ODE TO A CRICKETER

WITH APOLOGIES TO BOB DYLAN

How many innings must the young man play
Before you call him too old ?
How many tours must the short man sail
Before he sleeps in the pavillion ?
Yes, how many times must the short balls fly
Before he's forever rested ?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Yes, how many years can you call him great
Before knowing he's washed up for good ?
Yes, how many years can some people play
Before they're allowed to be free ?
Yes, how many times can a man fail
Pretending its just a one-off ?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Yes, how many times must a man look up
Before he can see a century on the board?
Yes, how many “lives” must one man have
Before hearing people cheer a hundred ?
Yes, how many defeats will it take till he knows
That too many times he's failed ?
The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind.