Down the Wicket: Part 3

By BOB CALLETT, Illustrations DAVID KEARNEY

"So this is what the captain gets up to when he's on his own," said Cal with a grin. "How many wickets have you bagged so far, Hooker?" Being captain doesn't protect you from the teasing Ð especially in the company of Frankie and Cal.

"Have you seen Kiddo yet?" asked Frankie.

"No. He's not here."

"Isn't he the one who's always moaning about us not being on time for nets?" said Frankie. It was true enough. Kiddo Johnstone, our coach, is usually a stickler for punctuality.

Kiddo opens the batting for Eastgate Priory First XI. He was a county cricket pro when he was younger but now he's our French teacher - Frankie calls it a sad case of a career in free fall. No one understand the game better than Kiddo; his training methods have played a big part in turning Glory Gardens from a team of hopefuls and no-hopers into champions.

"We'd better get changed and start without him," I said, spotting some of the others arriving at the pavilion.

Publisher: Random House, $14.95

Age group: 8-12 years