Jingles sets it straight

Neil Marks | April 14, 2023

Bill “Jingles “Jocelyn had the perfect physique and temperament to be a fast bowler. He was tough and strong and like all good quickies he was born with a touch or arrogance, a streak of sadism and ton of courage.

Jocelyn was a bowler with a simple game plan; bowl fast. He had no time for this modern nonsense of cut and swing. Subtlety was for sissy spinners and all those wimpy medium-pacers. None of this complicated cerebral coaching manual stuff for “Jingles”. Full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes – knock out the stumps or knock out the batsman; that was his philosophy.

When Jocelyn first arrived at the Northern District nets he was as erratic as he was fast. So, in the hope that he iron out his faults quickly, the selectors graded him in the third grade team under the captaincy of the wily old player named Austin Hughes.

In the opening game Jocelyn bowled extremely fast but he showed his inexperience by spraying the ball everywhere. Notwithstanding, Hughes could see the potential the new bowler. So he walked over for a discussion.

“We have a little problem here, pal, “said Hughes.

“Yeah, I realise that. I’m not bowling very accurately, am I?”

“Got any ideas on how to straighten the ball up a little? “ inquired the captain.

Jocelyn looked down the pitch for a moment, then grinned and said, “I think I need a change in the field.”

“Okay mate. “said Hughes. “If you think it will help, I’ll make any change you need.”

“Good”, said the demon bowler. “I want you to place a man at silly mid-one and a man at silly mid-off and I’ll aim between them.”