Perpetual early-riser Terri was first to discover the rack of cricket uniforms this morning, and quickly ran back to the bedroom to alert her still-sleeping HMs to her find.
“We’re going to play cricket,” she annouced to a sleeping bedroom. “We’ve got cricket outfits out there.”
Slowly stirring in response to Terri’s news, the HMs initial reaction to this weeks’ task wasn’t one of excitement. “I’m not getting out of bed in the middle of the morning to play f**king cricket,” whined Dixie.
“It’s like getting up in the morning to watch paint dry,” Bianca chimed in.
Cackling at Dixie’s reaction, Terri burst into giggles. “You make me laugh, the things you say,” Terri muttered about Dixie’s comment.
“I wouldn’t get out of bed for Brett Lee,” Dixie continued. “Not even Donald Bradman.”
“I’m up for a bit of cricket,” Travis piped up.
Eventually getting up and about, the half-asleep Housemates congregated in the lounge to find out more about this weeks’ task. As Head of the House, Nathan was charged with reading the letter from BB.
“Housemates, anyone for cricket?” he began.
“No, I’m going back to bed,” deadpanned Dixie.
“For this weeks’ task you will field for the Australian cricket team,” continued Nathan. “Three Housemates at a time must stand in the backyard facing the ball launcher and attempt to catch the ball when it is fired towards you. The ball could be released at any time.
“Fielding changeovers are entirely up to you but there must always be three Housemates in fielding position at all times unless BB announces a break in play. Three fielders must be dressed in cricket attire at all times. Wicket keeper must wear the pads and gloves. Do not move the position markers.
“If you catch the ball you must appeal with enthusiasm to the third umpire – the plasma screen on the stage. The better you appeal, the better the chance you will get a wicket. Don’t bother appealing if you have not caught the ball. Housemates, don’t like cricket – love it. Big Brother.”
Digesting the news, Ben wondered whether they had to be on 24 hour watch over the cricket pitch.
“Sounds like it,” confirms Nathan.
“You guys stay up all night anyway,” pointed out Terri. “So it shouldn’t be hard.”
The girls were still officially on the unimpressed bandwagon. “I’d rather just have staples next week,” complained Bianca.
But cricket enthusiasts Nathan and Ben wasted no time donning their cricket whites, complete with wide-brimmed hat, and took to the pitch for the first shift, joined by Terri.
Where did Alice, Rory, Renee and David jet off to? Find out now!
Find out how the Cricket Task is going by checking in with What’s Happening.
