Playing cricket?

[rickjames]

Better here than the dedicated England thread...

So yeah, anyone else play? For the last 4/5 weeks I've been playing Saturday morning at these free nets down the road, and if we've enough people then we get a small game with an outfield and defend your wicket for four overs blahblahblah. Early days yet but the guy who set it all up has aspirations of it becoming an actual club, which would be fun; it's a pretty inclusive thing we do and there's a real mixture of abilities, most being OK to naff.

Played as a kid and gave up after being a bit bored of red ball cricket, but kinda got that spark with all the cricket on the TV, plus I live right by the Oval which helps, going to games etc. Picked up a cheap Kookaburra kashmir bat and a training ball or two and away you go.

Never really figured out if I was good with bat, ball or both; when I started doing this I'd have wide balls all over the place, but the last 4/5 weeks I bowl a lot less garbage, which feels good. Never been able to swing it, but I'm not sure if it's the pitches of the nets we play on.

Any advice/tips etc for winding my way back into it all? Share your experiences!

 

[rickjames]

I have a game on Sunday! Friendly club kinda thing, mostly old chaps I think. Kinda bricking it and not wanting to embarrass myself having only spoken over email I've sold the enthusiasm over ability thing. Bit annoying that my left foot has started to play up this week but I'm gonna play through it.

Got some kit as well; whites, box, shoes and a pair of Aero P2 strippers for my thighs which on first impressions are super comfortable and light.

 

[rickjames]

Ah not bad I guess. Aero strippers are comfortable and great.

So as mentioned a page or two ago, first game since I was about 14 today. The other teams Sunday side was largely made up of colts who were obviously a class above us. Pitch was a bit damp, any boundary on a normal side just went along slowly. They won the toss and batted

Got them to 50-2 then they put in a good partnership that got them in the 150s or so. Their last 6 wickets went for 4 runs, 171 all out after 32 odd overs. Got asked to bowl despite them never having seen me before, started really well before chucking along some absolute tripe. 3 overs, 18 runs, but ultimately a learning curve that will come with time.

Was down to bat at 8, opening batsmen got caught probably cheaply and they worked their way down. Went in and scored 9 runs, felt good to get bat on ball after so long out etc, and like I said it was slogging and getting singles, although I did get a shot down straight drive for 4. Got stumped in the end, not surprising since my only intent was to just slog and see what happened; should have maybe been caught a few balls beforehand. All in all, really good fun and happy to have survived a few balls, let alone put up 9 runs.

Played again last Sunday against side mostly full of kids as two oppos had pulled out earlier this week. Won the toss and chose to bat. Scored 209 all out in 39 overs, yours truly ending on 8 not out, so kind of progress on 9 from last week? Should have been caught at leg slip quite easily and at mid on but hey ho. Played a shot over mid on for four, felt good.

Got to bowl two overs of absolute dog**** though, wide after wide going in the same place, just flying over. Skipper was encouraging and told me not to worry but I can't help but be annoyed with myself, even if it's 14 odd years or so since I last played. Partly it's a confidence thing and the other part is clearly my technique that needs working on. Thankfully I live next to the Oval and they have winter adult coaching from October so I'll almost certainly be getting involved...

We won the game, they finished 196 off their 40. Cool.