The best explanation of cricket that I heard was the story of the African Chief's son who went to Oxford University. On returning his father asked what was the most important thing that he learned. His reply? "The English have the most effective rain dance ever seen. It starts with eleven men dressed in white standing around in a field with two sets of three sticks in the ground with small twigs across the top. Then two men, also dressed in white come out with willow clubs. One of the men stands in front of one set of three sticks. One of the eleven men hurls a red ball at the man in front of the sticks. He strikes it with his willow club, it goes in the air and one of the men in the field catches the ball. He jumps up and cries out HOWZAT!!!..... and the other ten men also jump and raise their arms to the sky, and the rain comes down."

Brian