Over The Top: Chess

quickly.

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APRIL 3rd

Dear diary, I had a fantastic day today. Everyone thought I was cool. I was put into the top cricket team. I will be the youngest on the team by four or five years. The teacher says I am a prodigy. I don't know what a prodigy is but I think its a compliment. Tomorrow we are going to Saint Breadle's College to play their best team. I will be showing the Seniors some of my batting and bowling techniques. The teacher said that one of the country's top selectors will be there to watch us. If I'm lucky I might be representing my country one day! Thank you God for that dream. It was the best dream I've ever had.

Mum said she wants me to always remember where I came from, and not to let it go to my head. That's easy. How could I forget what I used to be like?

Dad bought me some brand new gear today. Cricket gloves, pads, face-guard, and a cap. He's gone really silly over me. I told him I still liked chess more than cricket but he wasn't listening. He kept patting me on the head, as if I was a dog or something.

I'd better get some sleep. Good night diary.

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I'm standing real close to the wickets. Tim is bowling. So far I've caught four of the Saint Breadle's team out. They were easy catches too, straight to me. I think their team has lost heart with me here. I stand so close they can hardly swing their bats, and if the ball comes my way, they're out.

My team cheers every time I do something. They haven't given me a chance to bowl yet, but my fielding has been enough. I can see people on the sidelines with cameras. I'm wondering if I'll be on TV tonight. That would make Mum and Dad proud of me. Fancy being on the box! What a thrill!

The ball is shooting towards me. I scoop it out of the air and hold it up. That would have been a six, but I stopped it. The batsman is staring at me. He can't believe that I caught it. My hand stings a little because the ball was travelling like a bullet.

The Saint Breadle's team is ruined now. They can't get any points while I'm on the field. Tim tells me to come round a little, so I can face the batsman almost front on. The crowd is still cheering over my last catch and I am feeling so good.

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APRIL 4th

Dear diary, I am lying in hospital with bandages round my head. I have been