Cricket Poem Help Required

 

I'm in contact with a gentleman in India who recognises it but can't tell me anymore.

 

Off to visit some poetry forums! The things you do to help someone!

 

(Keep the faith - we can't be that bad again.)

Little Man Cricketer

Oh cricket's a game for a real live man
Keep ft little man, keep fit
Get out in the open whenever you can
Keep fit little man, keep fit
Don't stay in the house to play with the cat
But put on your flannels and take your bat
Keep fit little man, keep fit

And when to bat you stand you take
Stand firm little man, stand firm
To shuffle away is a great mistake
Stand firm little man, stand firm
Just watch what the bowler is trying to do
Don't slog at a straight or he'll get through
And don't try to score for an over or two
Stand firm little man, stand firm

And when to bowl you are given the ball
Pitch em up little man, pitch em up
About two yards from the crease let them fall
Pitch em up little man, pitch em up
Don't dash at the wicket with might and mane
And try to deliver an express train
or you'll never be asked to bowl again
Pitch em up little man, pitch em up

Slack fielding loses many a match
On your toes little man,on your toes
Who knows the cost of one dropped catch?
On your toes little man, on your toes
Don't stand stock still or you will take root
But stand on the tip of each well spiked boot
If you let em go by you, the crowd will hoot
On your toes little man, on your toes

And when the umpire gives you out
Don't grouse little man, don't grouse
It's only babies that sulk and pout
Don't grouse little man, don't grouse
Of course the ball broke that hit your pad
Of course all umpires are quite quite mad
Of course its really too too bad
But don't grouse little man, don't grouse

And whether the game you lose or win
Just smile little man, just smile
Whether you're given out or in
Just smile little man, just smile
With grousing a sportsman can have no truck
So once in a while you're out of luck
And are bowled first ball, middle peg for a duck
Just smile little man, just smile.