For everyone that wants to learn about cricket (admit it you have a little interest) I have the best one stop shop to get the game's essence. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket List of downsides to cricket:

-Takes patience, fast games take hours, slow games run days (5 days).

-You sometimes (ok, often) end games in a tie. Yes, it is unamerican.

-When you are the one white guy you will surely get stumped out on the first bowl.

-They stop to enjoy tea in the middle of the game.

-When you get out on your first bowl, you are done for the day and do not get a second chance.

-If you drink while watching you will usually overindulge by the time one team is done batting.

-It takes up all the Sports Center time on ESPN, even during football season.

-They have rules that say things like "...if it is within the spirit of the game..."

Upside:

+It is better than football (that is unamerican for "soccer"). Let me tell you this is a bigger one than all the negatives together.

+You think that Baseball has stats and records--you seen nothing, baby.

+There are as many ways to win as there are teams (you can be big, you can be fast, you can be smart, you can be conservative, you can be aggressive, you can spike the other teams tea...)

+Pads.

+Highlights.

+They have rules that say things like "...if it is within the spirit of the game..." It is truly a game played and watched by gentlemen (and women), and frequently watched by drunks.

I am incredibly glad that I have been exposed to the game and will be up for showing all you how it works when we get home.