The epic battle seems a pleasant memory today. It was exhilarating while it lasted, but the adrenaline rush has finally worn off. Bruised and battered, hardly able to move after the punishing exertions of the previous day. The phrase ‘in the heat of the moment’ is often written about, but it never made as much sense as it does today in light of everything that has just transpired. After all, it is not often that you can get into combat with Goliath and live to tell the tale.
The world is singing your praises and the rightful place you deserve in the pantheon of the greats for feats of such immense achievement, hardly ever seen in the past, rarely to be expected in the future.
You have had all the stars aligning in your favour over the last few weeks, even if it has been at the expense of some of your mates. Pecking orders are usually reserved for royal succession, but it has been a whirlwind period when you have been fast tracked from 4th choice to first pick. This was what you had always been training for, but even your own parents did not expect to be waking up in the dead of night to watch you turn out in national colours as quickly as you did. Everyone dreams of a stellar debut, but in your case, this has even exceeded your wildest fantasy. The world, as they say, is your oyster.
Except that reality is a just a little more complicated.
Bench strength is frequently spoken about and is usually the team management’s insurance policy for the occasional injury or an unexpected loss of form to a member of the first team. You are meant to step up to plug a temporary gap and fall back obediently to the bench soon after. You were never meant to stage a coup to displace the incumbents in such spectacular fashion. While you wait eagerly to hear how these circumstances have affected your sporting future, you know that the incumbents are tossing and turning restlessly in their beds tonight. They may not know it yet, but they may have played their last game for the country already. But then, you are well aware that life can be unfair. You may never get another opportunity to prove this was not a flash in the pan. All you can do is wait. And hope. Like the rest of us.