final time today. Reality got to me.
I’m going to miss watching you, praying for your knocks, shouting at you when you threw those starts away. I also wonder how things would’ve turned up for you if you had played for England. Thank you Broom for all these years. Thank you for making my teen years great. Thank you for all the emotions. I wish only happiness in whatever you do next (back to rugby, maybe?). Of course, I will be around, stalking your profile.
#VoltsandSparks4Life always.
