CHAPTER 9
The
following day on the Monday morning the doorbell rang at Thompson house it was
eight forty five in the morning, Reg answered the door, “Hi Joel how are things
going” answered Reg.
“Not too bad Mr Thompson, not to bad is Clinton there were are playing for the County 2nd XI today” replied Joel Henderson.
“Yes I know he is in the kitchen having some breakfast, would you like a cup of tea or coffee” replied Reg.
“Yes that would be nice thank you for the offer and how is Clinton after yesterday” asked Joel Henderson.
“Well he seems to be OK I think just a bit black and blue from you’re peppering of him” Reg replied laughing.
“Well it was nothing personal just cricket” replied Joel with a chuckle in his voice.
“That’s OK Joel come in and have a cuppa before you both leave and the rest of the family will be up later to see you both play” Replied Reg.
“Thank you Mr Thompson I would love a cuppa before we go and I am really looking forward to spending some time with Clinton he is a good lad despite what goes on, on the cricket field” Joel Replied with a grin on his face and his bright white teeth showing.
Joel then walked into the kitchen where Clinton was sat eating his breakfast of boiled egg and some toast, Clinton then looked around and said “Hi Joel how are you doing this morning, great game yesterday and I am looking forward to spending some time with you after the duals of the past two years”
“Yes it was mate and me to, I looking forward to spending time with you to” replied Joel.
“Take a seat and I will pour you a cuppa, milk and sugar” asked Clinton.
“Yes please a little milk and two sugars please and how are your ribs today I hope I did not hurt you too much yesterday, it was just cricket and no ill feeling, I know it was a bit over the top but that is cricket” Joel replied with some concern in his voice after the peppering he gave Clinton the day before in the opening match of the season.
“Joel you are fine my new friend I am fine, just a bit sore and aching but as you said it is a cricket and it is tough game, would you like some toast with your tea” replied Clinton as he looked at Joel and gave him a wry grin.
“Yes please I would love a piece of toast with my tea and thank you for offering and I respect you mate you are a tough cookie and a great opponent and I am sure you will make a great team mate too” replied Joel nodding his head in appreciation of his new found friend.
Clinton and Joel then both sat laughing and joking about the day ahead eating there breakfast and drinking their tea
“Not too bad Mr Thompson, not to bad is Clinton there were are playing for the County 2nd XI today” replied Joel Henderson.
“Yes I know he is in the kitchen having some breakfast, would you like a cup of tea or coffee” replied Reg.
“Yes that would be nice thank you for the offer and how is Clinton after yesterday” asked Joel Henderson.
“Well he seems to be OK I think just a bit black and blue from you’re peppering of him” Reg replied laughing.
“Well it was nothing personal just cricket” replied Joel with a chuckle in his voice.
“That’s OK Joel come in and have a cuppa before you both leave and the rest of the family will be up later to see you both play” Replied Reg.
“Thank you Mr Thompson I would love a cuppa before we go and I am really looking forward to spending some time with Clinton he is a good lad despite what goes on, on the cricket field” Joel Replied with a grin on his face and his bright white teeth showing.
Joel then walked into the kitchen where Clinton was sat eating his breakfast of boiled egg and some toast, Clinton then looked around and said “Hi Joel how are you doing this morning, great game yesterday and I am looking forward to spending some time with you after the duals of the past two years”
“Yes it was mate and me to, I looking forward to spending time with you to” replied Joel.
“Take a seat and I will pour you a cuppa, milk and sugar” asked Clinton.
“Yes please a little milk and two sugars please and how are your ribs today I hope I did not hurt you too much yesterday, it was just cricket and no ill feeling, I know it was a bit over the top but that is cricket” Joel replied with some concern in his voice after the peppering he gave Clinton the day before in the opening match of the season.
“Joel you are fine my new friend I am fine, just a bit sore and aching but as you said it is a cricket and it is tough game, would you like some toast with your tea” replied Clinton as he looked at Joel and gave him a wry grin.
“Yes please I would love a piece of toast with my tea and thank you for offering and I respect you mate you are a tough cookie and a great opponent and I am sure you will make a great team mate too” replied Joel nodding his head in appreciation of his new found friend.
Clinton and Joel then both sat laughing and joking about the day ahead eating there breakfast and drinking their tea
Clinton
and Joel then made their way to Joel’s car to make the journey to Portsmouth
for them to both make their 2nd XI debut’s for Hampshire’s 2nd XI and it was a
beautiful day for it to the sun was out, it was warm and dry and they were both
looking forward to having a hard game against and very strong Middlesex 2nd XI.
“Joel what do you hope we do first if we win the toss today my friend bat or bowl” asked Clinton with some trepidation in his voice.
“Joel what do you hope we do first if we win the toss today my friend bat or bowl” asked Clinton with some trepidation in his voice.
“Well
mate it is neither up to me or up to you we will have no say in the matter, but
if I were captain I would bat first after our exploits yesterday, we both had
tough games and are both tired” replied Joel.
“that’s true mate let’s hope for that then but if I were captain and I’m not I would bat first and get some runs on the board and then let you have ago at them and bowl them out” Clinton replied looking straight at Joel for a reaction to what he had said.
“Let me at them to right I am so pumped up for this game I never slept last night all the adrenaline pumping through me I think, just can’t wait to get started and get at them” replied Joel Henderson holding the steering wheel of the car harder and harder and thumping the dashboard.
“OK man calm down we are not even there yet keep all that energy stored up with all that pet up anger and just rip them apart when you bowl, will you please” Clinton replied to try and calm Joel down and get him focused on the game ahead and not be to energetic and waste energy.
“OK brother I’ll do that” replied Joel to the talking to that Clinton had just given him.
The Drive to the ground was to take about forty five minutes and when they got there they were greeted by the gate man who was a tall dark haired man he held his hand out to stop the car, Joel wound the window down the man stuck his head in and said.
“Hello sir can I help you this is the players entrance”
“Ah yes we are here to play for Hampshire 2nd XI my name is Joel Henderson and this man and remember his name as one day he will be famous is Clinton Radford” Answered Joel to the question asked of him by the parking attendant.
“Yes your name is on here nice to meet you both if you could park your car in the players and officials space and report to the home dressing room and the captain and coach will meet you their along with the Chairman” Answered the gatekeeper.
Joel then parked the car in the space he was told to they both got there kit out of the boot and went to the home dressing room to meet the rest of the team, when they got to the dressing room they were greeted by the Hampshire 2nd XI captain Adrian Rowland.
“Hi guys very nice to meet you my name is Adrian and I am looking forward to playing in the same side as you both heard so much about you both, put your kit over here and then we can have a wander out to the middle and have a chat and a look at the wicket for the match” Adrian Rowland said after shaking their hands, before the three of them walked out to the wicket to have a chat.
The three of them stood there and looked at the wicket and then Clinton looked at Joel and said “bat first mate what do you recon” as her stared straight at his new found friend and sometimes enemy.
“Yes mate bat first get the best of the wicket before it starts to crack” replied Joel Henderson with some joy in his voice as if to say if the wicket brakes up I’m in for some wickets with the uneven bounce.
“Totally agree my new friends if I win the toss I will bat first and take it from there seems to be a flat wicket and full of runs” replied Adrian Rowland to the advice he had just had from his two new team mates.
The three of them made their way back to the dressing room to get changed to have some net practice.
“that’s true mate let’s hope for that then but if I were captain and I’m not I would bat first and get some runs on the board and then let you have ago at them and bowl them out” Clinton replied looking straight at Joel for a reaction to what he had said.
“Let me at them to right I am so pumped up for this game I never slept last night all the adrenaline pumping through me I think, just can’t wait to get started and get at them” replied Joel Henderson holding the steering wheel of the car harder and harder and thumping the dashboard.
“OK man calm down we are not even there yet keep all that energy stored up with all that pet up anger and just rip them apart when you bowl, will you please” Clinton replied to try and calm Joel down and get him focused on the game ahead and not be to energetic and waste energy.
“OK brother I’ll do that” replied Joel to the talking to that Clinton had just given him.
The Drive to the ground was to take about forty five minutes and when they got there they were greeted by the gate man who was a tall dark haired man he held his hand out to stop the car, Joel wound the window down the man stuck his head in and said.
“Hello sir can I help you this is the players entrance”
“Ah yes we are here to play for Hampshire 2nd XI my name is Joel Henderson and this man and remember his name as one day he will be famous is Clinton Radford” Answered Joel to the question asked of him by the parking attendant.
“Yes your name is on here nice to meet you both if you could park your car in the players and officials space and report to the home dressing room and the captain and coach will meet you their along with the Chairman” Answered the gatekeeper.
Joel then parked the car in the space he was told to they both got there kit out of the boot and went to the home dressing room to meet the rest of the team, when they got to the dressing room they were greeted by the Hampshire 2nd XI captain Adrian Rowland.
“Hi guys very nice to meet you my name is Adrian and I am looking forward to playing in the same side as you both heard so much about you both, put your kit over here and then we can have a wander out to the middle and have a chat and a look at the wicket for the match” Adrian Rowland said after shaking their hands, before the three of them walked out to the wicket to have a chat.
The three of them stood there and looked at the wicket and then Clinton looked at Joel and said “bat first mate what do you recon” as her stared straight at his new found friend and sometimes enemy.
“Yes mate bat first get the best of the wicket before it starts to crack” replied Joel Henderson with some joy in his voice as if to say if the wicket brakes up I’m in for some wickets with the uneven bounce.
“Totally agree my new friends if I win the toss I will bat first and take it from there seems to be a flat wicket and full of runs” replied Adrian Rowland to the advice he had just had from his two new team mates.
The three of them made their way back to the dressing room to get changed to have some net practice.
Clinton
who had never experienced this before and it was all new for him, yet Joel
Henderson had played first class cricket in Caribbean for Barbados until he got
a two year ban for failing a drugs test so he was quite used to how things
worked at this level although he had not been at this level for over three
years now and was working his way back into favour with the cricket
establishment and cricketing authorities.
“How are you feeling my new found friend” Joel Henderson asked Clinton.
“A bit nervous and not sure how things are going to go, stomach is in knot’s and I just feel sick, apart from that I am fine and dandy thank you” replied Clinton with a bit of a stutter in his voice through nerves.
“A bit of advice from an old pro my friend, just play your normal game and don’t panic, be yourself and it will all come into place but most of all enjoy it and if you make a mistake just don’t let your head go down, if you drop a catch, think to yourself catch the next one and most of all play with a smile on your face if you do this you won’t go far wrong and nerves are only natural I still get them and I have been playing this game now for ten years and I still get nervous” Joel Henderson replied with his wise old head on.
“Thank you Joel, I will take that on board, I will enjoy it and keep a smile on my face and for your wise words” replied Clinton.
“Not a problem Clinton you are a good kid who in my opinion will go far in this game you have the right attitude and talent, I have felt this way since we played each other last season and after yesterday a think it alto more anyone who shows the bravery you did yesterday will go along, long way in this game of cricket and it is a privilege to play in the same side as you” Joel Henderson answer to Clinton was.
Clinton looked at Joel Henderson with some trepidation on his face and had a tear in his eye after what Joel had just said to him and replied “ That was very nice of you to say that to me, but the pleasure is all mine or should that be the honour is all mine to be playing in the same side as you, over the winter I have read up on you and three hundred first class wickets and that includes fifty five test match wickets along with four thousand first class runs and one test match hundred to go with nine first class hundreds, so for me to play with you is an honour”
“Thank you Clinton” Joel Henderson replied staring straight at Clinton and nodding his head in mutual respect and thinking to himself “this kid knows his stuff
“How are you feeling my new found friend” Joel Henderson asked Clinton.
“A bit nervous and not sure how things are going to go, stomach is in knot’s and I just feel sick, apart from that I am fine and dandy thank you” replied Clinton with a bit of a stutter in his voice through nerves.
“A bit of advice from an old pro my friend, just play your normal game and don’t panic, be yourself and it will all come into place but most of all enjoy it and if you make a mistake just don’t let your head go down, if you drop a catch, think to yourself catch the next one and most of all play with a smile on your face if you do this you won’t go far wrong and nerves are only natural I still get them and I have been playing this game now for ten years and I still get nervous” Joel Henderson replied with his wise old head on.
“Thank you Joel, I will take that on board, I will enjoy it and keep a smile on my face and for your wise words” replied Clinton.
“Not a problem Clinton you are a good kid who in my opinion will go far in this game you have the right attitude and talent, I have felt this way since we played each other last season and after yesterday a think it alto more anyone who shows the bravery you did yesterday will go along, long way in this game of cricket and it is a privilege to play in the same side as you” Joel Henderson answer to Clinton was.
Clinton looked at Joel Henderson with some trepidation on his face and had a tear in his eye after what Joel had just said to him and replied “ That was very nice of you to say that to me, but the pleasure is all mine or should that be the honour is all mine to be playing in the same side as you, over the winter I have read up on you and three hundred first class wickets and that includes fifty five test match wickets along with four thousand first class runs and one test match hundred to go with nine first class hundreds, so for me to play with you is an honour”
“Thank you Clinton” Joel Henderson replied staring straight at Clinton and nodding his head in mutual respect and thinking to himself “this kid knows his stuff
They
both left the dressing room and made their way to the nets for some practice.
“You go first Clinton and have a bat and I’ll bowl to you” Joel Henderson said to Clinton.
“Ah yeah Clinton how is Isabella” asked Joel Henderson.
“She is fine Joel think she is going to the doctors this morning and will be up here this afternoon” replied Clinton.
“The doctor hope everything is OK my friend” Joel asked with some concern in his voice.
“She had some test a few weeks back not sure what for she didn’t tell me what for so can’t be too serious or she would have” Clinton replied
“Ok friend get in there and I will bowl to you and let’s get the show started” replied Joel Henderson as he started to run in to bowl to his new found friend and team mate.
Joel Henderson then ran in and bowled to Clinton, it was a slow pitched up ball that Clinton just played a forward defensive shot to and hit it back to Joel.
“Come on Joel let me have a few short ones like yesterday” Clinton said.
OK IF YOU WANT IT THAT WAY,JUST
THOUGHT I WOULD BE GENTLE AFTER THE BATTERING I GAVE YOU YESTERDAY” Joel
Henderson shouted back to Clinton.
“DON ’T WORRY ABOUT ME JUST BOWL NORMAL AND
SEE HOW IT GOES” Clinton shouted
back.
Joel Henderson came running in again and this time bowled the ball slightly shorter than the one before and Clinton moved onto his back foot and played a defensive shot of some class.
“THAT’S BETTER JOEL, BOWL SOME MORE OF THEM PLEASEAND
I CAN PRACTICE MY BACK FOOT
DEFENSIVE SHOT I NEED TO PRACTICE IT” Clinton shouted to Joel Henderson.
Joel stood looked at Clinton and said “OK friend I’ll keep it there and I also need some practice of my short ball”
“Practice after yesterday I got the bruises to prove you don’t need any more practice” Clinton replied with a chuckle
“Yes you sure do my friend, you sure do” replied Joel Henderson
As the net session went on the faster and faster Joel Henderson bowled at Clinton and the more practice Clinton had on his Back foot defensive shot, they then both left the nets to go back to the dressing room to get ready for the match, Adrian Rowland was out in the middle for the toss and it came down heads after he had called tails and was asked to bat, by the Middlesex captain Roger Yates.
Adrian Rowland walked back to the dressing room and said the batting order to the rest of the team “Radford number six, Henderson number eight”
Both Joel and Clinton looked at each other and went to the balcony to have a sit down and get ready to watch the days play ahead with the hope that they would not be needed to bat.
“Well then Joel you got your wish, feet up and have a relax after yesterday’s exploits ready for your spell of bowling”
“You make me laugh Radford, you wanted to bat you cheeky git” replied Joel Henderson chuckling.
“Yes I did” replied Clinton
But their chat was soon to be cut short when the Hampshire batting started to crumble and they were reduced to seventy one for six and Clinton and Joel were then talking at the crease.
“Right Joel I’ll take strike and push it around a bit and let’s see how things go try and stay with me” Clinton looked at Joel and said.
“Listen Clinton my friend I am the senior player here and we will do things my way and you just keep the ball out and I will play my shots and try and hit us out of this, remember what I told you enjoy every minute of the experience and keep smiling and we will get us out of this mess” replied Joel Henderson.
“Well I can’t argue with that you are the older and wiser man I will listen to you and do as I’m told” replied looking up at Joel Henderson.
“As long as you know your place my friend and less of the cheek” Joel Henderson replied with a slight grin on his face.
Clinton and Joel then proceeded to stroke the ball around with some aplomb and ease and by lunch they had taken the score to one hundred and eight for six and as they both walked off the pitch they punched gloves with each other.
“Well played Joel mate” Clinton said looking at Joel in the eyes.
“You did not bat to bad either my friend you seem to have so much time and class” replied Joel Henderson to Clinton
They both walked back to the pavilion and to the dressing room, where captain Adrian Rowland said to them “Well played guys but you need to be there at tea and we really need to get about three hundred and fifty on that pitch”
Joel and Clinton went out after the lunch break and went about doing what their captain had asked them to do.
The first ball of the second over after lunch, Clinton went on to his front foot and stroked the ball through the covers for four.
Joel Henderson walked up the wicket to him and touched gloves and said “Lovely shot my friend, timed it sweet as a nut I like it, I really liked it”
“thanks mate” replied Clinton
The next ball of the over was another half volley outside of the off stump and was dispatched with the same aplomb as the ball the proceeded it and rocketed through extra cover for four more runs.
Joel walked up to Clinton “that was even better and a lot classier than the last shot” he said with some joy
“Thank you mate it came off beautifully, if they keep bowling like this we will get the runs in no time at all” Clinton replied to his West Indian colleague
“Clinton remember what I said, take each ball as it comes and don’t be too over confident” Joel replied to Clinton
“Don’t be too over confident”
With those words still ringing in his ears Clinton walked back to face the next ball and started muttering “must not be over confident, he is right need to concentrate more and play each ball on its merits and must be here at tea”
The next ball Clinton played a defensive shot to and hit the ball back to the bowler
Joel looked over to him and gave him the thumbs up and muttered under his breath “Good he is listening, he will go a long way, if he carries on listening”
At the end of the over they both met in the middle of the wicket and Joel Henderson said to Clinton “Listen Clinton, I know you have undoubted talent I have seen that here today and over the last couple of games I have faced you in, but the most important thing is that you listen to old pro’s and what they can tell from their experience”
Clinton looked Joel straight into the eyes and nodded his head at what he was telling him, these wise words would help Clinton in a future event in his life and help get him out of a tricky situation
As tea approached Clinton and Joel had moved the score on to two hundred and two for six when Clinton looked up at the players and relatives area and he could see his mother Chelsea along with his Grandparent Georgia and Reg, he then looked to the right and could see Isabella and her mother Sandra walking up the steps to meet Chelsea, Georgia and Reg, she was very happy smiling and joking as if she were a school girl again, all Clinton could then think of was the test results must have been ok and it was good news, he thought to himself must concentrate more work to do.
As Clinton and Joel walked off for tea they had taken the score to a good looking two hundred and twenty one for six.
“Well batted Joel nice fifty my friend you deserved that and never knew you could play some of those shots” Clinton looked at Joel Henderson and said.
“Well I have scored a test century and a few first class centuries but to be honest my friend I have never batted that good before” replied Joel to Clintons question
“and a nice fifty for you to my friend not one false shot and your cover drive is your shot, not seen it played that well before”
“Than you Joel not sure how I am playing it but it is my best shot” replied Clinton to Joel
As they walked to the pavilion Clinton looked at Isabella and she had a beaming smile on her face and he then looked at Sandra and she looked very happy to, Isabella looked at Clinton Smiled and said “I need to speak to you about something”
“OK I’ll be with you in one moment” replied Clinton looking at Isabella.
“OK I Love You” Isabella replied looking at him and smiling.
With that Clinton went to the Dressing room to take his pads and gloves off, he went to see Isabella to see what it was she had to say to him.
“OK my love I’m here what is it you want to tell me” asked Clinton.
“Clinton I think you had better sit down before I tell you” Isabella replied.
“Why what’s wrong, what’s a matter” replied Clinton with some concern in his voice.
Isabella then put her finger up to his lips and said “SHHHH”
Clinton then sat down, with some anticipation as to what Isabella was going to tell him.
“Right Love you know I went to the doctors today to get my test results and they were fine but” Isabella said.
“BUT WHAT” replied Clinton
“BUT WHAT, WHAT IS WRONG”
“Nothing is wrong my love, but brace yourself, the but is I am Pregnant” replied Isabella
“YOUARE WHAT, YES, YES, YES”
Clinton Replied
“Hay Clinton what is all the commotion about what are you so happy about” asked his mother Chelsea
Clinton got up off his seat wrapped his arms around Isabella and gave her a massive kiss on her lips and said I love you Isabella Thomas.
Clinton looked around to his mother, Chelsea and said to her “mum I have got something to tell you, no we have got something to tell you”
“And what is that then my son” Chelsea replied with some anticipation in her voice.
“Well mum and Sandra you better hear this to” replied Clinton.
“Go on then Clinton what is it” replied Chelsea and Sandra
“Well Isabella and I are going to have a baby, she is pregnant” replied Clinton “Well that’s great, I’m going to be a grandmother” Chelsea replied with a tear running down her cheek.
“BRILLIANT, FANTASTIC, I’M GOING TO BE A GRADMOTHERAND I’M ONLY THIRT
NINE” shouted Sandra Thomas crying uncontrollably.
“Hay what is all the noise about over there you two” asked Georgia, Clinton’s grandmother.
“Nan Guess what Isabella is pregnant I’m going to be a father” Clinton replied.
Georgia nearly fell of her seat after hearing what Clinton had said open mouthed.
“So what are you saying to me that I am going to be a great grandmother” replied Georgia smiling.
“Yes mother you daft sod” replied Chelsea open mouthed.
“How long gone” asked Chelsea
“four and a half months” replied Isabella
“That long gone when do you have a scan” asked Sandra
“Two weeks’ time” replied Isabella
“Good” replied Sandra
“Right Isie dear I have got to go and put my pads on and get on with my innings” replied Clinton.
With that Clinton returned to the dressing room to put his pads back on and resume his innings he walked out with Joel and Joel looked at him and said “You have a big grin on your face my friend, good news”
“Well I am going to be a father, Isabella is four and a half months pregnant” replied Clinton looking up at Joel.
“Well congratulations mate hope you will both be happy” replied Joel Henderson.
“But don’t dwell on it now and let’s get on with rest of the innings and let’s both get centuries and put us in a great position” replied Joel Henderson.
“OK mate let’s put these boys to the sword and get some runs on the board and try and get ourselves county contracts and also I only want to bat once” Joel Henderson said with a look of a man possessed.
With That Joel and Clinton started to play a few outrageous shots, with Joel very lucky to be still in as he was dropped at long on when he was on eighty one, Clinton then started to play some fantastic shots to all parts of the ground and stroked his way to a Hundred with a front foot drive through the covers for four.
He walked up the wicket and touched gloves with Joel Henderson and shook hands Joel Henderson they said to Clinton “Congratulations My friend that’s your maiden hundred yes”
“Yes it is” replied Clinton as he held his bat up to the pavilion and all his team mates and family.
“Well stay in and get another one my friend” replied Joel Henderson.
“Ok will do mate now over to you, you get your ton as well and as you said on the way out lets bat them out of the game and only bat once” replied Clinton looking up at Joel Henderson.
“Right you are mate let’s take this side apart and let’s make sure we only bat once” replied Joel Henderson
With that Joel moved from eighty six to ninety with a driver through the covers for four.
His next ball he hit high over the pavilion and out of the ground for six to move on to ninety six.
His next ball was hit through mid-off for four to bring up his hundred, Clinton walked up to him touched gloves and shook hands and said “Another ton to your name mate well deserved as well”
“Thank you my friend, but as we said lets bat once and beat them into the ground and make them suffer and we could both get double tons here unbeaten” replied Joel Henderson look at Clinton in the eyes and grinning.
“You go first Clinton and have a bat and I’ll bowl to you” Joel Henderson said to Clinton.
“Ah yeah Clinton how is Isabella” asked Joel Henderson.
“She is fine Joel think she is going to the doctors this morning and will be up here this afternoon” replied Clinton.
“The doctor hope everything is OK my friend” Joel asked with some concern in his voice.
“She had some test a few weeks back not sure what for she didn’t tell me what for so can’t be too serious or she would have” Clinton replied
“Ok friend get in there and I will bowl to you and let’s get the show started” replied Joel Henderson as he started to run in to bowl to his new found friend and team mate.
Joel Henderson then ran in and bowled to Clinton, it was a slow pitched up ball that Clinton just played a forward defensive shot to and hit it back to Joel.
“Come on Joel let me have a few short ones like yesterday” Clinton said.
OK IF YOU WANT IT THAT WAY,
“
Joel Henderson came running in again and this time bowled the ball slightly shorter than the one before and Clinton moved onto his back foot and played a defensive shot of some class.
“THAT’S BETTER JOEL, BOWL SOME MORE OF THEM PLEASE
Joel stood looked at Clinton and said “OK friend I’ll keep it there and I also need some practice of my short ball”
“Practice after yesterday I got the bruises to prove you don’t need any more practice” Clinton replied with a chuckle
“Yes you sure do my friend, you sure do” replied Joel Henderson
As the net session went on the faster and faster Joel Henderson bowled at Clinton and the more practice Clinton had on his Back foot defensive shot, they then both left the nets to go back to the dressing room to get ready for the match, Adrian Rowland was out in the middle for the toss and it came down heads after he had called tails and was asked to bat, by the Middlesex captain Roger Yates.
Adrian Rowland walked back to the dressing room and said the batting order to the rest of the team “Radford number six, Henderson number eight”
Both Joel and Clinton looked at each other and went to the balcony to have a sit down and get ready to watch the days play ahead with the hope that they would not be needed to bat.
“Well then Joel you got your wish, feet up and have a relax after yesterday’s exploits ready for your spell of bowling”
“You make me laugh Radford, you wanted to bat you cheeky git” replied Joel Henderson chuckling.
“Yes I did” replied Clinton
But their chat was soon to be cut short when the Hampshire batting started to crumble and they were reduced to seventy one for six and Clinton and Joel were then talking at the crease.
“Right Joel I’ll take strike and push it around a bit and let’s see how things go try and stay with me” Clinton looked at Joel and said.
“Listen Clinton my friend I am the senior player here and we will do things my way and you just keep the ball out and I will play my shots and try and hit us out of this, remember what I told you enjoy every minute of the experience and keep smiling and we will get us out of this mess” replied Joel Henderson.
“Well I can’t argue with that you are the older and wiser man I will listen to you and do as I’m told” replied looking up at Joel Henderson.
“As long as you know your place my friend and less of the cheek” Joel Henderson replied with a slight grin on his face.
Clinton and Joel then proceeded to stroke the ball around with some aplomb and ease and by lunch they had taken the score to one hundred and eight for six and as they both walked off the pitch they punched gloves with each other.
“Well played Joel mate” Clinton said looking at Joel in the eyes.
“You did not bat to bad either my friend you seem to have so much time and class” replied Joel Henderson to Clinton
They both walked back to the pavilion and to the dressing room, where captain Adrian Rowland said to them “Well played guys but you need to be there at tea and we really need to get about three hundred and fifty on that pitch”
Joel and Clinton went out after the lunch break and went about doing what their captain had asked them to do.
The first ball of the second over after lunch, Clinton went on to his front foot and stroked the ball through the covers for four.
Joel Henderson walked up the wicket to him and touched gloves and said “Lovely shot my friend, timed it sweet as a nut I like it, I really liked it”
“thanks mate” replied Clinton
The next ball of the over was another half volley outside of the off stump and was dispatched with the same aplomb as the ball the proceeded it and rocketed through extra cover for four more runs.
Joel walked up to Clinton “that was even better and a lot classier than the last shot” he said with some joy
“Thank you mate it came off beautifully, if they keep bowling like this we will get the runs in no time at all” Clinton replied to his West Indian colleague
“Clinton remember what I said, take each ball as it comes and don’t be too over confident” Joel replied to Clinton
“Don’t be too over confident”
With those words still ringing in his ears Clinton walked back to face the next ball and started muttering “must not be over confident, he is right need to concentrate more and play each ball on its merits and must be here at tea”
The next ball Clinton played a defensive shot to and hit the ball back to the bowler
Joel looked over to him and gave him the thumbs up and muttered under his breath “Good he is listening, he will go a long way, if he carries on listening”
At the end of the over they both met in the middle of the wicket and Joel Henderson said to Clinton “Listen Clinton, I know you have undoubted talent I have seen that here today and over the last couple of games I have faced you in, but the most important thing is that you listen to old pro’s and what they can tell from their experience”
Clinton looked Joel straight into the eyes and nodded his head at what he was telling him, these wise words would help Clinton in a future event in his life and help get him out of a tricky situation
As tea approached Clinton and Joel had moved the score on to two hundred and two for six when Clinton looked up at the players and relatives area and he could see his mother Chelsea along with his Grandparent Georgia and Reg, he then looked to the right and could see Isabella and her mother Sandra walking up the steps to meet Chelsea, Georgia and Reg, she was very happy smiling and joking as if she were a school girl again, all Clinton could then think of was the test results must have been ok and it was good news, he thought to himself must concentrate more work to do.
As Clinton and Joel walked off for tea they had taken the score to a good looking two hundred and twenty one for six.
“Well batted Joel nice fifty my friend you deserved that and never knew you could play some of those shots” Clinton looked at Joel Henderson and said.
“Well I have scored a test century and a few first class centuries but to be honest my friend I have never batted that good before” replied Joel to Clintons question
“and a nice fifty for you to my friend not one false shot and your cover drive is your shot, not seen it played that well before”
“Than you Joel not sure how I am playing it but it is my best shot” replied Clinton to Joel
As they walked to the pavilion Clinton looked at Isabella and she had a beaming smile on her face and he then looked at Sandra and she looked very happy to, Isabella looked at Clinton Smiled and said “I need to speak to you about something”
“OK I’ll be with you in one moment” replied Clinton looking at Isabella.
“OK I Love You” Isabella replied looking at him and smiling.
With that Clinton went to the Dressing room to take his pads and gloves off, he went to see Isabella to see what it was she had to say to him.
“OK my love I’m here what is it you want to tell me” asked Clinton.
“Clinton I think you had better sit down before I tell you” Isabella replied.
“Why what’s wrong, what’s a matter” replied Clinton with some concern in his voice.
Isabella then put her finger up to his lips and said “SHHHH”
Clinton then sat down, with some anticipation as to what Isabella was going to tell him.
“Right Love you know I went to the doctors today to get my test results and they were fine but” Isabella said.
“BUT WHAT” replied Clinton
“BUT WHAT, WHAT IS WRONG”
“Nothing is wrong my love, but brace yourself, the but is I am Pregnant” replied Isabella
“YOU
“Hay Clinton what is all the commotion about what are you so happy about” asked his mother Chelsea
Clinton got up off his seat wrapped his arms around Isabella and gave her a massive kiss on her lips and said I love you Isabella Thomas.
Clinton looked around to his mother, Chelsea and said to her “mum I have got something to tell you, no we have got something to tell you”
“And what is that then my son” Chelsea replied with some anticipation in her voice.
“Well mum and Sandra you better hear this to” replied Clinton.
“Go on then Clinton what is it” replied Chelsea and Sandra
“Well Isabella and I are going to have a baby, she is pregnant” replied Clinton “Well that’s great, I’m going to be a grandmother” Chelsea replied with a tear running down her cheek.
“BRILLIANT, FANTASTIC, I’M GOING TO BE A GRADMOTHER
“Hay what is all the noise about over there you two” asked Georgia, Clinton’s grandmother.
“Nan Guess what Isabella is pregnant I’m going to be a father” Clinton replied.
Georgia nearly fell of her seat after hearing what Clinton had said open mouthed.
“So what are you saying to me that I am going to be a great grandmother” replied Georgia smiling.
“Yes mother you daft sod” replied Chelsea open mouthed.
“How long gone” asked Chelsea
“four and a half months” replied Isabella
“That long gone when do you have a scan” asked Sandra
“Two weeks’ time” replied Isabella
“Good” replied Sandra
“Right Isie dear I have got to go and put my pads on and get on with my innings” replied Clinton.
With that Clinton returned to the dressing room to put his pads back on and resume his innings he walked out with Joel and Joel looked at him and said “You have a big grin on your face my friend, good news”
“Well I am going to be a father, Isabella is four and a half months pregnant” replied Clinton looking up at Joel.
“Well congratulations mate hope you will both be happy” replied Joel Henderson.
“But don’t dwell on it now and let’s get on with rest of the innings and let’s both get centuries and put us in a great position” replied Joel Henderson.
“OK mate let’s put these boys to the sword and get some runs on the board and try and get ourselves county contracts and also I only want to bat once” Joel Henderson said with a look of a man possessed.
With That Joel and Clinton started to play a few outrageous shots, with Joel very lucky to be still in as he was dropped at long on when he was on eighty one, Clinton then started to play some fantastic shots to all parts of the ground and stroked his way to a Hundred with a front foot drive through the covers for four.
He walked up the wicket and touched gloves with Joel Henderson and shook hands Joel Henderson they said to Clinton “Congratulations My friend that’s your maiden hundred yes”
“Yes it is” replied Clinton as he held his bat up to the pavilion and all his team mates and family.
“Well stay in and get another one my friend” replied Joel Henderson.
“Ok will do mate now over to you, you get your ton as well and as you said on the way out lets bat them out of the game and only bat once” replied Clinton looking up at Joel Henderson.
“Right you are mate let’s take this side apart and let’s make sure we only bat once” replied Joel Henderson
With that Joel moved from eighty six to ninety with a driver through the covers for four.
His next ball he hit high over the pavilion and out of the ground for six to move on to ninety six.
His next ball was hit through mid-off for four to bring up his hundred, Clinton walked up to him touched gloves and shook hands and said “Another ton to your name mate well deserved as well”
“Thank you my friend, but as we said lets bat once and beat them into the ground and make them suffer and we could both get double tons here unbeaten” replied Joel Henderson look at Clinton in the eyes and grinning.
With that Joel Henderson and Clinton Radford
took the Middlesex attack apart and stroked them to all parts of the ground and
at the end of the days play Hampshire were three hundred and twenty one for six
with Joel Henderson on one hundred and fifteen not out and Clinton Radford one
hundred and twenty not out and they had put on a partnership of two hundred and
fifty for the sixth wicket and walked to the dressing room with their heads
held high and a nice round of applause from both sides.
“WELL
PLAYED BOTH” Shouted Isabella.
“BRILLIANT” Shouted Reg, Clinton’s grandfather.
Clinton and Joel walked to the dressing room to slaps on the back and handshakes and Adrian Rowland said to them both “Boys that was fantastic, brilliant, the words escape for the partnership, I just done know what else to say to you both”
“Thank you Skip, but we both need to have a shower we are shagged” replied Joel Henderson with sweat running down his face.
“No problem Joel will speak to you later, would you both like a drink” asked Adrian Rowland.
“Yes please an orange juice and lemonade with ice thank you” replied Clinton with seat running down his face and getting out of his kit and ready for a shower.
“Rum and Coke with ice for me please skip thanks” replied Joel Henderson with a huff and stripped down to his underwear and a towel wrapped around his waist.
Both Clinton and Joel sat on the benches in the dressing room to catch their breath back and to cool down before having there shower.
“Well my friend how did you find your first day in a county second eleven” asked Joel Henderson looking at Clinton.
“Great mate, enjoyed every minute of it and thanks for the advice it did help me through the day and batting with you was an honour” replied Clinton looking to his right at Joel Henderson
“Clinton my friend it was my honour to bat with you as I said to you earlier today you have so much talent and could go a long way, listen to the older players as their advice will always be valuable” replied Joel Henderson
“Thank you Joel I will” replied Clinton
Captain Adrian Rowland came in to the dressing room with Joel and Clintons drinks.
“Clinton it was an Orange Juice and Lemonade yeah” asked Adrian Rowland.
“Yep, thanks” replied Clinton
“Rum and Coke for you wasn’t it Joel” asked Adrian Rowland.
“Yes man, thank you” replied Joel
“Right then Clinton what were you so excited about at tea time you looked very happy with yourself” asked Arian Rowland.
“Well skip I am going to be a father, Isabella is four and a half months pregnant” replied Clinton
Adrian Rowland then walked up to Clinton shook him by the hand and patted him on the back and said “Congratulation”
With that Clinton’s mobile phone rang.
“Ring, Ring”
Clinton did not recognise the number, but answered it none the less.
“Hello, Clinton Radford speaking” Clinton said.
“
“BRILLIANT” Shouted Reg, Clinton’s grandfather.
Clinton and Joel walked to the dressing room to slaps on the back and handshakes and Adrian Rowland said to them both “Boys that was fantastic, brilliant, the words escape for the partnership, I just done know what else to say to you both”
“Thank you Skip, but we both need to have a shower we are shagged” replied Joel Henderson with sweat running down his face.
“No problem Joel will speak to you later, would you both like a drink” asked Adrian Rowland.
“Yes please an orange juice and lemonade with ice thank you” replied Clinton with seat running down his face and getting out of his kit and ready for a shower.
“Rum and Coke with ice for me please skip thanks” replied Joel Henderson with a huff and stripped down to his underwear and a towel wrapped around his waist.
Both Clinton and Joel sat on the benches in the dressing room to catch their breath back and to cool down before having there shower.
“Well my friend how did you find your first day in a county second eleven” asked Joel Henderson looking at Clinton.
“Great mate, enjoyed every minute of it and thanks for the advice it did help me through the day and batting with you was an honour” replied Clinton looking to his right at Joel Henderson
“Clinton my friend it was my honour to bat with you as I said to you earlier today you have so much talent and could go a long way, listen to the older players as their advice will always be valuable” replied Joel Henderson
“Thank you Joel I will” replied Clinton
Captain Adrian Rowland came in to the dressing room with Joel and Clintons drinks.
“Clinton it was an Orange Juice and Lemonade yeah” asked Adrian Rowland.
“Yep, thanks” replied Clinton
“Rum and Coke for you wasn’t it Joel” asked Adrian Rowland.
“Yes man, thank you” replied Joel
“Right then Clinton what were you so excited about at tea time you looked very happy with yourself” asked Arian Rowland.
“Well skip I am going to be a father, Isabella is four and a half months pregnant” replied Clinton
Adrian Rowland then walked up to Clinton shook him by the hand and patted him on the back and said “Congratulation”
With that Clinton’s mobile phone rang.
“Ring, Ring”
Clinton did not recognise the number, but answered it none the less.
“Hello, Clinton Radford speaking” Clinton said.
“Hello, Clinton it’s Nathaniel here, just
thought I would phone you to say congratulations on your news it’s brilliant
and to say for you and your family along with Isabella and Sandra, to meet me
at The Grange restaurant in town for a celebratory meal at seven thirty”
“We will be there thank you for the invite and thank you for the congratulations” replied Clinton
“OK will see you then Bye” replied Nathaniel Thomas
“Bye” replied Clinton and put his phone down on the chair by his kit to go and have his shower.
“Hay my friend who was that sounded very formal” asked Joel Henderson.
“Isabella’s father Nathaniel he has invited me and my family to a celebratory meal at The Grange tonight” replied Clinton
“Very up market and a very nice place to, food good and the house band even better but don’t have a late one we got more work to do tomorrow” replied Joel Henderson.
“It’s a nice place then good and yes I will be back at the Hotel early and I’ll try not to wake you as I know how you like your early nights” replied Clinton laughing.
“You better not wake me and you really have done your homework on me haven’t you” replied Joel Henderson.
“Yes spent all night searching the internet looking for information on you” replied Clinton
“Even found out that you are gay as well, don’t worry I won’t say anything as it is none of my business” Clinton also said.
“You had better not as I don’t want anyone to find out about that you know how macho this world of cricket is and what this could do to someone, so just please keep it to yourself” Joel Henderson replied with so anger in his voice and some annoyance on his face.
“Listen mate I won’t your secret is safe with me and make my words it does not bother me whether you are gay or not you are a great bloke irrespective of what sexual orientation you or what you do in your private life” Clinton replied
“We will be there thank you for the invite and thank you for the congratulations” replied Clinton
“OK will see you then Bye” replied Nathaniel Thomas
“Bye” replied Clinton and put his phone down on the chair by his kit to go and have his shower.
“Hay my friend who was that sounded very formal” asked Joel Henderson.
“Isabella’s father Nathaniel he has invited me and my family to a celebratory meal at The Grange tonight” replied Clinton
“Very up market and a very nice place to, food good and the house band even better but don’t have a late one we got more work to do tomorrow” replied Joel Henderson.
“It’s a nice place then good and yes I will be back at the Hotel early and I’ll try not to wake you as I know how you like your early nights” replied Clinton laughing.
“You better not wake me and you really have done your homework on me haven’t you” replied Joel Henderson.
“Yes spent all night searching the internet looking for information on you” replied Clinton
“Even found out that you are gay as well, don’t worry I won’t say anything as it is none of my business” Clinton also said.
“You had better not as I don’t want anyone to find out about that you know how macho this world of cricket is and what this could do to someone, so just please keep it to yourself” Joel Henderson replied with so anger in his voice and some annoyance on his face.
“Listen mate I won’t your secret is safe with me and make my words it does not bother me whether you are gay or not you are a great bloke irrespective of what sexual orientation you or what you do in your private life” Clinton replied
“Thank you Clinton you truly are a good person”
replied Joel Henderson1
What Clinton and Joel did not know was that a
sleazy red top reporter was standing outside the dressing room door while they
were having this conversation. The reporter was Harry Clark and he could sniff
a great story and this was one and it would do more damage than good.
Harry Clark quickly went to the car park and
telephones his editor.
Ring, Ring
The telephone rings in the editor’s office in
the main building
“Hi Harry Clark here guess what I have just
over heard here at the ground after the days play in this 2nd XI
game” Harry asked the editor.
“You tell me Harry, You tell me” replied the
editor.
“Well you know that former test bowler that
plays for Hamilton Junction and has not long come back from a drugs ban, what
is his name ah Joel Henderson” replied Harry with some excitement.
“Yes I think that’s his name, what about him”
replied the editor.
“Well I overheard him talking to the kid
Clinton Radford and Joel Henderson is Homosexual, he is gay” replied Harry
“Ha-ha, you are having a laugh Joel Henderson
gay do me a favour” replied the editor abruptly.
“No I’m not I’m telling you he is gay as bent
as a butchers hook I am telling you, Clinton Radford, said to him he knew his
secret and that he knew Joel Henderson was gay” replied Harry with so authority
in his voice.
“Well if you are adamant about it then do the
story I want two hundred words for the morning and we will run it then” replied
the editor.
“Ok I’ll have it to you within the hour”
replied Harry excitedly as this had the potential to be the biggest story he
had ever broke, he ended his call and went straight to his car to start the
story, with the headline :-
WEST INDIAN CRICKETER IN HOMOSEXUAL SHOCK.
Today we can reveal that former West Indian
cricketer Joel Henderson is a homosexual, yesterday I overheard a conversation
between Henderson and young all round sensation Clinton Radford. Henderson only
came back last year from a two year drugs ban and was playing a 2nd
XI game at Portsmouth yesterday when it was revealed, Henderson asked the young
Radford to keep the secret to himself and not tell a soul.
But we can reveal today that the big fast
bowler is gay and lives with his partner of five years in a swanky flat in
Southampton. His partner named only as J is twenty Five years old and is also
from the West Indies, it is also believed that Clinton Radford who is also
playing this very 2nd XI game with Henderson, is to become a father
as his Fiancée Isabella Thomas is four months pregnant with their first child,
she is also the Daughter of The Wanderers Chairman Nathaniel Thomas.
Both Henderson and Radford both scored
centuries in this game yesterday and this would be a story in its self, but
with the revelations of Joel Henderson being Gay it has taken a back seat.
Cricket is a macho sport and this I’m sure will
bring shock waves through the game as the first gay cricketer has been
revealed, but I’m sure that this is not the end and more will come out and
admit their sexuality and admit they are GAY.
Harry Clark
Harry then reread what he had written and then
sent it via e-mail to his editor.
Ring, Ring
“Hi editorial department” the editor answered
the telephone.
“Hi boss it’s me Harry did you get the report
and what did you think of it” Harry replied with excitement in his voice.
“Yes just reading it now, we will have to
change the headline though to something like CRICKETER IN GAY SENSATION, I
think it will sound better” replied the editor
“Well if you think so” replied Harry
“I do I will e-mail it back to you now with the
headline change” replied the editor
“Ok I look forward to it” replied Harry as he
ended his phone call and waited for his report to come back.
CRICKETER IN GAY SENSATION
Today we
can reveal that former West Indian cricketer Joel Henderson is a homosexual,
yesterday I overheard a conversation between Henderson and young all round
sensation Clinton Radford. Henderson only came back last year from a two year
drugs ban and was playing a 2nd XI game at Portsmouth yesterday when
it was revealed, Henderson asked the young Radford to keep the secret to
himself and not tell a soul.
But we can reveal today that the big fast
bowler is gay and lives with his partner of five years in a swanky flat in
Southampton. His partner named only as J is twenty Five years old and is also
from the West Indies, it is also believed that Clinton Radford who is also
playing this very 2nd XI game with Henderson, is to become a father
as his Fiancée Isabella Thomas is four months pregnant with their first child,
she is also the Daughter of The Wanderers Chairman Nathaniel Thomas.
Henderson and Radford both scored centuries in
this game yesterday and this would be a story in its self, but with the revelations
of Joel Henderson being Gay it has taken a back seat.
Cricket is a macho sport and this I’m sure will
bring shock waves through the game as the first gay cricketer has been
revealed, but I’m sure that this is not the end and more will come out and admit
their sexuality and admit they are GAY.
Harry Clark
While Harry was doing his report Joel Henderson
and Clinton Radford none the wiser at what was to happen the following morning
were getting changed laughing and joking about what they had just done to The
Middlesex attack.
“Come on My friend let me buy you a celebratory
drink after the news you have had today” asked Joel Henderson with a broad grin
on his face.
“Ok mate come on lets go to the bar and mine is
an orange juice and lemonade, big man” replied Clinton laughing. 1
The following morning Clinton was awoken by a
commotion going on outside his Hotel window on the forecourt of the main
entrance, he got up at took a look out of the window to see some twenty to
thirty press and paparazzi. He thought to himself “What the fuck is going on
here” then the telephone in his room rang
“RING, RING”
“Hello room one twenty four, Clinton Radford
speaking”
“Hi Clinton my friend it’s me Joel, I’m at the
ground is there any chance you can get here on your own without being seen”
Asked Joel Henderson in his broad West Indian voice with some nervousness.
“Well yes I can why what’s the matter mate”
Clinton replied with some shock.
“I’ll tell you when you get here, the skipper
will meet you out in the car park at the back of the Hotel, Please whatever you
do, do not take the front entrance, I’ll explain everything when you get here”
Joel Henderson replied.
“Ok I’ll be with you in about twenty to twenty
five minutes, I’ll just have a wash and get changed” replied Clinton.
“Clinton no time for a wash just get changed
and meet Adrian at the rear car park, just get some clothes on and get here
Please I beg of you” replied Joel Henderson.
“Right ok but what is the problem” replied
Clinton
“Don’t ask questions just get here please”
replied Joel Henderson
“OK” Clinton replied with some concern in his
voice.
Clinton then put the phone down and got dressed
then there was a knock at his door
Knock, Knock
Clinton answered the door and Adrian Rowland
was there
“Hi Adrian I’ll be with you now” Clinton said
“OK but be quick they are not going to be able
to hold the press off for much longer at the front entrance” replied Adrian
Rowland
“Ok what is the problem, Joel sounded very
distressed on the phone earlier what’s happened” asked Clinton
“Look Clinton I am not sure all I know is there
is a hell of a lot press out the front and the management have been asked to
remove all the papers from view of the players that’s all I know, I believe
Joel will explain more when we get to the ground” answered Adrian Rowland to
the question asked of him by Clinton.
“Ok come on lets go” replied Clinton as they
left the room , rushed down the back stairs and went to the rear car park to be
whisked away by a chauffeur driven car with blacked out windows.
As they arrived at the ground they were met by
two burly security guards who whisked Clinton into the media room where Joel
Henderson was with his manager Karen Nixon and they both had a very concerned
look on their face as Clinton entered the room.
“Joel what is going on mate why all the secrecy
and the security” asked Clinton with some concern
“Clinton, I’m Karen Joel’s manager and we have
a bit of an issue” Karen Nixon replied to the question
“What issue is that, what has happened” asked Clinton
with concern and looking straight at Joel Henderson?
“Clinton, the press know about me, they know I
am gay and they have run a story this morning” replied Joel Henderson looking
at Clinton
Clinton’s heart dropped and he replied “I
promise you mate I have not said anything to anyone, I made a promise and I
keep my promises” looking straight at Joel Henderson
“I know my friend, some sleaze bag over heard
us yesterday and ran a story this morning, without checking the facts first”
Joel Henderson replied and then handed Karen a paper who passed it on to
Clinton who looked at the headline on it CRICKETER IN GAY SENSATION.
“What the fuck?, I’m sorry mate I wish I had
never mentioned it now, I wish I had kept quiet and this would never have
happened I take full responsibility for it” replied Clinton with some shock in
his voice and on his face
“Clinton it’s not your fault it was going to
come out sooner or later and it looks like it is going to be the former”
replied Karen Nixon to Clinton
“We are going to give a statement to the press
and give a press conference before the start of play today” replied Karen Nixon
“So why I am here then what has it got to do
with me” asked Clinton angrily
“Well Clinton they believe that it is you Joel
is having an affair with although they have not said it yet, my sources tell me
they are going to run a story along those lines on Sunday, so we have called
the press conference for this morning and then we will be in the high court before
a judge this afternoon asking for an injunction stopping the story” Karen Nixon
replied
“Shit, I don’t know what to say” replied
Clinton with some shock in his voice at what he had just been told.
“Clinton I have spoke to Oliver Kennedy earlier
this morning and he will be here in about half an hour to speak with you and
see what you want to do, I have also spoken to your family and Isabella to
refute the story and they will be coming with him, if you want my advice as I
know you don’t have an agent or manager is say nothing until you get legal
representation and when you do I would advise you to take out an injunction too”
replied Karen Nixon, as Karen Nixon and Oliver Kennedy had known each other for
a some years.
“Thank you Karen I will speak to Oliver when he
gets here, I just don’t know what to say about it all” replied Clinton, tears
in his eyes.
“Clinton my friend don’t blame yourself for
this it is not your fault, I should have come out years ago and this would not
have happened” Joel Henderson replied looking straight at Clinton, tears
running down his cheeks.
Clinton walked over to Joel Henderson and shook
him by the hand and put his hand on his shoulder and said “Joel Henderson I
have not known you that long but you are a great bloke who in the short time I
have known you has taught me a lot, you have showed me respect and for that I
thank you, you don’t deserve this and mate we have an innings to finish today
so let’s get this press conference over and done with and smack these bowlers
all over the park and both get double tons, but most of all mate don’t let the
bastards get us down they are scum and we are bigger and better than them”
Joel Henderson just looked at Clinton and
muttered “Thank you my friend” and they both started laughing, with that there
was a knock at the door and Oliver Kennedy came in with Clinton’s mother
Chelsea, Isabella and Clinton’s Grandparents
“Clinton I have spoken to my friend Roger Cole
and we are in court this afternoon with Karen here to get an injunction”
“Thank you Oliver but I don’t have that type of
money” replied Clinton
“Clinton don’t worry all expenses will be
covered by me” replied Oliver Kennedy
“Right people I have a copy of the statement we
are going to give to the press for you all to read” said Karen Nixon as she was
handed as she handed it out.
Further to the newspaper article this morning
in the Daily Journal by Harry Clark which is printed below, we can confirm that
former West Indian fast bowler Joel Henderson Is Homosexual and he has been for
some ten years he does have a partner who coterie to what was printed in this morning’s
article he has been with for some nine years and not the five years stated in
this morning’s article, we do intend to
apply to the court for an injunction to stop any further scandalous stories
coming out in the future especially this weekend, we will also state at this stage
that Mr Henderson is not in any relationship what so ever with Clinton Radford,
we will not be answering any questions at this time.
Joel Henderson
CRICKETER IN GAY SENSATION
Today we
can reveal that former West Indian cricketer Joel Henderson is a homosexual,
yesterday I overheard a conversation between Henderson and young all round
sensation Clinton Radford. Henderson only came back last year from a two year
drugs ban and was playing a 2nd XI game at Portsmouth yesterday when
it was revealed, Henderson asked the young Radford to keep the secret to
himself and not tell a soul.
But we can reveal today that the big fast
bowler is gay and lives with his partner of five years in a swanky flat in
Southampton. His partner named only as J is twenty Five years old and is also
from the West Indies, it is also believed that Clinton Radford who is also
playing this very 2nd XI game with Henderson, is to become a father
as his Fiancée Isabella Thomas is four months pregnant with their first child,
she is also the Daughter of The Wanderers Chairman Nathaniel Thomas.
Both Henderson and Radford both scored
centuries in this game yesterday and this would be a story in its self, but
with the revelations of Joel Henderson being Gay it has taken a back seat.
Cricket is a macho sport and this I’m sure will
bring shock waves through the game as the first gay cricketer has been
revealed, but I’m sure that this is not the end and more will come out and
admit their sexuality and admit they are GAY.
Harry Clark
With that the press come into the media room
and took their seats ready for Karen Nixon to read out the statement and in her
shallow sweet welsh voice she read out the following :-
“Further to the newspaper article this morning
in the Daily Journal by Harry Clark which is printed below, we can confirm that
former West Indian fast bowler Joel Henderson is Homosexual and he has been for
some ten years he does have a partner who coterie to what was printed in this morning’s
article he has been with for some nine years and not the five years stated in
this morning’s article, we do intend to
apply to the court for an injunction to stop any further scandalous stories
coming out in the future especially this weekend, we will also state at this
stage that Mr Henderson is not in any relationship what so ever with Clinton Radford,
we will not be answering any questions at this time”.
One of the journalists Harry Clark asked the
following question “Is Joel Henderson going to carry on playing in this game
and if so what does his fellow team mates think about having a homosexual in
their ranks”
“Mr Clark as was said earlier we have no
comment at this time and please refer to the statement handed to you, we will
answer no further questions” replied Karen Nixon
Clinton, Joel and Karen then got up from their
seats and started to leave the room to a shout from Harry Clark “ CLINTON WHAT
IS IT LIKE SHARING A DRESSING ROOM AND A
HOTEL ROOM WITH A GAYMAN, COME ON TELL US CLINTON”
Clinton stopped in his stride turned looked
Harry Clark straight in the face and replied
“ Listen Mr Clark I would trust
Joel Henderson with my life, my mother’s life, my girlfriends life and my
children’s lives, I don’t care if he is white, yellow, bi-sexual or gay, so why
don’t you just FUCK OFF and go and bother so other poor bastard because people
like you are the scum of the earth” he then leaped over the table and hit Harry
Clark right on the nose with a left hook and a loud “THUD”
“Stick that in your fucking paper Harry Clark”
Clinton replied, brushed himself down and walked out of the room to a shout
from Harry Clark
“I’LL HAVE YOU CHARGED AND ARRESTED FOR ASSULT,
CLINTON RADFORD, YOU ARE DONE YOUNG MAN, YOU WILL NEVER PLAY AGAIN, YOU WILL
NEVER PLAY AGAIN, DID YOU HEAR NEVER PLAY AGIAN” with blood running from his
nose after Clinton’s attack on him
As Harry Clark got his senses back and went to
walk out of the room he had a tap on his shoulder as he turned around he was
met by Oliver Kennedy who said to Him “Hello Mr Clark do you know who I am”
“No sorry sir I don’t should I” replied Harry
Clark with a nervous look on his face
“Well Mr Clark I am your worst nightmare my
boy” replied Oliver Kennedy poking his finger into Harry Clarks chest
“Are you now, you and who’s army, you don’t
frighten me” replied Harry Clark with a look of terror on his face
“Listen to me Mr Clark, if you think of or go
anywhere near the police about what has just happened I will” said Oliver
Kennedy looking around and over his shoulder and then whispered in Harry
Clark’s ear “I will tell and believe me I will tell everyone about the night
you had sex with or should that be raped a fourteen year old girl and fathered
her child I have the whole sordid episode on video and audio tape and how you paid
the girl’s mother ten thousand pound, paid for a holiday and pay one thousand
pounds a month, to stop them going to the police, so if you really want to fuck
with me go ahead try me and I will make sure that everyone knows what you did
to that girl, I will let all the papers know in every little detail how you
groomed her via the internet and make no mistake about it I will make your life
hell and give them the video and audio tape and I am sure they will have a
field day with them, when I am finished with you, you will be asking me to finish
you off is this all crystal clear Mr Clark”
Harry Clark taking a huge gulp and looking into
Oliver Kennedy’s eyes and whispered “Crystal and how do you know this, your
bluffing you don’t have anything on me” in reply to what had just been said,
“let’s
just say Mr Clark, I have my contacts and no I’m not bluffing just try me and
find out” replied Oliver Kennedy, Oliver Kennedy then pushed Harry Clark away
turned around and walked out of the room to meet up with Chelsea, Isabella and
the rest of the family in the bar.
Oliver Kennedy then said to Clinton as they met
up “ He won’t give you any more trouble young man and bloody good left hook,
caught him sweet as a nut right on the nose I like it”
“Thank you Oliver, it just wound me up at the
way they were going on about Joel, he is a good man and he did not deserve it”
replied Clinton
“You and Joel have become good friends haven’t
you” replied Oliver Kennedy
“Oliver it is what you call mutual respect for
each other you may be enemies on the pitch but all that stops when you get off
the pitch” replied Clinton
“You really are growing up, they were wise
words for someone so young” replied Oliver Kennedy
“Thank you Oliver just picking up on what the
older and wiser players have said while I have been involved here and Joel gave
me a good bit of advice don’t be afraid to ask the older players questions and
listen to what they have to say” replied Clinton.
“Good advice, good advice indeed” replied
Oliver Kennedy.
The rest of the game and the day went on with
no hiccup but the last two days were rained off and the game ended in a draw with
Clinton and Joel not being able to add to their scores as their captain
declared the innings closed and neither were they able to bowl either but they had
both made such a good impression that they were both offered one day and
twenty/twenty contracts for the rest of the summer, but they would both make
such an impression on the committee that they would both get full contracts
before they had chance to sign the contacts they were already offered.
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