Glory Gardens

Hooker, Azzie, Erica and the rest all play cricket in their spare time, but they've never taken it very seriously until now. Kiddo, one of their school teachers, suggests they form an official team and play proper matches - and Glory Gardens C.C. is formed. Hooker, as captain, soon finds out that cricket teams weren't built in a day: some players squabble, some can't catch, and some have tantrums and go home at half-time! So will Glory Gardens go all out for victory . . . or will they be out for a duck?

GLORY GARDENS C.C. are now in the North County Under Thirteen League, and the pressure is really on. Hooker, as captain, worries that the team won't be able to hold it together: arrogant Clive is always picking fights, Ohbert is still as useless as ever, and there are all the usual rows and injuries. But there's also Mack, the new player; the lucky mascot 'Gatting'; plus the whole team's unwavering determination to win against all the odds.

It really doesn't look like being Hooker's season. Not only does he spend the first match of the league suffering a dropped-catch jinx but now there' civil war in the team over the selections. Sometimes captaining the GLORY GARDENS Cricket Team isn't the fun you might think. It's not the matches that prove the most trouble for poor Hooker - it's the infighting. He has one solution that might work. but making Ohbert captain in his place? That's not strategy - that's suicide.

GLORY GARDENS C.C. can't resist a challenge and this time they're going for gold in a World Cup competition! with teams from Barbados and South Africa visiting the area at the same time, it's a brilliant opportunity for the club to make its mark worldwide. It's not long before the thrills and spills of cricket spark off sporting drama, temper tantrums and practical jokes. So as Australia do battle with the West Indies and South Africa face India, can Glory Gardens rise above the squabbling and bring glory for England...?