The Aboriginal Cricketer

The poem

Mid-9th century

Good-looking young man in your Crimean shirt with your willow shield up, as if to face spears,

you're inside their men's Law, one church they do obey; they'll remember you were here. Keep fending off their casts.

Don't come out of character. Like you they suspect idiosyncrasy of witchcraft. Above all, don't get out

too easily, and have to leave here where all missiles are just leather and come from one direction. Keep it noble. Keep it light.