Chapter 1

Conner pov:

NEW ZEALAND

PRESENT DAY:

I'm currently sitting in the NZC conference room. Zoya my PR sitting next to me looked at the chairman who was fuming in anger.

I sighed and tried to speak when he stopped me by his hand.

He ran a hand on his grey hair "I'm so disappointed in you. I never expected this." He points his finger at me.

"You know I'm trying my best from the past three years to achieve it but everytime we just lose it with one or two points" i sighed adjusting my seat.

He called me here to discuss the poor performance of our team from the last three years. For the last three years we have been trying to win the world cup but every time we just fail with one point or two and sometimes lose a semi final match. Being a captain is not easy i tried my best guiding the boy helping them brace their bowling and batting but we are also humans we can sometimes drop a catch or get bowled on the first ball.

No one knows how much pressure we have on our shoulders when we are playing at the ground one missed catch, one boundary and poor fielding can change the whole match. From one mistake we can lose whole match.

Being the captain everybody just blames me for a poor performance when i said clearly to the media that we are also human we make mistakes unintentionally. Nobody wants to lose an important match after working hard from the start.

"Conner, I don't know what you are trying. I expected so much from you i thought you'll be a good captain, you'll make a strong team but after another loss I'm suddenly rethinking my decision" the chairman said with a straight face.

"I know it's disappointing for you" i sighed saying my next words carefully "and if you want you can change the captain for this world cup. I'll appreciate it"

Zoya sitting next to me looked at me with wide eyes. I ignored her looking at the chairman.

I know it's a big decision giving up from my captaincy just 2 months before the world cup is too much but what can i do. The whole country and now my management team thinks that I'm not leading a good team so maybe i just give up the position.

The chairman sighed "Listen Conner, your contract is already ending and I don't want to pressure anyone else by making them captain just two months before the world cup."

Contract yes.. my contract.. it's ending in just a few months. After that i don't know if I'll ever be a captain again.

In these three years I selected my own team we won and we lost together. The boys are really nice like my own family they appreciate me and whenever we lose a match they protect me.

The memories I've seen with them are the greatest. I'll always remember till my last breath.

"Just be the captain in this world cup too. We'll talk about your contract later." He sighed his eyes slowly turning soft "Conner, you know after 2007 we never won any world cup and three years ago when i saw you fielding and batting for the team i thought the team need a good captain like you who works hard. The way you teach boy at the practice session my trust build in you. I really want to see you bringing the trophy home. I saw that passion in your eyes i know you sre trying your best and you all are human also but with all these media pressure and everything I'm just loosing hope."

He continued "This is your last chance as a captain prove that you are worth it, prove that you can bring the trophy home and i trust you" he smiled.

After hearing his words something inside of me wake up. Last chance, last chance to win the cup, last chance to prove myself, last chance to make everyone happy.

I can do this.

I'll do this.

No matter what.

"You are right chairman. I can do this and I'll do this" i said with confidence.

Zoya beside me smiles a bit and my stupid heart skips a beat.

Focus Conner.

"That's the spirit. Go and prove yourself that you are worth of everything" he smiled.

"Yes, and for that I'm going to under-19s cricket match please send me the details where it's going to be held" i stand up from my chair.

The chairman eyes bows draw together "under-19s cricket?"

"Yes, it's time to introduce a new player to our team" i smiled at him.

"You are bringing a new player to the team for world cup. Isn't it going to be hard for him to play a tournament this big" zoya finally speaks

"I know but introducing a new player will be a good idea. The other team know our bowlers and batters but by introducing a new player they don't know how he's going to perform so it's going to build pressure on them" i winks at her and she looked away.

"Do whatever you want Conner I'm giving you a chance to select player but remember it's an ODI world cup now you need good bowlers and batters with good experience. I'll appreciate a new commer but still think twice before selecting anyone" the chairman said.

"Don't worry this time I'm not going to disappoint anyone by my team selection" he reassured him "please send me the address"

He nods and i left the office with zoya.

"Are you sure introducing a new player will be a good idea?" Zoya blurt.

"I know what I'm doing and this time we have to win the cup no matter what." I eyed her.

"Stop asking questions and come with me for the Under-19s match. Make sure to watch every player carefully we are finding a new player" i instructed her.

She nods.

Zoya is a good PR she's with me from the last three years and i appreciate her work she manages my schedule and my interviews.

In these three years i tried not to grow anything more than work for her but as the contract is ending and i don't know about my future i want to spend all my time with her.

I'm a fool wanting to spend time with her before the cup.

I should focus on winning the cup.

We both walked outside the NZC office when my phone ringed i saw the chairman send me the location.

"Let's go" i said to zoya and hopped on the car to find my new player.