KINGS OF CRICKET: The Golden Era

"We're done, Coach Mir," Nagi returned, providing an update.

"And you're clearly having a great time by yourself," Noah playfully tousled Alan's hair, eliciting a delighted chuckle from him.

"Very well, it appears that Yusuf has also finished," Mir remarked, observing Yusuf and the middle schoolers as they made their way back.

The boys, including Alan, positioned themselves in lines, standing attentively.

"For today's training session, lesson 1: All batsmen, both middle schoolers and high schoolers, will head to the practice nets with the bowlers, while the all-rounders will proceed with lessons from Coach Pedro inside the dressing room. Is that understood?" Nidou instructed.

"Yes!" the boys responded, dispersing accordingly.

"See you later," Poseidon clapped his hand against Helios's, who smiled and replied with a casual "Hm."

"Goodbye," Xavier waved to Feng, who nodded and flashed a victory sign.

Soon, Heber, Adam, Ezekiel, Feng, Kenzo, Azazel, Cassiel, Poseidon, and Gabriel, along with Zachariah, Evandor, Nagi, Orion, Senri, Elias, Noah, Aigou, and Haruf, positioned themselves in the nets.

"Adam and Haruf, Heber and Aigou, Senri and Feng, Ezekiel and Elias, Kenzo and Noah. Both pairs will take turns at the striker's and non-striker's end. Bowlers will bowl five overs each to different pairs. The runs scored by batsmen who get out, excluding sixes and fours, as well as their strike rate, will be recorded. And for the bowlers, their wickets, best deliveries, and strike rate will also be measured. Any shortcomings in batting, fielding, or bowling will be addressed and shared with you during this time for improvement. Are we ready to begin?" Mir asked.

"Yes!" they responded in unison.

Taking positions and training commencing. Over's passed by, as wickets fells and runs were struck. Computers gathering data and instructors discussing, correcting and advising the boys. The atmosphere was focused and determined. Inside, the dressing room, the mood was equivalent.

Helios, spinning his pen round and round, questioned, "So, we should aim for variations responding to the field at that moment, right?"

"Yes, just like Lahore's climate is mostly hot summers and mild winters, the atmosphere mostly remains dry and damp. Hence, cricket pitches here are known as a 'Spinner's Paradise'. Spinners definitely have the upper hand due to wear and tear on the pitch. Likewise, batsman, they too have an evident advantage. When pitches are well maintained they provide even bounce and good carry, allowing them to play shots with more confidence." Pedro enlightened, pointing at the board which revealed the statistics.

Seraph narrowed his gaze concerned, "Pace bowlers will still have trouble…"

Xavier smiled, patting his shoulder, "I don't think so. The weather rather than being dry and damp, this time it's rainy in Lahore."

Seraph gasped immediately realizing, "Right, that means wet conditions can assist swing and seam bowlers, as the moisture on the pitch and in the air can help the ball move laterally. Seam bowlers especially, may find more grip and movement off the surface, making it challenging for the batsmen to negotiate."

"Well done." Aaron praised, clapping his hands from the seat behind.

Rauf and Alan listened attentively.

"Not to forget, Reverse swing1," Kazuna mentioned, folding his arms before his torso.

"Indeed, reverse swing which will be generally produced once the ball wears and tears while many of you talented ones can even generate it on your own by maintaining the shine on one side of the ball while keeping the other side rough." Pedro told. "Moving further, we'll have a look at bowling variations and bowling in tandem. Pace bowlers…" he continued.

Meanwhile, Kenzo, in the midst of his run, paused in front of the batting wicket, wearing a grin as he faced Zachariah. Zachariah, retrieving the ball, made his way back, his azure gaze appearing both indifferent and intense.

Kenzo, tapping his bat on the ground, spoke up, "Senior Zachariah, isn't it? I'm not sure what your issue is with Seraph, or vice versa, but if this is your usual bowling style, doesn't that mean he's already surpassed you?"

Zachariah stopped in his tracks, causing Noah, stationed at the non-striker's end, to blink in confusion. "Hey-! What in the world are you say--" he started to say but fell silent as Zachariah turned. He simply gave a grave sideway glare.

At that moment, Noah swallowed nervously while chills went down Kenzo's spine. Sweat beading his forehead and dripping down his chin, Kenzo's grin grew wider. "Ah… finally getting serious." he thought triumphant. 

Zachariah stepping a few more steps back behind the 30-inched yard, ran towards the popping crease. His Azure blue gaze flaring.

"Ouch!" Adam cried out in pain, from the other side. "Why do you keep poking the bat behind my knee? It hurts! Ouch!" he complained to Nidou, who was standing behind him and repeatedly poking him with the bat.

"Fix your posture and protect your wicket. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and parallel to the crease. Bend your knees slightly and position your body slightly sideways to the bowler, with your front shoulder facing towards them," Nidou instructed, sounding annoyed.

"Who hops around the crease and stands five steps to the right or left, exposing the wicket completely? Do you want the bowler to knock your wicket down like bowling pins, scoring a perfect 10 out of 10? No wonder you keep getting bowled out. Stand properly!" he scolded, pushing Adam's shoulders down and checking his bat grip. "You two, pay attention too!" he added, turning his attention to Feng and Senri.

Feng gulped and nodded in agreement.

"So harsh! Sera, Sera, where are you?" Adam whimpered, correcting himself.

Cassiel was left speechless, while Azazel rolled his eyes.

"Yes, just like this." Seles praised Heber and Aigou as they practiced the on drive, pull and sweep shots1.

"For the pull shot1, extend your arms for a clean powerful contact against the ball. Keep your head focused on the ball and track its trajectory. Make sure your legs are balanced and in a comfortable position." Seles instructed.

Heber nodded.

Nagi bowling to him in a moment, Heber followed Seles's directions and struck the pull shot successfully.

"Haha! That's awesome, Heber! Keep up the good work!" Aigou showed a thumbs up, delighted.

Heber nodded satisfied.

"Hm~" Musa scratched his chin reading Poseidon's bowling grip. "A Googly." he guessed.

"Correct again," Poseidon smiled, tossing the ball up and grabbing it back.

"You love to play that delivery. Of course, it was easy to guess." Musa said.

Poseidon looked at him surprised, "You… knew?"

Musa, revealed an obvious, proud grin, "I am Pakistan's Phoenix Spinner after all." "Poseidon Agiel…" he called, seeking his attention, "Spin bowling is an art not many can perfect however, just like I see it in my own son. I see it in you as well 'The potential and spirit to perfect it'." Poseidon blinked.

"Despite your fragile condition, I don't know why but I want you to know… that while bowling jump a bit higher and gather yourself towards the target. Keep your head still and target focused. Right before you throw the ball, picture the deviation of the ball in your mind. Stand tall and aligned at the time of release and keep your pivotal front leg strong. This increases the energy towards the target after you had released the ball." Musa advised soon gesturing Cassiel and Evan to come over. 

In the meantime, Musa questioned Poseidon seriously, "Am I clear?"

"Y-yes!" Poseidon stuttered.

Extending his hand forward, Musa gestured, "The ball…"

Poseidon immediately handing him the ball observed him intently. Musa smiling at his curiosity and intent, grabbed the ball, his finger moving very mysteriously, he formed a grip. Poseidon's eyes widened. Seeing Musa, teach him with his back and fro hand movement and a peculiar mannered wrist rotation for a few times. It was as if a new door had unlocked for him. Tossing the ball up and handing it back to Poseidon, Musa added encouragingly, "Step ahead, Sea king."

Poseidon hesitantly grabbing the ball, clutched it tight. His eyes brightening and confidence flickering over his countenance. "I-it might take a while but I won't disappoint you. Thank you." he guaranteed.

Once, Poseidon had left to bowl his over to Elias and Ezekiel, Evan and Cassiel came to Musa, who sighed. "You both are late." he complained.

"I was bowling my over. Sorry about that," Cassiel apologized as Evan too excused.

Musa scratched his hair, "Never mind, come and listen to me…"

However, before he could complete his sentence, he instinctively turned around to face one single net, his expression widened. Zachariah had bowled, harshly, striking the wickets directly.

The bails and stumps shattered into pieces, crashed on the ground, and the ball, still in motion, tore through the net behind and rolled until it reached the boundary line, finally coming to a halt.

A second or even a millisecond, it even happened or not. Kenzo, on the batting crease, stood frozen, his emotions ranging from bewilderment to astonishment and even fright.

The others practicing on the field, along with the coaches, turned their attention to the extraordinary display of skill. Strength leaving Noah's legs, he crouched low, wordless.

"Zach…?" Elias whispered with a gulp.

Ibrahim squinted his gaze, "Mach Serve…?"

"Nope, that was the 'Lux serve'." Nidou corrected, his gaze serious.

Feng shuddered, even if Zachariah hadn't used a skill (not that he was aware of one), or he himself wasn't standing there on the batting crease in Kenzo's place, he felt cold and immeasurably weak.