Before the start of play, one of our team, Ramesh, drew us into a circle for prayer. We huddled with arms round one another's shoulders — nominally, three Hindus, three Christians, a Sikh and four Muslims.
-- Hans (chapter 1)

Importance: Hans is observing how his cricket team on Staten Island brings together a wide range of religious and ethnic backgrounds, and this multicultural prayer summarizes his experience of the game: players from many walks of life who all focus their energy and ambition towards one common goal. Hans, despite being the only white person on the team, and despite being an atheist, is welcomed into the game and into the prayer, and it is this spirit which attracts him to cricket during his separation from Rachel.

When we disapprove of something, we say 'it's not cricket.' We do not say 'it's not baseball.' Or 'it's not football.' We say 'it's not cricket...
-- Chuck (chapter 1)