The pitch was only smooth in parts;
It sank at either crease,
And motor vans and bakers carts,
At times disturbed the peace.

The bowlers found it hard to hit
The lamp post's slender stem
The broader wicket opposite,
Was cleared at 6.00 pm.

It was a keen, determined school,
Unorthodox and free;
Harsh circumstances oft made the rule,
And not the M.C.C.

The scorer, seated by the well,
Kept up a fire of talk;
He was both umpires, crowd, and all,
And plied a busy chalk.

So, standing musing on the scene,
I let the moments pass;
How well he drove it to the screen.
And then-the crash of glass.

I watched the players as they ran,
And heard, while yet they fled,
The loud voice of an angry man,
The law's majestic tread.

GD Martineau (1897-1976) was an English cricket writer. He wrote about the different aspects of the game of cricket. His notable works include Bat, Ball, Wicket and All, They Made Cricket, The Valiant Stumper and The Field Is Full of Shades. 

He died in England at the age of 79. 

1. pitch - the 20m long and 3m wide area marked to play cricket
2. crease - a white line on the ground near each wicket where the batsman and the bowler stand
3. school - here, group
4. unorthodox - different from usual
5. M.C.C - Marylebone Cricket Club in England
6. fire of talk - here, commentary
7. plied - used skilfully
8. musing - thinking