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  Hi there,

  I’m David Warner, Australian cricketer, and I’m really excited to introduce you to my next book in the The Kaboom Kid series.

  Little Davey Warner is ‘the Kaboom Kid’, a cricket-mad eleven-year-old who wants to play cricket with his mates every minute of the day, just like I did as a kid.

  Davey gets into all sorts of scrapes with his friends, but mainly he has a great time playing cricket for his rep cricket team, the South-East Slammers, and helping them win matches.

  If you’re into cricket, and I know you are, then you will love these books. Enjoy The Kaboom Kid.

  David Warner

  Chapter 1: All Tried Out

  Chapter 2: Homework Horror?

  Chapter 3: More Max Mayhem

  Chapter 4: Contracts and Consequences

  Chapter 5: Train Clash

  Chapter 6: Train Wreck

  Chapter 7: Double Time

  Chapter 8: All Good Friends

  Chapter 9: Cricket Canines

  Chapter 10: Stand-in Shenanigans

  Chapter 11: Barfing Bow-wow

  Chapter 12: Ball Ballet

  Chapter 13: Slammer Planners

  Chapter 14: Good Times

  Your Amazing Cricket Stats

  CHAPTER 1

  ALL TRIED OUT

  Davey Warner stood as still as a statue at the popping crease. He gripped his cricket bat, Kaboom, as if it might just make a run for it. Then he eyed the batter on strike at the other end of the pitch.

  Sunil Deep ran in to bowl. ‘Bowl him, Deep!’ Davey hissed under his breath as his best friend let the ball fly. ‘Get him out!’

  On any other day in any other game, Davey would have been cheering for his fellow batter, not planning to end his innings. But this wasn’t any other day or any other game or, for that matter, any other batter.

  This was the biggest day of Davey’s life. The game was a try-out for the South-East District representative team, and the other batsman was the extremely annoying Josh Jarrett, captain of Shimmer Bay Juniors under 12s and cricket’s all-round Mr Perfect.

  Sunil’s delivery was full in length. Josh stepped forward and drove the ball through cover.

  Davey tried to smile at Josh as they ran up and back down the pitch, but his heart wasn’t in it. Josh Jarrett was so perfect. It was difficult to watch.

  Ivy Mundine, Davey’s teammate in the Sandhill Sluggers, scooped up the ball and returned it to the Sluggers’ wicket-keeper, Tay Tui.

  But Josh had scored another two runs.

  ‘Okay, guys, that’ll do.’ Dermot, the district selector with a voice like a sheepdog, motioned for the players to leave the field. ‘Take a break for ten, then we’ll see who’s made the team.’

  With Bernie, the other selector, Dermot wandered off in the direction of the little marquee they’d pitched under the trees at Flatter Park.

  Tay Tui shared around the oranges. Then everyone turned to watch as the selectors scribbled on their clipboards and compared notes.

  ‘Well I know I made the team,’ Josh Jarrett said to another Shimmer Bay player. ‘There was a huge tick beside my name. I saw it.’

  ‘They’ll have to make you captain, Josh,’ the other boy said. ‘There’s no one else.’ The boy looked around, shaking his head despondently.

  No one else?! Davey glanced at Sunil, who was the Sandhill Sluggers’ captain and was the best captain in all of Sandhill Flats, if not the world.

  Sunil shrugged and pulled a couple of lollies out of his pocket. ‘Here, Warner, have a Whopper Chomp to calm your nerves. You can pay me back tomorrow.’

  Davey’s friends gathered around. ‘Any more where that came from, Deep?’ George Pepi stuck out his hand.

  ‘Yeah, Captain Deep. Gotta look after your players.’ Now Kevin McNab had his hand out.

  ‘Yeah, Deep!’ Ivy and Tay shouted in unison.

  Sunil dug deep into his pocket and pulled out more lollies. ‘Okay, but you have to pay me back tomorrow, plus ten per cent interest. It’s only fair.’

  By the time the two selectors returned, the Sandhill Flats cricketers were quietly sucking on Whopper Chomps, cool as cucumbers. The Shimmer Bay players didn’t need to suck on anything – they seemed certain they’d all made the side.

  ‘Okay, guys,’ Dermot barked. ‘No easy way to do this. Some of you made the squad, but some didn’t. If you hear your name, step forward. If you don’t hear your name, you’re free to leave.’

  Davey’s tummy suddenly felt like the worms in George’s mum’s worm farm after their breakfast had been served. He desperately wanted to make the South-East District rep side, better known as the South-East Slammers. It had been his dream since he first picked up a cricket bat at Sunil’s fourth birthday party and hit a ball straight into the birthday cake.

  ‘Josh Jarrett, step forward,’ Dermot barked. ‘Caspar Chan . . .’ So far all the names called out belonged to Shimmer Bay players. Davey glanced around at his friends. Everyone had their fingers crossed. Sunil had turned grey.

  ‘Tay Tui.’

  ‘Yay!’ At last a Slugger! Tay stepped forward. Davey clapped and cheered with everyone else from Sandhill Flats. He was pleased for his friend, but he guessed there were only a couple of spots left in the team, so it was possible he’d missed out.

  ‘Lydia Limone.’ Shimmer Bay’s best fast bowler stepped forward.

  Davey sucked in a breath.

  ‘Sunil Deep. And last . . .’ Dermot suddenly had a coughing fit. It seemed to go on for years, but actually lasted four seconds. He found a tissue and mopped his face. ‘Sorry, guys.’ Now he sounded like a chihuahua with a cold. ‘Where was I . . . ? Ah, yes. And last . . . David Warner.’

  Sunil grinned at his friend. George, Kevin and Ivy leapt into the air. ‘Yaaayyyy!’

  Davey stepped forward, his heart banging in his chest as though it wanted to get out. His friends crowded around.

  They’d done it! They’d finally made the South-East District rep side. A dream come true!

  Dermot cleared his throat. ‘So, that’s the squad. Everyone else can head home.’

  Davey looked across at the three friends who hadn’t made it, but George, Ivy and Kevin were taking it well.

  Dermot cleared his throat again. ‘Next thing we need to do is announce who’ll be captain.’ For the first time, he smiled. ‘The captain of the South-East rep team under 12s is . . . Josh Jarrett!’

  The Shimmer Bay crew cheered loudly. Josh just nodded, as though it was no surprise.

  Sunil smiled so his dimple showed. ‘Who’ll be vice-captain?’ he asked nonchalantly.

  ‘Mmm, not sure yet,’ Dermot growled. ‘Have to see how you all go. Captain was easy – with his batting, bowling and fielding, Jarrett’s a stand-out.’

  The other selector bared his teeth. Davey realised he was smiling.

  Davey and Sunil looked at each other. Josh Jarrett wasn’t going to spoil their day. And anyway, it could have been worse. They could have missed out altogether. As it was, they were now officially South-East Slammers! It truly was a dream come true!

  CHAPTER 2

  HOMEWORK HORROR?

  Davey was walking on air. Well, he wasn’t actually floating above the ground, but he felt like he was. He was walking on air metaphorically, as his teacher, Mr Mudge, would say when he was droning on about writing and words and whatever it was Mudge droned on about.

  Even now, slumped at his school desk beside Mo Clouter, who loved football but hated cricket, Davey felt as though he could walk on air, if only Mr Mudge would let him get out of his chair.

  Making the district representative side had changed his attitude to everything, Davey thought to himself as Mr Mudge rambled on about equilateral triangles. Now that he was playing in the rep side, Davey dec
ided, he was ready to be more responsible in every part of his life, even schoolwork. Especially schoolwork, he thought optimistically. I’m ready to excel in all my endeavours.

  ‘. . . time management, Warner?’

  Davey looked up. Mr Mudge’s ears were only centimetres from his own.

  Davey had no idea what Mudge was talking about, but he tried to sound confident. ‘Yes, Mr Mudge.’

  ‘Are you sure, Warner?’ Mr Mudge leaned in closer. His ears were turning red, a sure sign he was getting angry.

  Davey nodded. ‘Certain.’

  ‘I’m pleased to hear it.’ But Mudge didn’t seem convinced. ‘Well, I look forward to reading every word of your assignment,’ he said, pointing in the direction of a pile of papers on his desk. ‘I hope you’ve made an effort this time, Warner.’

  Davey froze. Homework! He’d been so busy walking on air he’d completely forgotten to do his assignment. And now it seemed he’d just told Mudge he’d already handed it in. The grumpy old teacher would flip when he found out the truth.

  But, really, how bad could it be? Still walking on air, Davey wasn’t too worried. He’d simply explain to Mr Mudge that he was pretty busy with the rep team and that he’d be happy to do the assignment, when he found the time.

  ‘Those who can’t manage their time well enough to complete homework will be asked by the principal, Mrs Trundle, to help out with Kindy Choir for the rest of the year. Which means no sport. None. And especially no representative sport.’ Mr Mudge licked his lips as he looked from Davey to Sunil.

  Kindy Choir? No sport? How far would Mudge go?

  Luckily, Davey was saved by the bell. Lunchtime. That would give him time to work something out. Surely Sunil would know what to do . . .

  As it turned out, Sunil did come up with a plan to keep Davey out of trouble over his homework. But it was complicated, involving a hot air balloon and a frill-necked lizard. Davey was pretty sure he wouldn’t be able to get his hands on either.

  George and Kevin’s ideas weren’t much better. So, when the bell rang to go back to class, Davey was no closer to a solution.

  Just as the boys rounded the toilet block, Max, Davey’s dog, skittered past them. He was trailing something wet and gooey from his mouth.

  ‘Uh-oh, look who’s on the loose,’ Sunil said.

  ‘Max!’ Davey shouted. ‘Heel, boy!’

  But the animal paid no attention, dashing across C playground and out the gate. Moments later, he disappeared around the corner.

  Davey stopped in his tracks. ‘Eee-ew! What’s that?’ He pointed at a trail of lumpy sludge on the ground not far from 6M’s classroom.

  ‘That’s your brain, Warner,’ George said.

  Sunil made a face. ‘Well, whatever it is, it leads all the way to the room. Look!’

  Sunil was right. In fact, the lumpy sludge led not to 6M’s classroom but into it.

  Davey and his friends followed the slimy trail. Other members of 6M, also on their way back from lunch, fell in behind them. Just as they reached the classroom, Mr Mudge appeared in the doorway.

  ‘WAR-NER!’ Mudge’s ears were deep purple, and his cheeks glowed orange. He looked like his head was about to spontaneously combust.

  ‘Yes, Mr Mudge?’ Davey could barely get the words out. He’d never seen Mudge so mad – well, not in the last week or so.

  The rest of 6M stood in silence, frozen in fear.

  ‘THAT DOG! THAT DOG!!! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU?’

  ‘Um . . .’ It was all Davey could muster. The world seemed to have stopped.

  Then Mudge’s voice dropped to a sickening hiss. ‘Warner, that dog of yours, that dog . . . it, it . . .’

  ‘Yes, Mr Mudge?’

  ‘THAT DOG HAS EATEN ALL THE HOMEWORK!’

  CHAPTER 3

  MORE MAX MAYHEM

  Mr Mudge’s head didn’t burst into flames, but it was a near thing. Eventually, after he’d caught his breath, he marched Davey Warner along the trail of sludge, following it inside.

  It led up onto Mr Mudge’s chair and ended on top of the teacher’s desk in a molehill of lumpy sludge. In it, Davey could just make out a few scraps of dog-eared paper, licked and chewed beyond recognition.

  ‘What do you think of that, WAR-NER?’ Mr Mudge yelled.

  ‘Not good, Sir,’ Davey said.

  ‘Your dog did that, Warner. Not only did he eat the homework, he then vomited it all up again. And what’s that lumpy sludge? What on earth do you feed him?’

  ‘Looks like banana milk, Sir.’

  ‘You feed him banana milk?’ Mudge’s ears had turned magenta and seemed to be swelling.

  ‘No, but maybe he found some in the playground.’

  ‘And what was he doing in the playground? YOU KNOW VERY WELL THAT DOG IS BANNED!’ Mudge bawled in Davey’s ear.

  Davey stepped back, and caught sight of his friends in the doorway. Strangely, they were all giving him the thumbs up.

  Suddenly he got it. Now that Max had eaten all the homework, Mr Mudge wouldn’t know who had handed in their assignment and who hadn’t.

  Davey was saved! It was brilliant, certainly a lot simpler than Sunil’s plan. And all thanks to Max! So long as Mudge didn’t make Davey help out with Kindy Choir, it was a win–win all round.

  Mudge handed Davey a rag, mop and bucket. ‘Once you’ve cleaned up that mess, it’s straight to Mrs Trundle’s office,’ he barked. ‘Now get started!’

  Davey got to work. He wasn’t too worried, all things considered. A visit to the school principal’s office was nothing new. He just hoped she wouldn’t mention Kindy Choir duty.

  While Davey scrubbed and mopped, the rest of the the class filed in and sat down.

  Bella Ferosi, school captain and 6M’s most diligent student, put up her hand. ‘Mr Mudge, I was expecting to get at least 100 per cent for that assignment,’ she said. ‘I’m worried that if I have to do it again, I might only get 100 per cent. It doesn’t seem fair.’ She gave her long brown ponytail an irritated flick.

  ‘Bella, I know you always hand in your homework, so I won’t ask you to do it again.’ Mudge made that strange face that Davey now knew was a smile. ‘And, as always, you’ll get at least 100 per cent. Maybe more.’

  Other class members put up their hands to express concerns similar to Bella’s. ‘Mr Mudge, that was the best assignment I’ve ever done,’ Mo Clouter said sadly. ‘I worked for weeks and weeks on it.’

  ‘Me too!’ Clouter’s friend Nero waved his hand in the air.

  ‘And me!’ Now Tay Tui was getting in on the act.

  Davey knew very well it was unlikely that Mo, Nero or Tay’s homework had been in that pile on Mudge’s desk. And when Davey glanced around, he noticed that several other members of the class couldn’t hide the smiles on their faces. They seemed happy that Max had eaten the homework.

  So was Davey, if he was honest. Even though he had to clean up the mess, the truth was . . . Davey was still walking on air. After all, he’d made the rep team!

  Mrs Trundle’s eye was twitching like a strobe light. ‘Mr Warner, I have told you time and time again to keep that dog at home. He’s uncontrollable!’ She picked up the phone. ‘I’m calling your mother. Wait outside.’

  Out in the corridor, Davey cooled his heels for what felt like a week but was actually six minutes.

  At last Mrs Trundle appeared in the doorway. Her eye was still twitching and she was out of breath. ‘Your . . . mother . . . agrees . . . with . . . me,’ she said, huffing with anger between each word. ‘In fact, she tells me . . . that it’s your job . . . to lock . . . Max in the backyard . . . every morning before you leave for school. Is that . . . correct?’ She huffed so loudly Davey thought she might deflate like a balloon.

  ‘Yes, Mrs Trundle.’

  ‘And your mother agrees that you . . . must take that dog to training school. And . . . I have made it clear to her . . .’

  Mrs Trundle bent down until her face was so close to Davey’s it blocked
out all light.

  ‘. . . that if I ever . . . see . . . that . . . dog . . . on these premises . . . again, I will call . . . the authorities and have him locked . . . up . . . in the dog pound. Do . . . you . . . understand?’

  Mrs Trundle dabbed her forehead with a tissue. She was huffed out.

  ‘Yes, Mrs Trundle. Is that all, Mrs Trundle?’

  The school principal was so out of breath she couldn’t respond. Instead, she waved Davey away before hobbling back to her chair, where she collapsed, wheezing with frustration and anger.

  CHAPTER 4

  CONTRACTS AND CONSEQUENCES

  On his way home from school that afternoon, Davey cogitated on the day’s events.

  1. Mrs Trundle hadn’t mentioned Kindy Choir duty – GOOD. Davey would be able to play representative cricket – and every other kind of cricket as well.

  2. If Davey didn’t train Max and keep him locked up, the pooch could end up in the dog pound, which was basically dog prison – BAD. Even though Max was a pest, he didn’t deserve that.

  3. Davey might actually have to take Max to training school – BAD. It would eat into his cricket time.

  4. If Davey did take Max to training school, the dog would never get him in trouble again – GOOD. Mudge and Trundle might stop twitching and swelling up every time Davey so much as walked past.

  So, two GOODs and two BADs. Everything kind of evened out, which was okay. And Davey could still play rep cricket!

  ‘David Warner!’ His mum was standing on the back step, ready to meet him as he came down the side path. She must have finished work early.

  She was trying to hold a wriggling Max by the collar. ‘No, Max, no!’ she shouted. Finally she let the dog go. Max leapt up onto Davey’s chest and licked his face.

  ‘Get off!’ Davey gave his dog a push. Max dashed around the corner of the house and disappeared.

  Davey’s mum shook her head, then looked at Davey. ‘Inside!’ she commanded.

  In the kitchen, while Davey ate a second helping of Milo off the top of his milk, his mum went over recent events.