Unfelt Words, Unfelt Love

During the school sports competition, there was also a cricket tournament, and for the first time, there was a team for women. Nat, still passionate about sports, decided to join. While she had only played gully cricket before, where she mostly swung the bat without much technique, she had some experience with spin bowling. However, she had never trained professionally.

When Nat approached the new sports coach about joining, he watched her bowl and noticed something in her delivery. "You have some natural spin," he remarked. "If you practice seriously, you might have a chance to play at a higher level."

Encouraged by his words, Nat spoke to her mother, who reluctantly agreed to let her pursue cricket. A few days later, Nat found out there would be a district trial for the women's team.

The District Cricket Selection

On the day of the trial, Nat's nerves were at an all-time high. She knew she wasn't like the other players—these were professional women who had been playing for years. As she stood among them, she felt out of place. Her heart raced as she prepared for her turn.

When it was time to bowl, Nat's hands were trembling. She tried to focus on her technique, but the experience of bowling in front of a panel of selectors, with professional players around her, was overwhelming. She managed to bowl a few decent deliveries, but it was clear she lacked the polish and consistency of the others.

When the trial ended, Nat didn't make the team. Her heart sank, but she told herself it wasn't over. She could keep practicing and try again next time.

After the selection, Nat's mother went to the selectors to ask about Nat's chances. The selectors, who had watched the trials closely, laughed when they saw her mother approach. "Your daughter doesn't have the standard," one of them said dismissively. "How could she make it with those skills?"

Those words cut deep into Nat's heart. She felt as if all the effort she had put in was dismissed in an instant. She wanted to shrink away, to hide, but instead, she stood frozen, her mind racing with self-doubt.

Just then, a man who had been standing beside the selectors spoke up. "Don't listen to them," he said gently to Nat's mother. "She might not have the standard yet, but we're offering practice sessions. If she's willing to put in the work, she can come train with us. There's potential."

That was the turning point for Nat. She had been crushed by the rejection, but hearing this small glimmer of hope reignited her passion. She had no idea how far she could go, but she knew she couldn't give up just yet.

Her mother, though skeptical, agreed that Nat could join the practice sessions. And just like that, Nat's journey into professional cricket began. She was determined to prove that she had what it took, no matter how long it took.