For the love of cricket (bats)...

A  long time ago, in a far away place called Adelaide, a young boy named Brett had a cricket bat.  Brett loved playing with his cricket bat and balls in his family's backyard.  He'd practice his bowling for hours on end and he would love to bat even though he couldn't play any hook shots to protect his parents' windows.  The famed Beattie pitch changed over the years but Brett always found a way to put his beloved cricket bat to use playing the all-Australian pastime.  

Brett grew up into a tall, smart, handsome young man and his family was very proud of him.  He decided to move to America to pursue a graduate degree and was sad to leave his cricket bat behind.  Even as he packed his final bags, he knew that he wasn't saying goodbye to his bat because someday they would be reunited and they would be able to be hitting boundaries together again [even if they were six-and-outs].

Years past and Brett flourished in America.  He did well in his graduate studies, fell in love with a beautiful girl, and explored the world.  Every time he visited Australia or his family and friends came to visit him, his heart tugged at him to be reunited with that special old friend--his cricket bat.  He would meet new friends who suggested he just buy a new one, after all, it would be about the same cost as having the old one sent from half way across the world.  But, Brett knew that just wouldn't do.  If he couldn't have HIS cricket bat, he didn't want any cricket bat.  It was only HIS cricket bat, that held so many memories, that felt just right in his hands, and that loved him just as much as he loved it that belonged in his garage. It was his cricket bat that he wanted most of all...

UPDATE:  Brett's parents were very generous and brought his beloved cricket bat to him.  We were able to go outside in the afternoon on Christmas eve and play.  I learned a few of the rules of backyard cricket (I am not very good at it, sad to say), and we found out that Baxter really enjoys going after the balls. If only we could properly train him to bring it back to the pitch! :-)  I'll try to take a picture of the bat soon and post it for those who are interested in what a cricket bat looks like-it wasn't anything like I imagined, and really heavy too!